Many have asked me about Chinese eating places in Colchester. Here is my personal opinion.

Background:

China is a big country. Any generalization of "Chinese food" could be misleading. Chinese food from different regions could differ significantly. Having said that, many Chinese restaurants in Colchester serve food from multiple regions.

The majority of the old-fashioned Chinese restaurants/takeaways in UK serve Cantonese food; to be precise, cuisine from the New Territories of Hong Kong. Many serve modified Chinese food that the restaurants/takeaways believe suit Western taste. This typically means adding more sugar and monosodium glutamate (MSG) than they would normally use when they use for themselves. Some would serve Chinese food that you'll hardly find in China or Hong Kong. Try ordering "Chopsui" in Hong Kong or main-land China and you will see what I mean.

Personally, I prefer modern Chinese restaurants. They are more willing to serve authentic food.

Chinese Restaurants in and around Colchester:

The following recommendations are written independently; I have no personal interest in these eating places.

Fulin used to be my favourite Chinese restaurants in Colchester. Their food was very good, as long as you know what to order. Set menu is not what I would go for. Food recommended by the kitchen was excellent. They can serve authentic Cantonese food on request.

Banquet 1408 is probably my current favourite around Colchester. They serve Chinese food in Cantonese style. It is the only restaurant in Colchester that serves dim-sum. Most of the dim-sum that I've tried are very well made. Service is excellent too. The decoration shows good taste. Everything shows that the management pays attention to details.

Banquet 1408 is outside Colchester town. When I want to stay in Colchester town, I find Orientation quite an attractive restaurant. They serve food from different regions, but their specialty is really cuisine from Northern China.

This should not be seen as a comprehensive survey of Chinese restaurants/takeaways in Colchester. I have yet to form opinions in many new Chinese restaurants/takeaways in Colchester, some of which I have only visited once.

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