Three Uncles is a casual Cantonese restaurant specialising in roast meats and dim sum, found a short walk from Liverpool Street Station on one of the few historic streets left in this shiny corner of the City.
The newcomer serves a range of meat-based dishes which all come served with rice – expect to see the likes of char siu barbecue pork, crispy pork belly and roast duck on the menu when you visit.
Alongside the roast meats, there is also a selection of dim sum to choose from, as well as Hainan chicken rice and lo mien noodles. To help wash it all down, guests can order fresh juices such as pineapple juice infused with cinnamon and star anise which take their inspiration from the Far East.
The Three Uncles takes cooking seriously, using techniques which have been around for centuries. At the centre of the restaurant is a round roasting oven which has been imported from Hong Kong, the shape of which has been used for over 600 years in Hong Kong to ensure heat is distributed evenly and that steam is eliminated, which leaves the skin of the meat nice and crispy.
The restaurant uses a six-step technique in which the meats are marinated on the inside, rubbed on the outside, fan dried, roasted, rested and then served. The meats undergo 48 hours of marinating before they even end up in the oven, and Three Uncles also uses special marinades and preparation methods to give the meat its unique taste, the recipes for which are a closely guarded secret.
The restaurant is found on the former site of low-key Mexican restaurant Poncho. Three Uncles originally planned to trade at the Upper Place Market at Holloway Road pub The Nag’s Head, but plans were abandoned due to difficulties with Islington Council. The pub remains open, but the Upper Place Market on the second floor – which traded only once before shutting – is now completely closed, with all restaurants involved having ceased trading.