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Mr Kong

21 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA Full details & map

Restaurant: Chinese

Time Out says 5 Users say 4/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Dec 15 2009

Infuriatingly inconsistent where it used to be dependable, Mr Kong continues to attract full houses, but few Chinese. The menu is gargantuan and that's part of the problem: it's not always easy to separate Cantonese wheat from Anglo-Chinese chaff. A 'chef's special' of baby squid with chilli arrived lukewarm and gaudily clad in lurid-orange, chewy batter - dreadful. It was in stark contrast to a plate of crunchy-fresh gai lan (chinese broccoli) in ginger; and an equally excellent soup of tender sliced pork, salted eggs and gai choi (mustard cabbage) in hearting-warming pork stock. Somewhere in between was a hotpot of belly pork with preserved vegetables, and a brace of razor clams with vermicelli and soy-chilli dipping sauce - both dishes a mite too dry, as was the steamed rice. Vegetarians have their own sizeable list of specials, including mock abalone, pork, shark's fin and crispy duck. The restaurant's layout has been frequently changed over its quarter-century history. There are now three small dining rooms (ground, lower-ground and first floor) where anodyne surroundings of white walls and dark-green carpets are jazzed up with yellow tablecloths and framed artefacts on the walls.

Tags: Asian, Chinese, Late night, Central, Chinatown, Mid-range, Restaurant

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Mr Kong details

Address

Mr Kong

21 Lisle Street WC2H 7BA

Transport Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus tube

Telephone

020 7437 7341

Mr Kong website

Meals served noon-2.45am Mon-Sat; noon-1.45am Sun.

Main courses £6.90-£26. Set meal £10 per person (minimum 2); £17.80-£23.50 per person (minimum 4). Minimum £7 after 5pm.

Credit cards AmEx, DC, MC, V

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( booster seats; high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate room for parties ( seats 30 ), Takeaway service, Vegetarian menu

Mr Kong map

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Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 5 ratings)

By Lee - Jan 23 2012

2/5

Have been here a couple of times and it has been quite good; that changed tonight when my party of three was shunted through to a table in the middle of the back room (admittedly it was quite busy). Food itself was fine but the surroundings hopelessly and intolerably cramped. To top it off, the (slim!) waiters thought nothing of slamming their arses into my chair at their normal walking speed instead of slowing down or going the slightly longer but more spacious way around to get to other tables; a sharp turn around and later a loud complaint from me was ignored by the offending waiters! For the record I was sitting as close as I could to the table, and as I had company chose not to make a scene at this blatant invasion of my space by staff which happened at least three times.

As a consumer next time I shall seek out a restaurant that actually respects diners's personal space instead of cramming people in regardless; you might want to do so too.

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By twitter - Nov 30 2011

I have been going to Mr Kongs for many years and the last couple of times have not been that good but last night was the final straw and I will definitely not be going again. I ordered the duck which was dry and had no taste at all. I then ordered chicken curry and egg fried rice. The rice was lovely but the chicken was boiled and had a slimy texture and I had to send it back. My partner ordered the fillet steak which also was slimy but we do not like to complain so we just let that go with the thought that we will now have to find another chinese in chinatown. Does anyone have any recommendations??

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By Kev - Oct 20 2011

I love a good Chinese meal, and I spend a lot of time sampling London's offers. Mr Kong is up there with my favourite. The food was good value and felt light yet filling. The vegetables were very fresh and the selection of wine was a pleasant surprise. It's topped off by Edwin, the proprietor and an excellent host. The staff will always suggest dishes to sample (which is invaluable as my only gripe is the sheer volume of dishes on the menu) and the service is swift without being rushed. The chinese tea at your table is a really nice touch.

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By Laurie - Oct 16 2011

5/5

Favorite Chinese restaurant for many years. Always on the agenda when the family are in London - something to please every generation! Convenient for Leicester Square, so ideal if having an evening in the West End. We always order the steamed scallops for starter, and sizzling garlicky king prawns among a few dishes to share for main course. Free pot of chinese tea gets refilled frequently. They don't really do puddings but give you orange slices and warm towel with the bill! Highly recommended for a relaxed Chinese meal with family or friends.

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By carolondon - Aug 20 2011

5/5

This restaurant went through a shaky patch, but is consistently good. The menu is a bit long and hard to wade through. Service quick - good for large parties.

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By Cec - Jul 17 2011

1/5

I think this is the worse chinese food I ever had. Pork was boiled and fat, no taste; mushroom looked very edgy, rice was cold and dry. No taste nothing. I don't recommend really.