Another addition to Manchester’s buzzing food and drink scene has opened its doors this week. Following in the footsteps of fellow Liverpool eateries Maray and Bold Street Coffee, Yum Cha has travelled down the M62 to set up shop, bringing small plates, roasted meats and Chinese tea along for the ride.
Already well-established on Liverpool’s Lark Lane, Yum Cha has finally opened its doors at Kampus, the city centre neighbourhood situated just a stone's throw from Manchester Piccadilly train station. Set up by brothers Adam and Neil Wan, their casual and contemporary take on traditional Chinese classics has won over the Liverpool food crowd with its colourful steamed bao buns, freshly roasted Chinese meats, and flavourful rice and noodle dishes.
Adam Wan, Yum Cha co-founder, said: “We’re properly excited to open the doors and let Manchester taste our big plates, trademark roast meats and dim sum to die for. Our home at Kampus is perfect and we’re proud to be joining the community alongside the likes of Nell’s, Pollen and The Beeswing.
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“We’ll be open every day for people looking for their fix of honest, authentic Chinese food in a cool setting. We’re named Yum Cha after the tradition, passed down over centuries, of gathering to swap stories over tea and food. We’re keeping that culture alive at Kampus, with delicious food and a welcoming dining spot to spend time with mates and family.”
Boasting an industrial aesthetic, it’s hard to miss Yum Cha as you stroll down Aytoun Street. Lit up by a hot pink neon sign above the doorway, the small plates restaurant is spaced over two floors, with the main action on the first, which leads out onto a spacious outdoor terrace overlooking the Kampus garden and Canal Street.
Polished concrete walls are offset by hand painted murals designed by Manchester artists, providing a contemporary touch, while red lanterns delicately hang over the tables nodding to the restaurant’s roots in traditional Chinese cuisine.
The spot - above Nell’s pizza and neighbouring the recently opened wine bar, The Beeswing - is serving up a modern take on Chinese cuisine popular in Hong Kong, so you can expect a modern yet authentic take on classics at an affordable price. There’s plenty to go at, but perhaps best to start with some crispy dim sum such as salt and peppers ribs or Jiaozi pot stickers - pan-fried dumplings filled with minced chicken, served with chinkiang vinegar and finely chopped ginger.
The dumpling, bao and steamed selection below, meanwhile, offers up colourful additions like the traffic light dumplings, alongside delicacies like Yum Cha’s famous steamed rice rolls (Cheung fun), seasoned with soy sauce. Chinese roast meat dishes also shine here and are served with a choice of noodles and pak choi.
And if you have a hankering for some katsu, salt and pepper chicken or a big plate of satay, then look no further than the big plates portion of the menu. All dishes in this category cost no more than £10.50, while dim sum is priced around the £5 mark.
I assure you that you’ll be full by this point, but if you have a little bit of space left over, it’s worth trying the deep-fried hazelnut bao - a heavenly bite of Nutella goodness, or the Japanese cotton cake - a light and fluffy cheesecake. Wash it back with their fine selection of Asian or bottled beers, or a glass of Japanese whisky or sake.
Cocktails at Yum Cha also incorporate a variety of Asian ingredients, including house specials like Golden Hour, a mix of Aperol, yuzushu and prosecco served over ice; the Pharcyde, a hot and heady combination of soju, pomegranate, chilli, yuzu and lime; and the perfect martini, made with pear vodka, lychee, and sake. There’s also a strong selection of classic cocktails, ranging from favourites like Espresso Martini and Daiquiri, and stronger tipples like Negroni and Old Fashioned.
If you’re after something on the softer side, there's the signature Chinese teas in flavours spanning jasmine, oolong, and ginger, plus a selection of bubble teas, which Yum Cha like to call Yummy Tea. Yum Cha is open now, 12-10pm everyday.
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