Chinatown in London is a vibrant and bustling area known for its restaurants and shops. It is located in the West End, within the City of Westminster, between Shaftesbury Avenue and Leicester Square. Visitors can find Chinese cuisine here, including regional specialties from different parts of China.
Besides food and shopping, Chinatown is also a popular spot for various cultural events, especially the Chinese New Year celebrations. These typically include a parade, traditional Chinese music and dance performances, and other customs related to the holiday.
The Chinese community in London originally concentrated in Limehouse in the East End. The current Chinatown was established in its present location in the 1970s. Many businesses and restaurants in Chinatown are family-owned and have been passed down from generation to generation.
Chinatown is also a place where you can get a cheap and filling meal within the relatively central area of London. There are several establishments that offer Chinese buffets in the "all-you-can-eat" style, where a customer pays a flat fee and can then fill their plate with whatever they fancy. The only restriction is usually on the maximum amount of shrimp one can consume during a visit; otherwise, there are no limits.
If you like the style of Chinese restaurants commonly found in the Czech Republic, you will leave fully satisfied. However, if you're looking for an extraordinary culinary experience, it's better to seek Chinese food elsewhere.
One person can eat here in the "all-you-can-eat" style for 14 GBP (15.20 EUR). If you want to take your meal to go, a large bowl will cost you 7 GBP (7.60 EUR), which is quite low for London, as British cuisine is not known for being cheap. Chinese buffets usually don't accept card payments, but you can easily withdraw cash from ATMs of local banks right on the street.
Bon appétit!
