Comments (4)

1. Alan |

   December 6, 2010 at 3:58 pm

   I have eaten at Ling’s several times – the food is indeed good but I find the staff most unhelpful – example on 2 occasions I have visited I have ordered the Duck with pancakes, sauce etc etc. I asked for the duck to be brought to the table crispy – a traditional Chinese dish – this was refused by the Captain taking the order he told me you will have to have it as it comes!!!!!! This was not helpful and I am sure with the quality of Ling;’s chefs they could have indeed made my duck crispy. I have now moved to Ming’s in the causeway – no duck but very polite staff and also helpful in producing what I require.

   The best place for crispy duck in Mumbai is the Hotel Marine Plaza I have tried all the rest.

   Alan
2. Piyush |

   December 2, 2010 at 5:14 pm

   I’m not sure how anybody can write an authoritative review about the best Chinese restaurants in Mumbai without mentioning Ling’s Pavilion. You might as well write a review about the most famous structures in Paris, and leave out the Eiffel Tower. At its prices, Ling’s towers over every (yes, every) other Chinese restaurant in Mumbai. Bring on Golden Dragon. Bring on China Garden. And most definitely, bring on Five Spice and every other Mumbai resto that puts chopsticks on its tables. If you want authentic Chinese, there is nowhere else to go.

   A soup of the day – on most days a meaty pork bone soup with either winter melon, or mixed vegetables – is enough for two people, and costs Rs 100. On Monday nights you’ll get the rich and velvetty chicken feet soup. If you’re squeamish, ask for it without the feet. If there are four or more of you, try the Chimney Soup (the seafood version is fantastic). It’s an entire meal, and costs Rs 450.

   Starters: The steamed wanton platter. The honey spare ribs. The stuffed crab shells. All excellent.

   For the main course, try their pork. Ling’s serves the best pork in Mumbai. The slightly sweet dry roast pork, or the minced pork with dried vegetables and shredded radish, or the incredibly succulent pork meatballs..you just can’t go wrong with the pork. The pork belly (sunflower pork on the menu) is fatty, so unless you enjoy fat, don’t order it.

   If you don’t eat pork, and there are 4-6 of you, try the 1200-rupee pomfret covered with chicken and chinese greens. On the side, a nice sauteed KangKung (water spinach) and a plained steam rice. End of meal.

   The seafood here is fantastic. Remember to ask what the fish will cost first, as certain dishes can be slightly pricey. An entire meal at Ling’s for 2 – with big doggy bag but no booze – will cost you Rs 600 – 1000. One of the nicest things about Ling’s is all day-dining. Every day, except Monday. You can actually walk in at 5 pm and have dinner.

   While ordering, make sure you tell Johnny or Baba or Nini that you’re not looking for Indian Chinese. Then, ask for the specials of the day.

   Regarding the comments above: Ling’s don’t have a PR agency. They don’t advertise. These three comments are the closest they come to promoting their restaurants – through word of mouth. And I tell nobody. I rarely find someone who really really likes food the way I do. And we – the 64-person strong Asian delegation / consulate occupying the entire lower section and I- love having the place to ourselves.

   Remember – If you spot a delegation on the premises, make sure you find out what they’ve ordered. Delegations call in to get something special made. Chances are that the kitchen will have made extra. It’ll generally be exotic: steamed fish cake in bitter gourd, or squid rolls, or beef tongue cooked in a special way…or the like.

   It’s always an adventure in Ling’s. You just have to know what to ask for.
3. kalyan |

   November 29, 2010 at 4:16 pm

   I have recently discovered Ling’s Pavilion. A surprisingly affordable place for affordable Chinese sp for those who would cringe at paying Rs 800 for chicken rice which one can get for Rs 100 and below at KL. The second gen Chinese owners at LingKs can guide you if you are looking for authentic dishes. I’ve seen chinese biz delegations eat there. Best dishes are roast pork belly, minced pork stuffed in capsicum, bahkute or beef stew as they call it here, chilli garlic prawns, steamed rice with pork mince and fried eggs, spare ribs in honey garlic. My wife who hates Indian Chinese fell in love with Ling’s on Sat
   Rest assured, this is not from their PR agency
4. Sassy Fork |

   November 29, 2010 at 3:42 pm

   The best place for authentic Chinese food in Mumbai is Ling’s Pavilion,Colaba…no wonder it is always packed with Chinese visitors
   Sweet and Sour Prawns,Chilli Garlic Prawns,Ling’s Pavilion Special Soup,Steamed Pomfret…..