Sanxia is a stylish, independent Chinese restaurant in Kingston, serving up a selection of pan Asian cuisine with a special penchant for dim sum. A small, curated chain, Sanxia has several locations across London including Bromley and Fitzrovia. The Kingston site has a picturesque spot on Jerome Place, close to the local boutiques, theatres and nightlife, making it particularly worth the visit.
The space itself is relatively intimate but prettily designed. A soft colour palette of lilacs, light pinks and peppermint give the dining room warmth, while pops of colour like Scandinavian red dining chairs and graphic artworks feel modern and on-trend. As for the name, this is another element that feels well thought through. Sanxia means The Three Gorges and refers to a stunning region along the Yangtze River where Sichuan, Chongqing, and Hubei meet, each known for their punchy and flavourful cuisines. Since 2019, Sanxia has been honouring authentic recipes and techniques from these areas, sharing Cantonese and Sichuan dishes with Londoners.
Sanxia is known for its dim sum and hapilly there's lots to choose from. Some highlights include the prawn and scallop dumplings with XO sauce, alongside scallop sui mai with tobiko and braised bean curd rolls with oyster sauce. There's even sweet options like cream custard buns, which sound delicious.
Another idea might be order a mix of cold and hot smaller plates for the table to share. Across the cooler plates you'll find mouth water chicken, cucumber salad and sliced ox tounge, while starters of crispy duck, salt and pepper spare ribs and a whole host of soups also sound delicious. For the main course, get stuck into the classic Chinese section. There's plenty to enjoy here: braised pork belly with preserved mustard green, as well as fish-fragrant shredded pork and beef brisket with bean curd cooked traditionally in a clay pot.