Eat your way through London's Chinatown, with our ultimate guide to the best restaurants, dim sum, street food, desserts and more, perfect for when you're exploring the neighbourhood or joining the crowds for Chinese New Year celebrations.
Rooted in Chinese heritage, Chinatown is one of London's most exciting food destinations. Today, its culinary scene stretches far beyond a single cuisine and has evolved into a vibrant hub of Asian flavours, including Cantonese, Malaysian, Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese.
From late-night dumplings to bubble tea, hotpot feasts and grab-and-go snacks, explore the very best places to eat in Chinatown London.
Best restaurants in Chinatown London
1. Orient London
Owned by one of the oldest families in London’s Chinatown and situated right next to the iconic Chinese gate, Orient London is renowned for its impressive selection of seafood specialities, as well as handcrafted dim sum and classic Chinese dishes, the Guangdong way.
To start, savour fried turnip cake with chilli sauce, baked mini roast pork buns or pork and prawn dumplings topped with crab roe. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the shredded chicken with jellyfish and cucumber or the marinated spicy duck tongues before tucking into classic Cantonese mains, such as glossy honey roast pork, tender stir fried beef in oyster sauce, king prawn chow mein and braised whole abalone.
Where: 15 Wardour St, London W1D 6PH
2. Plum Valley
Treat yourself to refined Chinese cuisine at Plum Valley, one of Chinatown’s standout restaurants. The dark oak accents, plush seating and warm lighting creates a perfect setting for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Plum Valley’s extensive menu showcases Cantonese specialities with popular dishes including Shanghai-style pork ribs, sweet chilli kung po king prawns with cashews, crispy duck rolls and stir-fried broccoli in a black bean sauce.
Guests heading to the theatre can enjoy a special pre-theatre express menu or create your own fun, by enjoying delicious dishes while singing your heart out in one of the karaoke rooms.
Where: 20 Gerrard St, London W1D 6JQ
3. Speedboat Bar
Tuck into Thai dishes bursting with flavour at the no frills, sports bar-style Speedboat Bar, inspired by Chinatown in Bangkok. Snack on the popular crispy chicken skin, then challenge your friends to a round of pool before delving into main dishes. Think purple aubergine with chilli and lime basil, tom yam mama noodles with squid, pork and prawns and crispy pork and black pepper curry.
Keep the good times flowing with sharing towers of ice-cold Singha beer and finish strong with a pineapple pie and taro ice cream or mango pudding with red pomelo.
Where: 30 Rupert St, London W1D 6DL
Dumplings' Legend
Feast on beautifully crafted dumplings at Dumplings’ Legend, one of Chinatown’s most popular dim sum restaurants. With more than 40 varieties of all different shapes and sizes, and a reputation for expertly made xiaolongbao, it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves authentic Cantonese flavours.
Part of the magic is watching the chefs behind the glass wall filling and folding the dumplings by hand – an incredible 8,000 are made every day!
Where: 15-16 Gerrard St, London W1D 6JE
5. Rasa Sayang
Inspired by the bustling hawker scene of Malaysia and Singapore, Rasa Sayang celebrates fresh ingredients and bold, aromatic spices in every dish.
Start by tearing into super light roti and dipping it into a fragrant coconut curry sauce for simple yet irresistible comfort. Move onto classics like char kway teow – wok-fried flat noodles tossed with pork, prawns and sweet dark soy sauce or slow-cooked beef rendang curry.
Don’t skip Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak and the Singapore chilli crabs, served with four deep-fried mantou buns and either sweet chilli egg gravy or an aromatic black pepper sauce.
Where: 5 Macclesfield St, London W1D 6AY
6. Wong Kei
A true Chinatown icon, Wong Kei is renowned for its classic Cantonese cooking and famously no-frills service, a quirk that has become part of its enduring charm.
Tuck into a wide array of delicious dishes, from char sui yok (barbecued pork belly) to roast duck and a comforting bowl of beef brisket and rice vermicelli in soup, all served in a simple, stripped back setting.
Where: 41-43 Wardour St, London W1D 6PX
7. Barshu
Enjoy authentic Sichuan cuisine in the heart of Soho at Barshu, a Michelin-guide restaurant serving bold, fiery flavours since 2006.
Kickstart your meal with vibrant small plates, from pounded aubergines with sesame paste to shredded pork tripe with Sichuan chilli oil and salt and pepper spare ribs. Dive into standout mains such as roasted sea bass, braised pork shank, rich and spicy Mapo tofu and Barshu’s legendary Dan Dan noodles.
Expect unapologetically mouth-tingling flavours throughout, with dishes featuring a lot of Sichuan peppercorns and chillies to deliver that “mala” (numbing and spicy) sensation.
Where: 28 Frith Street, London W1D 5LF
8. Gold Mine
Regarded as one of London’s best roast duck restaurants, Gold Mine is a Chinatown favourite serving classic Cantonese cuisine including fresh daily dim sum.
Indulge in the crispy aromatic duck served with pancakes, hoisin sauce, spring onions and cucumbers or opt for the equally celebrated Cantonese-style roast duck. The menu is packed with delicious dishes, from fried soft-shell crab with chilli and salt to marmite chicken, comforting prawn dumpling soup and a classic Singapore-style vermicelli noodles.
Where: 45 Wardour St, London W1D 6PZ
9. Pochawa Grill
Pochawa Grill is one of Chinatown’s best spots for Korean barbecue, serving up sizzling flavours in a retro-inspired space with funky neon lights and circular tables fitted with gas grills. It’s a lively, interactive dining experience infused with the energy of K‑Pop and the comfort of soul‑warming Korean classics.
Start with crowd‑pleasing favourites like savoury Korean pancakes, gooey corn cheese, spicy tteokbokki and crispy fried chicken or opt for hearty sharing dishes, such as budae hotpot, bibimbap, Korean stews and more.
But the true star is the Korean barbecue. Choose from an extensive selection of premium meats, from marinated bulgogi (thin beef slices) and galbi (short ribs) to sliced pork belly, spicy chicken, rib eye and beyond. Everything is served with fresh lettuce wraps, pamuchim (seasoned spring onions), garlic and chilli so you can build each bite just the way you like it.
Pair it all with one of their exquisite Soju cocktails and you’ve got a feast that’s as fun as it is flavourful.
Where: 29 Wardour St, London W1D 6PS
10. Er Mei
The first Sichuan restaurant to open in London’s Chinatown, Er Mei has been a local favourite for years, offering authentic regional flavours in a relaxed and welcoming setting. The menu spans everything from fiery classics to comforting staples and vegan options too.
Start with handmade soy sauce minced pork buns before diving into the standout Chongqing chicken hot pot, a generous feast featuring half a chicken, fresh bamboo shoots, needle mushrooms, fresh tofu and winter melon. Other popular dishes include lobster with onion and ginger, stir-fried beef with chillies and crushed peanuts, spicy aubergine with minced pork and noodles with spare ribs in a spicy soup.
Er Mei also offers private dining and karaoke, perfect for enjoying bold Sichuan flavours with a side of fun.
Where: 6 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BG
11. Tao Tao Ju
Discover Chinese home-style cooking at Tao Tao Ju, where towering bamboo baskets arrive at your table filled with beautifully steamed dumplings and grilled dim sum, crafted fresh on site each day.
The menu spans crowd pleasers, from half or whole Peking duck with all the sides, to Sichuan-style boiled beef slices, lemon chicken, honey roast pork, fried tofu with salt and pepper and aubergine and green beans in a chilli bean sauce.
Where: 15 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BE
12. Viet Food
Enjoy modern Vietnamese street food at Viet Food, where traditional techniques meet contemporary cooking. Kick things off with fresh flavours by choosing the chilli grilled beef sirloin salad, classic summer rolls with prawns or crispy coconut calamari served with a sweet chilli herb sauce.
Next, try modern tapas dishes like the five-spice soft shell crab or Saigon stir-fry duck breast with green mango. For something heartier, tuck into the braised freshwater prawns with glass vermicelli or the grilled black angus rib-eye beef. And of course, there’s a full line-up of pho to choose from.
Where: 34-36 Wardour St, London W1D 6QT
13. Kung Fu Noodle
A haven for noodle lovers, Chinatown’s Kung Fu Noodle serves hot, cold and soup noodle dishes from China’s north-western Gansu province. Step inside and you’ll see that an open kitchen takes centre stage, where chefs hand-pull the noodles using traditional techniques.
Take a seat at the shared bench tables and tuck into a steaming, slurp-worthy bowl of hand-pulled, knife-cut or biang biang noodles, each paired with your choice of protein. One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the Lanzhou hand-pulled beef noodle soup featuring a clear meaty broth, tender slices of beef, crunchy radish and a generous drizzle of chilli oil.
Where: 64 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1F 6LU
14. Noodle & Beer Chinatown
Inspired by the social spirit of China’s Sichuan region, Noodle & Beer delivers bold flavours and late-night comfort. Kick things off with some choo-shou, Sichuan dumplings stuffed with minced chicken and lotus root or snack on crispy courgette fries before diving into steaming bowls of noodles.
Dive into the renowned super king braised beef ribs with blanket noodles, the tender meat snipped off the bone by your server and practically melting apart. To feel the heat, try the restaurant’s spiciest dish, xian-jiao niu rou, made up of noodles, red pepper, beef, peanuts, spring onions and pickled greens.
And if you’re out late and looking for a bite, you’re in luck as hot food is served until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: 27 Wardour St, London W1D 6PR
15. Opium Cocktail & Dim Sum Parlour
Look out for the nondescript black door between two Chinatown restaurants to enter Opium, a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge and dim sum parlour that's well worth a visit. Set over two floors, this 1920s-themed spot houses three bars, each offering their own unique experience, from the cosy Peony Bar to the larger Apothecary Bar, with quirky Chinese medicine bottles, and home-like Attic & Academy Bar, complete with old photos.
Accompany your Chinese-inspired cocktails with a variety of a round of dim sum, from spicy duck to lobster and mushroom and truffle, or if you fancy a little bit of everything, choose one of the dim sum platters.
Where: 15-16 Gerrard St, London W1D 6JE
16. Tokyo Diner
Enjoy a little piece of Japan in the heart of London at Tokyo Diner, where warm Japanese hospitality meets comforting, home-style cooking. The menu is refreshingly simple: four starters, four sushi roll, four ramen and noodle dishes and four mains, plus two desserts.
Settle in with a steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen, its rich, creamy pork broth topped with chashu pork, egg and spring onions. Try the salmon donburi – grilled salmon over sushi rice and a side of pickled vegetables, or go for a cosy favourite like tofu katsu curry
If you’re after something light, opt for a spicy tuna tartare, gyoza dumplings or spicy salmon rolls. And if you’ve still got room, finish with a slice of matcha cheesecake or scoop of mochi ice cream.
Where: 2 Newport Pl, London WC2H 7JP
Best street food in Chinatown London
From steamy bun counters to golden grab-and-go bites, Chinatown London is one of the best places in the city to pick up something fast, fresh and bursting with serious flavour.
- Feast on Chinese-style burgers at Kung Fu Burger, serving flaky sourdough buns filled with a variety of tasty flavours, including the popular tender shredded pork or soft duck in a sweet hoisin sauce.
- Good Friend is one of the best places in London Chinatown to try Taiwan’s legendary crispy fried chicken. Take your pick from breast, wings or popcorn chicken, and then add some oomph with one of the many flavoured powders to pick from, such as pepper and chilli or plum.
- Bite into hot, fluffy steamed buns at Bun House Chinatown, offering six delicious fillings, from peppery lamb belly to slow-cooked beef flank and a rich roast mushroom mix. If you’re in a sweet mood, don’t miss its custard bun.
- Savour salty, sweet and umami Fujianese fare at Ji Xiang Bao Zi, showcasing crispy golden fritters packed with flavourful combinations, like its famous oyster cake with beansprouts, spring onions, seaweed, oysters and prawns.
- Get a taste of the viral Korean corn dog at Bunsik Chinatown, offering nine tasty variations, from crunchy chicken to potato mozzarella. You can also grab other popular Korean street food such as tteokbokki, kimbap and Korean fried chicken.
- Enjoy crispy jianbing or Chinese crepes from Chinese Tapas House, a Beijing street food favourite topped with eggs and springs onions before being coated in sauce and layered with pork belly or vegetarian options.
- Choose from noodles, hot stone sizzling pots, seafood and more at street-food shop Cafe TPT, serving up a huge variety of top-quality Cantonese and Malaysian dishes.
Best Chinatown London dessert places
After all those rich umami flavours, it only feels right to finish with something indulgent, and Chinatown is packed with treats that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Get a taste of the best Cantonese egg tarts, the viral matcha mochi lava buns and strawberry cream sandwiches and more at Mrs Bakery.
- Head to upmarket Japanese bakery, Kova Patisserie to try its famous mille crepes, Japanese strawberry shortcakes, matcha gateau brownies and sea salt lava cheesecake. Bubble tea fans might also be tempted by their famous cheezo tea, a fruit tea topped with a layer of salted cream cheese foam.
- If you’re a matcha lover, Tsujiri is the place to go for some of the best matcha desserts in London. Pop by for some matcha soft serve, fluffy matcha brioches, matcha mochi buns, matcha slushies or lattes and so much more.
- Transport yourself to the streets of Manila, with a trip to Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream, which churns out Filipino flavours such as purple ube, milo, black buko and vegan specials, guyabano and calamansi. Don’t miss the traditional halo halo.
- Tuck into warm and crispy Hong Kong-style bubble waffles oozing silky smooth ice cream topped with fresh fruit and chocolate drizzle at Bubblewrap, a popular dessert shop in Chinatown.
- Indulge in a fluffy Japanese souffle pancake at Hefaure, loaded with strawberries, Nutella, cream, pistachio paste, Oreos and more.
- Grab a tray and load it up with custard buns, pineapple buns, Swiss rolls, mooncake and more at Chinatown Bakery, bringing the vibrant spirit and flavours of Hong Kong to the capital.
- The first bubble tea shop to open in London’s Chinatown, Cuppacha serves slurp-worthy Taiwanese bubble tea in refreshing flavours, ranging from mango green tea to pearl milk tea and matcha fresh milk.
- Delight in the popular Japanese sweet treat taiyaki at Taiyakiya, serving tasty fish-shaped waffles stuffed with popular fillings, such as red bean paste, black sesame and Nutella or delicious ice cream flavours.
- Pick up a bowl, cup or mini bites of fresh mango with sticky rice, coconut and mung beans at Imm Aroy, a Thai street food spot bringing authentic family recipes to London.
Discover more Chinese restaurants in London or uncover exciting things to do in Soho, including best Soho restaurants. Check out the shopping hotspot of nearby Oxford Street and Carnaby, see a dazzling new show in London's West End or pop by the bustling Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Mayfair.
