Crispy Duck

One star is for the cheap-​cheap prices, the other is for just being where it is — smack bang in the middle of china town so you really feel like youre eating in it not on the edge of.
Now, I always use a plain chow-​mein as a yardstick for measuring how good a chinese joint is. So far its been a good representation of the rest of the food, as its a basic dish. Crispy Duck however let me down tremendously. No hint of pan fried freshness, instead been limp and unevenly heated. So I asked to have it reheated, in response my dish took a trip to the nearest microwave oven, came back glowing like a cheap ready-​meal. I eat, disinterested in my meal.
That is all I wanted to order.

Good value yum cha (dim sum)! Stuffed ourselves for 9 quid each :)

Totally thought I already wrote this review, but maybe I was just telling someone about this place. With a name like Crispy Duck and being located in the heart of Chinatown, you come to expect two things. Chinese food with crispy duck on the menu. Fortunately for you, this isn’t just a clever name. It’s a Chinese place that serves crispy duck.
In my opinion (based on one other London Chinese place), they have the best Crispy Duck in town. They come and cut it up for you at your table, which is quite a treat. Totally unnecessary, but interesting to watch… and hear. I guess they do it, cause if a guy came out with a plate of crispy duck already shredded and dismantled, I’d probably slap him. And not just the, ‘how dare you grab my arse’ slap, but more of a 1986 ‘Pimp-​slap.‘
Regardless, the food is good. The crispy duck is a good sized starter. I had the cashew chicken and wasn’t impressed at all. The beef was solid, as it should be. The unexpected winner though, was definitely the Lamb. I’ve never really ordered lamb at a Chinese place, but they know how to do a BAAAAH; and do it well they indeed do.
Will I be back here, of course. You never know if one of the servers will want to get feisty and serve the crispy duck to you already torn apart. Then, he will see the true power of my pimp hand! Also, go early and sit upstairs near the window. Lovely view of the passers by in Chinatown.

Okay, so how did I end up eating here… so I met up with my buddy who was on the end of his trip, and I was just starting mine. Met him up in Central London and went «bar-​hopping.» Since it’s a pub not a bar, I wonder what you guys call it there. Anyhow, after going to multiple pubs we had wanted to get some eats.
Me: Where do you want to go?
Jay: Let’s get some Chiiii-​neeese food.
Me: I did not come to England to eat Chinese food.
Jay: C’mon, doesn’t some greasy Chinese food sound good right now?
Me: Dude, I’m Chinese.
Jay: Dude, I’m Korean. What’s your point?
Me: Dude!
Jay: Duuuude!
Me: FINE!
We strolled around the area and came upon the Crispy Duck. The authentic façade drew me in. The place was busy that night as we had to climb to its third floor for open seating. Jay ordered a chow mien while I ordered a fried rice. I also had a yearning for some duck since the name of the of the joint kept ringing in my head. «Criiiispy Duck, Criiispy Duck!» There was only a three pound difference between the side of duck and half. I opted for the half. In my enibriated state I did not realize that amounted to a $ 6 difference. Oh well.
I’ll say that the food was adequate, but Chinese food in San Francisco is better and less expensive. The food seemed very authentic, as did the restaurant as a whole. Our waiter was even from Hong Kong, and we spoke in Cantonese. The thing that wasn’t authentic was the cost. I can’t fathom paying $ 25 for a late-​night Chinese meal between two people here in San Francisco. And oh yes, it wasn’t dollars that I paid in. I paid 25 quid which is about $ 50 after exchange rates at the time. Thank you George W. for those awesome exchange rates.

I heard about this place through a family friend who has been coming here for a long time and highly recommended it. Not much to say about its interior, and exterior for that matter as there really is nothing special about it, but its unpretentiousness and carefree attitude of not caring so much about looks, makes it all the more a likable place.
You can enjoy a decently priced and well cooked Chinese meal in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, reminiscent to that of a small, local restaurant in Hong Kong. I feel very much at home here.
Crispy Duck is known for the quality of their roast meats, and the sweet BBQ pork is cooked just right — easy to bite into and not the slightest bit dry and chewy.
Remember there are two Crispy Ducks, this one on Wardour Street and the other on Gerrard Street. Stick to this one.