Da Ling Kitchen on Albany Road is a Pan-Asian diner and takeaway with influences from across China, Malaysia, Japan and Korea.
With a chef reported to have earned their stripes at London’s Michelin-starred Hakkasan, it’s clear someone in the kitchen knows what they’re doing.
The menu reads very well with crispy duck salad (a Hakkasan speciality), Malaysian chicken curry, shichimi pepper squid and stir-fried morning glory with garlic all grabbing attention. It’s worth noting that dishes are slightly more expensive than the average takeaway with mains ranging from £8.50 to £10. But, there's 10% off these prices to be had for cash collections and the portions are very generous too.
Korean kimchi mandoo (£6) saw a generous portion of thin-skinned and lightly crisped dumplings stuffed with juicy pork mince and diced kimchi with a good honk of garlic and chilli. They were accompanied by a deliciously savoury soy and sesame dip.
A complimentary taster of crisp-crumbed and tender chicken cutlet was served with warming wasabi mayonnaise. It doesn’t appear on the menu but I’d reckon their wasabi king prawns, squid or tofu would be equally tasty.
Salt and pepper pork chops (£10) were the most delicate of the dishes we ordered. A stack of super tender and nicely caramelised boneless pork was lightly twanged with garlic and red chilli.
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| We've already gobbled a few of the chops in this box |
In contrast, sambal king prawns (£10), the standout dish of the meal, were deliciously bold in their spicing. A generous quantity of sweet and tender crustaceans and crisp veggies were bathed in a seriously punchy chilli and shrimp paste sauce.
Last up, a beef rendang (£10) saw a generous amount of long-cooked beef brisket bathed in a thick spice-heady sauce fragrant with coconut, garlic, galangal, lemongrass and chilli. It’s not the best rendang we’ve ever eaten but it was very tasty.
Boiled rice was nicely fluffy. As an opening offer it was complimentary but it would normally be a fairly sharp £4.10.
We really enjoyed our takeaway from Da Ling Kitchen. It’s most certainly bringing something different to Roath and there’s a lot more dishes I’d be keen to get my gnashers around. I hope they continue to include the free rice with main dishes as otherwise £14 for a main with rice is a perhaps a bit pricey.
As a footnote, we ate our takeaway at the brilliant Bottle Shop in Roath where I spend the bulk of my spare time and money. With a vast selection of craft beer and a small range of wines by the glass, it’s handy to know they’re BYOF (Bring Your Own Food). We regularly order pizzas from Anatoni’s and Da Mara and pancake rolls from China Kitchen to accompany a skinful of beers.
Address - Da Ling Kitchen, 108 Albany Road, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3RT
Telephone - 029 2049 8808
Address - The Bottle Shop, 4 Pen-Y-Lan Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PF
Web - https://twitter.com/cf24bottleshop
Telephone - 029 2049 0096
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