Only a short stroll from Buckingham Palace, nestled within the five-star Taj Hotel’s architecturally stunning St. James' Court, House of Ming aptly reflects the setting that surrounds it. One of five on-site restaurants, this glossy spot exudes grandeur from the get-go and the cuisine draws inspiration from the diverse culinary landscapes of China, elevating it to a refined dining experience. Following a successful outpost in New Delhi, where it is among the oldest Chinese fine dining restaurants in the city, the London branch opened their doors in 2023 and has been winning people over ever since. But what did I think of the menu? Keep reading to find out.
DesignMyNight’s Review Of House of Ming London
Ideal for date night, try the fantastic Peking duck main dish inside an intimate booth for two.
Need To Know:
- Address: 54 Buckingham Gate, SW1E 6AF
- Area: Victoria, Central London
- Cuisine: Chinese, specifically Sichuan and Cantonese
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: I could tell we were in close
proximity to royalty with the decor, as everything was so swish.
We’re talking lavish embroidered artwork, jade-coloured walls,
gold, petal-shaped lamps, marble tables and an oxblood-toned
panelled ceiling. We were sat in one of two ‘love seats’, draped by
a velvet curtain, that had a playful ‘press for service’ button. I
adored the antique furniture dotted throughout as
well.
- Perfect For: impressing your discerning friend who's in town for the weekend, plus sophisticated dates too.
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For
Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £196 (excluding service)
House of Ming promises refined takes on famous Chinese favourites paired with opulent interiors (designed by Atelier Wren).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Steamed Mushroom Bun (£10) – get ready for gorgeous pillowy parcels, stuffed with three different types of fungi. They weren’t floury in the slightest, plus I also enjoyed dunking them in the trio of chilli and soy sauce dips provided too.
- Pan Fried Chicken Dumplings (£18) – perfectly crisp on the outside, revealing moist meat in the middle, these delicately presented mouthfuls had the right amount of spring onion as well.
- Lotus Stem Honey Chilli (£22) - I loved this dish. Expect sticky, sweet, flower-shaped bites that slapped you in the face with smoky chilli afterwards. The crunchiness made them difficult to cut, but still, make sure to order these when you visit.
- Spicy Soft Shell Crab (£28) – this generously portioned plate brought together crispy-coated seafood with diced mango and spring onion for freshness, alongside slices of red chilli for that bit of fire.
- Peking Duck (£60) – yep, even though it’s designed for two people to share, my partner thought he could handle a half portion all to himself, and he did. So if you’re hungry, go and do the same. Here, the meat was cooked in an authentic, Beijing style, served alongside traditional pancakes and shredded cucumber. The crispy duck skin was a particular highlight, plus the sweet plum sauce was thick, rich and heavenly.
- Ma Po Tofu (£32) - although the tofu cubes were beautifully silky and the lovely sauce had the right amount of hot, peppery heat, I found the consistency of the sauce to be a little gloopy for my liking.
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Confucius Garden (£12) – a delicious, frothy, fruity cocktail blending fig jam, orgeat syrup, apple, lime, and elderflower with a botanical, alcohol-free spirit.
- Dragon Harmony (£14) – playfully poured at your table with flames aplenty, prepare for spiced rum, Velvet Falernum, absinthe (for a hit of aniseed), cinnamon and lime served in a charming teacup. I could see why this drink is so popular here.
Our Overall Experience At House of Ming London
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
On the hunt for a special date night? Look no further than House of Ming, serving rich, flavourful dishes spanning the whole of China. The charming love seats are perfect for getting cosy with your partner, and while I can appreciate the price point was on the more premium end of the scale, it feels in line with what you'd expect when considering the location, attentive service and quality ingredients.
