Whitechapel, Chinese Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “Oodles of noodles… and fun, too”: this “bustling, happy-making eatery” – year-old sibling to Highbury’s Xi’an Impression – occupies a canteen-style space in Spitalfields and “specialises in spicy, hand-pulled noodles”; “yum!”.

This “tiny place near Truman’s old brewery” serves an “excellent and authentic take on Sichuan cuisine, in a calm atmosphere, away from the agitation of Brick Lane”. Top Tip – “‘numb and spicy’ dumplings live up to their name”.

“Excellent Cantonese roast meats on rice” (“the Hainan chicken rice fills your heart with the warmth of a hug and a blanket from childhood!”) at prices that represent “very good value for money” inspire the highest praise for these Cantonese operations, near Liverpool Street and “tucked away” in Camden Town’s Hawley Wharf. The brainchild of Hong-Kong-raised pals, Pui Sing, Cheong Yew and Mo Kwok, they opened a new branch in March 2022 in Brixton Market (praised by The Evening Standard’s Jimi Famurewa for its “cooking of immense focus, skill and real endorphin-spiking intensity”).