Whether it be long northern noodles, Shanghai dumplings, Beijing duck or dim sum, London is famous for its diverse Chinese food. The Chinese food community is rich in variety, with each region having a distinctive cuisine and style.
With such a large array of options, finding authentic Chinese food can often be overwhelming. Here are four good quality, delicious and interesting Chinese restaurants around London that offer dishes from various regions.
Bun House
If you are looking for a quick but delicious bite in Chinatown, Bun House is a top choice. The food is authentic and filling, with myriad Cantonese dishes and bao buns. On a busy weekend, there can be queues down Lisle street for around twenty minutes, but the staff are organized and manage the lines to ensure efficiency.
Once inside, the food is rapidly prepared. The interior of the restaurant is clean and aesthetically pleasing, helping it become a cozy, welcoming space. However, if you have come for their signature takeaway service, the servers box the buns into elaborately decorated cardstock boxes right before you. Bun House is not only renowned for its fast takeaway service, but also for its addictive bao buns.
There are many filling options, including chicken, pork, beef, vegetable and even custard buns for dessert. The buns have a balanced ratio of bun to filling and are warm, fluffy and light. The filling is rich, with hints of warm spices and plenty of strong flavors. Although we only tried a few of them, the range of culinary options is impressive, as the restaurant not only offers a large selection of bao but also Cantonese salads, starters and other dumplings.
We highly recommend this restaurant if you are out with friends looking for a quick and delightful meal of fluffy authentic buns to eat in or take away.
Dumplings Legend
Bustling with people enjoying a range of authentic Chinese dishes and servers carrying stacks of bamboo dumpling steamers, Dumplings Legend is a classic, lively restaurant. It is remarkably efficient; you can get in and out in less than an hour and still eat a delicious meal.
With a menu that includes rich noodle soups, fried rice, vegetables in garlic, marinated meat dishes and a variety of delicious dim sum, Dumplings Legend has something for everyone. Although there is high demand for a table on some weekends, the line moves quickly. The environment here is busy and loud, yet remains welcoming, clean and authentic. Dumplings Legend is also located in Chinatown, close to other East Asian treats such as bubble tea and baked goods.
While visiting Dumplings Legend, you can’t miss their famous Xiao Long Bao – steamed dumplings holding various fillings accompanied by a rich soup – which are handmade in their kitchen. The restaurant offers a variety of fillings, such as prawn, crab, chicken, pork and vegetable, all packed with flavor. You can watch the cooks make their signature Xiao Long Bao through a glass panel, carefully wrapping each dumpling with clear precision and experience.
Authentic and delicious, with something for everyone, Dumplings Legend is a must-visit restaurant next time you’re in Chinatown.
Din Tai Fung
If you are looking for a modern and elegant meal, Din Tai Fung is the first place that comes to mind. Along with many Din Tai Fung locations, the Center Point restaurant usually requires a reservation, but the food and atmosphere are worth the planning. The restaurant is large with seating on the second floor, allowing for views from floor-to-ceiling windows.
The space also allows for a lively environment while maintaining intimacy. The restaurant is equipped with robotic servers that assist human staff, making it a unique dining experience. The many human servers are friendly and professional. They provide recommendations on how to have the best experience and are eager to help if there is an issue.
Despite specializing in noodles and Xiao Long Bao, the restaurant has a large selection of classic dishes to try. The large variety of Xiao Long Bao is prepared through a glass panel, similar to Dumplings Legend, although these soup dumplings are smaller and have thin wrappers. These dumplings are the perfect example of the simple elegance the restaurant presents in every facet of the experience.
Dumpling Shack
Packed into the bustling environment of Spitalfields Market, Dumpling Shack is a quick-serve post specializing in Chinese street food, particularly pan-fried soup dumplings called Sheng Jian Bao. Dumpling Shack is the perfect place if you are hoping for a quick but hearty meal to-go. The menu includes pork pan-fried soup dumplings, wontons, noodles and various other quick side dishes.
Dumpling Shack is not a restaurant in the typical sense – the food market stall only offers takeaway. However, once you have collected your food, there are tables in the market where you can enjoy your meal.
Although there is a line on busy days, the ordering process is efficient. To order, you simply select the dishes you want to order on a tablet in front of the stall, which is also where you pay. The food is prepared extremely quickly, though it is still hot and freshly made and can be collected once the servers call your name.
The process is easy to navigate and flows well. The menu offers a delicious selection of Chinese street foods, which we have not found anywhere else in London. The food quality and rapid preparation make Dumpling Shack the perfect place to enjoy high-quality food without the hassle of a sit-down restaurant.
