The Water Margin

Golders Green is chock-a-block with kosher establishments, but search among the salt-beef sandwiches & smoked-salmon bagels & you’ll find this longstanding Chinese restaurant. Water Margin has been open for over 30 years, & although the decor hasn’t been updated much, the kitchen has always maintained high standards, turning out a reliable stock of Cantonese dishes. Deep-amber roast ducks hang in the window, ready to be sliced up & served over rice with a ladle of their cooking liquor. Alternatively, there are fillets of Dover sole stir-fried with mangetout, garlic & Chinese mushrooms; sizzling steak with ginger & spring onions; or Malaysian-style ho fun (flat noodles) with shrimps, roasted pork & fish balls. Drink green tea rather than Tiger beer & the bill will be a pleasant surprise.