The West End is dazzling with Christmas sparkle, and the excitement of the festivities has well and truly begun. And in the heart of it all, Chinatown London glows and thrives, ready to welcome visitors from far and wide.
Feed and thrill your Christmas spirit, with a visit to this gateway into East and Southeast Asian culture and cuisine. A destination of heritage and experience, each street offers a journey of discovery. With delights and surprises at every corner and at every doorstep. From chic speakeasies to culinary icons, karaoke hangouts and specialist stores.
Whether you’re craving a tantalising meal to recharge after Christmas shopping in Carnaby Street or looking to continue the evening with cocktails and a sing-along, after wandering through the Covent Garden Piazza. Uncover alternative ways to welcome the season in Chinatown London, the cultural heart of the West End.
Alternative Christmas feasting
With ten different East & Southeastern Asian cuisines found across the destination, step away from traditional turkey dinners with all the trimmings, and introduce your tastebuds to an array of new global flavours and dishes that captivate the senses.
For a traditional Cantonese feast, head to one of Chinatown London’s popular hot spots for delicious dim sum and roast meats. Tao Tao Ju (Lisle St) serves Cantonese and Sichuan delights presented with polish and finesse. Order a selection of juicy dumplings, fluffy bao and moreish fried turnip paste with XO sauce. Head to the likes of Canton (Newport Place) and Four Seasons (multiple locations) for succulent roast meats including Peking duck, honey char siu and crispy pork belly.
Ever wondered where K-Pop stars eat when they’re in town? Olle (Shaftesbury Ave) regularly welcomes the likes of BTS, Black Pink and Big Bang – to name a few! Savour authentic Korean cuisine and enjoy a selection of comforting stews, rice and noodle dishes and of course, Korean BBQ with platters of quality meat and seafood available.
Rasa Sayang (Macclesfield St) serves up the flavour and fire of Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine. Brave the heat with a table of fiery dishes like beef rendang, roti canai with chicken curry and the star of the menu – Singapore chilli grab enriched with a sweet chilli, egg gravy.
Venture away from the traditional afternoon tea of finger sandwiches and scones this Christmas and opt for something a little different. Golden Phoenix (Gerrard St) has curated a luxury dim sum afternoon tea, with a selection of handcrafted dim sum including swan-shaped, egg yolk pastries, steamed prawn dumplings with crab roe and scallop dumplings with gold leaf and caviar. With the choice of an additional glass of fizz.
Enjoy premium Japanese BBQ, freshly prepared sushi and a lively, modern dining experience at High Yaki (Newport Place). Visitors can dine at their own pace, whether that be an all-you-can-eat BBQ feast, a casual dinner with friends, or satisfying a sushi craving.
Pre-theatre dining and set menus
Nothing says Christmas like a West End show! A stone’s throw away from the theatres of Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square; Chinatown London offers an array of pre-theatre and set menus. From Cantonese street food to hearty broths, the choices are plentiful for a showstopping meal before heading to the stalls.
Steps away from the Chinatown Gate, Orient London (Wardour St) plates up a wide selection of authentic Cantonese and Southeast Asian dishes and seasonal seafood. offers a pre-theatre menu with crispy aromatic duck to start and classic mains including sweet & sour chicken and crispy shredded chilli beef at just £19.80pp.
Warm up and get stuck into a comforting bowl of fragrant phó at Viet Food (Wardour St) – slow-boiled for 16 hours in beef bone marrow and chicken to create a perfect broth. Alternatively opt for their set menu at £37.80pp, featuring signature dishes crafted by chef Jeff Tan (ex-Hakkasan) including crispy coconut calamari.
If you’ve booked for a matinee show, Bun House (Lisle St) has introduced a brand-new lunch set menu available from 12-5pm. Order one of their popular steamed buns, one side and one main dish for just £18. Highlights include the wonton noodle soup, smacked cucumber and the viral salted egg yolk custard bun.
Chinatown’s guide to gift shopping
Not only a hub for ESEA food and drink, Chinatown London is also a destination for shopping. With a unique selection of retailers, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect Christmas gift, no matter who you are buying for. From stocking fillers to Secret Santa, you’ll find it all here!
Food and kitchenware – Browse the aisles of the area’s specialist Asian supermarkets and pick-up tasty stocking fillers such as mochi cookies, chilli oils and salty snacks. Oseyo (Charing Cross Road) brings a little slice of Korea to London. It’s the perfect place to stock up on Korean culinary essentials and rice cookers. Head down Rupert Court and step into Malaysian convenience store C&R Delicatessen where you’ll find a generous selection of snacks, grocery staples and homemade sweet delicacies.
K-Beauty and skincare – Independent cosmetic and beauty store P2BUS (Newport Court) imports a lovingly curated selection of over 300 quality Korean, Japanese and Asian skincare, make-up, hair and oral care brands.
Books and crafts – For those who love to get crafty or always got their nose inside a book, Guanghwa Bookshop (Shaftesbury Ave) is a literary hub for beautiful coffee-table worthy books and Chinese language learning aids, as well as calligraphy kits and art supplies.
Toys and games – POP MART (Charing Cross Road) and Miniso (Shaftesbury Ave) are both treasure troves for plush toys, accessories and figurines. Pick up blind boxes and merchandise from the likes of Hello Kitty, BT21, Labubu and many more. Razer (Charing Cross Road) is a gamer haven! Browse a vast selection of gaming gear including console controllers, headsets and keyboards.
Where to go after dark and after midnight
Chinatown London truly comes alive at night! Wander beneath the red lanterns as dusk falls and feel the warmth that glows from every window and neon sign. Discover the destinations best late-night openings, from hidden cocktail bars to ‘24hr’ gaming hubs.
Get the gang together for a night at Speedboat Bar (Rupert St) fuelled with punchy Thai small plates, beer towers and chasers. Upstairs you’ll find the pool table, available for exclusive hire for up to 12 people – perfect for
celebrations with friends until 1am. 1920’s inspired speakeasy Opium (Gerrard St) is a three-floor cocktail bar with dim sum baskets that pair perfectly with late-night drinks. Located a few doors down, Experimental Cocktail Club might be a little tricky to spot! Step through an unassuming door and head upstairs to explore the alchemic menu and enjoy live music. Open until 3am, Thursday to Saturday. Noodle & Beer (Wardour St) brings its vibrant character to the heart of Chinatown London. Inspired by the lively, social spirit of the Sichuan region, the restaurant keeps the energy until 4am Thursday to Saturday. Head downstairs to its chic basement bar, with striking red velvet interiors.
W London (Wardour St) welcomes non-guests to The Perception bar, Soho’s ‘Home of Agave’. Expect live DJ sets and discover an impressive selection of rare mezcals, premium tequilas, and house infusions to enjoy all night long.
Side Quest is an authentic East Asian gaming café experience located on Charing Cross Road. A social hub where people can gather to play games, watch esports, enjoy food and drinks, and spend time together. Open until 6am, it’s the perfect destination for night owl gamers.
Best spots for karaoke in Chinatown London
Karaoke has become a highlight of Chinatown London’s night scene, and lucky for visitors, there are a number of spots across the neighbourhood offering private karaoke rooms with KTV set ups. Take the mic, sing to your heart’s content and choose from endless playlists of feel-good hits.
Plum Valley (Gerrard St) is a Cantonese Fusion restaurant located in the heart of London’s Chinatown. It’s the perfect spot for a traditional feast with friends and family. Within the restaurant are private rooms complete with karaoke systems, perfect for private events and special celebrations. At Pochawa Grill (Wardour St), gather friends, grab the tongs and feel the heat with authentic Korean BBQ. Continue the evening downstairs for late night karaoke and Soju until 1am. Iconic for serving up some of the best dumplings in Chinatown London, Dumplings Legend (Gerrard St) is also a hit spot for KTV. With three VIP karaoke rooms, endless dim sum options – plus wine, beer and cocktails, there’s no better way to spend an evening with friends. Candy Cafe is dessert spot tucked away above Macclesfield St, offers a private KTV room that can accommodate up to seven people, making it perfect for small parties or a fun night out with friends. Designed to offer a cosy, home-like atmosphere with a touch of nostalgia, it provides a unique experience.