With so many yummy-dummy dim sum, rice and chopstick parlours scattered all around Soho, one can’t help but assume that finding a great restaurant in London’s Chinatown would be like finding a needle in a haystack. But if you’ve been searching around for your favourite Chinese dish in London, or even for a top-rated spot in Chinatown, you won’t have to search very far. Soho is a foodie's paradise and there are even many free food tours that help tourists explore this multicultural area.
From Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Cantonese, and even Hunanese, there’s no telling what type of cuisine you’ll come across just strolling around Soho’s Chinatown in its entirety. But if you don’t feel like spending hours upon hours reading all the different chef special menus posted outside each restaurant, we’ve managed to narrow down the five best hidden gems in London’s Chinatown (just to make life a little easier for you). Optionally, you might consider joining the Free Soho Tour with a guide!
1. Four Seasons (11 Gerrard Street)
This popular Chinese restaurant is always bound to be packed because of its immense popularity – mostly thanks to its signature roast duck dish (which is said to be the best in London). And from roasted or barbecue meat dripping in delicious, mouth-watering sauces, or even “meat on rice” for as little as £7.90, it’s easy to see so many regulars keep coming back for more.
What to try: Cantonese-style roast duck, pork ribs, stewed pork belly, sweet and sour chicken
2. Baozi Inn (24 Romilly Street)
If you’re not afraid of a little spice and you’re a big fan of tofu, then Baozi Inn is the way to go. There’s a ton of Sichuan-style dishes to choose from including some of the most unusual dishes you won’t be able to find anywhere else in London (like spinach with ginger or lotus root salad). And they even have set lunch meals for as little as £8.90!
What to try: Sichuan-style broth, chicken dumplings and noodles, prawn balls
3. Joy King Lau (3 Leicester Street)
Are you a hardcore dim sum fan? (Who isn’t, right?) Well this Soho-based joint (just a two-minute walk from Gerrard Street) is praised as being the best dim sum restaurant in London; plus they offer some of the rarest dishes in the area like pickled raw octopus (which is more appetizing than it sounds, we promise…) Oh, and they offer a free pot of tea with your meal, too!
What to try: Soup dumplings, chicken feet, crab, stuffed fish maw
4. Barshu (28 Frith Street)
Bashan may be a bit on the pricier side in terms of London’s Chinatown offerings, but if you like a little kick to your dishes then Bashan is pretty hard to beat. It’s also the perfect spot if you’re looking to share several dishes amongst you and your friends, (not to mention they have a ton of different wines and beers to choose from as well). Be aware you need to reserve a table beforehand, however, and there is almost always a wait list.
What to try: Fish with salted chilis, spicy soft shell crab, red-braised pork, Mapo tofu
5. Old Town 97 (19 Wardour St)
Old Town 97 boasts having some of the best Cantonese dishes in Chinatown, (plus their bubble tea is to die for as well). Not only that, it’s conveniently located near Piccadilly Circus and open as late as 4 a.m., which is ideal if you’re looking for a heavy meal after a fun night out in Soho.
What to try: Braised beef brisket, wonton noodles, Char Siu pork, salt and peppered squid
Interested in exploring London like a local? Consider joining some of the free tours in London departing daily.