Yum Chinese and Thai Restaurant

A purist would say that cuisine should never be tampered with; that the more authentic the better. I’ll shamelessly disagree, and say that if food can be made tastier, then I’ll go along for the ride. After all, tomatoes aren’t native to Italy, but no-one complains about their use in pasta sauces! Yum in Lahore is yum; a Chinese restaurant whose food isn’t necessarily authentic Chinese, but rather that delicious hybrid of subcontinental masalas and Chinese preparations which we have come to love so much. And for those in search of Thai dishes, there are a handful on the menu (such as Tom Yum Goong and Gai Satay), but the Chinese dishes are the star here.

Yum Restaurant’s tastefully decorated interior

The decor is delightfully subtle; no kitsch plastic faux-Buddhas here, but simple and elegant dark wood settings, and totally spotless. The service is prompt and courteous.

Chicken Manchurian at Yum Restaurant

And the food is delicious – Yum certainly is yum! We ordered the Chicken Manchurian, a kind of sweet and sour preparation which I never saw in China but which had become a favourite of mine in the subcontinent. The sauce was perfect – tangy but masala-y in the right measures.

Chicken with Onion and Ginger at Yum Restaurant

We also ordered the Chicken with Onions and Ginger, tasty in all of its zesty vegetabley goodness. To accompany the meals, we ordered simple egg fried rice; a delicious complement to the Chicken Manchurian especially.

Yum in Lahore is definitely the place to head if you are looking for quality Pakistani Chinese, and afterwards you can head to the back of the restaurant where a small garden leads you to the English Tea House for some delightful desserts, or across the road is the lovely Sweet Affairs.

Yum Restaurant’s appetisers

Details

Food: 8/10

Ambience: 8/10

Service: 8/10

Cost: Mains Rs. 400 – Rs. 800

24-K, Gulberg II, Lahore

(042) 357155355

www.yum.com.pk

Monday – Sunday: 11am – 1am