A vibrant melting pot of bustling streets and delicious delights; navigating Chinatown is certainly no easy feat. Hopefully this handy little roundup will make things a little easier for you. Get your chopsticks and your stretchiest trousers at the ready because here are the very best places to eat in London’s Chinatown.
The best restaurants in Chinatown
1. Won Kei
This multi-level spot right on the edge of Chinatown was once described as ‘the rudest restaurant in town’. Uh oh. We’d like to think that the service has improved somewhat since then, though. Either way, all is forgiven as far as we’re concerned because the food here is super yummy and super well-priced. What more could you ask for?
The extensive menu can be rather daunting, but skip to the back of it for some seriously hearty dishes that’ll leave you rolling out onto the streets of Soho afterwards. We’d recommend opting for a bowl of warming beef brisket ho-fun – a wholesome, warming soup with chunks of tender beef. It’s basically a hug in a bowl, and for this reason alone, Wong Kei deserves a spot on this list.
📍 41-43 Wardour Street, W1D 6PY.
2. BaoziInn
Inspired by the sharing culture of 1960s China; BaoziInn is all about gathering together to share good food and good conversation. They serve up a huge (and delicious) selection of small plates from Northern China including bao, Dim Sum, skewers and noodle dishes. All perfect for sharing but equally perfect for scoffing all by yourself – we don’t judge!
📍 24 Romilly Street, W1D 5AH.
3. Dumplings’ Legend
If you’re yet to try a Chinese Xiao Long Bao, what on Earth are you waiting for? These gorgeous soupy dumplings are notoriously hard to eat but once you get over the piping hot soup, they’re pretty damn delicious. There’s an impressive 47 varieties of dim sum to choose from here and nine types of dumpling, so if you’re new to the delightful world of dumplings then this is definitely the place to educate yourself.
📍 15-16 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE.
4. Four Seasons
If there’s one thing you’ll see a lot of in Chinatown, it’s roast duck. Four Seasons is famous for it and rightly so. Order a quarter per person for a substantial offering and of course, go off the bone – it’s less hassle and gives you more time to stuff your face with some of the best roast duck you’ll get in the capital. Don’t just take our word for it: it was billed as the ‘best roast duck in the world‘ according to the Financial Times.
📍 12 Gerrard Street, W1D 5PR.
5. Olle BBQ
As the name might suggest; this cherished spot is all about the barbecue food, and the star of the show is – of course – their lovely cuts of meat. From wonderful Wagyu beef to tantalisingly tasty seafood; you’ll only find the best here. It’s also a whole lot of fun sizzling it all up on your very own tabletop stove.
Other dishes available here include their traditional Korean stew – a hearty dish cooked in a piping-hot clay pot. Wash all of this down with ice-cold lagers and lashings of succulent sauces. and you’ve got yourself a culinary night to remember.
📍 86-88 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5AY.
6. JinLi
Located on Leicester Street, this beloved spot is all about the Sichuan-style cuisine. Favourite dishes include grilled fish in chilli oil, king prawns in spices, and griddle dishes of duck tongue. A slightly more unusual offering is the spicy Sichuan-marinated rabbit – a regional delicacy originating from Chengdu. Post-dinner, channel your inner superstar inside one of the authentic KTV karaoke rooms which are available for hire.
📍 4 Leicester Street, WC2H 7BL.
7. Café TPT
This cosy spot on Wardour Street brings all the flavours of authentic Chinese and Malaysian street food straight to central London. Expect lots of tasty street-food style dishes like Bak Kut Teh – a Malaysian meaty broth – and ‘hawker’ dishes which will transport your tastebuds all the way to the bustling streets of Hong Kong. The seafood is also great, and they’ve got some refreshing bubble tea here too.
📍 21 Wardour Street, W1D 6PN.
8. Gerrard’s Corner
Located on – you guessed it – the corner of Gerrard Street; this beloved spot is a firm favourite among Londoners. The menu here offers up high-quality Cantonese dishes and melt-in-your-mouth dim sum. Everything can be washed down with a selection of drinks originating from Hong Kong, including silky bubble tea, honey citron tea and kumquat lemon juice.
📍 30 Wardour Street, W1D 6QW.
Best supermarkets in Chinatown
9. Loon Fung Chinese Supermarket
If you’re looking for some general inspiration to jazz up your homemade Chinese cuisine, this gargantuan Chinese supermarket is sure to do the trick. Open since 1965, they have everything from fresh fish to frozen dumplings and a whole array of impressive snacks to munch on too.
📍 42-44 Gerrard Street, W1D 5QG.
10. SeeWoo Supermarket
SeeWoo first opened its doors way back in 1975, when London’s Chinatown was still in its infancy. Ever since, it has been instrumental in helping to shape and develop the area, and has supplied its wares to a huge variety of London’s Chinese restaurants over the years. Nowadays it is a sprawling supermarket that occupies four different units, selling everything you can imagine from China and the wider Far East. Come for a browse but don’t blame us if you end up staying for longer than you anticipated!
📍 18-20 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA.
11. Golden Dragon
Next up, we have one of Chinatown’s most popular spots – and for good reason. Taking up a big old chunk of Gerrard Street; Golden Dragon is set over two floors and always filled to brim with tourists and locals alike. From traditional Dim Sum to the chef’s more creative Cantonese dishes; they serve up delicious, authentic dishes in a lively, vibrant setting. What more could you ask for, hey?
📍 28-29 Gerrard Street, W1D 6JW.
The best takeaway spots in Chinatown
12. Bun House
This laid-back, relaxed spot is a throwback to 1960’s Hong Kong, serving up some of the city’s best steamed bao buns. The buns here are fluffy and delicious, with flavours including curried fish ball buns, pork belly pig buns and even brioche-style pineapple buns. You can opt to dine inside or get your own takeaway buns to go if you’re in a rush.
📍 26-27 Lisle Street, WC2H 7BA.
13. Good Friend
This humble fried chicken shop is set to change everything you thought you knew about takeaway chicken. This Taiwanese staple is the main premise behind Good Friend and won’t make you feel like a ball of grease afterwards. Opt for some of their popcorn chicken pieces that are cooked fresh in front of you and doused in seasonings of your choice. Go for the chilli, lemon and salt for a real mix of flavours that’ll probably have you wanting to order another bag. Winner winner, chicken (takeaway) dinner.
📍 14 Little Newport Street, WC2H 7JJ.
The best sweet treats in Chinatown
14. Bubble Wrap
It’s highly likely that if you’ve stepped foot in London’s Chinatown, you’ve seen the massive queues that form outside Bubble Wrap. These delicious sweet treats come in those well-known red cones for easy eating and look pretty darn impressive for the ‘gram. Get yours and fill it with the like of Cadbury’s chocolate chunks, Oreos, gelato and – if you’re trying to be slightly more healthy – some fresh chopped fruit.
📍 24 Wardour Street, W1D 6QJ.
15. Chinatown Bakery
If you’re looking for the fluffiest baked goods and the yummiest pillows of cake, this is the place for you. The smells of the bakery will be enough to tempt you in, but their Taiyaki machine – which makes those adorable filled pastry fish – will be pretty irresistible too.
📍 7 Newport Place, WC2H 7JR.
16. Hefaure
This compact takeaway café is the spot to come in London’s Chinatown for bubble tea with a side of fluffy soufflé dessert. Originating from Japan, these delectable treats are similar in style to pancakes and you can choose to have them drizzled in chocolate, ice cream or a tasty red matcha bean sauce. Green tea and fruit-filled yoghurt smoothies are also on the menu if you’re looking to be a tad healthier.
📍 108 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EH.
16. Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream
Mamasons are heavily influenced by their Filipino heritage, which means that their flavours are much more exciting than just your regular chocolate, vanilla or strawberry. Flavours here include Filipino lime, black coconut, cheese and Filipino purple yams, and – the jewel in this spot’s crown – the ‘bilog’ (an award-winning desert which consists of a traditional milk bun which is packed full of delicious ice cream, lightly toasted and liberally sprinkled with icing sugar). Yum!
📍 32 Newport Court, WC2H 7PQ.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best and yummiest spots to explore in London’s Chinatown. Enjoy!