Dazzling Dim Sum at Yauatcha, Soho
Dazzling Dim Sum at Yauatcha, Soho
Yauatcha, Soho – restaurant review
Yauatcha has long been one of my favourite restaurants in Soho, but it feels like years since I’ve been. There’s just so much else to do sometimes. When it comes to gastronomy and incredible places to eat, Soho has it all, so it often happens that I walk past Yauatcha (longingly) on my way to somewhere else. But not today; today the call of delicate dim sum wins.
One of the great things about Yauatcha is how well located it is – walking distance to a few tube stations, with lots of great Soho-based hotels to stay at nearby too, if you’re new in London. The best thing about Yauatcha though, is its enormous selection of beautiful dim sum.
Dim Sum & Dumplings at Yauatcha
Dim Sum has gone through a bit of a renaissance in past years, and my cravings for it only seem to increase year by year. I love trying new places for dim sum, but some of my favourites have been had at Yauatcha.
The venison puffs, for example, are always good. We love the gently toasted sesame-seeds that cover a flaky puff pastry layer, inside which is a juicy ball of venison meat. Yum.
The shui mai are also terrific; little open-topped parcels filled with creamy steamed prawns.
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Then of course you must try the cheung fun, which are long, open ended variations of dim sum. You could have the triple mushroom cheung fun, or better still the prawn and beancurd ones. That crunch of beancurd is everything. Mmm.
We also love the incredibly fragrant mushroom and black truffle spring rolls, filled with smoky smooth-skinned mushrooms and that hint of truffle.
Then, try the turnip cake. Now, in my opinion, this is the best thing to order at Yauatcha – but it’s not for everyone.
The turnip cake is just that – it’s a square of turnip that has slowly been steamed into submission. It’s a vegetable that has been charmed into a jiggly, creamy, mousse-like thing. Every bite is lush. I don’t know which words are the right ones to describe it; best thing to do would be to just go and order it.
Peking duck at Yauatcha
If you’ve also got space, then do take the rest of the menu for a spin. The crispy Peking duck is lovely, then there is the simple pleasure of some hand-pulled noodles. And of course try the sticky rice in lotus leaf with chicken and dried shrimp.
After you’ve had your wicked way with bamboo baskets of steaming dim sum, then you must try dessert. The patisserie section at Yauatcha is almost reason in itself to go, and has as much artistry as the dim sum that came before it .
My favourites are the Flower Daisy of vanilla mascarpone covering a peach and almond heart, and the lovely selection of macarons.
So, all in all, we’ve had another lovely dinner at Yauatcha. If you’re in the area then it’s worth checking out.
Is the food at Yauatcha Halal?
Yauatcha don’t serve any halal chicken or meat. But they have lots of fish and vegetarian options if you’d like to visit.
Have you eaten at Yauatcha? Let us know your thoughts on our Instagram.
The Details
Yauatcha, Soho
Address – 15-17 Broadwick Street, London W1
Website – Yauatcha, Soho
Phone – 020 7494 8888
Nearest Tube – Piccadilly Circus
Disclaimer – the halal food status note for Yauatcha is true at the time of writing. Please phone or email the restaurant before you make a booking to double check the halal food status and anything around cross contamination.
The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own.
