from andy (100%) on April 29th, 2008 (2 months ago)

The Lee On, 3-5 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4HN, Edinburgh

On Saturday night I did what I always do when I can't be bothered to cook or even choose something to order from a takeaway - I phoned a Chinese and ordered a lemon chicken and boiled rice.

I live just round the corner so went to collect. The food was good. The sauce wasn't the really gloopy bright orange kind you often get in British Chinese restaurants. I guess it was more authentic and healhier like that, but less tasty!

Anyway, the price was as I expected, the staff were friendly and it's nearby, so I'll probably use them again.

Useful?Useful(0) Agree?I agree(0) Funny?Ha ha!(0) Report?Spam

Sign up or log in to moderate this review

from Meng (79%) on August 5th, 2007 (11 months ago)

The Lee On, 3-5 Bruntsfield Place, EH10 4HN, Edinburgh

I used to live across from the Lee On, where my flatmates swore by this restaurant as a takeaway, particularly their beef satay sauce.

I can tell you their satay sauce was watery peanut crap. In fact, a lot of what passes as 'satay' is just watery peanut crap. You want satay? Go to an Indonesian/Malaysian restaurant. Chinese 'satay' sauce is as authentic as 'Japanese curry', or British 'tikka masala'. Oh wait...

But I jest, the takeaway, was pretty good. And I'm Chinese. From Malaysia. By way of Britain.

The food? Well it turns out just a few months ago i actually went down to their basement restaurant area and actually ended up eating there based on a friend's recommendation (whose family eat there loads. And her family's Italian). Guess what? 4 years is a long time, and the food is actually better than the takeaway stuff. No-prizes all around.

(Bet you the satay's still crap though)

Here's a tip. Look inside a Chinese restaurant. Do you see Chinese people eating there (as opposed to only serving, cooking, running the registers)? if the answer is yes, you can be sure it's at LEAST 3 and a half stars out of 5. You can use this formula for any 'ethnic' restaurant really. Indian restaurants, Japanese restaurants, etc. The more 'locals' you see, the more 'authentic' it would be.

Go in to the Lee Onn, look across and say 'I'll have what he's having'. Can't go wrong with this reliable stalwart of Tollcross Chinese cuisine. Unless of course it's the chicken feet dim sum. In satay sauce.

Useful?Useful(0) Agree?I agree(0) Funny?Ha ha!(+1) Report?Spam

Sign up or log in to moderate this review