As part of my new Xiao Spots series, I’ve been hunting for the hidden treasures of Asian cuisine hiding in plain sight. It wasn’t until I started actively searching for these tiny restaurants that I realised how many I had walked past a thousand times without even noticing.
Today’s visit was a prime example of what us locals have been missing – Shang Wei. Catered towards homesick students, this is truly authentic Chinese cuisine sold at a competitive price.
The Vibe
The hardest (and most exciting) part of visiting a Xiao Spot is the total lack of internet presence. I had no idea what to expect upon entering. These places are often minimalist, the size of a living room, and with menus where English feels like the second language – and Shang Wei was no different. This small, basic spot looked like a no thrills establishment aimed at practicality rather than glamour leaving me to hope that all their focus was then on the food. Despite that, it felt comfortable and looked clean, so I was game!
The Menu
The menu is huge and presented as a full A4 booklet. Prices were fair and the service was prompt, though the restaurant is cash only. This caught me by surprise, and I had to go on a bit of a mission to the local Tesco Express around the corner, praying my bill didn’t exceed the notes in my pocket!
Looking through, two dishes caught my eye. The first was the Spicy Dry Hot Pot, something I’d previously enjoyed at Golden Noodle Bistro on Chesterton Road. You get a choice of 36 items to throw in, including some rather unusual options like tripe, duck blood pudding, and paper tofu. It’s always fun to have a dish brought out kicking and screaming on a sizzling, smoky pot, but I decided to save that for next time after I saw something else on the menu that caught my interest.
Sichuan Grilled Fish
A stunning-looking dish jumped straight off the page. It is called the Sichuan Grilled Fish and is served as a whole fish swimming in a Sichuan spicy pepper sauce with black fungus, potato, fresh bean curd, and Chinese leaf. When I ordered it, the staff did a double-take and asked if I was sure I wanted it all to myself. They clearly implied it was a sharing dish, but as fish never truly fills me up, so I heroically decided to take the plunge. You get a choice of mild, medium, or extra spicy – naturally, I went for the heat 🔥🔥🔥
When it arrived, it was absolute chaos. The fish came out in a huge bowl, bubbling and steaming, with noise and colour everywhere. It was then I realised I might have bitten off more than I could chew!
Using chopsticks, I was able to pick at the fish and potato without any problems. The fish fell to pieces and the potato had a lovely crispiness to it. The Sichuan sauce was beautiful, offering that warm, spicy glow that really hits the spot for a spice lover like me. I did encounter quite a few bones, so you’ve got to be careful navigating the bowl. The black fungus was mild but added a delicate, almost nutty flavour and a soft tenderness to the texture. It was a great dish with so many interesting things happening at once.
This dish would make an ideal centre piece between four people along with a variety of other dishes. This isn’t just a delicious dish but an essential prop to add some life and atmosphere to an evening between friends. This is what food is all about!
Conclusion
Shang Wei is a proper Xiao Spot – it isn’t about the frills or the decor; it’s about traditional, high-impact cooking that tastes just as good as it looks. At £30, the dish felt like great value for money, especially considering the sheer scale of the presentation and the fact it could easily be shared. It’s a great example of why it pays to step into these smaller, unassuming places that don’t bother with a social media presence. I’ll definitely be back to tackle that Dry Hot Pot next time, but I’ll make sure to hit the cash point first to avoid another Tesco run! If you are looking for an authentic, no-nonsense Chinese experience on Burleigh Street, this is well worth the find.
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