Man Fu Lou Restaurant in Beijing

Our first meal in Beijing (dun count the hotel buffet breakfast) - is in Man Fu Lou Restaurant.

Man Fu Lou Restaurant

The interior of the restaurant looks typical chinese classy style

What do they served in here?

Steamboat!

Variety of meats like mutton, beef, pork and chicken available for the steamboat! But I dun like the mutton and beef..the smell too strong for my liking and I feel nausea after too much of it..that I tends to eat more veggie after that.

No idea what biscuits is this though...not my cup of tea.

Overall is so-so, probably I too get used to Malaysian style of steamboat. So if you wanted to try a typical Beijing style of steamboat, worth to try this place out.

How to get here?
Address: 38 Di'anmen Nei Dajie (Just north of Jingshan Park, near Houhai)

For more information on my Beijing & Chengde itinerary, please checkout the link here.

Palace Cuisine @Tiananmen Fangshan Restaurant

What is Imperial or Palace Cuisine?

Any idea what is imperial or palace cuisine? Beijing Imperial Cuisine, or Fangshan in Chinese pronunciation, as the name suggests, consists of dishes once prepared exclusively for the imperial family.

Imperial cuisine originated in the kitchens of the common people. After entering the imperial palace, finer ingredients were chosen, the cooking process became more meticulous and food styles, dinnerware and utensils were given a more "imperial" flair. There was a rigorous selection process for ingredients and careful and attentive preparation, giving the dishes exquisite form. Fangshan Restaurant pays close attention to creating nutritious food, taking the lead in developing new low-fat, low-sugar healthy cuisine, with dishes such as "Assorted Bird Specialties", "Assorted Seafood Specialties", "Assorted Meat Specialties" and "Assorted Vegetables Specialties".

In its former life, Fangshan Restaurant was known as Qing Dynasty's imperial kitchen, preparing meals exclusively for the emperor. There are two locations: 

• one on the eastern side of Tiananmen Square (which is the one I had my palace cuisine) AND
• another under the verandah at Beihai Park. 

Interior inside the restaurant:
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Here you will find some of the authentic imperial cuisine in Beijing. 

Spamming you with some foodies that I had at Fangshan restaurant:
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Not sure what is this though

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4) Simple steam egg

5) Simple stir fry veggies

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How to get here?
Tian-An-Men Fangshan Restaurant
Address: No. 37 Dong Jiao Min Xiang The East of Tian An Men Square Beijing
Tel: (010) 65233105
Fax: (010) 65233106
Post Code: 100006
By bus: Take Bus No. 22, 120, 20, 8, exit at Tiananmen East
Average price per pax: ~RMB100 to ~RMB800 depending on the selections

My personal opinion: It's not really worth the value as the price is quite expensive but the dishes is kinda too simple though to me to be a "imperial cuisine" or maybe my expectation too high?

For more information on my Beijing & Chengde itinerary, please checkout the link here.

Tokyo Diner @Leicester Square, London

Tokyo Diner is a three-floor Japanese restaurant on the corner of Newport Place and Lisle Street in the Chinatown area of the West End of London. They provide authentic Japanese food at attractive prices in the heart of London since 1992!

The hubby and I sat at the downstairs which is a little cramped since the upper floor is fulled.

Previously, they opened 365 days a year from 12 till 12. However, recently I saw in their website stated that due to staff shortages as a result of Government immigration restrictions, they are closed on every Mondays.

Their prices are quite cheap and recommended for those who are looking for budget Japanese meal after having too much Western food..

Selection of Donburi rice

They have bento box of set meals too

Japanese Green Tea and Thames Water is FREE in here!

The hubby looks tired and hungry oledi lo..

FREE green tea with some light snacks

I ordered Salmon Don (GBP10.60)

The hubby had Katsu Curry (GBP10.60)

Two person pocket damages at Tokyo Diner - GBP21.20

Overall: Food is so-so but it's budget value meal so what do you expect rite? Fill in tummy only lo. And since it's a Japanese style restaurant, remember to take your change back - they DO NOT accept tips!

How to get here:
Tokyo Diner
Leicester Square, London
WC2H 7JJ
Tel: 02072878777
Email: service@tokyodiner.com

Website: http://www.tokyodiner.com/

Check out here for more of my UK trip sharing.

Hands Georgian Tearooms @Bath

When you are in Bath, do take a chance to enjoy classic high teas at the Hands Georgian Tearooms!

Hands is a family run traditional tea room set on a historic, georgian town house. It's located adjacent to the Abbey and Roman Baths.

They offer a daily menu of excellent home cooked food. Breakfast is served until 11.30am. Lunch, high teas and clotted creams are available all day. 

Owners, Nina and Laurence Swan, have transformed the business into a Georgian tearoom complete with mock-Georgian paintings created by local artist Zed from the Image Centre.

Owners: Laurence and Nina Swan in Hands Georgian Tearooms

More photos on the interior:
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Visitors will also get to enjoy musical accompaniment from pianist Mark Shergold who plays every afternoon Wednesday to Sunday, from midday, and staff are now also dressed in period costume.

What they served?

This unique and very much traditional tearooms offer a range of over twenty carefully selected teas - All at £1.90 per pot per person, expertly sourced for their discerning customers. There is a good range of coffees and other beverages available to suit other non-tea lovers too. 

They offer breakfasts ranging from the Full English to the wonderful Eggs Benedict and much more. The lunch fare offers a Full Menu of hot and cold meals such as pies, bangers and mash, the English Ploughman's as well as Baguettes, Sandwiches, Jacket potatoes and salad.

Really luv enjoying my two tiered classic high tea (£13.50) consists of: 

• Your choice of sandwich of the menu, 
• Homemade cakes
• Biscuits
• Freshly baked scone
• Clotted cream & strawberry preserve
• A pot of tea.

Wish to enjoy this high tea again...so miss the scones and macaroons too!

Pot of house tea - old England is an excellent blend of the finest premium teas, which combine together to deliver a top quality cup of tea with superb flavour.

The boyfie had the Beef burger and chips (£7.50) which tasted good too.

How to get here?

Hands Georgian Tearooms, 
1 Abbey Street, 
Bath, BA1 1NN, 
Tel: 01225 463928
Website: http://www.handstearoom.co.uk/

That's all! Check out here for more of my UK trip sharing.

Ramen @Bone Daddies, London

Craving for ramen while in London? You can check out Bone Daddies at Peter Street Soho!

It's a ramen noodles bar served in a space with big windows.

The crowded environment in the shop, so please be prepared to queue during peak hour.

What shall I order? Hmm..I want spicy spicy! So nice to eat spicy food in cold weather! Slurp!

Boyfie's Soy Ramen

And my spicy miso ramen!

Overall the taste is not bad, and portion is huge too. Worth to try if you are in London and crave for Japanese noodles!

Total expenses for 2 pax = £29.95

• Soy Ramen :  £10
• Spicy Miso Ramen : £11
• 2 Green Tea :  £5
• Service Charge 12.5% : £3.25   

Pocket damage expenses for 2 pax

How to get here:
Bone Daddies
30-31 Peter Street
London W1F 0AR
Tel: 020 7287 8581
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
Estimated Budget: £13/pax
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoneDaddiesLDN
Website: http://www.bonedaddies.com/peter-st-soho/

That's all! Check out here for more of my UK trip sharing.