The air was thick, the water rocking. Mist curling over silent boats floating. On a grey day by St. Katherine’s Dock, muted colours, soft and still. The cusp between autumn and winter, hanging in balance. Hands in green coat pockets, a pop of colour. A beret placed nochalantly on wild curls, reddened cheeks. The wind, howling like rabid banshees, the cold burrowing into numb fingers. But it did not matter. The promise of a better end to the day, lying in wait. Opposite the docks, where the boats bob forlonly. Behind the fog that swallowed her whole. She reached into the charcoal smudges of gray, and stepped into the light. Ping Pong Dim Sum, emblazoned in faux flowers. Warm sepia lights radiating from within. Around the world, her palette had taken her. Indian at Manthan Mayfair, Mexican at DF Tacos. A dance at Addis Ethopian. A smile at Mildred’s. But where would her tastebuds take her next?
China, the Ping Pong way. A homage to traditional Cantonese cuisine with heart. Healthy vegetarian food begging to be eaten. Handmade dumplings plunged in spicy mango sauce. Buns and puffs, crispy dim sum too. Happy hour cocktails, cheers and a clink. Green chunky boots first, a door opened. Into Ping Pong at ST Katherine’s Docks, she went. Minimalist, yet maximalist at the same time. A smiling woman, super-imposed in gray. Teal blue lounge seats, and gray marbled floors. Small wooden tables, potted flowers cascading in bloom. A trail of flowers across the ceiling, blues and yellow. Smiling servers eager to please. Crossing out things she couldn’t eat, taking allergies seriously. Long tapered fingers caressing criss-crossed menus. Choosing dishes that would make their hearts sing. Trying Ping Pong Dim Sum for the very first time. The drink came first, a mocktail with flair. Pineapple, a splash of sunshine, fresh and bright. Lime’s sharp twist, a zesty spark. A bold green kiss, a shivering tang. Coconut, soft and creamy, a mellow touch. Love at first sip, her eyes lit up. Ignoring the mottled skies, that threatened to rain.
The dishes came in quick succession, salivating at the sight. Starters, and mains, sides all bundled too. Two crispy tofu curry rice bowls, his and hers. Soft tofu lightly dusted, and fried. Mixed with sweet mango sauce. She tore a chunk, danced with glee, not ashamed of using her hands to eat. Laughing, as the sauce dribbled down her chin. Staining her makeup, she couldn’t care less. Tofu on a bed of fragrant steamed jasmine rice. Sprinkled with black and white toasted sesame, with edamame and seaweed. A vision in green and beige, accidentally matching her outfit. A hug in a bowl, she tried using chopsticks. A twinkle in her partner’s eye, hands over his mouth. As she struggled and failed to pick up the tofu, and pop them in her mouth. She would not be deterred, two chopsticks poised above the plate. Slipping and sliding, no matter how hard she tried. Until, as if by magic, she started eating with chopsticks. Strands of seaweed spiralling down her chin. Shelled edamame rolling on the tongue, wild and free. Pouring curry sauce over the sticky rice, ASMR lover.
The restaurant was filling up, excited chatter. The magic of conversation, mutual falling in love. The clink of dishes. The racacous roar of laughter. Servers taking orders, a gentle thrum of music. She cast her eye over the rest of their table. Time standing still, another tofu curry, her partner devoured. 1,2,3, down the hatch it went. A side of seaweed, as if she couldn’t get enough. Briny, drenched in seasame oil and rice vinegar. A hint of red chilli, their beloved black and white toasted sesame seeds.
Edamame, laced with delectable celery salt. Fingers pinching the bright green pods. Nutty, fresh and slightly sweet. Salt dusting her chapped lips, like the seas tangled embrace. But the biggest surprise lay in a Bamboo steamer. Vegetable sticky rice wrapped in a bamboo leaf. Sticky, and glutinous, like sheeny-shiny pearls. Uncovered, as she unwrapped the leaf, small secrets within. Bamboo shoots, mild, with a crunchy texture. Earthy, and nutty, blending in with carrot. Slivers hiding, with a satisfying crunch. Ladling some of that beloved curry sauce, pairing well with asparagus. Rich and complex in flavour, with smokey undertones. Unlike any other rice she had tried before.
It said it in the name. Ping Pong Dim Sum, she had to try. More tofu she heard you ask? It would be rude not to, she cried. A side of crispy tofu, peashoots on top. That same spicy mango sauce that she fell in love with earlier. Dipping slabs into its sticky-chilli depths. Just as delicious as she remembered, she wished she could take it home. She fell into a food-reverie, her thoughts elsewhere. Her first foray into Cantonese cuisine. Proof that Chinese was just as vegetarian-friendly, allergy-friendly, and delicious as other cuisines she gravitated towards more. Though she wished she had more options to choose from, she couldn’t help but praise Ping Pong.
A place where people came together, chopsticks at the ready. Furtive glances, stifled laughter at the people (me) who couldn’t use chopsticks. Staff who went above and beyond to deliver the best service. Kind to its customers, a warming rapport with each other. Quick to help, careful with allergies. Despite this, there was one slip up. Their own fault, not realizing that the spring rolls had mushrooms in. About to take a bite. Opening up the flaky pastry, that forbidden veg poking out. Her partner trying, and confirming, despite the staffs pains to deliver an allergy free meal. But it was no matter, him, devouring it whole. Wiping all evidence from the table. Sauce dripping down his shirt. One more savoury to share. Long-stem broccoli, steamed and fragrant. Dangled curiously into a creamy seasame dip. She closed her eyes, letting the sensations wash over her. Earthy, the broccoli first. Dip, dip, let the nutty tanginess of the sesame come through.
One more delicacy, as she finished off the last of her drink. Cream pooling at the bottom of her glass, slurp, slurp. Small and petite, the Oriental Macaron. On a teeny little plate, gone in one bite. Mouth wrapped around the meringue and almond flour sandwich cookie. Yuzu oozing, creamy yet tart. Citrusy brightness, with a slight bitterness. Zesty, with just the right amount of sweetness. Wishing she ordered another one to go. Dusted in sugar, floral notes. One last glance at the menu, saying their goodbyes. Coats slung on, wiggling their toes. Bums cramped from sitting too long. Bellies pooched, filled with happiness. The memory of the gorgeous lunch-dinner in the dozen photos took. Snapshots of food, wondering where their journey would take them next. The alphabet of food dating, starting at the letter C. Would they go backwards or forwards? Only time would tell. A secret they kept hush-hush, stick around and find out.
They breathed in the air of the docks. Clean, tinged with salt. The skies tinged with murky blue, shadows falling across her face. Not a twilight framed by lavender, blush and gold. Not a sunset kissed by fiery red, orange, and yellow flames. Silvery instead, dramatic draping clouds. The colour fading slowly, the blue night taking hostage. No stars, too much pollution here. But still, the docks were beautiful at night. Illuminated waterways, the boats reflecting on the water. The lively bustle of the nearby restaurants and bars teeming with people. The moon hung heavy in the sky with melancholy. Its cratered face with a silver aura. Guardian of the night, coaxing them home. Walking to Bank, exploring the city. Their minds full of wonder, dancing all the way home. Then at last when they settled into sleep, they dreamed. Of tofu curry, not soggy, mushy and bland like people thought. Flavoursome, and versatile, drenched in curry sauce that made her go wild. Broccoli performing the Lion Dance to drive away evil spirits. Edamame singing ‘Moonlight’ a traditional Cantonese lullaby. She tossed and turned, licking her lips in her sleep. A dance between dark and light, food flirting with her tongue. Morning broke, like an egg yolk in a pan. But still, she couldn’t help but think of Ping Pong Dim Sum once more. Over, and over. Again, Again.
One day….
Have You Ever Tried Ping Pong Dim Sum Before?
*Disclaimer
Please note this is a collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by a gifted visit.
Ping Pong Dim Sum have the following deals on at the moment:
Bento Lunch Deal: £11.95 for a vegetarian or a meat box. Choose from combinations like jasmine rice, edamame beans, two crispy spring rolls and a choice of three dumplings. I didn’t go for this because of my allergies, but it is great value for money! Available 12-4 PM at select locations. I visited ST Katherine’s Docks. They also have a seperate kids menu, vegan menu, gluten-free menu, and selection set menus. Choose between Original or Vegan, both sets include 3 crispy bites for starters, 5 of our best dumplings and a jasmine rice & vegetable wrap, all for £16.45 & ready on your table in no time!
Happy Hour
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