In East London, locals and Asian diaspora fuel a wave of tempting Chinese restaurants to tingle the tastebuds.
In London’s dynamic and ever-evolving food scene, a quiet revolution has been simmering out East. Here, a generation of restaurateurs are redefining modern Chinese cuisine for a young, multi-cultural, often locally living audience. Whether regional cuisine from Hong Kong, Sichuan or Xi’an, they tell a story of innovation, tradition, and creativity that resonates with the eclectic spirit of East London itself. We scope out seven of our favourite Chinese restaurants in the area, from cult newbie spaces to authentic mouth-watering stalwarts of the neighbourhood.
Jiaonest
Just opened on Kingsland Road, Jiaonest offers more than a meal; it is an intimate, narrative-driven exploration of Sichuan cuisine, medicinal traditions, and the meaning of home. Founded by a former filmmaker Hua Yang, who grew up in her parents’ pharmacy in Chongqing, this elegant new restaurant on Kingsland Road found cult like status amongst loyal fans via supper clubs prior to the opening of their Haggerston venue. Yang’s approach embodies a new generation of Chinese restaurants in the city, where cuisine is nuanced and authentic enough for Chinese diaspora, yet inventive and fresh enough to garner local hipster fans.
“I was thinking Haggerston doesn’t have that many Chinese restaurants & wine bars, but the people here in very willing to try different foods,” says Yang. Guided by Taoist philosophy, her seasonal menus feature dishes like the mouth-tingling Mala short ribs, herbal salt-baked chicken, gourmet flower mushroom and tender pork belly and a deeply personal medicinal pork intestine soup. Often incorporating nourishing herbs, Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and Yang’s pharmacy roots, Jiaonest is a modern exploration of joy, nostalgia and healing for a creative community – a space for soul, storytelling and connection over cuisine.
Yauatcha City
For a refined experience, look no further than Yauatcha City, the second branch of Michelin-winning Yauatcha in Soho. Opened a decade ago, at Broadgate Circle, behind Liverpool Street station, this restaurant presents mouth-watering Cantonese dining with a modern, luxurious twist. This acclaimed teahouse elevates the dim sum tradition and offers an popular, infinite Yum Cha Brunch each and every Friday and Saturday, allowing diners to enjoy unlimited rounds of exquisitely crafted steamed, fried, and baked dim sum.
From the delicate prawn har gau and siu mai to the innovative venison puff, each dish is well crafted and artful. The sophisticated setting, complete with a patisserie counter showcasing beautiful petits gâteaux, makes Yauatcha City a crowd pleaser for those seeking authentic Hong Kong style dim sum and cuisine in a sleek, contemporary setting.
Three Rounds Tavern
At the forefront of this movement is Three Rounds Tavern, a new Chinese restaurant that took over the old Sichuan Folk, and become a benchmark for authentic, palate-igniting flavours in the Bricklane area. Located on Hanbury Street, near Spitalfields Market, this humble Chinese style tavern eatery focuses on smoked, braised meats is celebrated for its authentic vibes.
Diners can expect a vibrant atmosphere where the hum of conversation complements sizzling platters emerging from the kitchen. Dishes like sea bass with spicy mixed pepper, peppery-chicken & pork stomach soup, hot and sour pickled cabbage fish in golden broth showcases the kitchen’s commitment to skillfully executed, nourishing cuisine. Don’t forget to try the warming osmanthus rice wine with glutinous balls, perfect for colder days.
Bun House Disco
Fusing Chinese street food with a dose of camp, retro fun, Bun House Disco on Bethnal Green Road is an embodiment of East London’s eclectic spirit. This spot is anything but traditional, serving up “squirting custard buns, spicy wontons, creative dishes, bold cocktails” against a backdrop of Canto synth-pop and disco beats. Special events and launches happen here on the regular, making it a community hotspot as well.
The menu features a variety of steamed bao buns, from the classic custard to fillings like lamb belly with cumin, alongside creative small plates such as sweet and savoury hoisin sesame cheung fun and MSG fries. This restaurant is popular with a young crowd for its utterly vibrant and playful take on Chinese culinary traditions, which makes it a fantastic spot for a casual lunch or a post-work hangout.
Yun Gui Chuan Rice Noodles
Nestled on Brick Lane, Yun Gui Chuan Rice Noodles offers a different kind of authenticity, specialising in belly-warming Hong Kong-style rice noodles praised for their generous portions and nostalgic flavours. The hearty soup noodles that take centre stage are based on 8 hour slow-simmered fresh pork bone soup base that forms a flavoursome clear noodle broth.
This cozy venue is a popular spot for a quick yet deeply satisfying casual meal, and besides hearty rice noodles, other dishes like spicy wontons and deep-fried fish spring rolls are popular with guests. It’s the kind of place that reminds diners of home-cooked Chinese meals, providing a comforting, authentic taste of Hong Kong in the heart of East London’s bustling streets.
Xi’an Biang Biang Noodles
On Wentworth Street in Aldgate East, this branch offers a masterclass in texture and tradition. Specialising in the eponymous, skillfully made Biang Biang noodles: the wide, belt-like ribbons are hand-pulled to a perfectly chewy consistency, this restaurant brings the hearty flavours of China’s Shaanxi province to East London.
Since these noodles have gone viral on social media, the cult restaurant chain already has a legion of global fans who have visited many of their four London outlets. The Aldgate East branch is a go-to for a comforting and visually spectacular meal, where the simple yet powerful combination of chilli oil, meat, and vegetables in these substantial noodles provides a deeply satisfying culinary experience.
Murger Han City
For a culinary detour from the usual staples, Murger Han’s branch in the City (near Aldgate) remains a steadfast and stellar choice. This is not a place for delicate dim sum or fiery Sichuan, it’s a temple to the robust, soul-warming flavours of Shaanxi province. The star, unquestionably, is the murger itself: a baked bun, crisp and fluffy, stuffed with tender, aromatic pulled meat – with the duck murger being one of our favourite options.
But also, don’t leave without trying the liangpi cold skin noodles, a dish of chewy, hand-ripped ribbons in a sharp, peppery dressing that will jolt your senses awake. Whether its the BBQ skewers, spicy braised chicken noodle or dumplings, Murger Han’s authentic, focused, and profoundly satisfying dishes offer up a genuine taste of Northern China that has rightly earned cult status in London.
