JM Oriental London is an Award-Winning Cantonese restaurant located in North London (Colindale). It has got great tube links and is just off the M1. There are pay and display bays right outside.

JM Oriental London is a culinary gem that promises an unforgettable dining experience. They won the Golden Chopsticks Best Fusion Restaurant Award in 2022.
The talented chef & founder Andrew Hung’s goal “is to showcase a new interpretation of oriental fine dining to the UK restaurant scene and the world”. (Extract from the website).

We had the privilege of being invited to savour the exquisite offerings at this restaurant, and we were truly impressed.

The interior is stylish and classy. There is bar and restaurant seating options. There is also a semi private dining area. The table setting was minimal yet worked well with the theme.

The food & drink

The menu caters for many, from halal to vegan. Food is made fresh and arrives when it is ready. Portion sizes are good and we did take away the mains we could not finish. I can confirm they tasted great reheated too. Even the meats stayed tender.

We began our meal with some prawn crackers and a couple of shaken cocktails.

I had a lychee martini which as strong yet had muddled lychee, vodka, lychee purée and lychee liquor. Kev was driving and had a mocktail, the Caribbean Dream. Fresh mint, lime, pineapple juice and ginger ale served in a tall glass.

Starters

Soft-shell Crab Salad, adorned with Spicy Plum Dressings (£13). The blend of textures and flavours was great and to have it as a salad made it even better.
Calamari with Peppercorn, Almond, Shichimi Spice, and Nori Seaweed (£11). The Calamari was perfectly crispy, and the diverse array of spices and seasonings awakened our taste buds in a delightful way. No chewiness in site – how it should be.
The Crispy King Prawns with Thai Orange Mayo and Pomegranate (£11) were a testament to the chef’s creativity. The interplay of sweetness and tanginess made this dish an instant favourite and it was presented so well.
The Artisan Dim Sum Assortment (£13) was truly a work of art. Har-gau, prawn & chive, scallop beetroot, and spicy vegetables – each dumpling was a testament to the chef’s craftsmanship. The dim sums were delicately rolled, filled, and folded.

Main Courses & Sides: Truffle Magic and Seafood Delights

We love truffle and it was nice to see the way they incorporated it into their dishes. Don’t worry, for those who do not like it there is plenty else to choose from.

Truffle Barbecue Roasted Duck (£38). This dish was a symphony of flavours and aromas, combining the earthiness of truffle with the succulence of duck. That duck was the most juicy one I have had in a while. The beauty of the dish is it has crispy bits too. It is their signature dish and when it arrived lots of head turned. It came on this cherry blossom stand that was so pretty without being over the top.
Steamed Chilean Sea Bass with Yellow Bean and Pine Nuts (£35) was a masterful creation. The fish was tender, and the combination of flavours was exquisite. It was steamed to perfection.
Thai Water Spinach, also known as ‘Morning Glory’ (£15), was a simple yet delicious side dish that perfectly complimented the other flavours on the table. I love morning glory and you rarely see it on menus so this was a treat.
For noodle lovers, the Stir-fried Ramen with Oriental Mushrooms and Truffle Paste (£12) was a revelation. The umami-rich truffle paste added depth to this seemingly simple dish. We have never had it like that.

A Sweet Ending

Desserts at JM Oriental are not to be missed. The Steamed Egg Custard Lava Bao (£9) was a delightful surprise. Breaking open the bao to reveal the molten custard inside was a moment of sheer joy. The bao was soft and pillowey the custard was perfect in taste and this dessert was one I have been dreaming about since our visit.

The Art of Perfection Mango Pudding with Sago and Grapefruit Cold Soup (£9) was a refreshing way to conclude our meal. The interplay of sweet and tangy flavours was a fitting ending to our culinary journey.

Innovative and Modern Fine Dining

The innovative and modern approach to Cantonese cuisine, coupled with an emphasis on fine dining, makes JM Oriental stand out.

Each dish we tasted was not only delicious but also beautifully presented, a testament to the use of high-end ingredients and the chef’s meticulous attention to detail.

As our server kindly informed us, the dishes at JM Oriental are made with the freshest ingredients, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. So, if you plan to dine here, make sure to arrive early to savour the full menu. This especially applies to their famous dim sum lunch menu.

If you are a food enthusiast seeking an exceptional Cantonese dining experience in London, JM Oriental is a must-visit.

Make sure you book. When we left the restaurant, around 9pm there was a queue outside. It is very popular.

JM Oriental, 28 Heritage Avenue, Beaufort Park, Colindale, London NW9 5GE

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