Novikov Asian Restaurant London

Truffle Siu Mai

When I think about Siu Mais, I think of street food & loud Cantonese dim sum restaurants instead of fine dining. As such, we had our doubts about ordering it but this ought to be one of the best food decisions we’ve ever made. Never in my life have I ever thought I would use the word “juicy” to describe a Siu Mai. But these were exactly that. Each Siu Mai was also elegantly topped with a slice of truffle, which added an immense amount of fragrance and complimented extremely well with the chicken Siu Mai. For me, these have really set a new bar for how Siu Mai should be.

Thai Chicken Soup Dumplings

Initially, I thought the soup part stops at the soup within those serving spoons where the dumplings nest. But it was a lot more than that. Essentially like Xiao Long Baos, each of these dumplings was also bursting with soup inside the filling. I absolutely adored the Thai fusion in this dim sum, where the lemongrass fragrance simply takes over your senses as the soup gushes through at each bite. Everything from flavour to execution just worked flawlessly here and, dare I say, quite the epitome of a fusion pan-Asian concept!

Prawn Moneybags

Moneybags are basically dumplings that are shaped into a money bag, like a little purse storing gold and silver back in ancient China. It’s a classic dim sum and it’s meant to carry an auspicious symbolism of bringing in money and wealth. Just like the high standards set by the dim sums above, these moneybag dumplings were gorgeously made as well. The dough was made just right – not too thin nor too chewy. My favourite part was the piquant touch of spice in the filling which really added oomph and opened up the palate.

Duck Rolls

Crispy on the outside and packed with flavours on the inside, these duck rolls were an absolutely moreish treat. It’s fully packed with a generous amount of stuffing in there and bursting with flavours at each bite. It came with a side of hoisin sauce, which complemented well with the duck. Whilst I wouldn’t say they are like superstars like the other dim sums mentioned above, it’s still undoubtedly a good one.

Chilean Wagyu Fillet (180g)

The lusciously buttery sensation & umami flavour of this Chilean Wagyu Fillet Steak was impossible to not swoon over. 180g may not seem a lot but, since the wagyu tasted so rich, it was actually just the right portion to share between the two of us along with other dishes we ordered. The steak was cooked to a perfect medium and showcased a gorgeous pink tint on the inside. It’s so tender in texture and practically melts in your mouth. A side of ponzu sauce and a wedge of lime were served together with it, which added a little tang to perk up the flavours even more.

Lamb Chops

Enticing is the word for that beautiful glossy glaze over these lamb chops. That glaze brought an addictive hint of sweetness that complemented well with the lamb together with the small pinch of chilli. It’s the kind of flavour combo that leaves you to keep wanting more. Though I must say, after the amazing dim sums and wagyu, we felt the lamb chops were comparatively underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, it was still good, but just wasn’t a “wow” dish.

Molten Chocolate Fondant

Last but not least, desserts! A few desserts stood out from the menu but both times I ended up with the molten chocolate fondant. The presentation was simple but the flavours were just stellar. That lava effect with the richest gooey chocolate oozing out never fails to have me head over heels. The chocolate was rich to taste with the perfect balance of sweetness in it. It comes served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, offering a sensational contrast of hot & cold when eaten together with the warm fondant. It’s a well-executed classic dessert that’s guaranteed to be a winner.