Bar China: Cheap Chinese Food in Madrid

Somewhat of a legend for those who know it, Bar China is a small hole in the wall where the portions are huge and the prices are so low you really do wonder if the beef in the noodle soup is actually stray cat (do not be dismayed though, I doubt it’s cat and, if it is, who knew they tasted so well?). Indeed, as far as price deals go you are unlikely to find any other Chinese place—perhaps any eating place at all—that will give you a better deal. Is the food worth it? The answer is a definite yes. Although the menu is limited, practically all dishes are greasy and mouthwatering.

Bar China´s location makes it clear what kind of place it is: set up literally inside of Plaza España´s underground parking lot, it shares a hallway with other Chinese businesses (a Chinese travel agency, Chinese supermarket…) that are as small as they are inconspicuous. The place fits in about eight tables and a television, the kitchen is so close you can practically see your food being cooked, and the waitresses zing through the narrow walking space picking up and serving out orders.

Don´t think the sketchy location makes it exclusive or unknown—on the contrary; you are likely to find a line of people waiting to get in if you venture there. Waiting times aren´t too much too worry about though because the food is so cheap the joint’s technique is to serve as many people as possible, which means customers are thrown in as fast as others are thrown out. So be prepared for fussy Chinese waitresses taking your order quickly, serving you quickly, getting the bill quickly and eyeing your table once you’re done so you´ll leave quickly to make way for other customers. It´s not a particularly relaxed scene but hey, if what you want is a lot of food and you want it fast, this is as ideal as it gets.

The menu is mostly made up of rice or noodle dishes that come as soups or with a special sauce. Among the various eating options the grand prize goes to the fried rice, fried noodles and roasted dumplings as delicious dishes not to be missed. The rice and noodles (3.50 euros) can each come with vegetables, chicken, pork or shrimp, while the pork dumplings (1.20 euros) are both soft and crunchy. A big dish of chicken with veggies will cost you 4.25 euros, wanton soup 3.00 euros and a rice noodle soup no more than 4.00 euros.  If you are feeling adventurous, the 3.50 fish soup is apparently very good. Right for lunch, dinner and especially for after a night out, this is the perfect place to gorge on Chinese food and cheap beer with your friends.

Bar China
Plaza de España, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Metro: Noviciado / Plaza España
915 482 103‎
Opening Hours: 11 a.m. to 24:00 a.m. seven days a week

By Daniel Sznajderman

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Chinese Take-Out in Madrid!

When you just don’t feel like cooking, and the idea of sitting down in a restaurant and dealing with the crowds is unappealing as well, your next best option is to head out and pick something up.  However, in Madrid the take away choices have been slow to develop and your options are limited. Don’t fear because there is always Chinese take-out!  This comfort food finds its way into homes night after night because it’s cheap, fast and….delicious!!!

Jia Xiang Xiao Chi (Cafeteria is the name on the sign)
How to find:  enter Plaza España in the section closest to the intersection of Gran Via and Cuesta de San Vicente, look for the parking garage entrance marked ´Entrada Peatones´ go down the steps (don’t be scared) and head for the sign marked Cafeteria. For those of you who have been to this establishment there is no doubt you’ve recounted the story to numerous friends, but for those of you who have yet to go, it is one of the things you must do in Madrid (right after Plaza Mayor and El Prado).  As you enter the northeast corner of Plaza España, you see a sign for a Parking garage and catch the faint smell of Chinese food.  This is not a coincidence, one of Madrid’s best and most well known Chinese restaurants is located in a subterranean bar in a parking garage entrance located in Plaza España.  The menu here is a short and sweet list of Chinese classics; noodles in all shapes and sizes, fried rice, dumplings, wonton soup, etc. and with almost everything around 5€, it definitely won’t break the budget.  At peak times it is almost impossible to get a table so take-out is the best way to enjoy this place, besides eating underground is a bit depressing.  Even if you don’t live near Plaza España, on a nice day grabbing some take-out and finding a place to sit and eat in the Plaza, or walking to the nearby Templo De Debod makes a great way to spend an afternoon.

THE WOK
Central Madrid Locations:
C/ Méndez Álvaro, 72; C/ Doctor Esquerdo, 136; C/ Vírgen de los Peligros, 1; C/ Gran Vía, 73; C/ Gravina, 17; C/ Génova, 27; C/ María de Molina, 50; C/ Alonso Cano, 49

The Wok is a Spanish mini chain of Asian restaurants with many locations throughout Madrid.  Normally chain restaurants are something to be avoided; however, The Wok franchise actually does it right, and offers up some tasty pan-Asian food and a take-out option in a city that is limited in both regards.  The menu (the take-out menu is slightly smaller) includes starters, salads, rice dishes, noodles and specialties that are all placed within a theme from their corresponding region (Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, etc.).  All noodle dishes are a good choice, and come in many different styles with the option of choosing from rice or egg noodles.  Other highlights are the fried rice and the starters.  The Wok menu is advertised as providing natural and healthy cooking and this is definitely something you can taste in their dishes; quality ingredients bursting with flavor.  The carryout service is great! Their prices are around 10€ per main dish, but the portions are filling.  With its abundance of locations and an extensive menu The Wok makes a great option next time you want to avoid the kitchen.

EL REY DE TALLARINES
Address:  Plaza Conde De Toreno, 2
Hours:  12:00 pm-5:30 pm and 7:30 pm-12:00 am (open until 12:30 am on weekends)
Telephone: 915 426 897

El Rey is another one of Madrid’s most popular spots for Chinese food. The tallarines (Spanish for noodles) are their specialty. Though all of the options are yummy, the tallarines take the cake! Whenever I go I try to make sure one of the dishes I order has noodles in it.  What you’ll note in these noodles is their lightness and lack of heavy greasy flavor that can ruin a lo mein dish.  The key here is that all the noodles are hand made on site and if you dine-in, or happen to walk in at the right time, you might just happen to catch the noodle masters at work, spinning, twirling, and shaping the noodles in front of your eyes.  In addition to the selection of noodles many other Chinese food classics make an appearance on the menu; lemon chicken, dumplings, fried rice, fried ice cream and anything with duck is a winner for me.  The carry-out service is super fast and the prices are very reasonable.  At El Rey you’ll find some of the best and most authentic Chinese food in the city, and it is a must for any noodle lover out there.

Take out food is obviously determined by location, but next time you’re specifically looking to grab a helping of Chinese take-out these are some of the best options that Madrid offers.

By Coleman File

To go to the main Food and Tapas page click here