Yinjibar describes itself as a modern Chinese, dim-sum and sushi bar but this doesn’t do justice to the high standard this restaurant achieves. At Yinjibar traditional food meets a contemporary spirit to create a truly pleasurable dining experience.

The Venue
Hidden away off Albion Street, this unassuming Chinese restaurant radiates a welcoming glow from the paper lanterns hanging at its window. Inside, the familiar golden Lucky Cat waves a cheery hello, while calligraphised scrolls garnish the walls and jade statuettes peek out from various niches. With enough room to comfortably seat around 70 guests at their marble-topped tables, Yinjibar feels conventional yet succeeds in not allowing familiar cliches to detract from its appeal.

The Atmosphere
The staff are wonderful; their training and skill keep the restaurant moving like a well-oiled machine. They are watchful and swift, re-filling glasses and clearing plates in the blink of an eye. They’re ever-present without being intrusive.

Friday night diners may include families with teenagers, groups of 20-something friends and couples, most likely catching a bite before a visit to Hull New Theatre or a night in the local bars. Background music is kept low and both the dress code and mood is relaxed.

The Food
Put simply, Yinjibar is an exemplification of quality Chinese cuisine in the city. Each dish is cooked and presented with aplomb, the quality and proficiency of which comes as a revelation, even to those who have their favourite Chinese takeaway on speed dial.

Familiar starters include deep fried squid, prawns and spare ribs. The satay chicken at £4.50 is particularly good, moist and spicy. The sesame toast is piled with high with prawns and the seaweed is crunchy and flavoursome without being overly salty. A range of soups (hot and sour, chicken or seafood and sweetcorn, prawn and pork dumpling) are also available. The crispy aromatic duck (starting at just over £7.50 for a quarter) is a delight, the skin is crunchy and the fat melts on the tongue, whilst the meat is plentiful and the spring greens alive with freshness. Of course, if you can’t possibly decide on one dish you can opt for the assorted platter.

Next on the menu are a wide range of noodle dishes - fried or in soup - including ho fun and vermicelli (which is also available fried with a range of meats). Rice dishes start from £2.80 for egg fried (bursting with sweet corn, peas and shredded carrot) and go up to £5.70 for char sui and roast duck.

Assorted speciality dishes include scallops, squid, turbot, sea bass and sole, offered in a range of sauces and cooked in a variety of ways. Portion sizes are extremely generous and the staff are quick to offer a doggy bag for those who can’t manage to eat, but can’t bear to leave, their food. The (belly) pork and yam hot pot (though it’s appearance is more akin to a terrine) served on a bed of lettuce, features layers of succulent, tender pork and vegetables, the textures of which contrast splendidly, all bathed in a rich meaty sauce. For around £7, the honey and lemon chicken’s mouth-wateringly sweet and citrus flavours complement the perfectly cooked crispy meat. Vegetarian diners have the options of tofu and vegetable dishes in a range of sauces.

For fans of Japanese food, perhaps the most encouraging thing about this restaurant is the availability of fresh sushi, making Yinjibar somewhat a rarity within the city. 2 pieces of nigiri start at £2.80 and maki dishes cost £6.50 for 8 pieces, with a deluxe sashimi set of 15 pieces of £18.50. A wonderful array of tasty dim sum, such as scallop dumplings, are also available but these are only served until 6pm.

Desserts are the usual, somewhat uninspired, fare to be found in restaurants of this ilk - fruit fritters and ice cream. Though the flaming snowball with syrup (ice-cream) does make it sound more dramatic than it actually is.

The Drink
The choice of drinks is unfortunately, but undeniably, sparse. Soft drinks are priced at £1.40 and bottles of house wine (red or white) are just under £10 (glasses for £2.80). Tea, coffee and water are also offered along with the option of Chinese, Japanese or Carlsberg beer at £2.70.

The Last Word
Yinjibar offers authentic Chinese cuisine that is well worth seeking out, provided that you are happy to forgo an extensive drinks menu in exchange for superb food and excellent service.

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