A. Wong

“Simply the best modern Chinese food in London”, insists a fan of Andrew Wong’s “inspirational” Pimlico restaurant, while another convert reckons it’s “the most exciting Chinese to open in Europe since Hakkasan”.  We’re also very fond of the place and weren’t surprised when Wong was upgraded from one to two Michelin stars in 2021.

At lunchtime, we suggest plumping for some “perfect” dim sum in the unpretentious ground-floor space overlooking the open kitchen: esoteric items such as ‘aerated’ sesame dumplings, scallop puffs with dried scallop oil or steamed duck-egg yolk custard buns are presented with real panache and an eye for detail: the “lit cinnamon sticks” (deployed for added fragrance) impressed one diner.

By contrast, evenings are more suited to tasting menus amid the “sheer opulence” of the basement dining room. Here you can expect accomplished but relaxed service, plus some “truly great” dishes culled from China’s diverse regions: a crab claw with cured scallop and wasabi; sweet-and-sour corn-fed chicken with smoked meat and marinated pineapple; ‘gold fish’ dumplings with seared foie gras, dried pork and chive-flower oil.  

Both “quality and quantity” are mightily impressive, while crossover desserts also deliver a “big wow” in the shape of, say, poached meringue with fruit textures or coconut water ice with blackberries, Xinjiang mulberries, yoghurt and mochi rice cake. It’s all about “flavours, textures and sensations”.

The restaurant is spot-on when it comes to drinks too, whether you’re in the mood for one of the Chinese-inspired cocktails or want to stay with the list of well-chosen and “surprisingly well-priced” wines.

Arguably serving up some of the best Chinese food in the whole of London, A. Wong is a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of Pimlico.

Named after head chef and owner Andrew Wong, it first opened in 1985 by Wong's parents under the name Kym's, before being reopened with a new name in 2012 by Wong and his wife. In 2021 A. Wong was awarded a second star in the Michelin guide making it the first Chinese restaurant in the UK to hold such a title. Serving a highly innovative menu of modern Chinese food, the restaurant aims to showcase a diverse selection of dishes from the many different regions of China. Its not overly formal ambience makes A. Wong a brilliant spot for special occasions when you want to avoid hushed voices and silver service.

Found on the busy Wilton Road, the outside of the restaurant is surrounded by trees and greenery, while there is some outdoor seating, allowing for al fresco drinking and dining when the weather allows. A Wong's large windows and light interiors provide a bright and airy feel to the place, with an open kitchen allowing diners to see the chefs at work and a few seats up at the counter.

There are a variety of different menus on offer throughout the day including a dim sum lunch menu, an evening a la carte, and a lengthy tasting menu. Expect creative savoury dishes such as Shaanxi pulled lamb ‘burger’ with Xinjiang pomegranate salad and Anhui province red braised fermented wild seabass, while sweeter treats might include poached meringue with fruit textures.

The drinks offering is equally innovative as the food with a range of Chinese-inspired cocktails available alongside an impressive selection of wines by the glass and bottle. You can either enjoy your drinks at the table or head down to the Forbidden City bar on the lower ground floor before or after your meal.