Over the past couple of years, we have had some fantastic culinary treats pop up at DDC Hockley Social Club, from Sai’s incredible Thai street food “Buddha Belly” to barbecued meats fired up by Andy Low n Slow. And now, we have the privilege of welcoming a MasterChef: The Professionals champion. Aren’t we bloody lucky, Brum?!
 
Prepare to be captivated by the incredible talents of Dan Lee, who has consistently blown my taste buds away with his exceptional cooking for the past year or so. I must admit, I’ve become a bit of a superfan of the MasterChef winner, popping up wherever he goes. I promise I am not a stalker; I just really appreciate and adore his food.

 After creating culinary storms at various locations throughout Birmingham, from the likes of 1000 Trades to Eat Vietnam, Le Petit Bois, and beyond, Dan has now set his sights on Hockley Social Club. And Babs, we are in for a treat! Dan is bringing his love for food made on the streets of Asia to the beating heart of Brum’s street food scene. The menu at this latest venture is a true testament to Lee’s culinary mastery. Each dish is carefully crafted to captivate. Take, for instance, the Maple & Char Siu Bao. I’ll admit, it’s not the best-looking bao, but one mouthful, and I’m gone. And I’ll give you a heads up, you’ll know if I like what I’m eating because my arms start bloody flapping like a Seagull. The softest bun enveloping succulent, marinated pork. Just beautiful.

But the true showstopper, in my opinion, is the Siu Mai dumplings. Jesus Christ on a stick, these little parcels of joy redefine the meaning of “divine.” The flavours are simply out of this world, and I found myself unable to resist popping them like candy. But then I froze and realised there was one left. Luckily, I outsmarted Josie and distracted her, keeping her eyes firmly on me and not on the dumpling. I was prepared to have our very first fight over these bad boys, that’s how good they tasted. So good that I went back for seconds and then was too embarrassed to go back for thirds.
We ordered the Hainanese chicken rice, a dish that embodies Lee’s extraordinary ability to fuse diverse flavours and textures seamlessly. I savoured each bite of the tender poached chicken thigh, resting atop fragrant Pandan-infused rice. It truly was a gorgeous dish, and was Josie’s favourite.
And then there was the Chicken Satay. Succulent chicken, cooked to perfection, coated in a velvety satay sauce. Man, how does he do this? Something so basic is made to taste incredible. Lee’s passion for crafting flavours that leave a lasting impression is apparent in every bite. 
Phenomenal food for a fantastic price, starting from £6 a dish. The food is in no way intimidating; it fits in perfectly with the feel of the venue and gives that little bit of edge.

I believe it’s only a matter of time before Daniel Lee secures his own restaurant. The man is a culinary genius, and his food deserves a place of its own. When that day comes, you can bet I’ll be first in line.
 I left with a full stomach, and I managed to snap up some of his chili oil that he used on the dumplings. It’s now Monday, and I have been using that oil on literally everything, from omelettes to crisp sandwiches, I even poured it over my pork pie!

A big thank you to Dan. Your culinary journey is an inspiration, and Birmingham is lucky to be part of it.Dan Lee will be at Hockley Social Club for four months. The menu will change regularly, with some staples like Vietnamese BBQ corn featuring all the time, so there’s always a reason to revisit. The dishes are designed to be accessible, priced from £6.