They do business lunches which go at a very, very reasonable 5.50pound. For that amount, you get a bowl of noodles, two side dishes and a serving of their famous dumplings which are distributed throughout Sainsbury's.
So I've posted two pictures to be fair. The first is a shot of my 2 side dishes (beansprouts, fried potato things) and egg noodle soup. The second picture features the dumplings which came halfway through my meal after I had already plowed through the noodles - hence their rather messy and unphotogenic state.
Well there is no comparison to the Chinese food you get in Singapore. But then again, I really have no right to be a food snob and pontificate about Chinese food in Scotland! After all, I'm sure my friends from mainland China have their own grouses about Sze Chuan and Shanghainese food in Singapore (and indeed, some have expressed them). Likewise, I was surprised when I discovered that "Japanese" food in Singapore is pretty different from the kind you actually get in Japan. So hey, I'm probably not even the best person to judge Chinese/Asian food because the versions we get in Singapore are not necessarily "authentic" either.
So I'll restrict myself to saying that all things considered, Chop Chop serves decent and acceptable Chinese fare. At the same time, don't expect it to be the same as Chinese food you get in Singapore (or China). In all, be prepared for differences and go with an open mind!
The noodles were not too bad in terms of their texture and feel - I really do like my noodles in general. The dish came with a very generous sprinkling of vegetables including diced capsicums (unusual) and Chinese parsley. I wish they had been more generous with the soup though. The egg itself formed a fluffy layer ontop of the noodles and it had some mirin in it I believe - it's done in the style you get when you order Katsu-don from a Japanese restaurant. This was a little odd to me initially. But whatever - Asian is Asian, and I'll accept anything after 5 months of sausages and stews at Pollock halls!
As for the fried dumplings (pork with chives), they were okay. I've had better, but at least the skin was crispy and not soggy. The filling was quite acceptable I felt. The dumplings also came with condiments including vinegar, chilli and garlic...although I must say that it's more common for me and my friends to douse our dumplings in vinegar with strips of ginseng rather than garlic.
The side dishes were so-so in my estimation. The bean sprouts were okay if a little sweet, but the fried potato things (I'm not even sure what they were) were just weird. More like...oily, deep fried crisps. I didn't like it too much. I really cannot think of an equivalent dish back home in Crystal Jade or any other of my favourite Chinese restaurants. Plus it didn't even taste too good, or go with the noodles and dumplings.
On the bright side, had a good experience with the service at Chop Chop. The very earnest waiter advised me on the correct proportions which go into making the perfect dumpling dipping sauce (1 part vinegar, 2 parts soy sauce, garlic, chilli). Again I have to admit that the Chinese food snob in me reared its head - I know how I like my dipping sauce, duh. But the waiter was so friendly that I felt kind of bad for thinking that.
Upon chatting with him, I found out that my waiter hails from Lithuania! Possibly the second Lithuanian I've come across in my life actually! He reckons that there are probably only 100 other Lithuanians in Edinburgh, which is quite a small number. I told him that he should consider himself special which he agreed with in a mock-serious tone. Haha.
So overall I think Chop Chop is good value for above-average Chinese food in Scotland. Time-willing, I will sample the Chinese restaurant on Bruntsfield place as a form of comparison! Now that one has been there for about 40 years I'm told! Sounds promising indeed...my chinese palette always seeks out greener pastures...mmm...
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