C’est le meilleur restaurant du quartier chinois, près de l’arche, sur le trottoir d’en face. Originaire de Pékin, Terry Lim est un vrai cuistot, qui vient vous servir en tablier impeccable. Il vous accueille chez lui comme un hôte. Avenant, souriant, il s’amusera même probablement à vous glisser quelques mots français pendant la commande ! A la carte : une excellente sélection de canards en sauce, une spécialité pékinoise qu’il cuisine très bien. Pour d’ouvrir l’appétit, on recommande la salade de concombre assaisonnée avec du piment et du sucre. Lampions rouges, plantes vertes, éclairage chaleureux et arche ornée de plantes décorent agréablement les lieux depuis plus de 40 ans.

When it comes to the best Chinese food in town, you won't hear too many dissenting voices: Yuet Ben's Beijing cuisine usually comes out tops. The veggie banquet could bring round even the most avid carnivore. Get a seat by the window to eat in the shadow of Europe's largest Chinese gate.

Channel 4 > Food > Features > Oldest original local UK eateries

Oldest original local UK restaurants

8. Yuet Ben

Affectionately known by some as Yuees, a word requiring a Scouse-shaped mouth to pronounce properly, people go so prawn crackers for this place the owners could relocate to a cult compound. Launched in 1968, its 40th anniversary brought on some quite startling testimonials from loyal customers, one describing it as 'a reflecting pool in which new light is cast upon old problems, and old light cast upon new ones'. This Mr Miyagi of a restaurant sits directly opposite Liverpool’s Chinese arch, said to be the largest outside of China.

Channel 4 > Food > Features > Top 10 holiday foods - in the UK

Eat Chinese in Liverpool

Yuet Ben Upper Duke Street

One of the oldest international restaurants in England, this legendary Liverpudlian location has been serving up hot and sour soup and dry ribs for 40 years. Veggies will be thrilled by the fab green menu.

The Shandong-born Yuh Ho opened Liverpool's first Beijing-style restaurant in 1968. Today, the kitchen is in the capable hands of his son-in-law Terry Lim

2011: Long the Chinese of choice “for Liverpool’s middle-aged middle classes”, this Chinatown institution treats its regulars as “honoured guests” (“which is what the name means”, apparently) – its “always reliable and welcoming".

2010: Terry Lim’s Chinatown veteran is a “basic” sort of place; supporters find it “authentic”, but there’s also a slight feeling that it’s “living on its reputation”.

2009: "Went back after 20 years, still excellent" - this "consistently good" and "friendly" Chinese veteran is "an MSG-free haven", and "good for veggies too".

2008: “On the edge of Chinatown”, this long- established Chinese veteran is a “true Scouse institution”, and on most accounts just “as reliable as ever”.

2007: "Still the best Chinese restaurant in the city" - Terry Lim's veteran by the Chinatown arch continues to attract consistent reports.

“Dine on the best crispy duck in town at the Yuet Ben -- don't be put off by the dingy surroundings and ask for a window table so you can watch the sun set behind the Chinese Arch.”

Liverpool TOP 10 PLACES TO EAT

BEST CHINESE

Yuet Ben - family run, has been serving up superior (northern, Peking style) Chinese food in Liverpool since 1968. Its juicy, aniseedy BBQ ribs are legendary, while dishes like sweet and sour 'cherry' chicken keep things interesting.

'Yuet Ben' means honoured guest, so be prepared for a warm welcome at Liverpool's longest-established Chinese restaurant. The restaurant isn't particularly glitzy but the cooking is impressive, with unusual and authentic dishes alongside the best crispy duck on Merseyside.

Looking out on to Chinatown's colourful arch, the largest outside China, the Yuet Ben is Liverpool's first and original Peking-style restaurant. Taste the poetry of tomato and egg-flower soup or gon bay chon seaweed while enjoying attentive and friendly service.

"Best of all, head towards Liverpool's stunning Anglican Cathedral and discover Yuet Ben, which delivers some of the finest Chinese cooking in Britain."

Yuet Ben means 'Welcome, honoured guest', which is exactly how one is made to feel by the Lim family at the city's oldest Chinese, established 1968. The sweet and sour cherry chicken is particularly good.

Video clip - Tennis anyone?

Taller and older than its many challengers, Yuet Ben's strength is its authenticity. The staff strive to treat diners as 'honoured guests' (which is what the restaurant's name means.) The menu is poetry - try tomato and egg- flower soup, gon bay chon seaweed, lamb with leeks or cherry chicken if you want to rediscover why Chinese cuisine is the most exquisitely perfumed in the world. Other fantastic dishes are kwo- ta chicken, which uses a red wine reduction, and the house special spare ribs. Vegetarian options have won acclaim. Nothing here is over-sweetened or made solely to explore a chef's fascination with the red and orange sections of the spectrum, and the set menus are a steal.

Having celebrated its 35th anniversary and still going strong, Yuet Ben (meaning 'honoured guest', fact fans) continues to set the standard for Chinese food in Liverpool. Apparently the first Peking style restaurant in the city, its unmatchable view of the Chinese Arch, wide range of dishes and relaxed atmosphere has endeared the place to three generations of families, professionals and celebrities alike. Carnivores and vegetarians are catered for in equal measures and the wine list is as long as your arm. There's even a monthly themed Wine Circle night for the more daring gastronauts out there. So, what are you waiting for? A written invitation?

The Yuet Ben has a real pedigree. Set up by Yuh-Ho Yau in 1968, Liverpool's most famous restaurant is now run by daughter Theresa and husband Terry serving authentic northern Chinese dishes. The restaurant is a relaxed, informal affair where visitors are greeted by Terry as if they were personal friends. Looking out onto the biggest Chinese arch outside of mainland China, the restaurant boasts a dedicated vegetarian menu, a comprehensive wine list (with a handy set of recommended bottles) and one of the most tastebud-savvy course selection in the North West. The Yuet Ben is a true Liverpool institution - the city would be much poorer without it.

Yuet Ben, Liverpool's Peking restaurant, greets and treats visitors like long lost friends. It's a trait that has been perfected through two generations of Yuh Ho Yau's family and continues today under his daughter and son-in-law's attentive eye. The menu is smaller than in other Chinese restaurants but this could be because Yuet Ben is unlike them. It serves Peking cuisine - a combination of cooking methods from Northern China - and does not rely upon the brightly coloured additives and salt found in many Chinese dishes. The wine list is long and reasonably priced and staff are really keen to give advice about which wine will go with your food. In fact, considering how laid back and stylish Yuet Ben is there is really a down-to-earth air about the place as tables fill with groups of regulars. Visit this Liverpool landmark and you too can experience the pleasure of being treated as an honoured guest.

"Terry and Theresa Lim's Yuet Ben stands out from the city's usual Chinese restaurants in that it fits into neither the chop suey house nor the big, modern 'do everything' type. Well worth a visit for something a little different from the usual."