My family left Ballyfermot for Kildare 20 years ago but before we moved our Saturday night treat was a takeaway from Lam's Chinese.
Times have certainly changed over the last few years, as Ballyfermot has two Chinese takeaways called Lams; New Lams, which has just opened within the last two weeks, and the original Lams, which has been in business over 30 years. The new Chinese takeaway follows after a dispute between father and son Jonathan and Ken Lam, who are now running their own separate businesses.
Jonathan told The Irish Sun: “I know it is controversial. I’m not in the hurt business if you get me, I’m not in the business of hurting him. The reality is I’m doing what’s best for me. This is the only option left for me."
Read more: New cafe specialising in gourmet brigadeiros opens in Dublin City Centre
New Lam's officially opened on 10 April, and curry lovers instantly flocked to the Chinese takeaway to try it for themselves. On Saturday, I went to Lam's and New Lam's to try their chicken fried rice, curry sauce and spring rolls.
Both Lam's and New Lam's are literally side by side on Ballyfermot Road, and there were plenty of people out and about to pick up their Saturday night dinner. I first went into New Lam's to order a chicken curry fried rice with spring rolls and onions, the whole works.
The staff at New Lam's were very friendly, and as a nice personal touch they take your name down as well as your order. My order came to a total of €10.50 and it was bagged and all after just a short wait.
Next, I went to Lam's where the staff were equally as friendly and I once again ordered a chicken curry fried rice with spring rolls and onions. The overall price was €11.
Once at my grandmother's house, myself, my mam and brother - who ordered the same meal - dug in. Immediately after trying Lam's chicken curry friend rice, the curry sauce itself was very sweet with some great flavours, and the rice and chicken pieces were well cooked.
In comparison, New Lam's has put a very modern spin on its curry sauce, with a more spicy taste and I would guess maybe some peppers. The texture of its sauce was slightly thicker, its chicken a little bit softer and its rice was perfect.
Overall, both Lam's and New Lam's give their customers an unforgettable experience, whether that's enjoying their food on your way home after a couple of drinks or just sitting at home in front of the TV. However, Lam's is more traditionally Chinese with its aesthetic outside the takeaway which includes its name written in Chinese, and its sauce was much sweeter with less bold flavours but it was delicious and familiar.
New Lam's has decided to break the mould with its bigger, bolder flavours. Its sauce is more spicy, which signals they have opted for a less traditional style but its burst of different flavours will go down a storm with younger curry lovers.
It would be unfair to say which Chinese takeaway is better, because they both excel in their own ways and their sauces are very different. Lam's is arguably more experienced, but New Lam's has its own special formula that really works well.
Either way, these two rival Chinese takeways were absolutely buzzing on a Saturday evening.
New Lam's is located at 284 Ballyfermot Road and it's open Monday-Sunday from 4:30pm to 12:30am. Lam's is next door at 283 Ballyfermot Road and its opening hours are Monday-Sunday from 4:00pm to 12am.
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