Tao Yuan Asian Cuisine — Restaurant in Sea Point

Tao Yuan – Sea Point’s Best Kept Secret A few years ago, I spent time in Hong Kong and Shanghai on business. At first, many of the restaurants didn’t resonate with me. The atmosphere often felt too canteen-like, brightly lit, and somewhat unremarkable.

My wife and I enjoy authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisine, so decided to give Tao Yuan, in Sea Point, a try. When we first entered the restaurant, the ambience harked back to some of the restaurants I had come across in China. However, the delicious array of Chinese food at Tao Yuan more than makes up for the unremarkable décor.

Sizzling plates of beef short rib, crispy beef, and their iconic Peking Duck, served with thin pancakes and hoisin sauce, are enough to make me forget the surroundings. After all, isn’t that how it should be? The food at Tao Yuan is indeed the focus.

Tao Yuan, run by the legendary Mary Young, whose former restaurant on the beachfront once attracted busloads of Chinese tourists eager for an authentic taste of home cooking, has become our local favourite. The star of the show is chef Jacky Yu, whose skills were honed in restaurants across Asia. His expert use of the chanzi (wok spatula), often heard through the kitchen door, brings an added vocal element to the dining experience.

So, what else is on the menu at Tao Yuan? Besides an extensive list of appetizers, dim sum, soups and dumplings, they offer plenty for vegetarians and vegans, including cucumber salad, spicy seaweed, and a brilliant brinjal hotpot. The sizzling iron plates, served with fish, beef, or chicken, are a must-try, as are the beef short ribs and the sweet and sour whole fish. Simply superb! We are addicted to Chef Yu’s crispy beef (consider yourself warned) - he knows just how we like it—crispy and perfect. If you enjoy Sichuan pepper, the Sichuan pepper beef is a great choice, and the chilli chicken stir-fry will definitely satisfy anyone who loves a bit of heat.

For the true Peking Duck experience, be sure to give a day's notice when booking, as it requires advance preparation. The menu is extensive, and despite having visited dozens of times, we often find ourselves ordering the same dishes because they’re just that good! Tao Yuan is at 182a Main...

The service was absolutely lovely and made us feel genuinely welcome from the moment we walked in. The food was outstanding, full of vibrant flavors and clearly prepared with care. The cucumber chili dish, in particular, was unforgettable. I can confidently say it was the best I have ever had, and that includes meals from over seventy-nine visits to mainland China.

The green beans with chilies were full of flavor and cooked to perfection, and our main dish was not only delicious but generous enough for two people to share comfortably. The rice was soft, warm, and perfectly fluffy, the kind you want to eat slowly just to savor every bite. The staff were kind, attentive, and sincerely friendly, which made the entire experience even more special. I would return in a heartbeat and recommend this place to anyone who enjoys beautifully prepared food and warm,...

Stir Fried Vegetable with garlic and soy sauce. Received a container with leaves of Pak Choi... Phoned and ask to please deliver the proper meal and was told that this is their stir fry and was send in the waiting line for 5.5 minutes. Phoned again and wasn't very friendly anymore so they put the phone down. Sent Whatsapp with picturews which was ignored. Luckily UberEats refunded but I will never order there again!! The duck & pork was dry not really tasty. Would need some sauce (which is why I originally ordered the stir fry)... Bones in the duck as...