Wei Wei II

In English, when we refer to ‘Chinatown’, we mean a neighbourhood with a large population of people of Chinese origin, however, in Spanish it (el barrio chino) is what we would call the Red Light District, which no decent person would know the location of (Velluters).

Valencia’s Chinatown (the first definition) is next to the main railway station, based upon Calles Bailén and Pelayo, where not only Chinese restaurants abound, but also a plethora of other retail businesses run by Chinese.

It’s a curious experience to go for a Chinese meal and find yourself surrounded by Chinese diners, but also a comforting one, although I could have done without the Chinese soap opera on the TV screen which was successfully distracting the waitress.

It is also curious to encounter waitresses who speak perfect Spanish and have obviously grown up here. This is also a levelling experience, the excessive fawning that you used to get in Chinese restaurants doesn’t exist here, and if you are taking too long to order, they will treat you with the contempt you deserve.

At Wei Wei in Calle Pelayo 21, you have a good excuse for taking your time as there are 236 items on the menu. There doesn’t seem to be a set menu and so lazy ordering is not an option.

Fortunately, if you are feeling insecure, you can point at the wall and ask for one of those.

The dishes are ample and with a couple of them you won’t go hungry or feel the need for dessert.

There were many things I hadn’t heard of, mostly regional variations, (the owners are from Tianjin), but I chickened out and ordered duck, ducking my usual preference for ordering chicken to be on the safe side.

We also tried one of the many noodle dishes and a splash of aubergine, potato and pepper in a soya sauce.

I was grateful not to be given the ubiquitously unnecessary prawn crackers and came away feeling that the world is just a great big melting pot.

I also noticed that the delivery boy on his electric scooter was an ageing European; so I guess we are progressing in some direction or other.