Following a successful pop-up in Camden, Mr Ji has opened a restaurant in on Old Compton Street in Soho where fried chicken Taiwanese style is the menu’s main dish bolstered by an assortment of bao, inventive sides and flavoursome sauces.
I dropped by the new opened eatery last week just after its launch to sample its dishes.
The founder (same fella who opened Hook in Camden, which I loved when I tried it a few years back) has dubbed his fried chicken “Taiwanese night market chicken.” That’s got a ring to it. Sadly, I can’t comment on what night market chicken in Taiwan actually tastes like. Although I do like the chicken at the only other London Taiwanese chicken place I know of, Good Friend Chicken a short walk away in Chinatown.
It’s strange to me that I’m writing about a new Taiwanese chicken joint in London without being able to comment on how authentic the experience was. I really thought I was going to visit Taiwan this year, and now as 2019 comes to a close I guess I’ll have to find another time to visit. Until then I’ll settle for the chicken and such on offer at Mr Ji.
Whether it’s the real deal or not, I found the food to be tasty and wouldn’t mind going back for more.
The must-eat treat is The Big Ji, a large (two-fister) butterflied and fried chicken breast (£8.50). Breast are served mixed with specialty powder such as Korean BBQ, plum, or salt and black vinegar. I went with the original seasoning. It was yummy, but I’ll probably go with the plum powder next time.
Baos (fried chicken thigh sliders on a freshly made bun) are worth mention as well. Choose from sweet chilli, hot sauce and kimchi, and garlic and coriander or order a trio (£4.50 each, £12 for three). I like the hot sauce and kimchi bao the best. All the chicken I tried was tender and fairly juicy.
Sauces (£1 per pot) didn’t blow me away (with heat or flavour) but did the job more than adequately. Spicy mayo was probably my fave. What did impress were a couple of the sides. I loved the black cabbage and cashew (£3) and the house pickles (£2). Hot and sour soup (£3 for a cup or £5 for a bowl) mate with chickem, bean sprouts, spring onion, mustard greens, pickle and chilli was a wintertime hit I didn’t expect to savour as much as I did.
Decor was pleasant, minimal. Counter service was helpful and friendly. I’ll keep Mr Ji in mind as a quality nosh option when and about in Soho. It’d be an especially welcome idea after a few beers on a night out.
I hope sometime before too long I’ll have firsthand knowledge of what eating chicken at a night market in Taiwan is like. I’ll be sure to update you when I do.
Mr Ji is located at 72 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4UN. Find out more at mrji.co.uk.
