Mei Ume — Restaurant in London

I do not know where to start, i went yesterday on a Monday, 18th of November at 7pm i am soo glad i made a reservation because it got busy, and even today i am still drooling at the thought of the crispy, yet meaty and succulent peking duck, it’s almost been a whole 24 hrs and i still can’t take it off my mind.

Wakame salad was a little too salty for my liking but it was meh, okay and for £13 i personally wouldn’t buy it again

The spicey Edamame, was okay and for £6 the price was decent

Xia Long Bao (chicken dumpling) now for £10 you get one big dumpling, yes might be a little pricey but man it’s worth it, perfect starter, the chicken broth soup within the dumpling really packs a punch and burst with umami, you can feel your stomach turning its gears to start up the engine to consume more, really warms you up and gives you a burst of energy, be careful when drinking the soup out of straw, you may burn your mouth as i did haha, but definitely worth it

Octopus Siu Mai was nice, you get 3 small dumplings, the inside contents are beautiful, the octopus cooked to perfection and when dipping it into the chilli oil really brings it all together for £18 I'd recommend it, though the Xia Long Bao is my favourite out of the 2

Caviar O Toro Nigiri, right i want to begin by saying never have i ever had such a premium piece of Tuna in my life until i went to Mei Ume, wow, just wow, the tuna wasn’t fishy, it was meaty, i am usually not a fan of Tuna nigiri, but this? Was a level of its own, truly magnificent 10/10

Yellow tail Nigiri, very sweet and buttery very good grade

Salmon Nigiri, you can’t go wrong with salmon nigiri wherever you go and this place was no exception, very nice

Aburi Salmon Maki, it was good but not amazing, the truffle mayo was nice, it brought an element of creaminess to the maki, obviously everyones palette is different but i give it a 7/10

And finally the star of the entire night a whole peking duck, i still can not comprehend nor gather my thoughts, with each morsel i became more gluttonous, i just wanted more and more fyi its about 8000 calories, but that didn’t stop me, it felt as though this peking duck had come down from gates of heaven itself and descended onto my table, words can not to justice, it was sweet, crispy, fatty, juicy, succulent, the array of umami bursting with flavours and textures in your mouth, my tongue felt like a little boy looking up to the night sky to see the wonderful display of fireworks on new years eve, i felt truly humbled and grateful to experience the finery of Chinese cusine, and the fact that it was halal, brought tears to my eyes as i was able to experience it, 100/10, as it is beyond perfection, just wow

After all of that we had to take a break before the mains, the waitresses were very understanding, bless them

They then brought out the mains

Saffron lamb, now let me just say i was stuffed and even then i fell in to pure euphoria, it was soo tender and soft, yet it held extraordinary depth of flavour, even though i was full from all the food i just ate, that dish was phenomenal and the way the fat would just melt and coat your palette, truly a dish fit for a king 10/10

Black pepper angus beef fillet, it tasted very similar to a south asian dish called achari gosht, it transcended me back to my own roots, the spices and flavours felt very homely and filled me with joy 10/10

foie gras fried rice, the beautifully cubed foie gras was crisp to the touch of the outer shell, yet still moist within, the rice was beautiful cooked, all the ingredients mixed together truly heightened the dish 10/10

I'd like to note though they take pride in their meats being halal, only the wagyu beef isn’t halal, also pork and alcohol are served on the premises so do let them know if you’re Muslim so they know not to cross contaminate

Everyone there was amazing and though it is a very fancy restaurant, the stuff made it feel very welcoming and homely, i am definitely coming again and this time bringing my...

We had a wonderful time. The food, the service, the service culture, and the sense of well-being. Amazing. Disclaimer: we were hotel guests, and we got a table with 90 minutes' notice.

I am not going to share food pics because you will need to go and eat here at Mei Ume, but I will share pics of the drink menu illustrations and a few creative recipes, as well as a corner table facing in a pic taken from the table of two where we dined.

Mei Ume is not inexpensive. Be price insensitive when considering the things you will choose from the ample menu. There is a good amount of variety and much to love here, whether you only adore Japanese or Chinese food (I will not get into provincial details of either). We found the dishes to be one or the other; however, there are fusions to look for between the cultures, and they are gems.

We over-ordered since we wanted to try as much as possible and within reason. We seldom take food out of the box, which is always true when traveling. The mission was not impossible; order as much as possible, take our time and enjoy the surroundings.

The interior is rich and warm. We ate at night, and the lights were dimmed just right. The ceilings are very high, and there are fabrics and some artwork that extend almost floor to top, which makes for a dramatic look and feel. There are seemingly few tables when thinking about a space like this, but they were all full and generously spaced, so diners were not on top of one another. The tables could have been closer, and it would have been okay, but at this distance, everything felt very exclusive, maybe even high-brow. After all, it is located at the Four Seasons Trinity Square, a beautifully finished hotel at the height of its existence. Mei Ume is sexy and romantic, very much so. Take a partner or a significant other; this is not a place for a table of eight or more. I know Asian families tend to eat with large amounts of family and guests, and there are times and places to do that, but not here. There is an intimacy in the space that can be easily disrupted. Come here to enjoy each other, the area, and the food; you will understand what I mean when you go to get there.

The service is captain-waiter style, and a few captain stations are mixed amongst the tables. The bar seats maybe ten, and the bar back has reflective glass so you can see what is happening around you should you step in for a drink.

The staff is mixed male, female, or gender neutral, diverse, and not stereotyped in any way. The person at the door was very personable, with no pretense, and, of course, very good-looking. Well-trained servers genuinely care for your enjoyment and aim to please you. The service was just right, meaning not too much asking or hovering, nor was it non-existent. The team knew when to come to the table and when not to approach. I love this when servers know their clients, learn them quickly, and figure out what is right and what is not. They did a top job. Utensils arrived and disappeared like a well-orchestrated symphony. Liquids were attended to; frankly, I cannot think of anything that needed to be done on point. Bravo.

The foods. Mei Ume is excellent. My partner cannot eat duck, but I have heard it is AMAZING here, so please comment back if you have that; we know we missed a Mei Ume classic. The menu is extensive and, as I mentioned, varied. We are demanding customers and have strong opinions whether we are eating hamburgers, pasta, or ultra-high-end dining. This is not ultra high-end and is not expected to be, which makes it so comfortable in our minds. The clientele was also diverse, some dressed up, and some dressed business casual; we saw no patrons inappropriately dressed; it was all brilliant. We were there on a weekday night later in the week.

We loved the following:

Hot Stone Wagyu Beef Edamame with Salt Flakes (we did not have the spicey version) Rock Shrimp Tempura Shanghai Braised Short Ribs Wagyu Dumplings

We also ordered several different...

I had the pleasure of dining at Mei Umi in the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square, and I can confidently say it was an unforgettable culinary experience from start to finish.

We started our meal with the Mei Ume Signature - Half Peking Duck. The presentation alone was impressive, but the taste was out of this world. The duck was perfectly crispy, and when wrapped in pancakes with cucumber, shredded leek, and that heavenly duck sauce, it was pure delight. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures and flavours, leaving us craving more.

The Chicken Chives Dumplings were a revelation. Filled with garlic chives, minced chicken, and a delightful garlic kick, they were a perfect balance of savoury goodness. I couldn't get enough of these little pockets of flavour.

The Soft Shell Crab was another highlight. Coated in peppercorn salt and accompanied by celery leaf and fresh chilli, the flavours were bold and exciting. The addition of fried egg yolks added a unique touch that elevated this dish to a whole new level of indulgence.

The Sesame Prawn Toast was a crispy delight. The prawns were perfectly fried, and the roasted sesame seeds added a wonderful nutty flavour. It was a fantastic way to start our meal.

Now, let's talk about the Hot Stone Seared Canadian Scallop. Watching it being made at the table was a visual treat. The scallops were seared to perfection and drizzled with sesame dressing. The enoki mushrooms provided a delightful contrast in texture. Every bite was a burst of umami goodness, and it was a true spectacle to behold.

For our main course, we tried the Wok-fried Angus Beef Fillet. The beef was incredibly tender, and the black pepper sauce gave it a delightful kick. The fried garlic on top added a lovely crunch. Paired with a glass of Sparkling Tea, it was a match made in culinary heaven.

For dessert, we indulged in the Tapioca Sago. Creamy coconut, tapioca pearls, and the refreshing mango sorbet combined to create a tropical paradise on a plate. It was a sweet and satisfying conclusion to our meal.

And finally, the Iced Mochi Selection. These little treats were a delightful surprise. The mango, coconut, and strawberry cheesecake mochis were not only visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. Each bite was a burst of flavour, and they left a lasting impression.

The service at Mei Umi was impeccable. The staff was knowledgeable, attentive, and always ready to offer recommendations. The ambience was elegant yet comfortable, making it a perfect setting for a special evening.

In conclusion, Mei Umi is a culinary gem in the heart of London. The attention to detail, the quality of ingredients, and the creativity in each dish make it a must-visit for food enthusiasts. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for an extraordinary dining experience, Mei Umi delivers on every front. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. Highly recommended!

Halal options...