The New Shang Hai, Stansted Review

Good Points
Delicious food, cooked to a very refined standard.

Bad Points
Muted ambiance, drab d cor and incompetent waitresses.

General Comments
The New Shanghai lays nestled very comfortably in a small, semi-sheltered parade just off the main Stansted drag. It has been there since the dawn of time, and remains an enduring favourite with a clientele, consisting largely of locals. But it is also frequented by people using the nearby Stansted Airport. Through being a regular, I have got to know and become close friends with the owners, who assure me that the reason why the restaurant's food tastes so good is that they use no MSG, unlike most Chinese eateries. But moreover, they diligently prepare every item on the menu from scratch, as opposed to relying on pre-made ingredients. Although I'm still a little skeptical about the 'no MSG' assertion, one thing is for sure, you won't get a better Chinese meal anywhere this side of Essex. The food is simply to die for, and achieves a fine balance of subtle and complex oriental flavours. In fact, words cannot describe just how enjoyable an eating experience there actually is. Salt and Chilli Ribs come highly recommended as a starter, whilst for a main course, might I suggest Fried Chilli Beef, which is unparalleled elsewhere. A unique addition to the menu are Fruity Mushrooms, which are not only a sure-fire winner, but will also leave your salivary glands working overtime as soon as that sweet, oozing caramelised sauce touches your tongue.



The only thing I find vexatious each time I visit are the local teenage waitresses. They are unhelpful, maladroit and a waste of space, given that at peak-time Friday, the restaurant is next to empty. However, these minor irritations are part of the restaurant's foibles, and the incredible food renders every other aspect of the dining experience irrelevant.



Overall, I cannot speak more highly of this place. And despite the fact it only just about copes with the very few locals and regulars that go there, and remains a bit of an anachronism in today's crowded restaurant sector, the New Shanghai is a must if ever you are in this part of the county.