IT’S ALL CHINESE TO ME!
MY RECOMMENDATIONS!
MY NAME IS GEORGE JACKSON
My name is George Jackson and I am a professional food critic. I recently visited a number of restaurants all over Cyprus with a view to creating a fair and useful review. I have factored a number of things in my submission and these include service, parking, quality, variety, environment, and value for money.
SOUTH EAST & ASIAN CUISINE
South East Asian cuisine includes the unique food of the countries of the countries that populate the Far East. These countries include China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. Even though all of these countries use similar ingredients, there are subtle differences in each of their cuisines
RICE OR NOODLES
The main ingredient of this food is rice or noodles, which forms the staple of this cuisine. A full complement of fresh vegetables, combined with many types of fish and lean meats, are also used and various cooking methods are employed to produce a majestic culinary experience. A whole array of culinary spices along with various sauces such as soy, sweet and sour, and chilli are also used to add to the bright, fresh aroma that often resonates from the kitchens of the Far East.
MY TOP PICKS FROM AROUND THE ISLAND
Yumi Suchi & Bento Japanese Restaurant in Nicosia
The Yumi has built up a reputation over the years, becoming well-known throughout the city for its high-quality seafood. This was reason enough for me to visit this restaurant so that I could judge for myself how good it was.
Upon arrival, I immediately noticed how busy it was. The staff promptly greeted me and then seated me near the entrance. I immediately found myself admiring this elegant little space, which I found offers diners a cosy culinary environment.
Although this restaurant prides itself on its delicious sushi offerings, it also offers several hot bento meals. The menu, which is based on both traditional and fusion Japanese cuisine, is varied and offers something for everybody. Their signature buffet seemed the best way for me to get a bit of everything. It consists of more than 25 dishes at a fixed price and is served meze style. My food was supplemented by some great cocktails, and along with the background music, it made a very pleasant evening.
Yumi Suchi & Bento Japanese Restaurant
Spyrou Kyprianou 20A, Nicosia, Cyprus
Tel: 70 003 435
- Service 8/10
- Parking 8/10
- Quality 9/10
- Variety 7/10
- Environment 8/10
- Value for money 7/10
Ha Noi Vietnamese Restaurant in Limassol
There are not many restaurants on the island that offer authentic Vietnamese food, so I was delighted when I came across the Ha Noi Restaurant in Limassol. Located just by Dasoudi Beach in the City’s tourist area, I found it to be a simple, family-run, charming little place, which does what it says on the tin.
Although the staff greeted me in a friendly fashion, they did not speak a word of English, which made proceedings a little difficult. I was immediately struck by the simplicity of the place, and as I took my seat in the centre of the restaurant, I felt that the place offered more of a café vibe than that of a restaurant.
The menu had a good variety and offered a good choice of traditional Vietnamese flavours. I decided to order several starters with some soup instead of a main dish. These included bun cha and pho soup with several pho dishes to follow. I also sampled some special rice and noodles, along with variations of duck, beef, chicken and some seafood, which included squid. The portions for starters were very large, and I was also glad to see that Vietnamese beer was on offer. I rounded off my hearty meal nicely with some Vietnamese coffee.
Ha Noi Vietnamese Restaurant
Georgiou A, Potamos Yermasoyias, Limassol, Cyprus
Tel: 96 766 605
- Service 6/10
- Parking 7/10
- Quality 8/10
- Variety 7/10
- Environment 7/10
- Value for money 7/10
Feng's House Chinese Restaurant in Larnaca
Anyone visiting Larnaca’s famous Finikoudes beachfront promenade will ultimately come across Feng’s House. Established long ago, Feng’s is situated near the end of the strip, just before the LARNACA FORT. It is well known in the city for its high-quality food and value for money, and its popularity is confirmed by the fact that I had to make a reservation.
On arrival, I was greeted by the large bronze Buddha statue at the entrance, which immediately set the mood for my liaison with a slice of China. The staff greeted me in a friendly manner, and they seated me near the entrance by the window, ironically near my newfound bronze friend. This viewpoint allowed me to take in the excellent décor of the whole restaurant. I found the menu varied and full of authentic Chinese options. I decided that I would try a series of starters instead of a main meal, and to my delight, the large portions were aptly served on a flame-fuelled circular rotating serving table.
The service was extremely attentive, and they recommended a fantastic Merlot, which paired with my meal perfectly. I found the service along with the quality food to be of a very high standard and I enjoyed my Chinese evening by the Larnaca seafront immensely.
Feng’s House Chinese Restaurant
Athenon 103, Larnaca, Cyprus
Tel: 24 657 176
- Service 9/10
- Parking 6/10
- Quality 9/10
- Variety 8/10
- Environment 8/10
- Value for money 8/10
Phukhet Chines & Thai Restaurant in Paphos
I was looking forward to visiting the Phukhet Chinese and Thai restaurant simply because it has been offering both Chinese and Thai cuisine to Paphos since 1985. I arrived a little early at just passed its opening time, with no reservation, and I was immediately welcomed through its doors. I chose my seat near the bar area.
This restaurant is one of the biggest that I have visited, easily seating over 100 people, and I watched as it gradually began filling with people. It became obvious to me that most of these people were regulars, as they were on a first-name basis with the staff. The menu has all of the Chinese and Thai classics, along with some interesting fusion meals. I chose several Chinese starters, along with a Thai curry meal.
The large portion sizes were a massive hit with me. The Thai curry with its light buttery sauce was also very good. My fortune cookie at the end of it all said ‘We guarantee that you will be back’ and they were not far wrong.
Phukhet Chinese & Thai Restaurant
Tomb of the Kings 44, Paphos, Cyprus
Tel: 26 818 678
- Service 9/10
- Parking 9/10
- Quality 7/10
- Variety 8/10
- Environment 7/10
- Value for money 7/10
Wok & Walk Asian Fusion Restaurant in Latchi Harbour
Situated on the Latchi coast, near Polis Chrysochou, the Wok and Walk is a relatively new restaurant. This restaurant offers a fusion of several types of Asian Cuisine, along with some great views of Latchi harbour. I found that this immediately sets a welcoming tone.
I arrived at the restaurant without a reservation, and the staff greeted me in a very friendly fashion. They seated me near one of the imposing interior arches, which I found complemented the neutral décor nicely. The attention to detail was also very good, and the table settings complemented the restaurant well.
The menu was accompanied by a rather nice complementary appetiser, which I thought was a nice touch. With the evening nicely set up, I was confronted with a varied menu that easily offers something for everybody. As I was on the coast, I decided to stick to seafood dishes, which I find always taste better when you have the sea as a backdrop. I mainly selected fusion dishes that did not disappoint. The fish was extremely fresh, and it was obvious that a great deal of care had gone into each serving. As I found the drinks a little expensive, I supplemented my excellent food with a simple pot of green tea, which I found to be bright and refreshing. The staff’s attentiveness and friendly service added to the overall enjoyable experience.
Wok & Walk Asian Fusion Restaurant
Akamantos, Latchi Harbour, Cyprus
Tel: 26 262 050
- Service 8/10
- Parking 9/10
- Quality 8/10
- Variety 9/10
- Environment 7/10
- Value for money 7/10
Little Panda Chinese & Sushi Restaurant in Ayia Napa
Located in the heart of Ayia Napa, this restaurant is well-known throughout the resort town. I promptly arrived without a reservation, which was not a problem, and the staff greeted me well.
I was confronted with a large and varied menu that had all the different sections. The Chinese section offered all of the classics, along with a small fusion section. The Japanese sushi section was just as large and had everything. With this in mind, I decided that I would try several starters from both sections.
I supplemented the excellent food with an excellent white house wine, which rounded off my meal very nicely. This, along with the lively background music, made for a very pleasant evening.
Little Panda Chinese & Sushi Restaurant
Nissi Avenue 11, Ayia Napa 5330, Cyprus
Tel: 23 724 646
- Service 8/10
- Parking 7/10
- Quality 7/10
- Variety 9/10
- Environment 7/10
- Value for money 8/10
Inamo Asian Philosophy Restaurant in Protaras
The Inamo restaurant takes signature dishes from all over South Asia and then successfully recreates them in Cyprus. This is further enhanced by their full range of Asian fusion dishes that can then be enjoyed against a plush backdrop.
Although a large restaurant, I still found it to have an ambient feel about it. The terrace seating provides a beautiful place to spend an evening, but I opted to sit inside and take advantage of the comfortable furnishings. I found the décor both stylish and modern, and the staff were friendly and polite.
The menu offers a full range of meals, yet is simple in its design. I wanted to sample some food from all around South Asia, so the waiter recommended the Inamo platter to me. I was particularly impressed with the Korean Kimchi Beef, and I found the side order of Inamo Sashimi salad very refreshing. The Japanese Ebi Tempura with Singaporean noodles was also excellent. Their signature cocktails supplemented my hearty meal perfectly.
Inamo Asian Philosophy Restaurant
Protara 26, Paralimni, Cyprus
Tel: 23 831 211
- Service 8/10
- Parking 7/10
- Quality 9/10
- Variety 8/10
- Environment 9/10
- Value for money 7/10
