Restaurant Review: Mr Chow, Riyadh

Even if you've never dined there, you've probably come across the name: Mr. Chow, renowned for its exquisite cuisine, distinctive design, impeccable service, and devoted following.

Founded by Michael Chow in 1968, this eatery has been a magnet for A-listers for over half a century across locations in London, New York, Miami, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas – the likes of Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber, and Adele have frequented its branches worldwide.

And now, it has arrived in Saudi, making its Middle East debut in Riyadh.

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Tucked away amidst the bustling streets of King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Mr Chow sits in a thriving culinary hub, with the forthcoming Zuma Riyadh right at its doorstep. As we walked up to the entrance, its iconic neon sign demanded our attention – a must-have photo for the ‘gram. Stepping inside, we were greeted by the welcoming smiles of the front desk staff who escorted us to our table.

Mr Chow exudes an opulent Hollywood charm, and we were prepared for a treat, expecting nothing less than a slightly over-thetop dining experience. The restaurant was alive with music, banter, and waitstaff carrying oversized trays, leaving delicious aromas in their wake.

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We took our seats in the heart of the restaurant, dazed by digital art installations and the overall ambience. The menu was presented to us – a culinary masterpiece in and of itself. A blend of authentic Beijing and original recipes, the entire dining experience at MR CHOW Riyadh is curated by Executive
Chef Jia He. Dishes are served to share, ensuring that you get to try a bit of everything. And that is what we did.

We kicked things off with prawn toast and the popular chicken satay for starters. The portion sizes were quite generous, but we made sure to leave space for other dishes. Our mains were not far behind – the recommended crispy beef, sea bream, and fried rice, complemented by bok choy. The fish was a real melt-in-your-mouth experience and the rest of our plates can only be described as tradition meets innovation (next time, though, we’re going for Mr Chow’s signature dish, the Peking duck).

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Not to be outdone by the food, the bar was abuzz with mastery, its mixologists throwing some delicious mocktails down. Although the choices were all tempting, I opted for a cosmopolitan mocktail, which went down a treat.

Launched on 5 October, the much-anticipated debut of Mr Chow in the region saw the one and only Michael Chow in attendance, introducing the Saudi capital to his iconic brand – a symbol of the restaurant’s commitment and extraordinary dining experience.

In Riyadh’s thriving culinary landscape, this beloved establishment stands out, and after my personal experience there, I have just one suggestion: come hungry.

@mrchowriyadh