Tea Restaurant
From countless visits to Chinese restaurants, you probably know what Chinese food is all about: endless buffets with fattening things cooked in oil, loaded with small spring rolls and chicken with or without curry. Well, think again: the country in the middle with the world’s largest population (ever) has a food culture without limits or bounds. And sad, but true – despite the fact that there are no shortage of Chinese restaurants in Copenhagen – only a few will serve you anything close to authentic Chinese food. In these selected restaurants, you must be willing to pay more for one dish than you would pay for your ‘normal’ Chinese just-eat buffet extravaganza.
This month, your friendly neighborhood guide to exotic Chinese food recommends a cozy little restaurant at Vesterbro, close to the Copenhagen Central Station. Approaching, you will find a huge, ugly sign flashing TEA RESTAURANT. Do not let yourself be disheartened by this graphic omen. Once inside you are greeted by a comfortable atmosphere and subdued lighting. A friendly waitress will guide you to your table and you may order. The menu has a broad selection, which is sure to satisfy even enthusiastic customers. Maybe at your first visit you will be better off ordering one of the composed menus (and a bottle of red wine). A Spanish Volosell is recommended; it is mild – and therefore well suited to go with Chinese food.
For starters you may order crispy duck served with cucumber, leek, hoisin sauce, and pancakes – which all remind me a lot of duck à la Peking. Next, how about homemade bread dumplings with pork stuffing? A taste of China.
Then there are the main dishes. You may assault your palate by ordering sliced beef with chili and Chinese pickles, which is very nice and spicy. Before I mention the delicious King prawns with vegetables in sweet and sour sauce, let me point out that certain combinations (like this one) are really good, with different flavors that complement each other well. 
If you follow these recommendations to the letter, by now you are probably halfway home. But still you must try the dessert. On the menu is stuff like Nuomigao – steamed sweet rice cake with coconut and ice cream. Or how about Chinese Summer – cold fruit soup with rice wine? And many more! Even though these choices are excellent and well worthy of a try, allow me to indulge in the classical banana split. It is as good as it gets!
For 2 persons a whole lovely meal like this, including a bottle of wine, will set you back less than DKK 600,- but you can easily spend less and still have a good time with lots of food and drink. So if you go out and want to try something new, then maybe this is the right place for you.
As a further bonus, all ASP students get a 10% discount when bringing this article to the restaurant. So print it out and enjoy your visit to the Tea Restaurant.
THIS BONUS IS ONLY USEFUL DURING NOVEMBER!
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Address: Helgolandsgade 2 1653 København V Opening hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 17.00-23.00 Starters: 48kr- 98kr Main dishes: 115kr. – 179kr Vegetarian dishes: 80kr -135kr Dessert: 45kr-50kr Vine: 179-379kr |
Next up: Bento – a real Japanese restaurant. Stay tuned!
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