Ping Pong (South Bank)

Do not waste your time there.

Worst service, first food serve was fine, we were waiting for second Dim Sum for 30 minutes!! Some other customer was served even though they came 15 minutes later than us.

Finally food arrived and the staff just dropped Dim Sum to the table.

We were there before going to the theater, so we left with empty stomach.

I sent email to Ping Pong and the manager should contact me, but he or she has not come back to me.

So don't waste your time and money.
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Junko
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, February 19, 2011

The first time was excellent (short waiting time, friendly staff), the second time was almost excellent (short waiting time, friendly staff, 1 dish overcooked Dim Sum which crumbled and stuck to the steam basket when trying to pick it up with chop sticks - hardly faired better when trying to get them out with a fork but still edible!).

The variety of food is great. Although not pushy, they will try to get you to order more food than you need (they suggested 4-5 dishes per person both times I was there but 3 maybe 4 dishes is more appropriate – I am female, 10 stones, ‘normal’ appetite).

The real issue is with the cocktails. What isn't ice tastes absolutely great BUT beware that about 3/4 of your cocktail will most likely be PURE ICE! You know that most places will do this as alcohol is a big earner for them but I've never seen a place use this much ice and call it a cocktail. This much ice isn’t needed. The long cocktail glasses are quite big and give the illusion of much more liquid than there really is! Average price is about £5.99 for a long cocktail.

If you want privacy and you're a group of 2-4 people, ask for a private table. My second visit put me on a round table which can seat about 8 people (there were 2 of us). Despite PLENTY of tables being available, 5 other people we didn't know were seated with us near the end of our meal which of course meant less space and less privacy in conversation. As there were 5 of them, they were louder than us so this didn't work well.

I will definitely go back just to eat; the food is worth a monthly visit.
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7 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 01, 2010

This isn't such a bad place, but it's not that great either. If I were to be fair, I'd say it's just above average, but enough to be reasonably happy about going there.

I like my dim sum, but I agree with some of the other reviewers in that you're not that far from Chinatown, so why not go there? Personally I felt that the dim sum was more authentic at the New World restaurant, but that's just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

The service was fine if not a little confused. I certainly didn't see any of the rudeness that some other reviewers have mentioned. If anything I thought they were quite friendly - and also quite flexible. For example, I mistakenly placed an order with a waiter who I didn't realise was carrying about 20 plates at the time, but he handled it, rather than try to pass the buck.

I wasn't too keen on the atmosphere, despite the fact it looked quite nice. It's all hard surfaces, which creates the ultimate echo chamber. From the outside it's the height of cool. But on the inside I really had trouble hearing my partner.

Value-wise, it's not a bad deal. We ate pretty comfortably and spent around £30. One can't complain.

Remember, this is a quick stop and go place - you don't come here for the long haul. It's "bums on seats, eat and leave". If you keep that in mind, you'll have a great time.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 16, 2010

I find myself returning to Ping Pong at least once a month to satisfy my uncontrollable cravings for char sui pork buns, but to do this I have to try and ignore the fact that:

a) the staff are rude, miserable and couldn't give a prawn ball about customer service;

b) we have to set up camp for at least 45 mins waiting for a table and

c) we must be prepared to argue the 12.5% service charge they add to the bill if we've had bad service (the clue is in the name and if service hasn't been satisfactory then the customer should always give what they feel is deserved)

Ping Pong is fast-food dimsum in disguise and on a good day your food will come out steaming hot. It's a bit of a lottery when you order as I've had occassions where I've paid nearly £5 for some soggy spinach wrapped around a a prawn but other times it's been a delicious darling of a dumpling! The lemongrass and lime cocktails go down rather well by the way!

If you're used to the real dim sum and service with a smile then you're only one stop away from china town and would advise that you go there instead otherwise you'll be dissapointed!
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Cheryl
4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Saturday, July 31, 2010

Agree with previous reviews - Not a great dining experience, and would appear to be trading on a notional reputation or else just the hordes of passing tourists. Absolutely packed out, so we sat outside in the wind tunnel of the South Bank (luckily on a warm day). Service was hopeless from the start and most of our order was simply forgotten. We had opted for the "Lazy Sum Days" aka All You Can Eat, which might have been good value had it actually ever arrived. When we had some food delivered it was inconsequential and we were hungry again by the time the next round arrived. One did wonder how much of it might be actually made fresh on site rather than just bought in and warmed up. Didn't check out the kitchen so can't confirm; instead we packed up and left, and the only saving grace was the fact that our bill (which was wrong in the first place) was halved due to "slow food". Most definitely not recommended.
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eager beaver
2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Don't waste your time in Ping Pong! we were so disappointed! The host at door was so rude, and so unfriendly, like she doesn't want us to be there! the food was awful! only thing is the deco is quite cool, unless you want to pay just to be there! otherwise for the service and food ..... forget it!!
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M Wright
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, May 30, 2010

Ping Pong @ South Bank was a real disappointment.

Service was inflexible and unfriendly...

Food wasnt that great.. Dim sum in China down is definitely better tasting and better value..

there are plenty of other eateries on the South Bank that offer more filling options for around the same price with swifter service, so we wont be going back again...
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CQ
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, February 03, 2010