I’m sure like me, your mother, said things like” Sit up straight, use your knife and fork AND Don’t slurp!” However, I’m sure that in many Asian countries, that this is not the case, no knife and fork ( only chop sticks or fingers) and slurping is the only way to eat your slippery noodles!

Going on from my previous Blog, we were at a loose end on Saturday night and so ventured into Covent Garden, a quick couple of stops on the tube or bus. A visit to the London version of Din Tai Fung was called for.

We found it easily enough a short walk from Rules ( London’s oldest restaurant) near the Covent Garden Piazza. There were a few people waiting outside, but the booking process is easy ( there isn’t one) but give your name to the hostess ( she who is wrapped in layers of clothing standing outside), she will take your name and mobile number, inform you of the approximate wait, and she will text when the table is ready! Therefore, one can decamp to a local bar OR just go inside to their bar! London is only the 2nd Din Tai Fung that has a bar and according to Himself the prices were very reasonable ( much more so than in any of the surrounding theatres)!

So, we sat in the bar area, where could half see part of the kitchen and all of the comings and goings, a great people watching place ! Before we had finished our glass of wine we were being summoned, Table was ready.

The interior of the London Din Tai Fung, was slightly less functional or cafeteria style than the Hong Kong branch but the general idea was the same. A pictorial menu, a menu ordering sheet complete with pen and a drinks menu. The wait staff who were very efficient, were on the whole, Asian but not necessarily Chinese.

Here you can  see the pictorial menu and our order form. Very easy. We ordered 7 items, and the pork Wontons, were exquisite, not only dod they taste wonderful but visually a work of art. Himself was not over-keen on the fried pork, he said it was only Ok whereas, I felt that the Spinach with prawns like wise, slightly underwhelming ( and it was the most expensive thing that we chose) But otherwise, we enjoyed our meal, would be an excellent choice for pre theatre, if you were in the neighbourhood, but not for post theatre, as closing time is 10 pm.

 

As already stated, a great place to people watch, from the wait staff to the kitchen staff to those who transport the bamboo steamers from kitchen to table, to the women who gets out her whole make-up bag and proceeds to titillate her face ( fascinating) and everyone in general, what they are ordering and what they are eating.

And as for Slurping your food? Well, all most impossible to eat noodles, with chopsticks, without slurping! So may be best not to wear your best Bib and Tucker! though my grandmother, who died when she was 103, always tucked her serviette into the top of her neck, and maybe that is the way to go! Try it and see!