Chung Ying Garden Cantonese

The dim sum were good - though they brought us fried instead of steamed, which were a bit greasy.

The hot and sour soup was spoiled by the unnecessary incorporation of cheap processed pork.

Main courses - We had beef brisket in spices with undercooked yam - there were too many lumps of pure fat in it and the spices were a bland mix of mostly anise. Crab in hot and spicy sauce - the crab was in the shell and prepared in such a way that it was difficult to eat without getting the brightly coloured sauce everywhere and eating lots of shell, also the sauce - whilst good - overpowered the crab. We also had vegetables in a spicy cream sauce - this was alright though a bit greasy and tasted of curry powder.

The desert was pan fried red bean paste pancake - this was fried in buckets of grease so the pancake was more like crispy batter. Also oddly served with cabbage.

The service was poor - one menu between two until we asked for another, drinks order wrong, food order wrong and then the desert (specified for 2 to share) unceremoniously dumped infront of us without any plates or cutlery.

In summary, variable quality ingredients, cooked without finesse and with too much oil and served without attention. This seems about par for the course in Chinese restaurants in Birmingham and this is unfortunately still one of the best around.
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Richard
Sunday, January 20, 2008

We've eaten here twice now, and my husband and I both agree that it is by far the best Chinese restaurant in Birmingham, and wouldn't be out of place in East Asia-centric San Francisco. We normally order soup and make a meal out of several dim sum- a very economical and incredibly delicious way to spend an evening (or afternoon). Cheung fun, char siu bao, turnip cakes- the taste is beautiful and so authentic. We can't get enough of this place, and come back whenever we can.
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Katie Vasanth
Sunday, July 01, 2007

I was really looking forward to eating at this resturant, the menu was extensive and food looked lovely, the resturant was buzzing. However I was really dissapointed as there was no non-smoking area, being 8 months pregnant and a non smoker this was very off putting and so we weren't able to enjoy the meal I was looking forward to.
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G
Monday, November 06, 2006

I have eaten here many times over the years and I have never been disappointed, and like all good Chinese restaurants it always has a lot of Chinese eating here – if you are in a Chinese restaurant has no Chinese clientele – avoid it! My last visit on Wednesday 13th Sept 2006 was no exception, the hong siu daofu (braised bean curd ) was excellent, the daofu had a wonderfully creamy texture - something that most Chinese restaurants in the UK don't achieve. The beef chowmein was excellent too - the beef melt in the mouth soft and the noodles wonderfully crispy. The other food was great too, salt & pepper squid, pork and preserved vegetables, and hot garlic aubergines. Personally I think the food here is the best in the UK and on a par with restaurants in Hong Kong, it is just a pity that it is in Birmingham and I live in London. Please open a branch in London. Oh yes the bolaycha ( pu’erh tea) was very fresh. I
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William Lack
Sunday, September 17, 2006

OK, I'm saying it anyway, but it's widely believed that this is the finest Chinese restaurant in Birmingham. The amazingly extensive menu offers a range from classic dishes (perfectly cooked) to a few delicacies for the more adventurous. Pig's testacles, anyone? The service is professional, and the prices very reasonable. The interior is huge and spread over two floors, but the layout and atmosphere are such that you can still find a private and intimate space to dine.
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Tuesday, April 18, 2006

This restaurant serves authentic cantonese food. I eat here regularly and dim sum on weekdays are excellent.
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Tim Lambe
Monday, January 02, 2006