Located on North Street, this cosy restaurant is the place to go for authentic, home-cooked Chinese food at affordable prices.
Looking to celebrate the Lunar New Year with some deliciously authentic Chinese food in Leeds city centre? Then keep reading, as we've got the perfect spot for you.
A hidden gem sitting in plain sight, Wen's feels like one of those 'if you know, you know' spots and we are certainly all the better for knowing.
A few minutes walk out of the city centre, Wen's may look unassuming but my god the food is not.
We decided to pop by on a Tuesday evening, as we stepped through the door we were greeted with a warm welcome from the staff as well by a delicious aroma wafting into our noses.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The intimate restaurant was buzzing and only by chance did we manage to grab the last table in the corner. Next time we won't be taking such chances and will definitely book ahead.
We started with the Pork Xiao Long Bao and Pan-fried King Prawn Dumplings, lifting the bamboo baskets to reveal these doughy delights felt like unwrapping presents on Christmas morning.
All lovingly handmade by Mrs Wen and just as beautiful as they were delicious, served alongside a homemade chilli dipping sauce which gave them the perfect spicy hit to combat the fatty, dense flavourful fillings.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
After finishing my last dumpling I was already planning my next visit to Wen's and our main courses hadn't even reached the table yet.
Next up came the Salt and Pepper Baby Squid which was perfectly crisp and coated in a light, flavourful batter which did not detract from the fresh squid flavour.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The Dandan Noodles can only be described as a hug in a bowl, served swimming in a bowl of rich, savoury broth and topped with a mound of delicious pork mince and crunchy spring onions. They were the sort of noodles where slurping took place in order to consume them as quickly as you could, and that still wasn't fast enough.
The menu is extensive and allows for multiple visits to try out all of the goodness on offer, and we are certainly not complaining.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
The portions are generous and perfect for sharing, Wen's is the place to bond with friends and family over wonderful food that won't set you back a pretty penny.
To find out more about Wen's and to peruse their menu, take a look at their website.
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
A cafe dedicated entirely to matcha gelato has just opened in Leeds
Clementine Hall
Matcha is well and truly taking Leeds (and the country) by storm.
You're probably bored of hearing us talk about matcha, and to be honest we're getting a little bit bored writing about it.
But, this time it's different.
This is M Plus Matcha, a brand-new matcha store that's just opened near Leeds University who not only serve your classic matcha lattes but also bucket loads of freshly-churned gelato.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And to make things even better, they've got four on offer all at different percentages to suit your taste.
Soft and grassy, smooth and creamy, full and velvety…or deep and bold (they said it, not us) - this spot is truly a matcha lover’s summer paradise.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
If you're not sure what flavour you fancy, the lovely staff are on hand to help and can offer tasters of each percentage before you commit to a cone or a tub so you're not left disappointed.
The space is gorgeously light and airy, complete with matcha-coloured walls and plenty of matcha-coloured seating for you to perch and enjoy your treats.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Right opposite the Parkinson Building, we can see M Plus Matcha becoming a fantastic hub for students to whack their laptops out for a couple of hours whilst getting their caffeine fix.
The drinks menu includes iced matcha lattes, hot matcha, matcha lemonades and loads more. Basically, if you're of the opinion that matcha tastes like grass then we do not recommend you going.
But if you love it like us, then you're in for a treat.
Clementine Hall -
24th August 2022 
