China Town (London) restaurant recommendations

[joshcowin]

As per the title really, 2 adults, visiting on a Sunday.

Not after fancy or expensive, but would like to sit in and have a decent Chinese meal.

We are not Chinese food experts but have always said we must have a meal there.

Any tips would be great.

[V8mate]

Lunch or evening?

[joshcowin]

Probably lunch but can change to the evening if its better?

[V8mate]

I've not had a particularly special evening meal in Chinatown.

Before 4pm, it's dim sum for the Chinese. A Hong Kong colleague took me to lunch here some years ago - all the customers were Chinese - and I always return when I need lunch in the West End.

I once ventured back in the evening, and the main menu (and cooking) was no different to any suburban Chinese takeaway.

It's at the Wardour St end of Gerrard St and I always locate it by the 'Hotel Boulogne' tiled entrance.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5114986,-0.13181...

[HappySilver]

If lunch time Joy King Lau, 3 Leicester Street, is probably the most authentic (read full of Chinese people eating dim sum). Around mid/late afternoon it moves to a more western menu which, in my opinion, doesn’t differentiate it from the many other tourist-trap restaurants in the local area. The Trip Advisor reviews reflect this, lunch reviews are generally great, the evening so so.

Don’t expect western service, the staff will tell you what to do rather than ask and the dishes will be served when the kitchen makes them not in a western starters, mains etc. order. However, the food is great and well worth the visit.

Edited by HappySilver on Friday 29th June 11:15

[dapprman]

I'm another for the Joy King Lau.

Not been there for a few years, so there's my caveat, but after I'd been going there for a few years (many moons ago now) I found out the local BBC society also went there, which is a good sign (British Born Chinese).

[Deesee]

We like the dumpling palace, easy going not rushed, and reasonably priced.

However I would insist that everyone goes to the won kei at least once for those in the know.

Edit for sp

Edited by Deesee on Friday 29th June 12:47

[joshcowin]

Thanks a lot keep them coming, looks like dim sum mid afternoon then.

[Thankyou4calling]

Try the Wong kei on Wardour Street.

It's world famous and not for the usual reasons.

[CAPP0]

Check out the health ratings and online recommendations before you go, there used to be a very high level of food poisoning instances from restaurants directly in the Chinatown tourist bit.

eg: Gerrard Street, this was taken from the FSA website just now:

Edited by CAPP0 on Friday 29th June 13:05

[SaulGoodman]

Always Wong Kei!!

[Deesee]

SaulGoodman said:

Always Wong Kei!!

Upppp stairsssss!!!

100% agree

[Dicky Knee]

Wan Chai Corner is my go to for China Town.

[Sammo123]

I'll also say Wong Kei. Brilliant food. Take cash!

[Jiebo]

China town is a funny place.

Go with someone from China and they will get a different chinese menu and they will make great dishes they don't serve to non-chinese people. Apparently there are lots of ingredients that aren't easily available that they source for the Chinese menus.

I'm not Chinese, so this might just be hearsay from Chinese friends 'in the know'.

[loafer123]

New Loon Fung, upstairs on the south side of Gerard Street.

I have been going there for 35 years, and my children now take their friends there, too.

Always at least 50% Chinese in there

[joshcowin]

CAPP0 said:

Check out the health ratings and online recommendations before you go, there used to be a very high level of food poisoning instances from restaurants directly in the Chinatown tourist bit.

eg: Gerrard Street, this was taken from the FSA website just now:

Edited by CAPP0 on Friday 29th June 13:05

Thanks for that, didn’t even cross my mind, much appreciated.

[joshcowin]

Thanks for the ideas, looking forward to this now!

[Frank7]

While not being in the usual Lisle St, Wardour St., Gerrard St., and Macclesfield St. area, which makes up Soho’s Chinatown, Hakkasan, Hanway Place, just off the lower end of Tottenham Court Road is a beautiful restaurant, with food to match.

[anonymous-user]

loafer123 said:

New Loon Fung, upstairs on the south side of Gerard Street.

I have been going there for 35 years, and my children now take their friends there, too.

Always at least 50% Chinese in there

Interesting. I disagree.

OP: I really wouldn’t bother if you’re looking for good food. I say this as someone who has been going there since the 1960’s as a family friend of people who still have businesses there. I remember the original Loon Fung (which got burnt down in mysterious circumstances in the 1970’s - the ‘missing tooth’ in the street was there for years). I’ve had Chinese New Years there and weddings with fantastic food - but those are special occasions for friends and family. The rest of the time the restaurants are looking to charge as much as possible for the cheapest ingredients. Hygiene is woeful. Chinese customers being there means nothing - it’s like arguing that Harvesters serve great food because they have a lot of English customers. Every race eats crap!

Look round the shops (e.g. the Loon Fung Supermarket), admire the amazing historic buildings - the area has a fascinating history - but don’t eat there if you’re expecting anything better than a provincial restaurant/takeaway.