Chinatown (London)

[satchbot]

Off here in a few weeks time with a group and are after a restaurant that does a great buffet. What can PH recommend?

[grumbledoak]

Avoid all buffets. You just end up rubbing shoulders with the peasant classes and fighting over dishes that always turn out to be less tasty and more greasy than you'd hoped.

If you want something 'known', Wong Key's is pretty famous for it's rude service. There are also some restaurants known for their food nearby...

[satchbot]

Nearby you say...

[grumbledoak]

In Chinatown proper we like Ikkyusan (for a variety of oriental food styles, including sushi), Tokyo Diner for Japanese, and recently Haozhan is getting excellent reviews...

[Pferdestarke]

As was said earlier, don't bother with a buffet. All you will be eating is deep-fried frozen re-formed chicken pieces and will end up missing the point entirely.

See what looks good on the day by walking up and down a few times. Anywhere that's full of Chinese people is usually the best indication.

[mark seeker]

Tai Kai Lock (cash only)

I have been eating there for a good 10 years and never had a bad meal. My father must have been eating there for a good 20 years...

I have tried some of the other restaurants on Gerrard St.........generally poor quality service/food - in my experience.

[luckyal]

I echo the sentiments above i.e avoid the buffet!

Canton, is my pick. Nothing special to look at but have been there for 20+ years & it's always full of Chinese

[Wadeski]

i would generally avoid chinatown like the plague, especially a buffet. i mean why? i dont get the attraction.

if you want decent chinese, i would try Phoenix Palace or Royal China near Baker Street, or Bar Shu / Bar Shan in Soho.

even the simple HK style noodle bars that used to be OK in China town have gone downhill in recent years (HK Diner is a case in point...)

[satchbot]

Thanks for the tips guys!