London’s best Chinese restaurants

As a HongKonger, I’m immediately suspicious when somewhere serves dim sum – traditionally a breakfast or afternoon meal – at night. How authentic can it truly be? However, I was fully converted by Dim Sum Duck’s particularly plump hargau (prawn dumplings) and huge xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) alongside a delicious array of Cantonese classics, including roast duck, beef ho fun (flat noodles) and charred salty green beans with minced pork. Come for the food, but stay for hilarious restaurant manager Alec, whose dry wit will keep you entertained all evening. Just a warning; the place is walk-in only and often has long queues - so it’s best to get there as close as possible to opening times (that's 12pm for lunch, then 6pm for dinner).

Time Out tip Get the razor clams. They’re served under generous portions of garlic and vermicelli noodles in a umami saucy broth.

Originally opened in 1982, Hunan is a five star culinary experience from start to finish. The ever-changing set menu of 18 well-crafted tapas size courses guides you on a culinary voyage across China, celebrating slow dining in a tastefully decorated setting that carefully adheres to feng shui principles. The restaurant is steeped in the adventurous ethos of its original founder and chef Mr Peng, who made the decision to relinquish the menu after he kept serving guests dishes that were different from what they ordered, because he wanted them to try something new. Particular highlights include the french chips (green beans deep fried in light, satisfying batter), the famous steamed bamboo cup soup (full of a flavoursome broth stewed with a pork mousse) and the black cod in vinegar reduction (a recipe that took five years to perfect).

Time Out tip Ask for one of the highly sought-after tables by the window when you book. There are only two, but they have the most natural light and still enjoy the privacy of the tall hedge outside that hides Hunan’s diners from view.

Etles is an ode to the melting pot of cultures that make up the uniqueness of Uyghur Muslim cuisine, hailing from the Xinjiang region in Northwest China. Known for their thick belt noodles and generously seasoned barbecue skewers, it’s a realm where lamb and chicken reign supreme – so while there are a handful of vegetarian dishes, Etles is definitely more for the meat lovers. The ‘big plate chicken’ is a must-order. True to its name, it’s made up of chicken pieces, potatoes and peppers mixed with aromatic spices like cinnamon and star anise, resulting in a rich depth of flavour. Other favourites include chewy and saucy leghmen noodles with lamb, cumin-heavy lamb skewers and lamb dumplings with chilli oil. Tie it all together with a fresh kick of vinegary paprika salad. Recent years have seen a steady growth of Xinjiang restaurants popping up across London, yet personally, Etles retains its title as not only one of the first, but the best. 

Time Out tip Don’t forget to save some room for dessert: their delicious homemade baklava.

For a casual meetup, this is one of those rare gems in London that is centrally located and affordable. It has lots of delicious vegan options for groups with mixed dietary requirements and also the capacity for al fresco seating. Most importantly though, everything on the menu is delicious. Specialising in cuisine from the Xian region in North-Central China, they serve huge bowls of thick biang biang noodles (coated in chilli oil) in large, generous portions. Don’t forget to enjoy the refreshing cold starters before your noodle mains: including vinegar wood ear fungus, smacked cucumber salad and chilli poached chicken strips. 

Time Out tip For a lighter meal than the biang biang noodles, get the cold liangpi noodles instead, either sesame or chilli. For meat eaters, it’s worth adding the poached chicken strips.

This is by far the Chinese restaurant I’ve been to most in London. It boasts the combination of being centrally located and near Liverpool Street station, and provides auspicious round tables to accommodate big groups with a communal, friendly feel. The service can be inconsistent because the staff are so busy – who also hilariously don black t-shirts with red gothic lettering of the restaurant’s name, reminiscent of a heavy metal band – but the quality of food more than makes up for it. The menu options are plentiful, with dishes served in portions large enough for sharing. There’s usually a long line of walk-ins trailing out the door, but you can call in advance to book if you’re a big group. Just make sure to specifically ask if you’re looking for one of the round tables, which are only on the downstairs floor.

Time Out tip Must order classics are the ‘Di San Xian’; a saucy vegetarian dish made of potato, peppers and aubergine. For those who eat meat, the cumin chilli chicken is essentially deep fried popcorn chicken seasoned with Sichuan chillies and peppercorns. Warning: it’s incredibly moreish.

Located in the Docklands and surrounded by what feels like expansive nothingness, a trip to Yiban can seem like a pilgrimage to the Mecca of dim sum in London. It’s a journey that is always worth taking. Nestled in an impressive multi-storey building with a car park full of families coming to get their weekend dumpling fix, the restaurant offers panoramic views of the Thames that provide the serene backdrop to an afternoon of feasting. Featuring round tables of varying sizes for sharing dishes, Yiban is also ideal for a celebratory banquet, with an impressive array of seafood options, like soft shell crab, salt and pepper prawns and spicy squid. It guarantees an authentic alternative to touristy Chinatown joints for those willing to make the trip. 

Time Out tip They don’t take bookings for small groups – only for 10+ people – so make sure to go early on the weekend to grab an afternoon table for dim sum.

A welcoming and casual family-run staple of Leytonstone, known for feeding local diners at the kind of affordable price point that’s increasingly like gold dust in London. Their signature dumplings are gloriously plump, with classic fillings like pork and chinese chives, but also more unusual combinations like fish and chives and spicy curry chicken. Their menu offers noodles and rice dishes too, but my personal recommendation is to stick to what they’re famous for: dumplings and dim sum, where hargau (prawn dumplings) and pork chasiu buns are always a welcome favourite. It’s BYOB so wash your meal down with whatever alcohol you choose.

Time Out tip Booking in advance is a must, as it’s a super popular neighbourhood spot and only has about 20 seats. Also don’t waste a trip there in late summer, as they’re usually closed all August.

This family-run, unassuming noodle house has only been open since May 2023, but it's already sent ripples of excitement through noodle enthusiasts across London. If you know, you know. They offer a no-fuss quick bite in the heart of Lewisham, with particular highlights including beef soup noodles in a rich, flavoursome broth, wanza noodles from the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing, known for its spicy mixture of fiery chickpeas and a tahini-like peanut sauce, and zhajiangmian, the signature Beijing dish celebrating pork mince, noodles and fresh vegetables in a thick, salty coating. For a lighter snack, they also make jianbing (or ‘Tianjin crepes’ on their menu), a wrap typically made of egg, crispy dough sticks and optional sausage made popular from Chinese street market stalls.

Time Out tip There’s no bathroom, so pee elsewhere!

Consistently boasting a busy queue outside, this casual two-floor eatery was a welcome addition to the stacks of chain restaurants in the heart of the City. Their menu’s signature dish is the spicy Sichuanese beef soup with handmade noodles, soaked in a rich broth that’s been simmered with bone marrow to maximise flavour. The other star of the show – and my personal favourite – is their mouthwatering pan-fried pork dumplings, featuring a bready dough exterior coating a soupy and fragrant meatball within. These are reminiscent of Shanghai’s shengjianbao, an East-Central Chinese delicacy that’s often harder to find amongst London’s plethora of more Sichuanese and Cantonese influenced options.

Time Out tip They now have three branches to suit your dining needs, with the original Artillery Passage branch walk-in only, the Middlesex Street branch take-out only and the one in Wentworth Street available for reservations.

Chew Fun is a hidden gem nestled in the middle of the City and perfect for a quick lunchtime meal. The casual eatery provides a much-needed chance to enjoy their specialty from the Southern Chinese city of Guilin: a large, steaming bowl of flavoursome noodles, complete with peanuts, lettuce leaves and chilli oil. They focus on doing the few noodle dishes they offer extremely well, although their straightforward, interactive menu does give diners the chance to choose the specific meat they would like, with beef tripe, shin or flank being the classic options. Make sure to get there as close to noon as possible to beat the lunchtime rush.

Time Out tip Try the sweet potato glass noodles – which actually don’t taste anything like sweet potato – for a nutty, chewy and slightly sweet bite with an extra satisfying texture.

Entering this unassuming but much-loved Chingford institution gives the same warm feeling as visiting an old friend, where you can reunite and catch up over generous portions of Cantonese seafood classics, like crab in ginger and spring onion sauce, or king prawns fried in chilli and pepper. The menu is extensive, featuring everything from soups to satay, so it’s best to come with a large group, in order to share the feast propped up by the traditional lazy susans in the middle of each round table.

Time Out tip For seafood lovers, the famous lobster noodles (lobster yee mein) are a must-order. In Cantonese, ‘lobster’ translates to ‘dragon prawn’,  one of the most auspicious animals in the Chinese zodiac, signifying power, strength and luck. Coupled with the blessings of a long life – symbolised by the long noodles – this dish is all about celebration, making it a staple at Chinese weddings and banquets.

Ask a Chinese person in London the best place to go for Peking duck, and more often than not, their reply will be Min Jiang. On the top floor of the Royal Garden Hotel, it offers panoramic views of the expansive green space that surrounds Kensington, creating a tranquil environment where Peking duck is best enjoyed slowly. Diners can relish the ceremony of watching the chef carve off the duck’s crispy skin by their table, before they coat freshly steamed pancakes in generous amounts of sauce, to be decorated with condiments that Min Jiang takes very seriously. Alongside typical julienned spring onions and cucumber sticks, they also serve radishes, pickled vegetables and raw garlic paste to enhance each mouthful. 

Time Out tip Remember to pre-order the Peking duck in advance of your visit, and consider going for lunch or early evening to make the most of those stunning views in daylight.

Lao Dao is the newest Xinjiang-inspired venture by the team behind the legendary Silk Road restaurant in Camberwell. It’s a welcome addition to Elephant and Castle, which is quickly becoming an alternative Chinatown, filled with bustling Chinese eateries that double as basement style karaoke bars. Lao Dao’s menu celebrates interesting dishes beyond Silk Road’s repertoire, such as the Xinjiang style spiced chicken which features delicious strips of poached chicken, or the crunchy and deeply satisfying stir fried lotus white with chilli sauce. More highlights include the juicy, grilled lamb ribs and the spicy, deep fried Xinjiang style ‘bony chicken’ (which tastes much better than it sounds), all pleasantly washed down with Chinese tea, which Lao Dao serves in large, beautifully painted teapots.

Time Out tip Despite being a Xinjiang style restaurant, I would recommend skipping their signature ‘Da Pan Ji’ dish. The other dishes we ordered were much more flavoursome.

As a Hongkonger, one of the things I miss most about home is the ease of getting a charsiufan, the iconic lunchtime meal of honey roasted caramelised pork with a side of pak choy vegetables on steaming jasmine rice. So after countless times queuing around the block for the Cantonese roast meats at Three Uncles’ takeout-only joint in Liverpool Street, the opening of their dine-in Brixton branch was a monumental cause for celebration. Alongside the classic options of char siu roast pork, pork belly and roast duck, Three Uncles offers the chance to replace your rice with lo meen: stringy egg noodles which are another popular street food snack in Hong Kong. Excitingly, the Brixton branch also has specials unavailable at the other outlets in Camden, Ealing and St Pauls, like mushroom mapo tofu, or char siu and duck noodle soup. 

Time Out tip While the roast pork is the classic option, I would actually recommend the crispy pork belly and roast duck combination meal for guaranteed extra succulence.

With their trendy logo and dark, sleek interiors, Murger Han consistently offers a delicious yet affordable meal in a stylish, casual setting, proudly paying homage to Xian cuisine from Northern Central China. Their hand pulled biang biang noodles are served in generous portions, whilst their signature ‘murger’ buns – available with pork, spicy beef or roasted duck fillings – are a filling and savoury accompaniment to any noodle main. Their menu also has a surprising amount of soup options, so if you’re willing to wait an additional 20 minutes, their clay pot flat glass noodle broth is a soothing and flavoursome option, best enjoyed in the colder months. With four central locations across London, it’s perfect for a midweek meal to meet friends coming from different parts of the city.

Time Out tip If you’re dining for one or two, check out their meal deals for savings on smaller group sizes.

Few restaurants make you feel like you're entering somewhere important enough to undergo White House level security, especially as after a body scan and bag check, you enter a tantalising elevator ride up one of the most iconic new buildings in London. Once you reach the 33rd floor of the Shard, the views are immediately mesmerising, transporting you to a skyscraper in central Hong Kong, Shanghai or Tokyo (so make sure to book a window seat to fully enjoy the panorama - and check out the breathtaking view from the bathroom!) As for the meal itself, Hutong pays culinary homage to the Imperial Palaces of old Beijing, delivered with first class service. Highlights include the pancakes and Peking duck – which was the ideal balance of moist and crispiness – as well as the colourful dimsum platter, which includes a plump lobster dumpling and a crispy yam and pork wonton.

Time Out tip To extend the panoramic experience, be sure to grab a drink at the Hutong bar after your meal, which provides a more candlelit and intimate ambience.

Having gained a cult following since opening in early 2023, this small, casual (and often hectic) spot specialises in authentic and well-seasoned grilled skewers aka chuan er or chinese BBQ. The plump bits of cumin-soaked lamb, roasted chives and crunchy grilled buns on skewers are particular highlights, whereas for seafood enthusiasts, the scallops in garlic, broth and vermicelli are a must-order. Service is unpredictable, but the delivery in flavour is consistent; the roasted aubergine with pork mince is a deliciously soft and gooey concoction, complemented by the spicy salad of potato strips that provide a cold, refreshing relief. Do however be prepared to consume a generous amount of oil, as is always the case in any Chinese BBQ feast, and don’t forget to wash it all down with a cold Tsingtao beer.

Time Out tip For a more off-piste selection, try the crispy chicken skin skewers for a crunchy, umami snack.

Dubbed as ‘London’s Halal Chinatown’, the region between Queensway and Bayswater is famously a bustling East and South East Asian centre of authentic Chinese, Malaysian, Filipino and Thai establishments. Mandarin Kitchen has long been one of the most iconic and much loved staples of this hub, paying tribute to Cantonese cuisine since 1978. It began as a project between Helen Li, who worked as a waitress at the Chinese restaurant that existed before in its space, and seafood trader Stephen Cheung who would visit her there after work. Their menu offers an extensive array of Southern Chinese classics to be enjoyed in a fancier round table setting that feels like a welcome and peaceful retreat from the busy streets outside.

Time Out tip While Mandarin Kitchen have built their legendary reputation as a seafood haven through their signature lobster noodles – a stellar accompaniment is the dry garlic salt and peppercorn crab.

While this chic noodle house brands itself as ‘Hong Kong’ rice noodles, for those in the know, their bowls pay homage to the Southwestern Chinese region of Yunnan, where rice noodles are a ubiquitous local snack. Holy Sheep delivers these Yunnanese rice noodles in a modern Hong Kong style, by omitting the traditional small plates of fresh meat slices, assorted vegetables and quail eggs that normally accompany the dish in Yunnan, and instead focusing on the noodle bowl. You can choose your flavour of broth, main meat and a multitude of exciting toppings, ranging from lobster balls to fish tofu and dried beancurd roll (which is my personal favourite), topped up with some iconic skewer classics for sides, such as savoury grilled chicken or cumin pork belly slices. 

Time Out tip Go for the mala soup base for an authentic, spicy kick, or the plain base, which is extra delicious if you go heavy on cuttlefish balls and mushrooms. Unfortunately for vegetarians, they don’t have a vegetarian soup base.

If you’re of the opinion that a £130 peking duck cannot be justified or encouraged, stop reading. Canton Blue is wildly expensive. The food, fittingly, is impressive. Har gao shrimp dumplings are gelatinous bombshells which detonate in your mouth with prawn-y power. Roasted pork belly, arguably one of Cantonese cuisine’s most representative dishes, achieved the exact ratio of thickness, texture and crispiness, while crab claws were deep fried and doused in crispy garlic, chilli and black bean paste. I genuinely didn’t know what to expect from wok-fried wagyu tenderloin. The Rolls Royce of meat chucked into the culinary equivalent of a Nascar derby? Seemed rash, but the results were stupendous. Boisterous Cantonese flavours, supercharged by elite beef.

Time Out tip Dessert is excellent so don’t miss the mango pudding. There’s also a cheeky bar, Little Blue, for anyone looking to keep the night going.