Blue Eyed Panda

Whether it’s go-hot-or-go-home Chinese fayre you’re after or something a little less tastebud blowing, Ancoats indie Blue Eyed Panda delivers on both fronts. While from the outside, the restaurant doesn’t look much, there’s nothing bland about the food, which has tons of kerb appeal – and packs plenty of flavour to boot.

Blue Eyed Panda covers two of the usual four favourites of Chinese cuisine: Szechuan and Cantonese. The spicy Szechuan selection offers up colourful and vibrant chilli-laced dishes, encompassing tofu and mock duck, fish and seafood, including soft shell crab and lobster tails, and various meat options. The Cantonese menu, meanwhile, brings to the table largely vegetarian stir-fries or a choice of roasts; different pork preparations, each sticky sweet with honey glaze.

There are oodles of noodles of the chow mein and vermicelli variety and both special dishes and chef’s specialities listed under mains, with daily changing specials adding to the decision-making process. Starters, soup and dim sum have separate lists. Err on the side of caution and fill up on these – desserts lean towards your basic palate-cleanser, with just a few options of ice cream, fritters and syrup.

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