Chinese Experience

A virgin visit to the Chinese Experience proved, in general, a disappointment. With the typical discerning Oriental palate, there were one or two dishes that were novel and the speed at which they were delivered was commendably rapid, however the selection of dim sum available was rather thin on the ground. Although many floor staff were visual, even for a Saturday afternoon, they were not very attentive. I will not be in a rush to return there.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Saturday, February 02, 2008

Of course, if you want a great Chinese meal don't go to Chinatown. But if you do, this is your best bet.

Lively atmosphere and sharp service. Food of a good standard but with no surprises or stand-outs.

Take the five minute walk to Hakkasan if you want something special for not that much more money.
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George C - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Saturday, January 19, 2008

Fantastic! Can't wait to go again!

My partner and I went here last Friday evening for an early dinner at about 6.00. We had dim sum and it was simply wonderful, muich better than the likes of the dim sum chain Ping Pong, which is my only other dim sum experience. My partner's had dim sum in Hong Kong and said it was easily as good.

The service was excellent, not rushed just very efficient.

We were the only non Chinese people in there, which I took as a good sign.

The decor is quite simple, with a large window onto Shaftesbury Ave so it is a bit like a fishbowl - but I was too busy enjoying the food to care or notice!

When we left not long after 7.00 the place was packed and people were queuing outside...I can see why! We were stuffed and left very happy after paying about £25 for the both of us :)
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Helen
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 18, 2008

Been to this place a couple of times and I'd say it was pretty good, one of the better places in chinatown (not much competition really but still good). From what we ordered, the pork shoulder stood out as particularly good, with honey beef also tasty. Beer was decent, service perfectly good, the place itself clean with a decent atmosphere. Came out to £15 per head, which I was happy with. Didn't particularly stuff myself though.

You don't expect much when it comes to chinatown but this place is one of three that I go to. I'd recommend it and will definitely be going back.
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Stephen H - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Saturday, November 10, 2007

The Chinese experience is the best place for authentic dimsum that I know of in London, actually anywhere outside Hong Kong that I have tried.

To be able to enjoy the Chinese experience, one must know a few things about Chinese food the way it is enjoyed by the Chinese themselves, if I may say so. Dishes are usually shared with others and it is therefore better to have a range of dishes being served simultaneously. It increases the enjoyment of the taste buds to have a variety of food rather than eat dish by dish - that is scientifically proven. Dim Sum in particular, is consumed this way, and the Chinese experience is, as I said, a place where you will find an excellent choice of food to experience this.

If you prefer the Western conception of what Chinese food should be like and are looking for your Peking duck and the crab crackers, you would, quite frankly, waste the space in this excellent restaurant. In that case: yes, please don't come here, go somewhere else.
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Charlotte
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, November 09, 2007

Very dissapointing. I read may reviews, which seemed impressive and as a chinese food fan I was looking forward to this visit. The service was both rushed and impersonal.

We ordered from the al a carte and chose a starter and the 'crispy duck' with pancakes to follow. This all turned up at once :(

The duck came pre shredded and seemed to be 'processed'. Not its expected fresh look.

When the bill came, service was included to which I complained by explaining the above to the manager. The manager (Malaysia not Chinese) was friendly enough and removed the charged. I was also given a card for a 'free bottled of wine' for the next visit. I immediately gave it to another table on my way out.

I WILL NOT BE GOING BACK!!
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, August 10, 2007

Simply gorgeous food!! Me and two of my friends had a starter, main course and a drink each. Total came to £32. Unbelievable. Very friendly staff too. Recommended to all!!!
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 20, 2007

This place is miles apart from your average chinese restaurant in Soho, recommended by a number of local chinese friends, you can never go wrong with that.

Top notch cooking from various regions and highly recommend the specialties such as ribs with strawberry sauce, and braised pork belly, truly delicious.

Excellent and attentive service!
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Eden Taing - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 12, 2007

This restaurant was recommended to us by Asian friends who eat there regularly. Although it is in the the same low to middling price-range of a hundred restaurants in Chinatown, it is head and shoulders above nearly all of them in its food and its service. The food is delicate and presented in a nouvelle cuising style, and the flavours are clearly defined. There is none of the gloopy dollop of MSG that you receive at so many Chinese places. The waiters are young, wear smart uniforms, and are helpful and.courteous without being familiar. The decor is modern and clean. On the night we went it was packed with young Chinese Londoners. It does a fixed menu for around £12 and £18, and a wide variety of interesting dishes at around £6. I can see no reason to eat anywhere else in Chinatown. The only downside is the name!
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NCS
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 25, 2007

Chinese Experience is one of the best restaurants in Chinatown. The atmosphere is modern and the staff are polite. Last monday in the evening I went there with my chinese friends beacuse that day was my friend's birthday. I loved the chinese words on the wall and I enjoyed using the chopsticks.In the background we could hear nice soft chinese classical music which really helped us relax.

I particularly loved the fried rice with beef and the seafood dumplings,it was really delicious ang looked very delicate. On the menu we could see chinese words , it was really lovely,we thought maybe we were in China now and we loved it .The food has different flavours:sweet , spicy , hot and bitter.You can find everything you want in this restaurant.

The prices are reasonable but maybe you have to queue at lunch time.
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Qian Cai
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, June 15, 2007