Chi Oriental Chinese Restaurant

Really good food and decent price. The prawn tempura was one of the best I’ve had. They also have lunch special menu everyday. I’ll come back for sure

I believe that this was closed and re-​opened under new management just a few months ago.
My sister and I wandered in here on a dreary Tuesday evening, while mooching around Crystal Palace looking for inspiration and somewhere new to try. We walked in and doubled the number of customers in there. It was a bit chilly in the restaurant and there wasn’t a cosy spot, but it did seem clean, bright and airy.
We ordered starters — vegetable grilled dumplings for my veggie sister, and I went for the crispy prawn rolls. My sister had a moment of panic when she tried her dumpling, as it did look and taste a bit like chicken. The waiter hurried off to the kitchen to check, and came back to reassure us that it was simply tofu… as he had ‘checked the ingredients on the packet’! We were both relieved and a little alarmed by that!
My crispy prawn rolls were absolutely delicious, and I would order them every time — in fact I now order them whatever restaurant I’m in, just in case they also do them!
Our main courses were fine, I think I had some sort of sweet and sour chicken with plain rice, and I’m sure my sister had the vegetables in black bean sauce, because that’s what she always gets. They just weren’t very memorable.
The service was pleasant, but not overly warm or friendly. ‘Efficient’ I suppose describes it quite faithfully. If this was the only restaurant on offer, then I wouldn’t hesitate to go back. However, since it’s competing with such amazing places in the same area, it just doesn’t quite compare.

Mixed review as we have eaten in the restaurant before and the service, food and modern setting was very good.
However this weekend we had a takeaway and the food tasted stodgey and very plain.
Maybe they have a different chef for the takeways.

This is a well run and great Chinese restaurant. The food is in my view the best in town. Only down side it’s a tiny bit modern in it’s décor. Apart from that excellent food always. I take my mum there whenever she visits.

Great food, both for eating in and takeaway. It can feel a little bit quiet/​reserved inside at times, but the food more than makes up for this. And they don’t rush you, which is a bonus.