China town

[Whistle]

Any recommendations for a restaurant in China town London?

Had a look on Tripadvisor but it seems like a mixed bag of results.
Not looking for anything fancy just some good food.

[anonymous-user]

We went to a Korean spot there called Bab N Suul a few weeks ago. It was really good.

[Haltamer]

ajap1979 said:

We went to a Korean spot there called Bab N Suul a few weeks ago. It was really good.

I washed in here at 1AM once as a pitstop for a heavy night and was genuinely delighted at the quality.

Tokyo Diner is also exceptional, but very small and heavily booked most of the time.

I'd steer away from the Chinese resturants on the main drag; I've tried a few and never had much luck in terms of price or quality - A bit tourist trappy.

[HotJambalaya]

Food House is decent, so is Four Seasons for the roast duck. Late night (1am+) old town 97 is the standard. People like Dumplings Legend, but cant say im a huge fan.

[NDA]

Whistle said:

Any recommendations for a restaurant in China town London?

Had a look on Tripadvisor but it seems like a mixed bag of results.
Not looking for anything fancy just some good food.

I go to the Golden Dragon regularly - very busy, very good and full of Chinese people (always a good sign). The service is perfunctory at best, but the food is excellent. It always feels totally authentic. It's not fancy - but neither is it downmarket, I would recommend.

https://www.gdlondon.co.uk

[iphonedyou]

NDA said:

I go to the Golden Dragon regularly - very busy, very good and full of Chinese people (always a good sign).

I always thought this too, until I read somewhere that you'd never look at, say, a greasy spoon breakfast place full of British people and think that must be amazing.

[wyson]

TBF, depends on what he / she means by Chinese food. If he wants anglicised Cantonese food similar to local Chinese takeaways, going to Golden Dragon isn't a bad move.

Last time I went to an authentic noodle hole in the wall type place called Lanzhou La Mein between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, someone ordered sweet and sour pork and egg fried rice. I told them this wasn’t why people came here, the noodles are the real deal. They didn’t appreciate the advice.

[leef44]

iphonedyou said:

NDA said:

I go to the Golden Dragon regularly - very busy, very good and full of Chinese people (always a good sign).

I always thought this too, until I read somewhere that you'd never look at, say, a greasy spoon breakfast place full of British people and think that must be amazing.

It's about authenticity. Chinese like the traditional dim sum. It's like an apple crumble (grandma's recipe) with a thick crumble, custard and no fancy modern version twist.

Your analogy to greasy spoon breakfast is actually quite accurate from that perspective.

[lepill]

Wong Kei
Barshu
Food House

Probably in that order.
There is also a really good Malay but it's name escapes me.

[Ultuous]

HotJambalaya said:

Food House is decent, so is Four Seasons for the roast duck. Late night (1am+) old town 97 is the standard. People like Dumplings Legend, but cant say im a huge fan.

Big fan of Old Town 97 here for good, honest and quick food (although will certainly be trying some of the other recommendations here)... Have had dinner there, gone to see a show and go back for another dinner afterwards on more than on occasion!

[wyson]

Lol, this is quickly turning into recommending every restaurant on the main strip, leaving the OP back at square 1.

[Whistle]

Heading down there in an hour.

Made a short list

I will report back later.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Whistle said:

Any recommendations for a restaurant in China town London?

Had a look on Tripadvisor but it seems like a mixed bag of results.
Not looking for anything fancy just some good food.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/sep/11/wong-kei-london-w1-part-of-the-capitals-folklore-restaurant-review

[48k]

lepill said:

Wong Kei

Can't believe that place is still going !

[TCEvo]

48k said:

lepill said:

Wong Kei

Can't believe that place is still going !

Is that the one where you get shouted at as you make your way up the floors & eventually get sat on a table with some randoms ?

[Whistle]

Ended up at Barshu and it was very good highly recommend.

[Whistle]

£9.80 a pint though

[wyson]

Barshu is not bad.

But Chinatown should be avoided if you want the best Chinese food. Lots of guides out there. Back in the day, I used to head to Bayswater for Chinese.

Was a reliable, affordable triumvirate. Four Seasons for Cantonese roast meats, The Mandarin Kitchen for seafood and Royal China for dimsum, all within 5 mins walk of each other and the tube.

These days, I’m keen to try out Hei Di Lao in the Piccadilly Trocadero for hot pot and Din Tai Fung in soho for soup dumplings.

For the upper end, there is China Tang in the Dorchester or Hutong in the Shard. Deffo not a casual options though, will set you back at least £60 a head, much more if you eat your fill and get alcohol. ‘Normal’ soups were £15 ish at China Tang for instance. A whole Peking duck £98, served the proper way, skin and meat separated.

Edited by wyson on Wednesday 2nd August 08:56

[dapprman]

As others have said, you want a decent Chinese you normally avoid the Gerrard St area. I used to go to Joy King Lau on Leicester St. It still seems to get good reviews. I know when I was going there the local BBC group (their term, not mine) used it for their meet ups.

[48k]

TCEvo said:

48k said:

lepill said:

Wong Kei

Can't believe that place is still going !

Is that the one where you get shouted at as you make your way up the floors & eventually get sat on a table with some randoms ?

That's the one. Its a tourist attraction due to the rudeness of the staff.