Chop Chop: We visited London's hidden Chinese restaurant that's getting rave reviews

Going for Chinese food in London and not visiting Chinatown might feel like sacrilege, but I’m asking you to hear me out.

Because hidden on the lower ground floor of the Hippodrome (stay with me), stands an absolutely awesome Chinese restaurant that is going to set your taste buds on fire.

Aside from the fact the food is delicious - and I’ll come to that more in a bit - the ambience, the atmosphere and the neon lights, make this a really comfortable and easy going dining spot in the heart of central London.

Our table was booked for 6pm - opening time - and when we arrived there were already tables full of people, settling down to eat (and then eat some more).

The restaurant was a 2024 winner of TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best awards, and it has been getting awesome reviews online.

With a menu that is loud, proud, and accomplished, this is a far cry from your typical Chinese takeaway.

Of course, you can enjoy your favourite dishes, including salt and pepper squid, chow mein, and spring rolls, but it is the original dishes that have earned this place its stripes.

Any dining aficionado knows the best way to dine is to load up on a selection of dishes, so that’s exactly what we did.

What we ordered:

• Salt and pepper squid
• Spring rolls
• Prawn crackers (and dipping sauces)
• Char Sui BBQ pork buns
• Stewed beef brisket soup
• Cantonese half roast duck
• Crispy belly pork
• Stir fried broccoli
• Egg-fried rice
• Braised duck vermicelli noodles
• Lychee Martini
• Popping pornstar Martini
• Pistachio crepe cake

Each dish was as accomplished as the last, and we were practically giddy as we admired our table full of plates.

The squid was crunchy and flavourful, packing a chili punch. The spring rolls were light, crispy, and molten. My dining partner noted that “even the prawn crackers were good.”

The pork buns were sweet, sticky, and piping hot. I enjoyed the basket reveal, while the Cantonese-style duck was sticky, fatty, and full of flavour. The belly pork was not dissimilar in flavour but packed an impressive crunch.

My world was rocked by the stewed beef brisket soup, which is not something I would typically order. The meat was tender, the broth was gentle and luscious. It was a bowl of goodness that felt simultaneously life-giving and like a warm hug. I’d return for this alone.

My dining partner went wild for the vermicelli noodles with braised duck, the dish was subtle and silky. It would easily stand on its own.

I loved the cocktails - they were sweet and show-stopping! The lychee martini was equal parts sweet and sour, while the popping pornstar martini came with juicy strawberry boba. I’m a big fan of any cocktail that’s light on the booze flavour.

I’d also like to mention I am obsessed with the dragon plates and crockery, so much so that on the train home I ordered some for myself.

Each dish was filling, flavourful, and well-executed. The restaurant itself is cool and slick with neon lights and Chinese art. The staff was lovely, attentive, and knowledgeable, making meaningful menu suggestions and pushing the right dishes - including the pistachio crepe cake, which was nutty, sweet, and surprisingly light, the perfect end to the meal.

If you can get past the fact this restaurant is hidden below a Casino, you’ll be in for a great night and some seriously tasty food. We also popped to the Hippodrome roof terrace for a drink and loved the Tiki bar vibes and city views.

We’re saying Chop Chop hooray! for this truly brilliant dining spot. My partner and I agreed we’d return in a heartbeat as we practically rolled out of the restaurant and onto the tube at Leicester Square.

Book your table and view the menu by clicking here.