China Kitchen: A Unique Take on Chinese Cuisine

If I have to pick one reason why I would go to a restaurant again it would be because it was consumer centric. And that’s exactly why China Kitchen has moved to the top slot of my list of favorite Chinese restaurants in Karachi.

China Kitchen Entrance

Located in Clifton Block 4, China Kitchen offers a fine dining experience at reasonable prices. Upon entering its bright red doors, one doesn’t expect to see a deliciously warm and elegant patio complete with a small fountain, oriental statues and artfully scattered plants. The restaurant is divided on two floors with a seating capacity of around 60. We opted to dine on the ground floor since it was the non-smoking section and were quickly escorted to a corner table.

Decorated simply but stylishly, the interior oozes understated elegance with dim lights, soft music and Chinese paintings on the walls. It all combined to lend a very cozy and snug vibe to the place. The simple dark wood furniture also played its part well here because the table was spacious and the chairs were oh so divinely soft and cushy.

Out of the two soups on the menu, we ordered the Hot and Sour Soup (small) priced at Rs. 350 (exclusive of tax). We had doubts whether we would be able to order the soup in the first place given that the serving size in almost all Chinese restaurants is for four (04) people at least. But upon inquiring whether the serving size could be adjusted for two (02) people, the waiter readily agreed to accommodate our request which in my book deserves big brownie points!

Hot and Sour Soup

The Hot and Sour Soup served in a beautifully patterned blue bowl was nothing like I had ever eaten or seen. Unlike the typical bright red colored soup usually offered in local restaurants, China Kitchen’s Hot and Sour Soup was brownish red with a rich concoction of shredded chicken, black olives and mushroom, bean curd or tofu, carrots and bamboo shoots. It looked mighty interesting and tasted delightful. The only thing I would change would be the quantity of soya sauce which had been used a tad too much.    

  

For appetizers, we had the Crab Rangoon priced at Rs. 225 (exclusive of tax).  The dish was another winner and had a serving of five (05) deep fried wontons filled with cream cheese and crab served with homemade sweet chili sauce. The filling was very rich and the wontons were perfectly fried but it was the sauce which was the star of the show because it really made the flavors pop in your mouth!

Crab Rangoon

For the main course on the waiter’s recommendation, we ordered CK’s Special Chicken also called Sweet Chili Chicken (priced at Rs. 495) and egg fried rice (priced at Rs. 195). The CK Special Chicken had thickly sliced tender chicken strips which were wok-fried and richly coated in a tangy sauce of honey and tomato. The sauce was beautifully made with both the flavors gelling well together yet standing out on their own. The chicken was scrumptious, crunchy and on the spicier side with black pepper and soya sauce being the two dominating flavors. The brown-colored egg fried rice was fresh with crisp pieces of spring onion and egg. The helping of both the items was more than enough for two (02) people.   

China Kitchen Special Chicken and Egg Fried Rice

Since the drinks were not listed on the menu, we asked the waiter if there was a separate menu card for them. Apparently there was no menu card at all and upon hearing the list of the handful number of drinks from the waiter, we ordered two (02) Fresh Lime with 7 Up priced at Rs. 280 (exclusive of tax).

All in all, our total bill - which was almost unreadable with its tiny and light colored font - with GST came out to be approximately Rs. 1,800 which is quite reasonable given the quantity of food.  

Hit or miss? A definite hit!

China Kitchen is a great addition to the Karachi Chinese food scene with its exquisite dishes, authentic oriental flavors, cozy ambiance, fast service and attentive staff.  This is no surprise given that the owners are present during opening hours and are actively involved in the operations of the restaurant. So if I were to ask myself the all-important question: Will I go to China Kitchen again? Yes! Again and again!  

Go for it if you:

1. Are into authentic oriental cuisine
2. Want great Chinese food at good prices
3. Prefer an environment where you can talk
4. Prefer restaurants with valet parking

Don’t go for it if you:

1. Find the per head cost of Rs. 900 – Rs. 1,200 unreasonable  
2. Prefer Chinese restaurants that offer a wide variety of soups

Rating

• Service: 4/5
• Ambiance: 4/5
• Hot & Sour Soup: 3.5/5
• Crab Rangoon: 4.5/5
• CK Special Chicken & Egg Fried Rice: 4.5/5

My overall rating for China Kitchen Karachi is 4.5/5.

Have you been there yet?

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