Looking for fun ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in London? There’s no better way to see in the Year of the Rat than at one of London’s best affordable Chinese restaurants. Whether you want to test out the cheap eats in Chinatown, scoff down some dumplings or satisfy your chicken chow mein craving, Chinese New Year is the perfect excuse to go out for a tasty meal with your loved ones. Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 25th January this year; so make sure to book your table in advance! London is home to some really great authentic Chinese, Taiwanese and Cantonese restaurants that won’t break the bank, so if you’re looking for a restaurant for Chinese New Year in London, here are our recommendations...
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Leong's Legend
This Taiwanese restaurant in Chinatown is a cheap and cheerful place to book a table for Chinese New Year. Leong’s Legend serves up authentic dishes that are found on the streets of Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. Located on Gerrard Street in Leicester Square, indulge in hot noodle soups, sticky pork buns, chili crab, silky dumplings and delicious slow cooked pork belly. Regular customers say this place makes the best dumplings in London! The portions here are good value for money and inside there’s a buzzing atmosphere in a cosy, dim-lit setting. Plus, the location in Chinatown means you’ll be smack bang in the heart of the action for Chinese New Year with hanging lanterns, Chinese dragons and celebrations throughout the area taking place.
The Duck & Rice
This up-and-coming restaurant on Soho’s Berwick Street is a sophisticated Chinese dining experience that won’t break the bank. The Duck & Rice is a stylish setting for Chinese New Year where the chefs cook up delicious food you’d usually find in family homes throughout China. Combining world-class Chinese food and swanky London pub vibes, this awesome West End spot is really unique. The Cantonese House Duck is one of our favourite dishes on the menu and the dim sum selection is also noteworthy. The Kung Po chicken and Black pepper beef are fantastic too. If you’re celebrating Chinese New Year in true London style, then you’ll love the gin and tonic offering, the tasty range of cocktails and awesome beers on draught. Make sure to book in advance for this one.
Din Tai Fung
Did you know dumplings are a traditional must-eat food for Chinese families on Chinese New Year? You can try some of the best affordable dumplings in Covent Garden at Din Tai Fung’s London flagship restaurant (that seats almost 250 people). The dumplings here are little mouthfuls of bursting flavour with a huge range of fillings to choose from. You simply have to try the signature Xiao Long Bao (steamed pork dumplings that are beautifully presented with 18 intricate folds in the delicate pastry - see photo) In true Chinese New Year fashion, treat yourself to a cocktail at the bar. Din Tai Fung's bartenders shake up amazing Taiwanese-inspired cocktails.
Wan Chai Corner
Wan Chai Corner is a Cantonese restaurant in Chinatown known for cooking up authentic food packed with flavour. Super tasty and super affordable, this is a great place to celebrate Chinese New Year. Indulge in Cantonese classics like crispy chilli beef, fried chicken, a spicy hot pot or delicious dim sum, steamed or fried. The barbequed roast pork buns are also amazing. This restaurant is right in the hustle and bustle of Chinatown where the Chinese New Year celebrations will be taking place.
Stick & Bowl
Another cheap and cheerful spot on Kensington High Street, Stick & Bowl is a no-frills Chinese restaurant that’s all about hearty, wholesome cooking. The casual restaurant is a good place to pop in for a quick Chinese New Year lunch, serving up food that’s good for your soul. The customers who frequent Stick & Bowl only have good things to say about this place - especially when it comes to the authentic food. Enjoy a can of Tsingtao beer to complement the Chinese food and you’re guaranteed to leave with a full tummy and smile on your face. We recommend the roast duck and soft noodles, sweetcorn soup, sweet and sour prawns and the fried garlic chicken. While you’re on Kensington High Street, there are some awesome shopping opportunities so make the most of that!