Maggie Fu — Restaurant in Liverpool

Been aware of this large Asian street food restaurant on lively Hanover Street for several years, but have never been in previously. Last night though, I was in a mood for adventure.

For some reason I thought it was all big bench tables you had to share, but joy, it turns out that is not the case, and the seating is traditional – small tables for 2, tables for 4. The illusion of privacy is intact and the communal dining experience avoided. I cheer.

Anyway, the arrival process was quick, and we were seated straight away without a reservation. I don’t think you could make a reservation. Not that I could find. Reservations are overrated though, sometimes you want to be spontaneous, so that was my nod to spontaneity.

The process is simple, you have a menu on your table, this is replete with choice – there are starters, sides, small plates and big plates – you also have a drinks menu. Once you’ve chosen, note down your table number and order at the bar. A fine system. Tried and tested. The service at the bar was quick and you do not need to carry your own drinks back to the table, as in a pub, they are delivered.

The beer was Asahi, as it was and as it should be in a restaurant fo this type. Crispy, dry Asahi, brewed under license in Chiswick.

The food was a difficult choice – so many tasty sounding things on offer. I ended up having two starters as I really wanted bao buns, but also prawn toast and satay. The buns were lush, fat and hot with good filling and duck and hoisin. I had two and could easily have been happy with two more. Love bao. The prawn toast was hot from the fryer, rich with prawn and went down easily. Not so keen on the satay, which didn’t match the bao and prawn toast in stature, but the peanut sauce was gorgeous; unctuous and rich.

For a main I opted for a big plate of deep-fried chilli crispy beef with fired rice – large amounts of fiery chilli sauce set the scene. Wow, such beef. These were big bits of beef too – often when you order this in a Chinese the beef is thinner and crispier than is ideal. This did not have that issue. Yum.

Overall, I give this place two paws up, for it is fine and worthy of a revisit. There are a good many things on that menu that I would like to try, although I will always have bao on the side. This is a fine addition to the dining scene in the Hanover Street area and appears deservedly popular. Long...

This seemed like one of these highly recommended places to eat in Liverpool according to best places to eat at articles, so thought I give it a try as it was near the hotel and was still taking orders around 9pm. Ordered the three meat with boiled rice and some sesame prawn on toast. The prawn on toast was very well made i.e..plenty of the stuffing/prawn paste, not just all bread. The three meat rice was also very substantive. I actually found just getting the rice dish would have been enough. So for the price paid for the 2 items, was pretty decent. In terms of taste, the sesame prawn toast was good and something I would get again. The three meat was nothing special; the char siu/roast pork was pretty good, the duck was probably too dry and a bit lacking compared to authentic Chinese roast duck from a Chinese restaurant/cafe, and the roasted chicken was as it is on the tin...roast chicken. As a three meat rice dish, doesn't fully compare to the authentic stuff I usually would get. Overall, was a very filling meal and I would go back if in Liverpool again to try other dishes. Did think it was better than wagamamas. I think it is quite a unique place and holds its own flair i.e. not a big chain type food establishment so does invest in some care to how they cook and present the food. You can see into their open kitchen. The serving staff were all very attentive and friendly and was easy to get their attention for assistance when needed. It does have a canteen trendy style atmosphere i.e. a Asian canteen/food court x bar (lights were on the dim). If you want a quick sit down and be fed then then is definitely a place to go to (during none...

Came here last week after seeing such good reviews but was left disappointed. We ordered through the QR code. Our starters/appetisers came out after about 10/15 mins after ordering. These were delicious so couldn’t wait for our mains!! However almost an hour later we were still waiting!! A member of staff came over and mumbled quickly something along the lines of an apology for our wait. We thought that might mean our food would be with us soon but it was another 15 mins wait before 1 of the mains we ordered came out. Another wait for the second dish and our salt and pepper chips which looked like they’d just come from maccies! The food wasn’t bad but definitely wasn’t as hot as it could’ve been. The chicken in both mains was also quite rubbery. Whilst we were eating, a couple sat at the table next to us, ordered and got their food within 15 mins of ordering!! And it was steaming hot!! Not really sure why ours took so long and only came out warm?? There was also order after order after order going out the door to deliveroo/uber eats drivers. Those people probably got their orders quicker than we got ours. When a member of staff came to clear our plates we told him we had waited a long time for our food, so he said he would inform the manager. We thought the manager might come over and offer an apology for such a long wait but after another 10 mins of waiting…. nothing, so we left!! This place is obviously more bothered about their online orders than people actually in the restaurant. Not a great first time experience, not coming back...