Ping Pong is a contemporary restaurant that serves authentic Dim Sum throughout the day with cocktails and Chinese teas. I love my Dim Sum Sundays because Dim Sum is usually served from 11am – 5pm so I never make it during the weekdays. Thankfully, I get to enjoy Dim Sum at all times. The meaning of Dim Sum is basically a small Chinese dish that’s steamed or fried which contains various savoury fillings. Usually, you would find 3 bite sized portions in each bamboo basket. It’s a great place to catch up with friends and as they say, all the fun is in the sharing (lets just hope my friend is into sharing!) I have noticed that Ping Pong serves seasonal specials alongside their menu and I was really keen to try something new.
I am a massive gin lover and what better way to start my evening than a glass of Nashi Pussycat cocktail – jinzu gin infused with yellow gold oolong tea – nashi pear, chartreuse yellow liqueur and fresh lemon juice whilst my friend was too intrigued to not get the Hong Kong Colada – a classic tropical cocktail with a twist. Bacardi carta negra rum, abruzzo liqueur, coconut, splash of orange, fresh lime and pineapple juice served in a bamboo mug with a bamboo leaf. Off course it wasn’t going to be a sober night however I wanted to try their flowering teas so I also ordered the flowering jasmine and lily: a tower of jasmine blossoms on a base of lily petals and green tea. Just like any Dim Sum restaurant; we had a long piece of paper with a pencil to mark which dishes we would like in quantities (very different from ordering a starter and main course).
As a proud Hong Kong’er I have my standard selection of Dim Sum that I always get and the roast pork puff has always been my favourite on the menu. They are honey roast pork, puff pastry glazed with honey topped with sesame seeds. Usually I know them as triangular shaped so it was interesting to see Ping Pong’s version that’s shaped like a sausage roll. It was very crispy and tasty and my friend seems to really enjoy it as he’s never tried it before!
Chilli pork tenderloin: they are pork fillets in sesame and chilli marinade with lettuce and red araranth. Be prepared to get stuck in with your hands; it was funny to see my friend trying to use a chopstick to tackle it…I guess there’s a formality to use cutlery but screw it, Dim Sum is a combo of chopsticks and hands. The seasoning on this pork tenderloin really brings out the flavours and is well balanced with the lettuce.
The main dishes I was looking forward to the most were the baos! There has been a rise in popularity with white steamed buns and how could I resist from trying these! They are on their seasonal specials so it was a no brainer to try these before they disappear from the menu.
Smoked duck bao: comes with 3 fluffy white steamed buns with griddled smoked duck served with lollo rosso lettuce, cucumber, pickled carrot and mooli, hoi sin sauce with roasted sesame seeds.
Chilli prawn bao: also comes with 3 fluffy white steamed buns, king prawns with a chilli coating served with avocado, pickled carrot and mooli, lollo rosso lettuce, tuna flakes and plum mustard sauce.
Out of the two bao dishes; surprisingly I preferred the chilli prawn bao; I think the fried king prawns went really well with the steamed buns which had that extra crunch. I was getting really full by the second bao and my friend didn’t hesitate to clean up the plate for me.
Last but not least, a dessert to end my fun filled night at Ping Pong which was the Yuzu matcha finger cake. It’s a matcha green tea biscuit base with mango and passion fruit compote and yuzu mousse, sprinkled with pistachio. When I first read the menu I thought there was a lot going on but once the dessert arrived; it was a pretty, delicate but slim finger cake presented in front of me. It was rich and pact with flavours; so I savoured every moment of it with a small bite at a time. How would I some up my evening? Usually, the company really brings the meal to life and I sure had a great night full of laughter and silliness over some Dim Sum. He seems to laugh at me every time I take a picture of a dish but he finds what I do very very amusing.
Ping Pong have 8 restaurants in London: St Katherine Docks, Westbourne Grove, Wembley, Soho (flagship), St Christopher’s Place, Bow Bells House, Southbank and Stratford.
Check out their seasonal specials menu whilst it’s still there; offering limited time only ( I believe) main, cocktails and dessert.
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