TASTE OF CHONGQING — Restaurant in London

My colleague and I went for a lunch deal. The food was not bad, but the service was terrible.

First of all, when we walked in, the staff didn’t even greet us—no “hello” or any polite words. One of them just pointed at a table and said, “Sit here,” then told us to scan a QR code to order. After I scanned the code, I noticed there was a mandatory 12.5% service charge that couldn’t be removed. I found this very strange because, as far as I know, service charges in the UK are usually optional.

So I asked another staff member nearby why the service charge couldn’t be removed and whether we could order without scanning the code. We weren’t insisting on removing it—we were simply asking. But she responded very impatiently and said that you had to pay the service charge. I told her that wasn’t the case in other restaurants, where the service charge is either optional or not applied at all. Then she suddenly raised her voice and said, “This is the UK, not China.”

By the way, we had been speaking Mandarin the whole time, so I believe she was also Chinese. What made it worse was that when two white customers came in afterward, she immediately greeted them with a big smile. This kind of differential treatment is completely unacceptable.

Anyway, in the end, I insisted on not paying the service charge and went to the till to pay the bill. The staff member kept muttering under her breath, saying things like how she couldn’t explain it to her boss if we didn’t pay the service fee. I just want to say that how the staff communicate with management is their internal issue—their job is to serve customers well, not to exploit them, to meet sales targets or please their boss.

I ordered the Mapo Tofu rice, which was priced at £9.80. However, when the bill came, the staff charged me £10 and asked if that was okay. I was about to go to class and didn’t have time to argue further, so I just paid it. But honestly, I don’t understand what the point was of overcharging me by 20 pence. If they think the menu price is too low, they should update the menu instead of randomly charging extra.

All in all, the staff’s attitude was disgusting. Although the food itself tasted fine, such terrible service ruined the whole experience. If their attitude doesn’t improve, I won’t visit again and wouldn’t recommend this...

On the first day of my arrival in London, I made plans to meet up with two friends for dinner. After doing some research, we decided to go to Chongqing Flavors near Russell Square. It only took us a few minutes to walk there after getting off the train. As soon as we entered the restaurant, we were captivated by the carefully designed ambiance. The restaurant had a modern Chinese style, with a comfortable dining environment and warm lighting. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, making it suitable for both romantic dates and gatherings with friends.

We scanned the QR code on the table to access the menu. It was filled with various authentic Chongqing dishes. After discussing among the three of us and taking the waiter's recommendations into consideration, we ordered four dishes to share: Guobaorou (Crispy Sweet and Sour Pork), Huiguorou (Twice-Cooked Pork), Secret Spicy Rabbit, and Sour and Spicy Sea Bass with Pickled Vegetables.

The first bite of Guobaorou amazed me. The dish had a crispy outer layer that enveloped tender and juicy pieces of meat, complemented by a sweet and sour sauce. It was delicious.

The Secret Spicy Rabbit, served as a cold dish, had a refreshing taste. The rabbit meat was tender and flavorful, combined with a mildly spicy red oil, showcasing the unique flavor of Chongqing cuisine.

The aroma of the Huiguorou, with its rich chili fragrance, filled the air. The meat was tender and juicy, and each bite had a subtle numbing spiciness, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

The Sour and Spicy Sea Bass with Pickled Vegetables had a tangy and slightly spicy flavor. The sea bass was fresh and tender, and the portion size was generous, perfect for sharing.

The restaurant was busy with many people, but the speed at which the dishes were served was still reasonable, and the dining experience was smooth. For those who love Chongqing cuisine, I recommend giving it a try.

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦: @𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐛𝐢.𝐦𝐜𝐫 🇭🇰🇬🇧💛 please follow to support more...

In London, I haven’t tasted such authentic Chongqing flavors with wok hei in ages! Near Russell Square, I always see a long sign every time I pass by. This time, I went in with friends and discovered it’s quite spacious inside! They even have private rooms for karaoke—perfect for celebrating holidays!

We felt like eating everything we saw🤣 and accidentally ordered enough for a New Year’s Eve feast.

🔥 Highly recommended!! / Chongqing noodles! Made with chickpeas, they feel healthy and delicious. I love the seasoning! / Appetizer: Numbing Beef Tongue, super appetizing and fragrant! / Panda Bamboo Shoots with Beef Brisket, my first time having panda bamboo shoots in London, with a slight smoky flavor. So fragrant and perfect with rice🤪 / Dry Pot Shrimp, the shrimp is bouncy, but the highlight is the fries, soaked in the sauce, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside😌 / Spicy Chicken! You must use a spoon to scoop it, so satisfying, and a perfect companion to rice. / Sour Soup Fish, the fish slices are fresh, and the broth is delicious, not like the artificial taste from seasoning packs.

🔥 This vegetable dish is a must-try! / Oil Wheat Vegetables! Stir-fried to a vibrant green that you can’t replicate at home! Despite being stuffed, we finished the plate!

Ended with a bowl of ice jelly to cleanse the palate, perfect! 😍

Usually, Monday nights are slow for restaurants, but surprisingly, many foreigners were dining there, giving me a sense of pride and happiness. I saw a book by the famous British food critic Fuchsia Dunlop at the front desk, signed for the owner. A restaurant recognized by Fuchsia Dunlop is...