Zheng has Tripadvisor’s seal of approval as the best Chinese restaurant in Oxford, and understandably so. It certainly has the most diverse and comprehensive menu, featuring the best of China’s regional and related cuisines: Szechuan, Cantonese, Shanghainese, Malaysian and Singaporean. The small building in Jericho where it is located may have an unassuming façade, but it hides one of Oxford’s hidden gems.
My favourite Chinese dish is fried ho fun noodles with beef, something I’ve eaten a million times in restaurants in London’s Chinatown and Hong Kong, and in my mum’s kitchen. It’s my personal litmus test of the quality of a Chinese restaurant, and Zheng’s version passed with flying colours: not too oily, beef perfectly seared, and the onions and bean sprouts cooked until just soft. The dim sum was also of excellent quality, with efficient service—you can see why this place is a local favourite.
The main downside is slightly more expensive pricing. Most dim sum dishes are a fiver, which can obviously get quite pricey if you order a selection, while most main courses are around £10.
If you’re looking for something a bit friendlier to a student budget, Noodle Nation is a cheap ‘n’ cheerful joint in the town centre. Most main courses are between £6 to £8, to which you can add a 10 per cent student discount and 10 per cent more on Mondays. The tables are laid out in sociable benches just like Wagamama’s, with a similarly bustling atmosphere.
As befits the name, there’s a wide range of noodle types on offer—chow mein, vermicelli mai fun, flat ho fun and thick cylindrical udon—which you can mix and match with your chosen meat or vegetable. There’s also a relatively good veggie menu, with the option to have most of the stir fries and curries with mixed vegetables and cashew nuts.
If you’re feeling like an appetiser, I would particularly recommend the meat ‘potsticker’ dumplings or veggie spring rolls which have gorgeously crunchy and crisp wrappers. The hearty portions and slick service make the restaurant a perfect spot for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.
Of course, these are only two of the many fantastic Chinese restaurants in Oxford— this New Year, go out and discover them.
慢慢吃! (Bon appetit!)
Zheng, 82 Walton St
Noodle Nation, 100-101 Gloucester Green
For Cherwell, maintaining editorial independence is vital. We are run entirely by and for students. To ensure independence, we receive no funding from the University and are reliant on obtaining other income, such as advertisements. Due to the current global situation, such sources are being limited significantly and we anticipate a tough time ahead – for us and fellow student journalists across the country.
So, if you can, please consider donating. We really appreciate any support you’re able to provide; it’ll all go towards helping with our running costs. Even if you can't support us monetarily, please consider sharing articles with friends, families, colleagues - it all helps!
Thank you!
