Top on our London eating list was dim-sum. In Paris, where roasted meats, claypot dishes and stirfried noodles is the best we can ever hope for in the way of Cantonese food, we held off from eating dim sum knowing that here, there is simply no way these delicate morsels can ever be done right. Well, The wait was worth it, and the first meal of the trip was dim-sum.
For husband that is, he had a business lunch at a Royal China at 40, Baker Street. Me, I had to contend with what passes of for laksa at the nearby Bugis Cafe in Gloucester Rd. He came back from his lunch with a satisfied euphoric expression, the food was damn good he said. I made him take me there the next day, and finally I could eat me some excellent dim sum. I have to say, it was total bliss.
The lobster dumplings came in a cute little basket, and the fillings included generous chunks of lobster cooked with chinese wine and fresh vegetables. To-die-for. It also cost 6 pounds per serving! All the dim sum items we tried were impeccable:braised chicken feet just about perfect in seasoning and skin resilience, silky-smooth cheong fun, cha xiu baos acing all the components just-so. These people are seriously at the top of their game.
The custard buns remained warm for quite a long time, and still managed to be soft and oozy when we finally got round to them. OMG so very good good. Even the teas were the premium stuff. It was only midway during the meal that we realised that we were at the Royal China Club, the most upscale of all their outlets, hence the elegant decor and deferential service.
We returned again over the weekend, for one final fling before our train journey home. This time it was to their more modest outlet a few yards away at 28 Baker Street. Notice the teacups are of the more durable, everyday type, and the baskets a lot more seasoned. But the dim sum remained just as exemplary, and the prices much more affordable.
They have outlets all over London (and we know about the Singapore one, no?) We have been enthusiastic fans ever since they first opened in Queensway/Bayswater more than a decade ago, but the Baker St location is not too bad. A short walk away is Oxford Circus, where the Selfridges food hall tempts with the likes of honeyed Gorgonzola and semolina cake with almonds and lemons.
My sister tells me that good dim sum can be had at other places, e.g. Yauttcha. Some places even serves it at night. It was just too bad we didn't have time to eat more. Ah but then, there is another trip at the end of the month....
