Karen Wong's Chinese Restaurant
- Food served: Wed–Mon 4–11pm. Closed Tue.
- Pre-theatre times: Sun–Thu 4–8pm, Fri/Sat 4–6pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 2
- Private dining: Up to 25 covers
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: 70s-80s soft rock and pop
- Capacity: 50
- Largest group: 50
- Open since: 2005
- Average price:
£15 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £11.45
- House wine: £13.50 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
St Leonard’s Street on a damp weekday evening can be a dreary experience, but there’s a bright yellow beacon that is Karen Wong’s Chinese Restaurant. Inside, you’ll find the place comforting rather than adventurous, in terms of both food and atmosphere, with a menu that is either reliable or slightly predictable, depending on your point of view. King prawn satay is sizzling and spicy, ready to be washed down with a cold beer or a bottle of wine from the extensive list. Wontons are light and crispy, while tender spare ribs come with a choice of sauce. Presented with a flourish, the dishes themselves are generous, the ingredients fresh. One reason for the establishment’s popularity is the presence of the eponymous hostess. She’s hugely friendly, working and chatting in equal measure, keen (though never intrusively so) to make sure every one of her guests is happy. Another reason may be the highly adaptive menu that includes children’s portions, pre-theatre deals, special banquets and the not-so-mini Mini Banquet.
- High point: Friendly, relaxed atmosphere
- Low point: Menu doesn't cater for the more adventurous
Reviews of Karen Wong's Chinese Restaurant (107–109 St Leonard's Street, Edinburgh)
- 3. Leith, Edinburgh – 29 December 2010, 9:33pm
Karen Wong's Chinese RestaurantReport -
I wish I could concur with the last two reviews unfortunately not so. Looks like the stars were not shining on the night we picked up our takeaway. Starters were bland, no spice and looks like they ran out of salt in the kitchen. Dumplings were in fact deep fried wan tons and the tampura was from a sweet and sour bottle, possibly blue dragon. Mains - chicken chowmein would be great for lovers of reconstituted chicken peices that are bought in airsealed bags, personally I prefer fresh chicken cooked on the premises, reconstitited chicken is like eating a tasteless rubber car tyre. Duck in black bean sauce-a great portion of duck, which was swimming in what can only be descibed as thin tasteless (beef) gravy, and I am being generous in mentioning that the stock had any beef near it. I think the duck must have eaten the taste of out of the sauce and again no salt. Altogether a most dissapointing meal and I dare say I could do a better job myself. I suggest the LIST pays another visit and that their food critic gets their taste buds checked by a GP beforehand or at the very least they make sure they go when they are not suffering from the cold or flu as this can often affect one's taste.
- 2. Lynda, Edinburgh – 3 February 2010, 12:43pm
Karen Wong's Chinese RestaurantReport -
Visited recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is certainly a very friendly place. Food was delicious too. The chicken and cashew nuts was beautifully cooked but far too mild for my taste - needs to be spicier! Prawn wontons were fantastic. Shall definitely return!
- 1. XYY, Edinburgh – 16 July 2008, 5:37pmKaren Wong's Chinese RestaurantReport
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Words cannot describe how good Karen Wong's chinese resturant is. It is opposite the police station at st lenords. Not exactly a buffet, but 6 courses for UNDER £20 is what I call great value, we couldn not move after it. Just wait until you meet Miss Karen Wong, she is hillarious, a very very very funny woman, she is nuts. Very good!
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