CHINA INN

7-9 Newport Place
Covent Garden. WC2H 7JR

Phone no: 020 72873328

Do not even bother your pretty little head with the rest of the menu. China Inn’s seafood curry laksa trounces all competition out of the curry laksa arena. In London at least. .





I know the name implies that it only specialises in Chinese food but bizarrely it offers a not too shabby selection of Malaysian food. A big group of us tried most of the Malaysian dishes and the overall opinion was “don’t bother” – just a half feeble attempt to emulate authentic food but falling dangerously low of expectations.

Their seafood curry laksa however is phenomenal. And believe me, we have tried curry laksas all over London in the vain hope of finding “The One”. Funnily enough they don’t offer any alternatives to seafood (unfortunate for those who mount a massive histamine response to shellfish).

The bowl is monumentally big, certainly enough to place a dent in the largest of appetites. You can order it with whatever noodles you prefer. I recommend half thin rice noodles and half egg noodles. The soup is coconut slavering rich, marked by the richness and fullness in flavour of seafood with the right breath of fieriness. Bounteous amounts of fresh prawns, mussels, tofu, fish cake slices, aubergines and green beans (the last two are new to me in laksa, but believes me, works incredibly well) are provided.

Clientele are mainly non-Chinese. But don’t let this put you off. After all, you’re only here for the laksa. The place is cleanish and service is polite and efficient. Oh and a bowl only sets you back 6 squids.

HRH

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