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Mr Kong
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Re-opened in January 2008 after a refurbishment (the second in two years, following a kitchen fire), the long-established Mr Kong now looks spick and span, with yellow tablecloths, catering-contract green chairs and carpet. There are two small dining areas on the ground floor, and one on the first. The restaurant caters well to its (mostly non-Chinese) customers. There’s a huge choice of Cantonese food, on three menus: regular, vegetarian specials, and chef’s specials. By 8pm on Monday, the ground floor was full. We began with a hotpot of curry crab with glass noodles; parts of the crab were dry, but the curry sauce was appetisingly spicy and the glass noodles absorbed the delicious flavours – an excellent start. Less pleasing was a ‘special’ of stuffed aubergine, green pepper and beancurd that was heavy on gloopy black bean sauce and low on pork and prawn stuffing. Fried ho fun noodles with beef was also disappointing, with soy sauce the dominant flavour. Monk’s vegetables (stir-fried chinese mushrooms, pak choi, broccoli, tofu and cabbage) made a pleasant, subtle contrast to the heaviness of the aubergine and noodles. Service was fast and friendly, with the chatty manager giving a warm reception.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 21 Lisle Street, Chinatown, WC2H 7BA
- Area: Chinatown
- Tel: 020 7437 7341/9679
- www.mrkongrestaurant.com
- Category: Chinese
- Travel: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube
- Times: Meals served noon-2.45am Mon-Sat; noon-1.45am Sun
- Price: Main courses £6.20-£26. Set meal £10 per person (minimum 2); £17.80-£23 per person (minimum 4). Minimum £7 after 5pm
- Credit cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V
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My wife and I never, ever go to London without eating at Mr. Kong's. The food is soooo good and the service is wonderful. Even if / when you have to wait for a table, Edwin makes it an enjoyable experience. I wish this restaurant was in New York!!! Truthfully, I have never had better Chinese food anywhere else.
Mr Kong restaurant is a joy to eat in. You will get authentic Chineses dishes which are a world away from the dull "sweet and sour" stuff you get elsewhere. Their grilled Turbot is superb, go for "Sandstorm prawn and squid" or try the succulent lobster, or if you're feeling daring the Cuttlefish dish is superb. The duck dishes are also very good.
And another tip...always ask to speak to the manager Edwin and say "Saf recommended you!" He can always do someting special for you and besides, some of the rest of the waiters have a problem with smiling!
Really enjoyed dinner at Mr Kong's, the set menu for two was great from start to finish and the service could not have been better. We had tickets for the theatre and asked for express service - the four course menu arrived really promptly and we were out in 45 minutes without sufering indegestion.
I went to Mr Kong's on the evening of Saturday 14th February 2009. I had visited London for a two day theatre break with my mother - in retrospect, attempting to go out for dinner with my mother on Valentine's Day was not such a good idea! We booked our table for 7.30pm but due to roadworks, getting lost and the area being extremely busy - we were about 40 minutes late arriving. The restaurant manager and his staff were extremely hospitable on our arrival and they had kept our table for us. The restaurant manager was very friendly and professional - he certainly is an asset to the restaurant. The food was delicious - it was served promptly and it was fresh and very hot. We were so grateful they kept our table for us because it was the first time we had ever been to the restaurant - and they had people lined up outside the restaurant who were desperate to find a table on Valentine's Day. Many thanks to Mr Kong's - I will certainly visit again on another trip to London.
Had a meal with my other half on 30/1/09.
Nice decor. very fast and attentive service with a very chatty manager. We had one of their set meals at £9.80 per person and I have to say it didn't disappoint being well presented and very well cooked. Didn't seem to contain too much MSG which often is the downfall of both Chinese and Thai food. All in all a nice evening at a very reasonable £32 for the two of us with drinks.
Outstanding.
Really great food and great service. The manager Edwin is a treat and looked after us superbly.
Authentic Chinese food, some of the best in the area without doubt.
We'll be back again soon.
I can't understand the Time Out low rating. They must have ordered the wrong food. Mr Kongs has some dishes such as sand storm crab which are soooo good that we have to order them every time. Plus Edwin is a star. Fell a bit ambivalent about this recommendation in case it gets too full - we use it frequently when we are in the West End - but happiness should be shared.
Mr. Kong is the only restaurant that has never disappointed me and instantly attaches me to its regular list. The food is so good that I can simply point any dish on the menu or ask the same as the table next. Or just tell the diligent manager Edwin to order on behalf with information such as “Very, medium or only a little bit hungry”. Every single dish cooked to satisfy appetite and to taste no matter you are a foreigner or a native Chinese. In fact, Edwin is very accurate at guessing a foreigner’s preference. His recommendation make you feel like an invited guests in his house party. This makes Mr. Kong unique in China Town. This place is never too busy or too quiet, never rush or rude. Everyone in the party are equally important, enjoying each other’s accompany. Another relevant factor made me a regular is that £25 per person is affordable and well worth every single penny, because it is not only fill up your stomach but also a valuable memory. I once saw a couple with 3 children came in Mr. Kong and said the first date meal they had was in Mr. Kong and then they immigrated to Australia and now on holiday and bring their kids to mum and dad’s first date restaurant! Wow, how sweet that is!