Sichuan Popo

The only time we’re not craving dim sum is when we’re eating dim sum. That includes 8pm on a Tuesday when it’s kind of hard to find, and that’s when we like to come to Sichuan Popo. This sleek Chinese restaurant on Earls Court Road is a place where servers stare impatiently and unimpressed, notebook in hand, if you have the audacity to not know what you want. Plus dim sum is served until closing, and pillowy prawn and scallop dumplings are inhaled as soon as the steamer hits the table. The all-day dim sum isn’t all that’s great about this straightforward spot. It’s a haven for in-and-out, last-minute group dinners that involve passing peanutty smacked cucumbers across the table and swirling chewy biang biang noodles. Walk-ins wait as tables are quickly wiped down before they’re sat, handed a menu, and served their first dish all within 10 minutes. There’s no time for niceties at Sichuan Popo, just great-value dim sum and excellent gong bao king prawns.