[Review] Wing Loon Cafe (Olympic Cafe)

A while ago I saw some interesting pictures of Hainan Chicken at this place which was basically chicken with gravy on top of rice.

Although it didn't look like the real deal served with yellow rice and sauces it aroused my interest.

Other food at this place looked good so I decided to pay it a visit as the table settings was basically like a Chinese greasy spoon cafe.

However on Tripadvisor it was called Olympic Cafe while it was Wing Loon Cafe on google.

In a way Olympic Cafe sounds better as it matches the decor and style.

When I got there, it was indeed Wing Loon Cafe so they must have changed names at some point.

There were so many things I wanted to try but decided to order the Hainan Chicken first.

On the drinks menu, they even had English Tea as an option as well as Thai Tea.

English Tea was a must for me as it totally matches this place!

After I paid, I was given some cutlery wrapped in paper just like the ones you get in greasy spoon cafes.

I was impressed when my food came, it looked exactly how I saw it on the pictures.

Lean white meat topped with gravy on top of rice which was a bit too soft.

The chicken breast meat was soft and tender which was pleasing and the gravy was so damn delicious just like this other Chinese joint in UK.

The gravy was just how I liked it, although it was a little salty but definitely heaven compared to the horrible stuff in Hong Kong.

Went back a few week later and had the Crackling roast pork with noodles and it was guaranteed crispy as the name suggests with a delicious crispy layer of pork skin.

Also had the roast pork noodles, again it was flawless.
The noodles in soup was really comforting.

Green tea:

Chicken, mushroom and noodles soup:
The portion was much bigger than anticipated because it looked small on google and straw mushrooms were used instead so I was a bit disappointed.
However the chicken you get is good with generous quantities.

The menu:

Wing Loon Cafe (Olympic Cafe):

130 Lower Marsh,

Waterloo

[Review] Le Hanoi - London Leicester Square

To be honest, I am not a fan of Vietnamese food because Hongkongized Vietnamese food has put me off it especially the cloyingly sweet broths which are a recipe for disaster but loved by the locals there.

Anyway, went to Le Hanoi in London which is located in Chinatown.
Before commenting on food, the service was really friendly and attentive which explains why people like to dine there.

I am not sure if this is a new restaurant but the decor by the staircase looks like it was left from the previous restaurant.

Moving on to the food, tried the rare beef pho and lemongrass tea.
Although the pho was too soft, it was miles better than the weird broths in Hong Kong and the hanger steak slices were so damn good.

The lemongrass tea is made with fresh lemongrass which is a bonus!

Le Hanoi:
https://www.instagram.com/lehanoilondon/

[Review] Old Tree Daiwan Bee

Small restaurant, expect to share tables with others.
Typical Hong Kong style service (not friendly service).

Food crawl at Seven Dials Market, London

Street food has been taking the storm in UK for years now like the Borough Market.
Enter Seven Dials Market which is a spacious modern foodhall which equips independent businesses with permanent fixtures while there is a comfortable hall for people dine in.

There are two floors, the street level one features a Monty's deli, club Mexicana and The cheese bar with the world's first cheese conveyor belt restaurant.

On the lower ground floor you have pasta, Asian food etc.

To summarize, depending on how successful the restaurants are, you might find restaurants coming and going quite fast just like other food courts/halls.

During covid, it was frustrating trying to dine there because you had to scan a code.

However, you can go in as you please now but not the same for boxpark which still needs a code.

The only thing I dislike about food courts and halls is the noise.

The latter restaurants appealed to me so I dined there for dumplings, Mumbai Toast and pandan puff.

My first stop was yum buns because the dumplings looked good.

There were so many dumplings choices so I went for the mushroom as not places have it and the fact that it was drizzled with chive oil.

At first, it smelled like garlic baguette but it actually tasted really nice especially with all that mushroom in it.

Next stop was NaanStop express for the mumbai toast which was a bit disappointing because I found it a bit bland but the cheese was amazing.

The Dahi Vada would have been a better choice.

Third stop was ong ong buns for the pandan puff because I simply love pandan.

As I was full, I had that at home.

[Review] East 22 - East London Pie and Mash in Eastbourne

I was really chuffed that there is a pie and mash shop in Eastbourne, it has been here since 2012 according to comments on the web.
It was formerly known as Seaside Pie and Mash but it changed owners at some point hence the new name East 22.

When you go inside, you are greeted with the typical pie and mash 19th Century style dark wood tables, the green tiles reminded me of Cockney's in Croydon.

On the walls, it had pictures of other notable pie and mash restaurants which surprised me because Pie and Mash shops are quite competitive so I like the way the owner appreciates pie and mash just like me.

On the menu, you will find the signature pie and mash as well as jellied eels.

Other options available are sausages and mash, haddock and parsley sauce as well as British desserts like sticky toffee but it would be good if they serve tea as well.

As I haven't tried any pie mash vegetarian pie yet, decided to try it here as they have it which is made with Quorn mince.
Additionally I requested for some jelly from the jellied eels because I just love it.

Tea came first which was served in a customized East 22 mug.
On the table were the usual condiments, vinegar etc.

The parsley liquor was thick and comforting.

Moving on the Quorn mince pie, it was delicious as the quorn mince had this meaty marmite taste.
Adding vinegar to it made it appetizing.

Last but not least was the jelly, it was different to the other ones I have tried.
The jelly was not as clear as the others but it was stronger in taste as you could taste the cloves, pepper and salt.

To summarize, I am definitely coming back again for the quorn mince pie which I will try with gravy next time.

East 22 ( Seaside Pie and Mash)
22 Seaside Road
Eastbourne

https://bit.ly/2EG54UU