If you love Chinese food, swerve China Town and hit this submerged gem!
You can’t get more central than Leicester Square and if you’re hitting the capital and start to crave a bite to eat, you mustn’t miss out on this absolute dynamite Chinese restaurant.
Hidden away like a pearl in an oyster is Chop Chop at the Hippodrome, the world famous casino and theatre.
Located on the lower ground floor, the informal subterranean eatery is open from 6pm until 4am, making it ideal for those looking for anything from a quick after-work supper through to post-theatre/cinema dining or a late-night/early morning Chinese fix.
Whilst modern in décor and approach, the food at Chop Chop is as authentic as it gets. They are particularly proud of their duck dishes and those have been considered by the Financial Times as the best in the world. Big statement! I just had to try it out for myself!
You’ll find all the excitement and buzz of the casino floor as you make your way underground to the tucked away Chop Chop entrance. It has a speak easy vibe about it, having a cosy, intimate and private dining feel as its atmosphere. I’m ready for all the Cantonese and Hong Kong flavours I can handle!
Expect to be treated like family by the warm and welcoming staff who are all super knowledgeable about the menu. Especially Bruno, ask for Bruno – this man is a feeder and we were more than happy to let him enthusiastically praise the salt and pepper prawns and squid that we chose for starters.
Boy, he wasn’t wrong!
Unbelievably tasty, perfectly cooked fresh seafood in the most moorish light batter. It’s worth a visit simply for these starters. Of course we had to order the half duck with pancakes which were plentiful and superb. I must give a shout out to the chilli sauce too, probably some of the most authentic and perfect that I’ve ever had. My stinging mouth was there for proof! Worth it.
It was a no brainier that we took on the Cantonese Roast Duck for our main meal. We also ordered the Barbecue Pork with sides of Singapore noodles and beef fried rice. “The Best In The World” duck? You’d better believe it. Melt in the mouth, succulent and with that killer combination of sweet and salt. The pork needs its own spot light though too, as both were high quality and simply delicious. We asked for a doggy bag but it wasn’t needed, we just could not leave a morsel!
We were advised to also try the dim sum and the very popular sea bass but we feared going into a food coma! There will be a next time though, that’s an absolute certain! I’d happily skip passed every one of my favourite China Town haunts to return to Chop Chop. I’ve been dreaming of those prawns and duck ever since I left!
Visit Chop Chop downstairs at The Hippodrome from 6pm-4pm. For more go to www.hippodromecasio.com/chopchop/
Review and images by Saffron Bentley
