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Getting a table at Dim Sum Duck isn’t easy. Since quietly opening in 2020, the tiny, unassuming family-run restaurant on Kings Cross Road has grown into a cult-favourite and become one of the best Chinese eateries in the city.
The thing is, the restaurant has a grand total of just 20 seats. That means there are regularly queues stretching out the door and down the street. But soon, if you can’t be bothered to wait up to an hour in line, you’ll be able to grab a seat at a brand new Dim Sum Duck location just around the corner (at least until everyone else catches on).
Dim Sum Duck has announced that it’s opening a second branch at 186 Pentonville Road, which is only a two-minute walk from its original restaurant. It’ll serve exactly the same menu seven days a week, with dim sum dishes costing around £6 to £8 and plates of roast meat or noodles starting from £12. There’ll also be beers like Asahi and Peroni on draught.
In our list of London’s greatest Chinese spots, Time Out contributor Elaine Zhao said: ‘As a HongKonger, I’m immediately suspicious when somewhere serves dim sum – traditionally a breakfast or afternoon meal – at night. How authentic can it truly be?
‘However, I was fully converted by Dim Sum Duck’s particularly plump hargau (prawn dumplings) and huge xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) alongside a delicious array of Cantonese classics, including roast duck, beef ho fun (flat noodles) and charred salty green beans with minced pork. Come for the food, but stay for hilarious restaurant manager Alec, whose dry wit will keep you entertained all evening.’
Elaine gave it a perfect five stars and particularly recommends the restaurant’s razor clams, which are ‘served under generous portions of garlic and vermicelli noodles in a umami saucy broth’.
An exact date for the new opening hasn’t been revealed yet. All Dim Sum Duck has said is that it’s ‘coming soon’. So, watch this space.
Discover all of Time Out’s favourite Chinese restaurants here. Plus London’s best dim sum restaurants here.
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