The Place
There are days when you crave something less than healthy. Sure, Guangzhou may be seeing an increasing number salad places catering to the vegan, organic, gluten-free crowd, but sometimes you just can’t beat some deep-fried goodness on a Friday evening after a hard week at the office.
For those of us who have spent some time in what used to be the British Empire, that usually equals fish and (British-style) chips, served with a dollop of tartar sauce. To get your fill in Guangzhou, look no further than Jack Fin, which serves it Australian-style on (fake) newsprint.
The Food
Let’s be honest: there’s nothing particularly complicated about good fish and chips, which will set you back RMB58 at this restaurant. If you want something a bit more complex, the fish pocket (RMB48) has cheese stuffed into the fillet.
The fish used is not cod or haddock, meaning that it lacks the clean, deep-sea taste of those species. However, given that Guangzhou is rather far from the North Sea, this is to be expected.
Both the fish and the chips were not too greasy, and they came with a selection of a mayo-based dip and ketchup. The dip, though, lacked the chunkiness of a superior-quality tartar sauce. The set came with a salad bathed in mayo dressing; perhaps vinaigrette would have better offset the heaviness of the fish batter.
The chicken nuggets (RMB26) were decent. The shrimp salad (RMB40) was rather unremarkable, again with a heavy mayo-based dressing; although the prawns were rather large. The menu also offers classic sides like battered sausage (RMB22) and onion rings (RMB30).
Of note is the lack of salt and vinegar offered at the table. Though perhaps not essential, their addition would immediately transport a homesick Englishman right back to his childhood in Bournemouth, chomping on piping-hot seafood to the tune of churning waves.
While not outstanding in comparison to the genuine article found in the Commonwealth, the food is decent enough to make Jack Fin the local, go-to chippery of Jiangnanxi expats.
The Vibe
The restaurant is small but slickly decorated, with dark, wood-paneled floors and walls and a shelf stacked with various cutesy ornaments. On our visit, speakers were playing Western rock music, but not too loudly, which added to a pleasant ambience.
From the outside, Aussie-themed windows shout the down-under origins of the food within. There is also a small outdoor patio where, if you so wished, you could sit on a breezy day to enjoy an alfresco meal.
Price: RMB80-100
Who’s going: locals in the Jiangnanxi area
Good for: fish n' chips, deep-fried goodness
Nearest metro: Jiangnanxi (Exit D), 10 minutes
Closed Tuesdays, 11am-11pm; See listing for Jack Fin.
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