Olympic Gold medal: Loon Yee

With the Olympics finally arriving to London in August, I have been wondering whether the predicted economic boost would actually trickle its way down to the surrounding areas around the Olympic site. Hackney, which has seen itself re invented by its new trendy residents of the last 5 years has now got some well-established oriental eateries especially if you fancy authentic Vietnamese. However, what of the other areas due East? Leyton? Walthamstow? Stratford? And Wanstead ? Well, I have for the last 20 years been enjoying some of the best Chinese food on offer, as good as anywhere I’ve eaten  in the world, in Snarebrook, the sleepier end of Wanstead High Street. I have eaten great Chinese food in far flung and obvious places as Singapore, Malaysia and the Loon Yee in Snaresbrook/Wanstead area can easily claim a well earned gold medal.

The place is divided into 2 rooms with a nice fish tank to separate the rooms. The vibe is very much relaxed and the food is the real star. I’ve been to too many restaurants that seem to place more importance on the décor than the food. Not here. The food is the attraction. The Loon Yee is a Chinese restaurant that caters for western palette…. no room on this menu for chicken feet or fish lips nor do they offer dim sum. But what they do, they do very very well.

Service is efficient and the staff are very good though when busy they can be stretched. Constantly regular customers of all ages stream into the Loon Yee on a Saturday night.

The a la carte menu is available at lunch as well as in the evening though most prefer to opt at lunch time for the simple, speedy and price friendly set  menu. Starters for vegetarians are the obvious ; clean, simple vegetable soup, vegetable  spring rolls, (large or mini),  crispy seaweed  though for me the real winner is the hot and sour soup vegetarian style. A thick gluteneous concoction of broth, several types of chinese mushroom, peas and tofu is a joy on a cold winter’s day. An acquired taste which at first seems too hot and strong but persist and after a few spoonfuls you will be hooked. A proper bloke’s soup.

Mains, which comes with rice and veg, come to about £8 pounds. Throw in a soup or starter then you’ll eat well for under £10. There are no vegetarian only options on the set menu but you ask for meat/fish to be omitted. For example the prawn with aubergine without the prawns is excellent. If you don’t find anything to your fancy then just opt to choose from the A la Carte menu.

Barristers and judges can be seen dashing in from the local Crown court at Snaresbrook to grab a rapido tasty lunch. How they are able to go back to work and keep awake let alone keep pace with a tedious court case is beyond me, as after a Loon Yee lunch, I feel ever so sleepy, so full I am.

Dinner is obviously more varied. A wide selection of dishes from your usual favourites to some more fancy chef specials are offered.  Prawn dishes are clear winners among non veggies but for the vegetarian among us, then undoubtedly the bean curd (tofu) wins hands down… beautifully spiced and prepared. There are at least 6 versions to choose from, though I’d stay clear of the tofu with satay sauce as I found it too heavy. Tofu with black bean sauce was more than excellent. Also recommended is the bean curd in cashew nut or Peking sauce. I once asked if I could have bean curd in lemon sauce as a throwback to the days when I use to enjoy this sauce before I became a vegetarian and it was nostalgically good.

Side dishes as spinach in garlic, cabbage with mushroom and chili are fresh and perfect foil for some of the spicier dishes. It is good to see such a wide selection of vegetable side dishes. Rice and noodles are always good; especially good are the Vegetarian Singapore noodles.  The jasmine tea always hits the spot and replenished without asking nor charging I believe.

What the Loon Yee does best is provide superbly consistent Chinese  food at very reasonable prices. It is located about 50 metres from the local tube station (Snaresbrook) and has on street parking. After 6.30pm parking on yellow line makes for ample parking space.

A big thumbs up for this family run restaurant. So if you find yourself in North East London during the Olympics and fancy a really good Chinese meal that won’t break the bank, then head done here. It’s a 10 minute drive. I tend not to go on Saturdays, as it can get very busy but if you do, then go bit earlier. Enjoy.

LOON YEE CHINESE RESTAURANT
6-7 Station Parade, High Street Wanstead, London E11 1GF
Tel: 020 8989 7848