PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAEccentric and lovely, Mahjong Room fits perfectly into its surroundings on the Oxford side of Crown. Modelled on a 60s Hong Kong mahjong house, the dining space is split into alcoves – an opium den, a streetside diner, a lounge room. The concept behind the restaurant is a re-examining of the tradition of family time and mealtime centred around mahjong playing. The menu presents simple, home-style Cantonese cooking, and includes some Sichuan and Shanghainese cuisine. All dim sum are made daily on the premises, and the steamed blue swimmer crab gow gee is highly recommended.
Although the menu is divided into starters and mains, it’s a good idea to share a few dishes with the table, the Chinese way. The enjoyment of the meal is multiplied, the social aspect is heightened, and the diet is balanced with a small amount of each food group. Once a month, a mahjong playlunch is offered where you can learn to play the game alongside a ten course dim sum lunch. It’s an interactive afternoon, where friends can gather and recapture a great Chinese familial tradition.
Sarah Theeboom