FORMER seven-time Michelin starred Hakkasan Group Executive Chef, Tong Chee Hwee has launched his own fine dining Chinese restaurant, Gouqi, and it’s in the heart of the historic St. James.
With a rich culinary heritage, Tong started off his career in Singapore, which led onto a stint in Kuala Lumpur, and then back to Singapore, specifically at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. It was here where he was discovered by Alan Yau, who persuaded him to become Head Chef at Hakkasan London, in 2001. Impressively, within a year Hakkasan gained its Michelin star, and it was the UK’s first Chinese restaurant to do so.
Chef Tong Chee Hwee
Fast forward, and after his 18-year tenure as Executive Head Chef and multiple stars across various regions, this spring has seen the opening of Tong’s highly anticipated restaurant, Gouqi on Cockspur Street, a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square.
The home of innovative contemporary Chinese cuisine, Tong and his team incorporate a mix of techniques, ingredients, and dishes from across China; think fresh seafood in the form of Norwegian king crab, Scottish lobster, scallops, South African fish maw. The live and supreme fish menus sit alongside barbequed plates such as the Peking duck with Oscietra caviar (it’s served 3-ways and carved table side for a good dose of drama), and slow cooked A4 Wagyu.
There’s also a curated list of appetisers including dim sum platters for meat eaters and vegetarian options, and ultra-rare teas, cue the Emperor’s Golden Eyebrow which has only 2kg produced every year, and Gouqi is the only restaurant in England to have it on the menu. Naturally, the food is served on custom made chinaware.
Consisting of 78 covers (including two private interconnecting dining rooms, Crimson and Ruby) Gouqi combines banquette seating and views of the kitchen, that’s teamed with low lighting, artwork from revered Chinese artists and flower arrangements by Botanique.
Tong is joined by Alan Tang, Restaurant Director and Jamie Rowe, Bar Manager who presents equally innovative cocktails that are inspired by the four Chinese mythological creatures: Azure Dragon of the East, Vermilion Bird of the South, White Tiger of the West, and the Black Tortoise of the North.
For wine enthusiasts, there’s a well-stocked wine cellar featuring Chinese and Goji wines. For gourmet Chinese cuisine, and a feasting experience all rolled into one, Gouqi is a dining destination for you.
by Felicity Carter
Gouqi, 25-34 Cockspur St, St. James’s London SW1Y 5BN