Joy King Lau Restaurant

I have been introduced to this restaurant by a relative. It is centrally located not far away from Leicester Square, near the old Swiss Centre -- for those still remember there was a Swiss Centre at one point. The food is totally Cantonese, just like what you get from Hong Kong. Amazing value, the portion is very generous when compare to novel cuisine. Plenty of choices in the menu. There is also a menu in Chinese where it is not translated into English. I would say this is the more authentic one that one should go for. If you are a non-Chinese speaker, grab a Chinese mate and go with you. Dim sum is great as well. Most of time I only spend £10 per head on dim sum when I go with friends, as you can ordered a wide varieties of food to share. With dinner, well, I would suggest the Beijing Duck, it is yummy ........ It work out to be £15 - £20 per head and you get really good food. I also love the service, the staff are so friendly and they are really good in recognise regular customer. Once you been there a couple of times, they recognise you and is like walking into your auntie's kitchen. Amazing. Give it a try.
Comment on this reader review

Grace HO - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, January 28, 2010

This is, perhaps, one of the best value-for-money Chinese restaurants in London. It's not the easiest eateries to find (being tucked away behind Lisle Street) but it's well worth a visit if you enjoy traditional Hakka food at its best.

The restaurant occupies several floors, so there is rarely any need to book in advance in the evening. That said, lunch times can be a little busy, so a quick phone call before you arrive won't hurt.

Joy King Lau's dim-sum menu is easily one of the most extensive in Chinatown. Their steamed barbecue pork buns (char siu bao) are some of the best I have tasted in London. And their Singapore fried noodles are delightfully fragrant.

I have to disagree with some of the comments about the surly waiters. I have never found them to be brusque - if anything, they are sometimes a little over-attentive!

In the main, the portions are very generous so don't be tempted to order more than you need. If you do over order though, don't be embarrassed to doggy-bag any leftovers.
Comment on this reader review

Dragon - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, December 31, 2009

Been going to JKL since I can remember and I have to say the food here is great. Tried other restaurants in the area and in my opinion they can't compete with same dishes. Even when I'm eating in Hong Kong the dishes just don't taste as nice, especially the dim-sum. They do serve traditional food made in the proper way, ie not your local take-away, which in fact is not authentic chinese food might I add (my dad's a chinese chef so we eat in lots of different places). The names of the dishes don't do the food justice so do't be afraid to try something that doesn't sound or look very appetising - Chinese food never look as nice as they taste I find.

Now on to the service which I have to say is not the best, but bear in mind that customers come for great food that is cheap so money is made by high turnover of seatings (just like primark!). So service NEEDS to be fast hence why waiters aren't as attentive as say in a western restaurant. I need to add that this is traditional servicing of chinese food especially the times when dim-sum is served because of lots of small dishes. They work hard but I agree with some that some could be more polite.

As they say on their website it is about an authentic experience and the name of the restaurant means (roughly) enjoying the company of others around food, so don't let the service put you off and just enjoy the food and the people you're with.
Comment on this reader review

K Wong
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

In my 5 days in London, we found this to be the best restaurant, value for money, not too packed, away from the Chinatown crowd. Service was good (if you compare to Wong Kei), efficient and friendly. Maybe because we were Chinese from Singapore and had no problem to communicate in Cantonese and Chinese with them. we had 2 dinners there as well as a lunch Dim Sum.

Try the dim sum available from Lunch to 4.59pm. My family visited on a Sunday and the place was overflowing with customers, which is a good sign of good food in any city. You must try the Char Siew buns (my wife's favourite item and very demanding!), Siew Mai, turnip cakes and excellent Egg tarts.
Comment on this reader review

SH Chang
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 02, 2009

Great food, bad service. The waiters made us feel uncomfortable! One asked if we were ready with the drinks order and we said 'is it okay to give us a few minutes please? (as we couldnt decide)' The waiter just scowled and walked away. The dishes were plonked hard on the table with no smile. A different waiter tried to take a dish away when we hadnt finished with it. But as I say the food was fab - its just a shame we couldnt feel relaxed enough to enjoy it properly.
Comment on this reader review

Sarah
4 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

My favourite Chinese restaurant in this area and I have eaten there many times over the last few years. Must try pork chops in honey sauce which is the best dish if you are a fan of pork. In a convenient location away from the hustle and bustle. Service is fast and generally the restaurant is full but they have 5 floors so you should be seated. Well recommended!!!!
Comment on this reader review

Chuong Dinh
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 22, 2009

The food was only 'ok', the crispy chilli beef was very tough - not as good as our local take-away. The service was fairly swift but the waitresses were very miserable. On ordering another beer the waitress came over with a can of Tiger, opened it and placed it on the table - not the best! 10% service added to your bill is a bit of a cheek - we wouldn't have left them anything judging by their service/attitude when we visited. Surely a tip rates the service you were given? When we left two waitresses were stood in the doorway having a conversation and we had to pass between them to get out. We said 'thank you' and 'goodbye' but they didn't bat an eyelid - how rude. We'd never go back.
Comment on this reader review

loublou
3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Sunday, July 12, 2009

Great restaurant. Nice food, crispy vegetables, tasty but not salty food. Great value for that part of London. Service very quick and efficient.
Comment on this reader review

9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 29, 2009

This is our dim sum place of choice, I meet up with my Uni friends here every few months to have dim sum, it was here we hatched up the plan to visit china and still reminisce about the visit.

The dim sum is brilliant and very cheap.

we always finish off with the lotus seed buns,

the service is good for how busy it is, i mean there is no kiss ass service where people are looking for tips, its take orders, deliver order!
Comment on this reader review

ajen kandy
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, April 28, 2009

I have been going to JKL for the past 5 years, taken friends there and it is a family favourite. You get excellent quality dim sum with super efficient service. Although service is fast you do not feel rushed to finish your food. The price is very reasonable and even considered 'cheap' when we took our English friends there. You do get the sense that the waiters are there to serve customers, so thats a bonus. The atmosphere is not cramped, despite alot of table turning. I always leave very full and not out of pocket.
Comment on this reader review

- View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 24, 2009