Spotlight
Dish Cult Dines: Seasonality
06 Dec 2024
06 Dec 2024
Where to go for Yum Cha in London
Yum Cha is a traditional Cantonese brunch that typically consists of tea and dim sums – small dishes served in bamboo steamers. Dim sum is designed for sharing so the more people you eat with, the more dishes you’re likely to try. The brunch is traditionally eaten with a family during weekends and holidays but can be a great way to bond with your friends – sharing is caring. Why not do something different this weekend and have a taste of Chinese culture?
Joy King Lau is a well-established 3-floor restaurant frequented by the lovers of the Chinese food scene. It has an impressive menu with a vast choice of meals that might make you feel lost but fear not, friendly staff is always happy to assist you. You can select from steam and fried dim sum and cheung fun (a rice noodle roll). The most popular options are crispy spring rolls and steamed dumplings. With affordable prices ranging from £3.80 to £5.50 per each dish, the restaurant is perfect for casual dining.
If you aren’t familiar with Chinese culture, you might want to start your journey from Phoenix Palace. As you enter the venue, you’ll notice traditional Chinese decor that perfectly sets the mood and allows you to really feel embraced by the culture. The dishes start at £4.50 and include steamed, fried and rice rolls options. Our top picks are Shanghai pork dumplings and sesame prawn rolls but if they aren’t quite to your taste, don’t worry, the menu is diverse enough. You will forget you can do brunch any other way.
If you’re a dim sum veteran, head to Dumplings’ Legend. With 47 dim sum variations on the menu, the restaurant introduces you to both familiar and unique flavours. The interior is cosy and minimalistic, with cultural elements and round tables that make it a great spot for a family day. Try their iconic dumplings in a soup for an extra twist. Prices start from £2.20 per plate.
Yum cha doesn’t have to be a family thing. If you’re looking for a place to impress your date with a high-end dining experience, Hakkasan is the one. You can taste Cantonese dishes in a sophisticated and intimate setting with dark wood screens and dim lighting. The menu contains classic steamed dim sum, classic baked dim sum, supreme dim sum and vegan dim sum. At Hakkasan you can go against the tradition and add cocktails to your brunch. The prices start at £22 per dish.
Yauatcha City is another high-end option on the list. It’s known for sticking to traditional cooking methods but with a modern influence. Indulge yourself in small plates such as dumplings, wagyu beef puff, sesame prawn toast and venison puff for a satisfying first dim sum encounter. To aid your digestion, choose from a generous selection of teas. If you fancy something exotic, try a mixture of mandarin, lemongrass, palm, chilli and mint. For a dessert, you can’t go wrong with their handmade sweets. Prices begin at £8 per plate.
