Watch: We explore London Chinatown's best hidden gems

London’s Chinatown is a vibrant cultural hub nestled between Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square, packed with bustling restaurants, traditional bakeries, and colourful supermarkets.

It’s the beating heart of the city’s Chinese community and a must-visit for anyone craving authentic East Asian flavours.

From Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurants to hole-in-the-wall dumpling spots, Chinatown is a paradise for food lovers. Watch our video above to see us try some of Chinatown’s best-hidden gems.

Visitors to Chinatown can explore the shelves of Loon Fung or SeeWoo supermarkets for rare Asian ingredients, or grab a cup of bubble tea from Xi Tea, Happy Lemon, or Gong Cha.

London’s first Chinatown was actually in Limehouse, East London, where Chinese sailors settled in the 19th century. However, post-war redevelopment and increasing immigration saw the Chinese community shift to Soho in the 1970s.

The area’s Chinese gates (paifang), stone lions, and intricate street art celebrate Chinese heritage. The latest gate, built in 2016 on Wardour Street, is the largest in the UK.

Since then, Chinatown has grown into an iconic food and cultural destination, known for its lively streets, distinctive red-and-gold décor, and annual Chinese New Year celebrations.

Every year, Chinatown hosts Europe’s biggest Chinese New Year festival, featuring a spectacular parade, lion dances, fireworks, and street performances. In 2025, expect the Year of the Snake to bring even more festivities!

To celebrate the Lunar New Year, we visited some of Chinatown’s best hidden gems. Watch our video to find out more.

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