Royal China Restaurant Review: Perfect Dim Sum and Chinese Classics at Royal China in Fulham

Chinese food has to be one of the most satisfying cuisines. Calories, salt, sugar, sweet, sour and so much satisfaction. While Chinese food is never going to win a health medal, when it comes to flavour it overshadows almost every other cuisine in an instant. With all that in mind we made our way just a short stroll from our home to Royal China in Fulham. While the brand is widely well-known for its Baker Street institution, Fulham is equally just as good and offers a more intimate dining experience.

We started with what is probably one of the most common dishes you’ll come across in the UK, but also one of the most satisfying – deep-fried squid with spicy salt. Perfectly cooked, just the right balance of saltiness, a good hit of chilli and the rings of spring onion making their rounds across the dish were as delicious as always. Even better was the signature spicy smoked crispy shredded chicken. So juicy and that smokey promise really followed through. The steamed chilli pork dumplings were also incredible. A lovely start to our meal and that chicken was worth returning for alone.

The Royal China group is well regarded for one thing in particular – its dim sum. The brand may have multiple sites across London now, but we mustn’t forget it just started with just one and since its slow expansion – quality has always been at the forefront. While the dim sum offering is during the daytime only, Fulham has recently launched an evening dim sum platter. I’m not entirely sure what each piece was filled with, but each was stuffed with either a generous helping of prawns or vegetables, and the casing of each was incredibly light and sticky – just the way it should be.

When you thought things couldn’t possibly get any better, it does. Succulent, golden, crispy and delicious Cantonese style duck. The dish arrives with the most tantalising glaze over the crispy skin and the meat of the duck is so succulent you can’t help but fall in love. We paired the whole dish with a plate of spicy Singapore style noodles. The latter perhaps lacking in-depth of flavour, but great when paired with the duck and drizzled in those rich meaty juices from it.

Decor wise Royal China Fulham could do with some freshening up, but the food is every bit as good as we’d hoped for. The service is spot on, the dim sum is delicious and the classic Chinese dishes are really excellent. So good in fact we know where we’ll be sending Deliveroo for our next dinner. If you’re looking for quality Chinese cuisine at affordable, sometimes bargain prices – Royal China couldn’t be a better choice.

I was invited to review