Chinatown is a gold mine of the best restaurants, right from affordable and cheerful walk-ins to special, occasional restaurants.
Discovering Chinatown in London is like stepping into a bustling kingdom of delicious culinary delights.
If you are searching for the best Chinese in Chinatown London, then you are here at the right place and on a mouth-watering adventure.
You will find everything here, right from dim sum to authentic Chinese noodles. Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, London, serve the food with authentic Chinese taste, located in the heart of the city.
Whether you are in the mood to have a quick bite to eat or want to have a traditional dinner, you want to try authentic Chinese cuisine.
Here is the list that comes in: a tailored guide to 7 must-try Chinese restaurants, which are loved by locals and tourists alike.
Let’s discuss in detail.
7 Must-try Chinese Restaurants in Chinatown
1. Four seasons
Overview: Four Seasons is a popular name in London Chinatown. This culinary delight spot is well known for its intensely roasted duck, and authentic Cantonese dishes are most famous here.
Must try here orast duck, char siu pork, and crispy pork, all these are meaty, juicy, and flavourful, and they serve in generous portions.
Also, try the spring rolls and dumplings while you are waiting for the main course.
Signature dishes:
- Cantonese Roast Duck: Made with rich, dark soy sauce, then slow roasted till the skin crisps and the meat drops from the bone.
- Char siu: This dish is caramelised, sweet, and savoury in taste, pork with char.
- Braised tofu with mushrooms: This dish is a softer vegetarian option with an earthy tone.
Address: 12, Gerrard Street, W1D 5PR, London, UK
Opening hours: Every day from 12.00 pm to 11.00 pm
2. Dumplings Legends
Overview: Dumplings’ legend is simply a legend for food lovers; diners can enjoy their dishes from southern as well as northern China on their tables.
This restaurant offers the best dumplings in Chinatown. They are steamed dumplings originating from Shanghai, each masterfully folded with exactly 18 folds and includes a spoonful of broth.
Must try here, Peking duck, pork, crab, they serve it the traditional way with pancakes, spring onions, and hoisin gravy.
Signature dishes:
- Soup dumplings or Xiao Long Bao: They serve the hot, filled with juicy pork and aromatic broth, which bursts in your mouth.
- Dan dan noodles: This dish includes spicy Sichuan sauce, coating the noodles with bold nutty heat.
- Salt & Pepper Squid: This dish is crispy, golden fried perfection with a spicy edge.
Address: 15-16. Gerrard Street, W1D 6JE, London, UK
Opening hours: Every day from 12.00 pm to 10.30 pm
3. Rasa Sayang
Overview: Rasa Sayang offers the Paranakan Singaporean and Malaysian Chinese dishes. They serve the best beef rendang, which is a dry curry with extra soft beef, and nasi lemak, which is fragrant rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves, Indonesian fried rice, egg noodles stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and prawns.
The featured dishes, like roti canai, bring flavour from Singapore and Malaysia.
Signature dishes:
- Hainanese Chicken Rice: Tender poached chicken with fried garlic rice and chilli ginger sauce with delicious chicken broth.
- Nasi Lemak: This is a Malaysian national dish that is made up of coconut rice with sambal, anchovies, peanuts, cucumber, and fried chicken.
- Curry Laksa: This dish is made with spicy coconut noodle soup full of tofu, seafood, and herbs.
Address: Picadilly circus, W1D 6AY, London, UK
Opening hours: Every day from 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm
4. C & R Cafe
Overview: The C & R cafe offers signature dishes like laksa, which is a giant bowl that includes a coconut soup base full of juicy prawns, vermicelli, and fish balls. And must try here a umami-rich plate of Chinese Malay char kway teow, which is worth trying.
Every Chinese dish they offer feels like a warm hug.
Signature dishes:
- Penang Assam Laksa: This dish is made with tangy tamarind-based noodle soup with mackerel, mint, and pineapple.
- Beef Rendang with Rice: This delicious slow-cooked beef is in a rich coconut curry, incredibly tender and full of spice.
- Char Kway Teow: This dish is smoky stir-fried flat noodles with prawns, egg, and soy sauce, and is loved by foodies.
Address: 4-5, Rupert Court, W1D 6DY, London, UK
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Sunday: Closed
5. Orient London
Overview: Orient London offers the best dim sum menu, which is served daily, and it is popular among food lovers. You can enjoy the Shanghai dumplings and crispy duck tempura rolls.
Must try here the la carte, which features great value set meals alongside dishes like roast duck, Kung Po chicken, and spicy beef curry
They serve the culinary delights with the elegant interiors and attentive service. This restaurant is best for date night, celebration, and business dinners.
Signature dishes:
- Crispy duck: This authentic dish includes the crispy aromatic duck with some spice, and it is served with pancakes.
- Lobster with Ginger & Spring onion: You need to order this dish in advance as it is a famous dish here and it takes some time to make, which is more light and luxurious.
- Shanghai-style Dumplings: This is an authentic Shanghai dish, loved by locals here.
Address: 15, Wardour Street, W1D 6PH, London, UK
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: from 12.00 pm to 10.30 pm
Sunday: Closed
6. Leongs Legend
Leongs Legends offers the signature dish here, which is xiao long taiwanese and squidgy broth-filled dumplings from Shanghai; both are comfort food. Don’t forget to try the dry-wok stir-fried cabbage with mottled chillis.
You can enjoy a leisurely meal with your friends, or you can take a solo adventure on a culinary delight, or enjoy an unforgettable dinner with your beloved family.
Signature dishes:
- Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice: This dish is made with pork belly, which is slow-cooked in soy, served over steamed rice with pickled veggies and eggs.
- Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken: Crispy chicken bites seasoned with spice, garlic, and Thai basil.
- Xiao Long Bao: These soup dumplings are a juicy, delicate dish filled with pork and rich broth.
Address: 39, Gerrard Street, W1D 5QD, London, UK
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Sunday: 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm
7. Chinese Tapas House
Chinese Tapas House is just a countertop serving crispy jianbing, which is prepared in front of you on sizzling hot plate stoves.
This dish is made up of egg and crispy dough sticks, which are coated in hoisin and spicy chilli sauce. This bustling eatery in Chinatown, London, is packed with its wide array of Northern Chinese-style street food.
Signature dishes:
- Chilli oil dumplings: These are soft dumplings drenched in garlic, soy, and homemade chilli oil.
- Cold noodles with shredded chicken: This dish is a perfect summer dish with sesame and spice.
- Spicy lamb skewers: Spicy lamb skewers charred, cumin-coated, and fiery, just like an authentic dish right from China.
Address: 29, Newport Court, WC2H 7JS, London, UK
Opening hours:
Every day from 12.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Conclusion
Chinatown in London is heaven for Chinese food lovers, which serves with bold flavours, authentic, unforgettable dishes.
Whether you want to have classic roast duck or spicy punch, or delicious and juicy dumplings, there is everything you want to try in Chinese cuisine.
Right from Four Season up to the Chinese tapas house, each one offers you something unique for every mood.
So next time you are in London must visit Chinatown, eat your way, and discover why Chinatown holds the best Chinese food in London.
