The Chinese restaurant in Hull which is a hidden gem in the city centre
With Lunar New Year just around the corner there is no better excuse to celebrate delicious Chinese cuisine.
Yinjibar in Charles Street, Hull, is slightly off the beaten path but has a loyal following with many rave reviews posted on Google. It sounded amazing and I decided to pay a visit one cold weekend in January.
The restaurant is on the smaller side but very cosy, with plenty of space between the tables so you never feel like you are eavesdropping on other people's conversations. The walls are wood panelled which adds to the cosiness and the restaurant looks very clean.
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I arrived soon after midday but it was already quite busy with several dining-in customers and people collecting takeaways. We were quickly given menus and offered drinks - we all opted for Chinese tea.
Chinese tea on a cold day is absolutely delicious with a subtle aromatic flavour. I heartily recommend it to any loose-leaf tea lover.
We then looked at the main menu and I was impressed with how much choice there was. Familiar names to Westerners such as Chow Mein featured alongside some really exciting dishes: lotus seed buns, pan-fried turnip cake, chicken feet, and endless dumpling options with fillings such as king prawn and minced pork.
If I wasn't vegetarian and on a strict budget (it's cash only and the nearest ATM is roughly an 8-minute walk away) I think I would have wanted to eat the whole menu.
But it didn't feel like I was missing out when my chosen dish, Ma Po bean curd, arrived. It is a flavoursome and spicy dish and you can order a version that comes with minced pork too.
Sichuan peppercorns are an unusual spice because they numb your tongue a little so you can take more heat. I've always loved the effect, and the richness from spicy bean paste makes this dish one of perfection.
The rice it came with was an absolutely huge portion that might have served three people. It was light and beautifully steamed and was the perfect accompaniment to the Ma Po bean curd.
We also ordered a seafood noodle soup and a vegetable noodle soup. Again, the portions were very generous - I'd never seen such a huge bowl in all my life before.
The noodles were described as heavenly and the broth as full of flavour. There were smiles all round when we finished the meal. If you've not yet discovered this tucked away little restaurant, I'd recommend you give it a try.