Chinese food has a reputation problem in the UK. Mention "Chinese takeaway" and people think of deep-fried everything, MSG, and sugar-laden sauces. But that's a very narrow (and unfair) view of one of the world's most diverse cuisines.
Northern Chinese food - the kind we serve at The Greedy Sheep - is a completely different story.
The Northern Chinese difference
Northern Chinese cuisine is built on:
- Broth-based soups rather than fried dishes
- Hand-pulled noodles made from simple flour and water
- Steamed dumplings and bao buns
- Lean proteins - primarily lamb and beef
- Bold spices rather than heavy sauces
Compare that to the deep-fried, sauce-heavy dishes that dominate British Chinese takeaways, and you're looking at a fundamentally different approach to food.
The healthiest dishes on our menu
Lamb Noodle Soup A broth-based soup with hand-pulled noodles and lean lamb. The broth is slow-cooked for hours, extracting flavour and nutrients from the bones. It's warming, filling, and surprisingly light.
Steamed Bao Buns Steamed, not fried. Fluffy dough with a seasoned lamb filling. Much lighter than you'd expect.
Edamame Simple steamed soybeans with sea salt. High in protein, low in calories.
Jasmine Tea Zero calories. Full of antioxidants. The traditional accompaniment to Chinese food. Every drink and dish we serve is prepared in our [100% halal kitchen](/halal).
The indulgent dishes (worth every calorie)
We're not going to pretend everything on our menu is a health food. Our Crispy Chilli Beef is gloriously fried. Our Pan-Fried Dumplings have golden, crispy bottoms. Our Rou Jia Mo is stuffed with slow-braised meat.
But that's the point. Good food is about balance. A bowl of noodle soup for lunch, a rou jia mo as a snack, and some crispy chilli beef when you're feeling indulgent.
The MSG question
We get asked about MSG a lot. Here's the simple truth: MSG is a naturally occurring amino acid found in tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and mushrooms. It's been used safely in cooking for over a century. We use it sparingly as a seasoning, just as you might use salt or pepper. The deeper roots of these flavours go back to the ancient Silk Road kitchen - cumin, coriander and chilli all arrived in China the same way.
Come try it yourself
The Greedy Sheep, 8 Little Newport Street, Chinatown, London. Open 12pm-10pm daily. 100% halal, 100% delicious.
