Kai Mayfair delivers a refined and technically precise expression of Chinese cuisine, interpreted through the vision of chef Alex Chow. Holding one Michelin star, the restaurant presents a style rooted in the culinary traditions of China’s southern provinces, with influences from Nanyang cooking that reflect the movement and adaptation of Chinese food across Southeast Asia.The menu is structured and confidently articulated. Dishes are designed around harmony rather than contrast — sweetness, acidity, salt and heat are applied in measured increments, layered to support a coherent whole. Each plate reflects a deep understanding of balance: rich elements are lightened by freshness, bold sauces are restrained by subtle aromatics, and texture is used to underline rather than decorate.While some recognisable classics appear, the kitchen’s strength lies in its ability to refine rather than replicate. A preparation of Chilean sea bass may be lacquered with soy and aged citrus; a cut of native beef might be paired with black pepper caramel or infused oils. Vegetables are not incidental — often the focus of their own compositions, treated with the same clarity as proteins.Plating is contemporary and uncluttered. Visual elements are integrated into the dish’s function: a fine herb, a crisp skin, or a pool of aromatic broth placed for balance, not effect. The result is food that carries impact through proportion and finish, rather than density or complexity.Situated at 65 South Audley Street, London, W1K 2QU, United Kingdom, in the borough of Greater London, Kai Mayfair occupies an elegant townhouse in the heart of Mayfair. The space is polished and composed, designed to support the focused nature of the menu without overt theatricality.Its Michelin star recognises the restaurant’s sustained execution and clear culinary perspective. Kai Mayfair does not follow trends; it sharpens its own direction — modern, exacting, and deeply respectful of its heritage. Under the leadership of Alex Chow, the restaurant offers a version of Chinese cooking that is as rigorous as it is expressive.At Kai Mayfair, refinement is not surface-level. It is method, timing, and the consistent articulation of flavour through thoughtful craft.
