Outstanding food. Outstanding service

The Mandarin Chef

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A modern Chinese restaurant offering a wide range of authentic dishes and an all-you-can-eat buffet with excellent value.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Outstanding food. Outstanding service

The Mandarin Chef

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A modern Chinese restaurant offering a wide range of authentic dishes and an all-you-can-eat buffet with excellent value.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Amazing and plentiful food with friendly staff, offering great value for money."

TIP

Explore the Buffet

Try diverse dishes from the buffet to sample more flavors without over-ordering.

Book Ahead

Reserve your table during peak times or holidays to avoid extended waiting periods.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 5:30PM

Cuisine

Chinese

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+44 1794 512078

Address

Winchester Rd, Romsey, SO51 9AL, United Kingdom

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

All-You-Can-Eat Buffet

Indulge in a vast array of authentic Chinese dishes, prepared fresh and offering exceptional value for money.

Flavorful Southeast Chinese Cuisine

Flavorful Southeast Chinese Cuisine

Savor authentic Chinese dishes from Southeast China, praised for their flavor and quality by long-time patrons.

Google Review
Sampling Small Portions

Sampling Small Portions

Explore a wide variety of tastes by ordering dishes in smaller portions, perfect for adventurous eaters.

Shopping itineraries in The Co-operative Romsey in November (updated in 2024)
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The man who gave us the infamous lines “succulent Chinese meal” and “democracy manifest” has died, at age 82. He put on the show, which has gone viral, during his arrest outside the China Sea Restaurant in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley in October 1991. Via ABC Brisbane. To personalise your news & stay in the know, download the ABC News app via the link our bio. #ABCNews #ChineseFood #Brisbane #Viral
@abcnewsaus
742.7K likes • 8.5M views

Explore the Buffet

Try diverse dishes from the buffet to sample more flavors without over-ordering.

Book Ahead

Reserve your table during peak times or holidays to avoid extended waiting periods.

The final step is VERY important. 😅🇨🇦#mandarinbuffet #themandarin #allyoucaneat #canadian #canadianfood #canadianbuffet #chinesebuffet #buffetreview #foodreview #canadianfoodie #mandarinchinese #foodie
@josephdebenedictis
26.1K likes • 655K views
HIDDEN GEM ASIAN FUSION IN VERMONT?! This is what you get when a private chef opens up his own restaurant, a hidden gem in Vermont - this is📍Mandarin Bistro 👀 A host of delicious dishes with unique takes from the man himself - expect flavour bombs, good quality all set in a cosy venue perfect for a date night or dinner with the family 💕 EAT WITH KEVIN DISCLAIMER ✅ paid invite [ ] invite [ ] self f...
@eatwithkevin
64 likes • 3.5K views

Patience for A La Carte

A la carte orders may take longer during busy periods; staff may offer complimentary items.

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Tips

from all over the internet

Explore the Buffet

Try diverse dishes from the buffet to sample more flavors without over-ordering.

Book Ahead

Reserve your table during peak times or holidays to avoid extended waiting periods.

Patience for A La Carte

A la carte orders may take longer during busy periods; staff may offer complimentary items.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Reviews are mixed, with many praising the authentic, flavorful Chinese food and excellent value, particularly for the buffet and set menus. Patrons highlight friendly service and a homey atmosphere. However, some guests have reported extremely poor hygiene, dated decor, and slow service, with one reviewer calling it the 'worst experience of a Chinese restaurant ever.' The duck has also been noted as disappointingly dry.

"Really decent food and customer services.
Though sometimes I arrive early for collection, the staff accompany me well and we had great conversations.
The food are authentic Chinese dishes from south east China and would recommend this.

Have been going to this restaurant for a long time now, definitely worth trying and am still confusing about why some reviews are not great."

Trex Ong

"Grim or Grime where do I start? We went here tonight as a party of 4 upon arrival in the car park there was a dirty rusty table that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years with 2 overflowing ashtrays on it inside was no better the carpet was beyond filthy & the decor not much different the windows also most definitely have not been cleaned for years either the service was appalling we waited nearly 30 minutes for our 1st course & they seemed to have forgotten what we ordered even though 3 large tables that came in after us had their food way before us the quality of the food was mediocre to say the least & then I used the ladies toilet well apart from it being freezing cold & in very poor decorative order both toilets literally lifted off the floor when I moved how this place remains open is beyond belief & most definitely do not order the bang bang chicken it was beyond disgusting one poor member of our party literally forced himself to eat it due to their terms & conditions he looked positively unwell by the time he had finished it this was my first visit in over 30 years & it was most definitely my last the place needs closing down for a full refurbishment and then the staff need training in customer service and hygiene along with learning how to cook good Chinese food the worst experience of a Chinese restaurant ever also a very limited menu"

Amanda Yeomans

"Decent food, very good value for money. Don't fill up on too many starters, you can order as many dishes as you want for the set price. You can always switch back to starters after your second course if you want.
Smoked chicken and Prawn toasts were the highlights, loved the chef special pork chunks. Vegetable curry and tofu in black bean both good. The duck was the main dissapointment, it was very dry.
Service was very friendly."

Paul Bobo

What People Like

Authentic and flavorful Chinese cuisine
Great value for money, especially the buffet
Friendly and accommodating staff

What People Dislike

Hygiene and decor concerns
Inconsistent food quality (e.g., dry duck)
Slow service during busy periods

Frequently Asked Questions

The Mandarin Chef specializes in Peking and Chinese cuisine, with a focus on authentic dishes from Southeast China.

Google Review

Yes, the restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet with a variety of freshly prepared Chinese dishes.

TikTok

House special fried noodles with shrimp, chicken, and beef, and salt and pepper pork are highly recommended for their flavor.

Google Review

The buffet allows you to sample many dishes in smaller portions. If ordering a la carte, consider ordering multiple dishes to share.

Google Review

Yes, it's advisable to book ahead, especially during peak times or special occasions, to avoid long waits.

Google Review

Some guests have noted issues with hygiene, dated decor, and slower service during busy periods. The duck dish has also received criticism for being dry.

Google Review+1

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Shopping itineraries in The Co-operative Romsey in November (updated in 2024)

Suan Thai Restaurant | Naz's Cuisine | Luzborough House | Rum's Eg | Dish Deli and Kitchen | Purbani Restaurant | Luc Purveyor of Fine Foods | TeaCups | The Bishops Blaize | La Parisienne | Cafe Fresh - Local Coffee Shop in Romsey | The Old House at Home | Natraj Romsey | Costa Coffee | Asante | The Sun Inn | Miss Moody's Tudor Tea Room | White Horse Romsey Afternoon Tea | Reeve the Baker | Mottisfont Cafe | Caught Fish & Chips | The Mandarin Chef | Linekers | Koh Thai Romsey | Prezzo - Romsey | Sundae's Child | That Little Tea Shop | Caffè Nero | The Star Inn | Goodies

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Fine Dining Chef Jobs in Bournemouth - Updated Daily

Are you an experienced Chef looking for a new role and to only work during the day??. Working for an established business, you will be responsible for cooking and serving to meet a high standard for our catering site which is a ¬short drive from Wimborne. Key Information: * Salary: Up to £26,000 * Hours: 5/7 days, Day shifts only 8am - 4pm or 9am - 5pm.

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