Written by Lisa Baker
Our cosy early Christmas celebration at The Ivy Asia Cardiff last night was nothing short of magical, delivering a warm and cosy respite from the cold November night.
Visiting as an early Christmas meal for our party of two, the experience felt wonderfully indulgent thanks to the restaurant’s impeccable service, vibrant décor, and show-stopping festive atmosphere. It’s easy to see why The Ivy Asia continues to be our favourite venue in Cardiff — especially at this time of year.
The Festive Experience Menu is perfect for sharing, offering an array of dishes that showcase both creativity and flavour that can be eaten as a shared platter or as a traditional starter and main. It’s the perfect choice for couples, groups, or anyone looking to sample a little of everything The Ivy Asia does so well.
It’s fabulous in Winter, featuring festive touches like crackers and Christmas decor – the focus is festive yet tasteful, with a touch of the unusual and we loved seeing the silver origami swans hanging from the Ivy Asia’s signature cherry blossom ceiling – this really is a truly special venue for seasonal events.
We saw several larger parties, and everyone was having a great time, loving the food and atmosphere that is quite unlike anything else in Cardiff.
We began with two of the small dishes, California Rolls and Chicken Yakitori, both beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. The rolls were fresh, delicate and perfectly balanced, while the yakitori was tender, smoky and utterly moreish — a fantastic start to the meal.
For our mains, we selected the Gochujang Chicken and Massaman Lamb Curry.
The Gochujang Chicken — crispy karaage coated in a sweet and spicy Korean-style glaze, topped with toasted sesame and served with pickled cucumber and lime — was exceptional. I paired this with a stunning cucumber salad at our server’s recommendation and honestly, it was perfect.
The combination of heat, crunch and citrus made it a standout dish. The Massaman Lamb, a slow-braised curry enriched with coconut and cashew nuts, was wonderfully fragrant and melt-in-the-mouth tender, and Mark chose fried rice and seasonal fried green vegetables. Both dishes complemented each other beautifully and showcased the kitchen’s skill in layering bold, vibrant flavours – and it goes without saying we shared to experience both.
One thing we both agree on, no matter what time of year we visit, and no matter what menu you choose, everything works together here, you won’t try one dish then a mouthful of another and notice a clash of flavours, it’s just one of the reasons we adore coming.
I have the appetite of a gnat, my hungrier husband never has any problem finishing off my food when I’ve had my fill – and you won’t ever leave hungry because the portions are always generous.
Dessert was a festive spectacle in itself. We shared the mixed dessert platter, a delightful collection of treats that looked as stunning as it tasted. Highlights included:
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A soft-serve ice cream shaped and decorated like a Christmas tree
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Cinnamon and ginger spiced doughnuts with yuzu custard and berries
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Two silky mini crème brûlées
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Mini mochi in three flavours (the mango stole the show!)
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Coconut ice cream served in a shell
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A rich mini chocolate brownie
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All accompanied by fresh raspberries and pineapple
The platter was both beautiful and indulgent — and with such generous portions, we truly did our best to enjoy every bite! This dessert would definitely suit a party larger than just 2 of us, but we wanted to have a taste of everything and it was the perfect end to another fabulous evening in our favourite venue.
From start to finish, the entire experience embodied everything we love about The Ivy Asia Cardiff: exceptional food, warm and attentive service, and a beautiful setting that makes every visit feel special – the Christmas decor just made it a little more festive and added to the character and unique riot of colour that makes the atmosphere here so distinctive.
I won’t spoil the surprise for you, but the tasteful gift in the cracker was refreshingly high quality and very much appreciated too – something you will definitely want to take home as a memento of your visit!
Whether you’re celebrating Christmas with a partner, family or a group of friends, the Festive Experience Menu is a fantastic way to enjoy a seasonal feast with flair, but with other set menus available starting from just £29.95 per person, whether you are looking for a special place for a Set Festive Christmas Celebration with your Team or just a cosy value midweek meal for two, you won’t be disappointed, you’ll find great options for everyone and every budget.
The Ivy Asia Cardiff is a longstanding favourite and our first choice for special meals at any time of year – we will definitely be back soon – and I’d like to say thank you and a Merry Christmas to their wonderful team!