Zen China

In an area heavily saturated with tourism, Zen China remains remarkably true to its northern Chinese roots. You won’t find much of the fare that weighs down Chinatown menus here; instead, the specialities of Beijing province & its neighbours are well represented. Dumplings, for example, are freshly made & cooked to order; the ‘natural juice pastry’ versions are prettily coloured with the likes of spinach & carrot juice. Noodles are hand-pulled & served with pungent, tasty fermented yellow bean sauce & minced pork, while cumin-spiced lamb skewers are another worthwhile punt. Decked out like an imperial dining hall, with calligraphy scrolls & opulent fabrics, the room also boasts peek-a-boo views of Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament. Meanwhile, patient service leaves diners feeling like royalty.