A Guide to London’s Must-Try Chinese Restaurants
Chinese New Year takes place this January per the lunar calendar, with a celebration lasting over 15 days.
The most common Chinese New Year foods include dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and Nian Gao. Not only do the dishes have meaning, but so do the preparation and ways of serving and eating them.
During this auspicious time, ‘Lucky’ dishes are eaten by the family for their symbolic meaning, which is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.
These traditional dishes hold great significance in Chinese culture and are typically enjoyed with family and friends during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Eating these dishes is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness for the new year.
Chicken symbolises good luck and is often served at the Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner to represent the arrival of good fortune in the coming year. Fish is a sign of abundance and prosperity, as the word for fish in Chinese sounds similar to the word for surplus. Prawns symbolize happiness and joy, as the word for prawns sounds identical to the word for laughter.
Longevity noodles are another traditional Chinese New Year dish and are believed to bring good health and long life. The noodles should be long and uncut, symbolizing a long and healthy life. Yu sheng, also known as the Cantonese “lou hei”, is a raw fish salad. This dish is believed to bring good luck and fortune.
These five dishes, collectively known as the “Five Blessings to Arrive At The Door”, represent the Five Blessings of Wealth, Health, Virtue, Longevity, and Good Death.
These dishes play an important role in Chinese New Year celebrations and are enjoyed with family and friends to wish each other good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
We’ve rounded up seven of the recommended Chinese food establishments in the capital, from high-end chic restaurants to more casual spots.
Four Seasons
There are several Four Seasons across central London, but the tiny Wardour Street branch is a favourite, serving belly pork, juicy char siu, and duck fat. Fitted out with just a few tables, customers can go there for a solo set lunch to sample the usual crab and lobster plates, bowls of viscous soup and bean curd dishes.
This famous establishment is said to have the best roast duck in the world; also try their jumbo fried golden king prawns in salted egg sauce. A delicious, long-standing best seller, try their griddle-cooked pig’s trotter and poached sliced beef in hot chilli oil.
Location: 23 Wardour St, London W1D 6PW.
Menu, booking and takeaway here.
Mandarin Kitchen
From humble beginnings back in 1978, The Mandarin Kitchen (MK) has become one of the most celebrated Chinese restaurants in the world. The company’s emphasis is on quality for every dish on the menu.
Ingredients and special preparation techniques offer meals based on traditional recipes from various regions of China, together with a fine selection of wines and spirits. The lobster noodles are a must-try dish, but they also offer a wide selection of chicken, duck, beef, seafood and vegetable dishes — all perfectly cooked to order by MK’s head chef.
Location: 14–16 Queensway, Bayswater, London, W2 3RX.
Menu, booking and takeaway here.
Haidilao
Haidilao is a chain of hot pot restaurants founded in Jianyang, Sichuan, China, in 1994. Located between the Five Guys and Bubba Gump on Coventry Street in London, Haidilao Hot Pot can be found midway between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.
The famous hot pot chain is also known for its exceptional customer service. Ingredients are incredibly fresh, and the service is unique, making you feel very welcome at all times despite being amongst a tiny minority of people speaking English in the establishment. Why not try the Marinated Lamb, Sliced Prime Beef, Foshan Pork Meatballs and Handmade Fish Mash, all for under a tenner!
Location: Unit 4 Trocadero Centre, GB London, 5 Piccadilly Circus, London W1D 7DH.
Menu, booking and takeaway here.
Min Jiang
Established in 1982 and named after the Min River in the Sichuan province of China, the award-winning Min Jiang restaurant presents a lavish dining concept in Cantonese and Sichuan cuisines, including a classic dim sum pushcart service during lunch daily.
Situated in the heart of fashionable Kensington and a lofty position on the tenth floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, Min Jiang boasts breathtaking views of Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park and London’s skyline. Min Jiang is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and undoubtedly, the highlight of any visit is the exquisite Dim Sum and the Legendary wood-fired Beijing Duck.
Location: 2-24 Kensington High St, London W8 4PT.
Menu, booking and takeaway here.
Hakkasan
Michelin-starred Haakasan launched in 2001 and has served crowd-pleasing, modern Cantonese cuisine ever since. Today the brand has 12 restaurant locations worldwide, with 2 in London. Renowned designer Christian Liaigre originally conceived the opulent interiors.
Hakkasan’s unique cuisine blends authentic Cantonese recipes with contemporary influences. The kitchen teams create modern dishes using traditional techniques and the finest ingredients. Some of the most popular dishes include the Crispy duck salad, Hakka steamed dim sum platter, jasmine tea smoked short rib, grilled Chilean seabass with Chinese honey and black pepper rib-eye beef.
Location: 17 Bruton Street, London, W1J 6QB.
Menu, booking and takeaway here.
Hutong
Hutong is an award-winning restaurant in London serving northern Chinese cuisine against stunning views from level 33 of The Shard, the UK’s tallest building. Hutong’s cooking takes its inspiration from the dishes served in the imperial palaces of Peking, based on the “Lu school” cuisine of Shandong Province.
Experience a cocktail selection inspired by ingredients used in traditional Chinese medicine and a stunning conventional Chinese interior with red lanterns and beautiful hand-carved wooden ‘Moon Gates’. Signature dishes include Red Lantern soft-shell crab, Crispy de-boned lamb ribs, and Roasted Peking duck, considered by many to be the best in London.
Location: 33 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY.
Menu, booking and takeaway here.
Makan-Makan
Located on Richmond Road in Twickenham, Makan-Makan is a charming and welcoming Malaysian-Chinese Restaurant. It’s been in Twickenham for 16 years. Makan-Makan in Malay means “eat!”
The menu features a variety of traditional dishes, including flavorful soups, savoury stir-fries, and delicious noodles. The portions are generous, and the prices are reasonable, making this restaurant an excellent option for families or groups. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with cosy and comfortable decor. Service is friendly and attentive, ensuring a positive dining experience. Whether you’re ready for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Makan-Makan is an excellent option for authentic Chinese cuisine in Twickenham.
The Places App team recently had the pleasure of visiting Makan-Makan in Twickenham to try their delicious Chinese cuisine. The team was thoroughly impressed by the quality and authenticity of the food, making it the perfect destination for anyone looking for authentic Chinese cuisine in the area.
We captured our experience on this video and we’re excited to share it with all the foodies out there!
Location: 69 Richmond Road, Twickenham, TW1 3AW.
Menu, booking and takeawey here.
Places App is the perfect tool for anyone looking for authentic Chinese cuisine in London. With its extensive database of restaurants, it’s easy to find the best Chinese food in the city. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking for a new dining experience, Places App is sure to have something for you. So why wait? Download the Places App today and start exploring the best Chinese restaurants in London!
