Honest Bao

The temperature is dropping, the daylight is shrinking, and let's face it, turning on the heating now feels like setting fire to a wad of £50 notes. But fear not, there is one glorious solution to our cold and budget woes: a steaming, bubbling hot pot. It’s a warm, communal hug in a bowl, and the perfect excuse for a hearty, hot meal. Honest Bao zipped around Birmingham to pit two major Chinese hot pot players against each other. Who's bringing the true heat? Haidilao Hot Pot: The Luxury Liner 1 free broth per person Haidilao isn't just a restaurant; it's a global Chinese franchise that treats dining like a five-star event. It's famous (or perhaps infamous) for its over-the-top customer service—we’re talking free board games for the waiting crowd and even complimentary manicures (probably not in the UK though)! While a full pampering session isn't exactly a prerequisite for my mid-week dinner, the staff's dedication to service here is truly superior. Decent ...

As you know, the Birmingham Chinese Quarter is seeing a mini food court explosion, and The Arcadian Food Court is the newest kid on the block trying to muscle in on the action. I went in with high hopes, ready for a feast, but left feeling... well, let's just say my bao bun was frowning. This place is packed with Chinese cuisine – think Dim Sum, Siu Mei (roast meats), rice noodles and a Korean spot as well. The physical space is actually decent. It’s not overly cramped, and the staff are zippy fast at clearing tables, which is always a plus. However, in this day and age, their most unforgivable sin is the mobile signal blackout and the complete lack of Wi-Fi. Are we dining or entering a digital detox prison? Sort it out, people! The Half-Assed Claypot Rice Caper 🍚 Disappointing rice I ordered the Clay Pot Rice, a classic Hong Kong dish where rice is slow-cooked in a clay pot, resulting in a glorious, golden, crispy crust . My version was, to put it politely, half-assed. The rice m...

Alright, people, let's talk about Korean Fried Chicken (KFC). Not that KFC, though frankly, some of my previous experiences in London have made me wish for Colonel Sanders' original recipe just for some consistency. My relationship with UK-based Korean fried chicken has been… complicated. I’ve dipped my toes in a few spots – I remember Wing Wing a while back, and the newer kids on the block like KoKoDoo, and even some independent joints. The verdict? Meh. It is a decent fried chicken in London but just not something I will eat again The usual suspects: batter thicker than a London fog, chicken that seemed to have gone through a dehydrator, and seasoning so aggressive it felt like a flavour attack rather than a flavour profile. I get that KFC is meant to be bold, but when the sauce or seasoning completely overpowers the actual chicken, you’ve lost the plot. It’s supposed to be a harmonious dance, not a flavour wrestling match where the chicken tap-outs in the first round...

My previous posts ( here ) showed I was feeling pretty good about the local grub – had some cracking seafood that promised good things. So, for my final hurrah, I thought, "Google Maps, you're the boss!" Found a highly-rated bistro called L'Oignon (The Onion). Reasonable prices, menu looked decent. I was genuinely looking forward to it. Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't inedible. It was... fine. The kind of fine you say when your Auntie asks how her slightly dry cake is. Average and basic are the best words I can muster. Average foie gras with toast The irony is not lost on me: this place is called L'Oignon, and the Onion Soup, which should be their signature dish, was just very average. It lacked that deep, soulful, slightly caramelised onion hug you expect.  Tender chicken but again over seasoned sauce The main offender across the board, though? The salt shaker was clearly working overtime. Everything felt over-seasoned. The chicken was still tender, y...