Birmingham's popular Chinese restaurant chain Chung Ying and Chung Ying Garden has opened its doors to their newest addition Chung Ying Central located on Colmore Row center of the business district. Providing over many years of serving authentic Chinese dishes, they promise 15 minute meals for local workers from their lunchtime express menu, an a-la carte menu including Dim Sum and a special twist on a range of cocktails.
Atmosphere
Food
A great thing about dim sum is that they're small tapas style dishes which means you can order more to share, we had traditional starters and opted for sui mai (steamed pork and prawn dumpling) the minced pork was succulent with finely chopped prawns wrapped up in a wonton parcel. This was followed by steamed king prawn & chives dumplingsa decent portion of small chunks of prawns mixed with the smallest amount of chives which gave it a boost of flavor. You have got to try the deep fried baby octopus with garlic dish, bite size pieces of baby octopus in a crispy, golden batter was perfectly complimented with a sweet and sour sauce.
For the main we had ordered four dishes accompanied with steamed jasmine rice, first to arrive was fried king prawn with garlic & fresh chilli’s, this dish had an intense flavor of chilli oil marinated in with the prawns, tailed by a kick of fresh chilli. Next, was fried scallops in hot & spicy sauce; a generous portion of thinly sliced scallops fused up with chunks of red & green peppers and onions toned with a rather sweet sauce than on the spicy side. I was slightly disappointed with the steamed seabass fillet with ginger & spring onions, as I had expected it to be traditionally presented on the bone, however the seabass was fresh and was matched tastefully with the ginger infused soya sauce. Commonly, Chinese people always have a side dish of vegetables for dinner so I decided on the mixed vegetables with garlic and chilli; it had a super mix of broccoli, water chestnuts, baby sweetcorn, beansprouts, and pak choi – definitely for a small dish it delivers heaps amount! I was pleasantly surprised how spicy it was, I would’ve preferred vegetables less on the spicy side.
DrinksThe cocktail menu had an impressive variety of signature classic cocktails to a interesting assortment of an ‘oriental twist’ of liquor’s and mixers. Prior to our starters we wanted to go for the unfamiliar options of Singapore sling; and Pineapple and Ginger Daiquiri both which had a fruity and sweet mix along with a good kick of liqueur.
James, (Manager of Chung Ying Central) gave us an insight to what’s yet to deliver on their new cocktail menu specifically constructed for the upcoming Chinese New Year. The initial creativeness was invented to present cocktails representing all 12 Chinese Zodiac horoscopes. I was presented with Velvet Horse (Year of the Horse) it comprised of Absolut Mandarin, raspberry liquer, cranberry juice and a hint of lemon juice – this is a whirl of a treat for all you Year of the Horses! Sweet, exotic and easily addicted. My guest on the other hand was startled on the strong yet manageable cocktail Scooby Snack (Year of the Dog) – a shot of Midori, Malibu, Bacardi, pineapple juice, frothed up with a bit of milk and shaken with ice; served with a mimic Scooby snack.
Overall
Flavoursome dishes, great variety catering to vegetarians, average priced, a decent assortment of cocktails. Contemporary atmosphere in comparison to the sister restaurants, delivers the standards of authentic Chinese cooking accompanied with a twist of oriental inspired unique cocktails. Great place to go if you fancy a sit down meal during lunch time. *Disclaimer: I was invited to sample these dishes courtesy of Dine Birmingham, I wasn’t under any obligation to write anything, all thoughts are my own.