“It’s the year of the half and half”
I popped into Common Market this week to grab some lunch and I noticed that a brand new food vendor had opened.
I knew something was coming when I heard that Badmaash was closing, but something has very quietly taken its place. Phat Dragon opened between two viral favourites, Wing Society and Smash Bros, so it is in great company. The minute I noticed it was there, I knew I had to get something from it and report back on what everyone can expect from it.
What I ordered:
The menu really focused on the famous ‘half and half’ that we have all come to love, so I went for the one that I reckon most people will be ordering, and that was the salt and chilli chicken half and half with curry sauce.
There was also a range of Chinese-inspired sides on the menu, so I decided on the spring rolls. They had a satay filling and came with a satay dip too. However, it is worth noting that the filling on these will change regularly.
What I liked:
Straight away, when I was handed the half and half, I noticed the weight of it and it was packed so full that the box wouldn’t actually close. I really liked how the chosen sauce came in a large tub, which was on the side, so you could choose whether to dip or pour it.
Now, when it comes to the actual taste, this was some of the freshest and best Chinese food I’ve had in quite some time. The downfall of a half and half is often the chips, and there wasn’t a soggy chip in sight with this one, and they were cooked to perfection. The salt and chilli seasoning was perfectly balanced across the chicken and the chips.
The spring rolls were the size of my head, and that’s not an exaggeration. It must have been so big because it was so full of flavour. These paired with the satay sauce, were absolutely brilliant, and you need to give them a go when you head in.
What I would change:
Honestly, very little because I went in very shortly after they had opened, and that’s not something I like to do because every restaurant and food establishment deserves the time to bed in. It’s a simple menu on offer here but that’s not a bad thing in my opinion.
How much it cost:
The half and half was £13, and the spring rolls were £7, which is £20 in total, and in my opinion, I thought that was pretty good. The portion sizes were enough for these to be shared, and that’s exactly what I did with them, so it came to £10 per person. So, compared to other comparable ‘street food’ vendors, I think it’s pretty spot on.
All in all, I really mean it when I say this is one of the most exciting new food spots to arrive in Belfast City Centre in some time. It was exactly what Common Market was missing and I can already see it becoming one of the most popular food vendors in the bustling food market.
Their motto on Instagram is that it’s “the year of the half and half”, and I really see the vision here. A fantastic street food vendor picks a few things and really works on them to get them right, and Phat Dragon has done just that. It has taken a fan favourite and nailed it.
In the interest of fairness and transparency, we pay for all the meals and drinks we review. This ensures that we are giving accurate and honest representations of the food and service that we receive. So, unless we state otherwise that we were invited down, we have paid for the meal ourselves and visited without the knowledge of the eatery, so you can trust our opinions aren’t skewed by a freebie.
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