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Wong Kei

41-43 Wardour Street, W1D 6PY Full details & map

Restaurant: Chinese

Time Out says 5 Users say 3/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Sep 29 2011

A faithful coterie of customers still visits the vast old restaurant known affectionately as 'Wonkies', in the nostalgic hope of being verbally abused by the waiters. Sadly, the rudeness was apparently (mostly) an act for the tourists; these days, the service is simply blunt and efficient - which is no bad thing in a multistorey restaurant with seating for scores of diners. The menu remains almost biblical in length, with dozens of stir-fries covering everything from pork to seafood. The rice can often be overcooked and the roast meats cold, but you do get free tea and huge portions for low prices.

Tags: Asian, Chinese, Central, Leicester Square, Restaurant

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Wong Kei details

Address

Wong Kei

41-43 Wardour Street W1D 6PY

Transport Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube

Telephone

020 7437 8408

Meals served noon-11.30pm Mon-Sat; noon-10.30pm Sun

Main courses £4.40-£8. Set meal £8.50-£13.50 per person (minimum 2)

Facilities

Babies and children admitted, Disabled ( toilet ), Takeaway service, Vegetarian menu

Wong Kei map

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Comments & ratings 3/5 (Average of 5 ratings)

By Andres - Feb 9 2012

4/5

Having lived in China a while back, I am always looking for Chinese restaurants in London that can take me back to the amazing food I had when I was there. I started to go to Wong Kei in 1993. The place may not look exuberant, staff may not ask you every two minutes if everything's alright and I have seen better food presentation in a McDonald's BUT when it comes to having a cheap, fun and tasty eating-out unique experience Wong Kei is second to none. From the tasty and filling hot-pots, the garlic-y Broccoli, the brisket of beef with rice, the braised pork in preserved veg to the steamed sea bass and the crispy pork and roasted duck fried noodles. I have always brought tourists and friends there and it has never let me down to this day (including Vegan/Vegetarians). People from all walks of live, snobs and paupers have invariably taken away some rare fond memory of the place. Let it be the free "magic" tea that the more you drink the more you can it or the fact that you sit with people you don't know and they don't seem to mind having their conversations broadcasted right in front of you... And all of this, for around £5 to £10 per head (depending on greediness).

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By John - Jan 19 2012

5/5

This place is fkin hilarious. Really bad service but great food. You don't come here for good service, you come here for a good laugh.The service is comical.

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By Tom - Jan 6 2012

One of the best value restaurant in West End. I have been eating there for more than 10 years. Low price and big portion.

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By Zeus - Dec 14 2011

1/5

Wonkies used to be our favourite Chinese restaurant back in 90s and I was really looking forward to eating there as I hadn’t visited the old place for a few years. What a disappointment. All the chicken and prawn dishes that we ordered were undercooked, bland and didn't taste all that great.

Never again :(

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By PayingCustomer - Nov 23 2011

1/5

crap. ruined my whole afternoon. you go to eat and relax, not to be disrespected.

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By Lu Hao - Mar 22 2011

Cheaper than most other restaurants in Chinatown but for a GBP 2.00 price difference, quality of food and portions do not make up for it.

FOOD
Chinese vegetables (Kai Lan) was cooked perfectly. Not over boiled or undercooked. Garlic sauce was not too diluted or overpowering.

Unfortunately, the cold meat on rice dishes were a disappointment. The crispy pork belly (siu yok) skin and meat were too tough. There was no flavour in the fat as there normally should be.
The roast pork (char siu) was equally bland and tasteless.

SERVICE
Service was good. Prompt without any rudeness. Had to share table but this is usual in Chinatown.

OVERALL
Would not recommend or return. If cheap is what you are looking for, go down the street to 1997 Special Zone or Hung's which do great lunch deals or pay GBP 2.00 for better food and bigger portions for equivalent dishes.