As the year
of the Sheep/Goat is just around the corner, we have been searching for the best
restaurants in London serving Chinese cuisine. From high-end dainty delicacies
to buffet-style goodness, we have compiled a list of the best places to
celebrate Chinese New Year with some authentic and tasty food – get your
chopsticks at the ready!
Yauatcha, Soho
Yauatcha
takes Chinese dining to a trendy and exciting level; think delicious and
delicate Chinese food, but served in a vibrant restaurant with a night-club
vibe. From the outside, this restaurant may look average, but on the inside it
is far from being boring. The design is entrancing and stylish: a long shiny
bar, spot-lit black tables and illuminated fish tanks, accompanied by a night
club atmosphere with beautiful staff and bass-heavy music. The food at Yauatcha
is incredible, but might make your bank account balance wince a little. The
menu is packed full with traditional and innovative Chinese food, including
steamed buns, cheung fun, fried dishes, rice, noodles and more. The restaurant
also makes the best desserts, so don’t forget to leave some room for the lychee
mousse, the raspberry delice or the chocolate luxe gateaux. You can wash all
this food down with one of Yauatcha’s signature cocktails or tea infusions.
Café TPT, Chinatown
Of course,
where else would you think to head to for Chinese New Year than the quirky and
colourful area of Chinatown? As suggested in the name, this eatery is more of a
simple and casual café than a fancy restaurant, and is so small and hunched
between two other Chinese restaurants that you could almost miss it when you
pass down Wardour Street. Though noticeable from its signature cooked meat
hanging in the window, it is definitely worth checking Café TPT out. The café has
an extensive menu of authentic Chinese food for quite reasonable prices, the
Won Ton Noodle Soup, Nasi Lemak and Bak Kut Teh, being their highly-recommended
dishes. Seafood fans will be in their element here, as Café TPT serves 50 fishy
dishes.
Ping Pong, various locations across London
For
tasty, traditional Chinese food served in a casual and modern atmosphere, Ping
Pong is the place to go. This fantastic restaurant never seems to disappoint,
and is a great place to go for a number of different occasions, such as a
relaxed lunch alone, a romantic dinner with your partner or even a family meal.
Ping Pong boasts an extensive menu of Chinese classics including soups, dim
sum, fried dishes, steamed buns and rice dishes. Don’t forget to try the char
sui bun, duck spring rolls and soft shell crab, as these dishes are the pick of
the bunch. A meal here would not be complete without ordering one of Ping Pong’s
vibrant and exciting cocktails; try the Strawberry and Hibiscus Bellini or the
Ginseng Passion to really make your taste buds happy. Don’t fancy alcohol? Ping
Pong also serves amazing tea infusions, such as the Jasmine Flower Tower and
the Flowering Dragon Eye.
Hutong in The Shard, London Bridge
Hutong is
the place to go if you want to enjoy a very lavish and smart Chinese New Year
celebration. Being located on level 33 of The Shard, Hutong’s prices are
unsurprisingly expensive, however the food and the incredible view of London out
of the vast glass windows is completely worth every penny. Whilst gazing out
the window over London Bridge and beyond, you can enjoy incredible Chinese food
inspired from the dishes served in the imperial palaces of what used to be
Peking. The interior of this fabulous restaurant is glitzy with old Beijing décor,
and has the perfect cosy and high-end atmosphere for a date for two.
HK Diner, Chinatown
Another
great authentic Chinese restaurant on Wardour Street, HK Diner is a buzzing and
busy eatery with plenty of character. From the outside, it may seem small and
unimportant, but on the inside the restaurant opens up and is laid-out in an
elegant and intimate way, with plenty of private booths. The food here is
excellent, offering you an extensive menu of traditional Chinese food and a
blend of some unusual dishes, with a fairly reasonable price tag. The HK Diner serves
an array of exciting bubble teas, with flavours ranging from mango to iced red
bean with coconut milk. This exciting restaurant is open till 4am, which is
useful for party-goes and night owls.
These are
just five of the best Chinese restaurants in London. Get in contact with us on
Facebook or Twitter if you know any other great Chinese restaurants!
Have a
happy Chinese New Year everyone – and if you’re a Sheep/Goat, then get excited
because this is your year!
Written by Alissa Johnson