YiQi

When a restaurant has over 2,000 Google reviews and a near-perfect 4.9/5 rating—you know it’s going to be good. But YiQi? It blew my expectations out of the water! 🤯 This Asian fusion spot is so amazing that I’d confidently take my best friend (even if she’s visiting from China) here without hesitation. I’d seen it pop up on social media loads of times, and let me tell you: it lived up to every bit of the hype. The value for money is unbeatable (£20-40 per person), and I’m already planning my Nth return visit—no exaggeration! 📍 First Things First: Location & Vibe YiQi (pronounced “Yi-Qi”) is tucked right in London’s Chinatown, at 14 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BE—super easy to find! 🗺️ From the outside, it looks like a small, unassuming spot, but step inside and it’s a nice surprise: even though the space isn’t huge, the seating is arranged so perfectly that you never feel cramped. It’s cozy, not crowded—ideal for a casual yet enjoyable meal with friends. ⚠️ The Only “Downside” (Easy to Work Around!) Fair warning: it gets packed during peak meal times! 🚶♀️🚶♂️ The catch? No advance reservations—everyone’s equal, so it’s first-come, first-served. If you show up late during rush hour, you’ll probably have to wait. But here’s a silver lining: there are outdoor tables by the door. On a sunny summer day, grabbing an outdoor seat is actually a bonus—dining al fresco while soaking up Chinatown’s energy? Not a bad trade-off! 🌟 Service That Rivals Fine Dining (For a Fraction of the Price!) Let’s talk about the service—it’s next-level. 😲 I never expected this kind of attention at a casual spot where meals cost £20-40! The male servers are so friendly, always smiling, and they go out of their way to make you feel welcome. They stop by regularly to change plates (no messy piles of dishes in front of you!) and even bring warm hand towels to clean your hands—little touches that feel like something you’d get at a fancy fine-dining restaurant. Is YiQi here to “upgrade” London’s Chinese food scene? It sure feels like it! 🥘 The Food: Every Dish Is a Winner (No Favorites—They’re All Amazing!) My friend and I ordered a bunch of dishes, and not one disappointed. We couldn’t even rank them—each had its own unique charm! Pomelo Spicy Crab 🦀: Fresh, meaty crab cooked with a zesty pomelo and spicy sauce. Even though it wasn’t crab roe season, the crab was still packed with creamy crab fat—so flavorful! Every bite had a nice balance of tangy pomelo, a little heat, and sweet crab meat. Steamed Fish 🐟: This fish was melt-in-your-mouth tender—no fishy aftertaste at all! It was cooked so perfectly that it practically dissolved on the tongue, with a light, savory sauce that let the fish’s freshness shine. Braised Pork Knuckle Rice 🍚: The portion of rice here is straight out of a “fairy tale”—it’s huge! My friend and I couldn’t even finish it together. The pork knuckle was fall-off-the-bone soft, with a rich, savory sauce that coated every grain of rice. Hearty, comforting, and so satisfying. Stir-Fried Asparagus with Lily Bulbs 🥦: A fresh, crisp side that balanced out the richer dishes. The asparagus stayed crunchy, and the lily bulbs added a subtle, delicate flavor—light and refreshing, perfect for cutting through grease. Red Bean Shaved Ice 🍧: Is this London’s only red bean shaved ice of its kind? It feels like it! Topped with different sweet bean toppings, it’s packed with that vibrant Southeast Asian dessert vibe—cold, creamy, and not too sweet. The perfect way to end a delicious meal. 📌 Pro Tip for No Waiting Want to skip the line? Visit during weekday off-peak hours! 🕒 Go for a late lunch or early dinner on a Monday to Friday, and you’ll likely get a table right away—no waiting around, just straight to the good food. ✨ Final Verdict With a 4.9/5 Google rating from over 2,000 people, YiQi isn’t just a “good” restaurant—it’s a must-try. Great food, fantastic service, unbeatable value, and a convenient location? It checks all the boxes. Whether you’re craving Asian fusion classics or want to impress a visiting friend, YiQi is the spot. I’ll be back again (and again, and again!)—and you should definitely add it to your London food list! 😊 #Londoncuisine #LondonChinatown