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uninitiated, but the staff talk you through the customary way to order. Eating here is about sharing; dishes are brought out randomly, as and when they are ready, and mixing the different flavours and textures is all part of the fun.
To eat at Chop Chop without trying the dumplings for which the restaurant is famed is a cardinal sin. So we happily indulged, choosing eight pork and coriander and eight beef and chilli jiao zi – or boiled dumplings to you and me – both £4.10. Followed by four prawn guo tie (fried dumplings) £5.05. Al dente and oozing flavour, they really hit the spot and as chili and garlic aficionados, my dining partner and I loved the ‘create your own’ dipping sauce, made up of chili oil, crushed garlic, soy sauce and vinegar. Quite sublime. We also tried some very sticky and rich sweet and sour pork ribs, £4.35, a spicy stir-fried beef, £9.65, that thankfully was not swimming in sauce but let the herbs and spices do the talking, and a northern China speciality, pork belly and sauerkraut, £9.95. We were forewarned by our waiter about this last choice; apparently a brave one. While we agree it may not be to everybody’s liking – it’s basically a big bowl of boiled pork belly with sauerkraut and glass noodles, served as a broth – it definitely was to ours; the pork adding a smooth and delectable flavour to the stock. Granted, it’s not the prettiest dish I’ve ever seen but then you should never judge a book by its cover.
Nor should you judge a restaurant by its décor, it would seem. Edinburgh doesn’t have the privilege of a ChinaTown, but leave it to places like Chop Chop to fly the flag for authentic and delicious Chinese food in the capital. Give it a go. I’m sure you’ll love it.
Chop Chop, 248 Morrison St, EH3 8DT, Tel. 0131 221 1155 and 76 Commercial St, Commercial Quay, EH6 6LX , Tel. 0131 553 1818,
www.chop-chop.co.uk
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