LDNReview
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Mr Ji
Included In
There’s nothing quite like a real, eyes wide, ooh moment in a restaurant. Especially one that isn’t faffing about with liquid nitrogen or OTT interiors—but instead prefers to reveal a very pleasing half sphere of prawn fried rice before pouring green-tinted, viscous hot and sour soup over it. That’s Mr Ji’s vibe. The Camden restaurant describes itself as ‘east meets west’, but we think of it as an everyday restaurant that guarantees food that you want to talk about.
Mr Ji has embraced a thoroughly neighbourhood approach in its Camden home. The front banquette area is made for solo diners working out how to tackle The O’Ji (a frisbee-ish flattened and deep-fried crispy chicken breast), as much as it is for last-minute dates who will always have something to talk about when sharing the oozing, béchamel-heavy prawn-in-toast. The main dining room—all gun metal greys and modern lines—has the space and big round tables for groups interested in sharing that fried rice or silky sirloin with a humming pepper sauce. This is where to spend a couple of hours and really get to know the menu.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Small plates and sharing are the best way to enjoy Mr Ji’s always-innovative flavour combinations. Their take on tacos, using dumpling skins and topped with a super tender braised pig’s head, are must-orders. Similarly all the small plates, from ox tongue to stuffed chicken wings, are cooked with enlivening combinations like wasabi vinaigrette or crab emulsion. You can easily order from the snacks and small plates, alongside a plum negroni or two, and be very happy. Otherwise, bigger groups should go for the larger plates like an invigorating whole fish with rice cakes and kimchi broth. However you play it, Mr Ji is going to make you chew the fat about, well, what you’re chewing.
Food Rundown
Hearts
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Prawn "In" Toast
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Wings
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
"Tacos"
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Fried Rice