Harden's survey result
Summary
“A thrilling pure adventure in dining!” has won global renown for Andrew Wong’s record-breaking destination: a relatively humble Pimlico site where he spent time as a child (when it was his parents’ business Kym’s), returning after uni to transform it into the first Asian restaurant outside Asia to win two Michelin stars. It has always inspired adulatory feedback in our annual diners’ poll for the “absolutely sublime culinary journey across China” that he has created. “It is so rare that the actual chef is present every service and it shows through with exquisite dishes from quality ingredients that are consistent every time”. That said, its ratings scaled back a fraction this year. By night, it provides “a mystical 30-course journey”, but some old-timers miss the à la carte and feel that “it’s a shame the fixed menu is the only option as it is simply too much food, no matter how good”. (Although you can still eat dim sum à la carte at lunchtimes). And then there’s also the matter of cost. “The price of £220 per person for a Chinese meal is a bit out there” and while fans feel that “this is the one restaurant in town where you don’t need to query the very high cost”, there is a growing countervailing view which says “everything tastes heavenly, but the portions are small and the bill is enormous” (especially as other elements of the formula “don’t feel like a two Michelin star experience”). The winning verdict still though? – “OK prices are high, but fair play as it was my best meal of the year”.
Summary
“Probably the best Chinese gastronomic experience in the UK” – Andrew Wong “has changed the game for Chinese cuisine” in the West and “the progress he has made over the years is phenomenal” at this Pimlico HQ (which began life as his parents’ restaurant, Kym’s). “The hype is deserved” for food that’s “exceptional, original, and utterly delicious”: “he really sets the bar and showcases that Chinese gastronomy can go head-to-head against the likes of French and Japanese traditions when it comes to this level of cooking”. (“You can see the refinement and constant drive to make each and every element of a dish better and better”). At lunch, “exquisite dim sum” is served à la carte (and there’s also a lunchtime tasting option). In the evening, there’s the “pure theatre” of a lengthy tasting menu for £200 per person (“I don’t do tasting menus anymore, but this was a wise exception to my rule and an absolute triumph”). To a striking extent, no-one questions the quality here. Even so, some do bristle at the ultimate bill (“the food is exceptional, but you might prefer a week in Greece for similar money?”). “Still, despite the huge money, he’s full, so there are plenty of takers”. Top Tips – “Keep your eyes on instagram for last-minute bookings”. And “if visiting, ensure you have a drink in the basement bar, which very much has an old HK vibe”.
Summary
“Without a shadow of a doubt the very best Chinese restaurant in town” – Andrew Wong is “such a talent” and his “genius” cuisine inspires unending superlatives regarding his Pimlico HQ (previously run for decades by his parents as Kym’s). “Exceptional craft is on display” in the preparation of the “exquisite dim sum” and other “clearly Chinese dishes” (“none of your fusion nonsense here!”) and for some reporters it is “one of the most extraordinary culinary experiences ever”. But since the award of a second Michelin star (the first ever for a Chinese establishment) a meal here risks becoming “prohibitively expensive”, with minimum spends for lunch and tasting menus only in the evening. On most accounts it’s “worth it despite the high cost”, but the equation is more evenly balanced now, and the levels of service and ambience have struggled to keep up with the “hellish” bill. Even so, “there’s scarce table availability even with the extension into the outer terrace”.
Summary
“A next-level culinary adventure” – Andrew Wong’s “unique interpretation” of his native cuisine “makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about Chinese cooking” and has elevated his relatively humble-looking establishment, near Victoria station, to a place of foodie pilgrimage. Run for decades by his parents (when it was called Kym’s), the premises have been transformed over the last 10 years by their LSE-graduate son, to become Michelin’s highest-rated Chinese restaurant outside China; and, “put very simply, there is no better Chinese restaurant in London”. (A move to a new site has been mooted over the years, with no final announcement as yet). The “exquisite” dishes display an “unexpected degree of artistry” – in particular “the Five Movements tasting menu is absolutely incredible”: “ruinously expensive but bizarrely feeling like exceptional value”. (“The grated foie gras with pork and wind-dried sausage was a full-on work of genius; as was the crab claw with tomato and wasabi, which truly looked nothing like the description, but was so moreish it’s untrue”). Somewhat more affordably, “the innovative Dim Sum is simply outstanding… if you can get in” (“the second star makes it even harder for long-time fans to book”). “And prices are up, up and away...but still it’s worth it for such astonishing food”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at A Wong?
70 Wilton Rd, London, SW1V 1DE
Restaurant details
A Wong Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Excellent quality food with delicious flavours. House XO sauce was a favourite!"
"Nice to great Chinese restaurant but to much small different plates. It would have been much nicer if the plates would be less in number but a little bit bigger. For us to much show. "
"Slightly weird service and general ambience but mind-blowingly good food, even taking into account the huge cost."
"Insanely good dim sum, beautifully presented. Fantastic wine list. If only it weren’t so expensive…"
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £16.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
70 Wilton Rd, London, SW1V 1DE
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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