My Soho Times Winter 2020

Y before Ming: Meet Christine Yau The Woman Running Yming

Behind the facade of Yming, the iconic blue building on Greek Street and Soho's oldest Chinese restaurant, is its inspiring owner Christine Yau. Voted The Mulan Award winner for Community Woman of the Year, as well as taking on the role of Vice President of the London Chinatown Chinese Association. Iram Khawaja and Kesh Wang took the opportunity to find out about her 35 year history in this neck of the woods.

“I Started the restaurant by mistake...”

Christine has an adventurous spirit which is evident in how she came to run Yming. She arrived in London 35 years ago and bumped into two friends who convinced her to partner together and buy a restaurant. That was the introduction to Yming in 1986. However, her partners fell out after a few months. “I was quite stubborn being a woman and thought I can’t let this fail within one year. So I stayed on while they left; it was very tough and quite a journey.” Christine took sole ownership, deciding to be brave and carry on despite not knowing anything about Soho or the people there. Though that soon changed...

Visit YMING this season

Christine and head of house, manager William are looking forward to welcoming regular and new customers to Yming. There's a newly curated All Day set menu which includes options of Cauliflower Y Ming Style (V), Hot and Sour Soup, and Spare Ribs as starters. Followed by main options of Mr Edward Pork, Empress Beef, Dry Cooked Beans (V) to name a few, served with a glass of wine or procecco for £18.

Read the full article in the winter issue of My Soho Times.

Visit www.yminglondon.com for the full menu and booking info. Follow Yming on Instagram @yminglondon

Written by Iram Khawajai and Kesh Wang. Photography by Ari Gurdon Lindey