Dim sum: little parcels of edible heaven. Having lived in Singapore for 11 years right up until 2019, one thing the London for Kidz crew often craves now we're back in Blighty is a bamboo steam container full of great dim sum. We've been doing our best to get our fix of Asian food so were more than happy, in the name of research of course, to stuff our faces with dumplings galore, so that we could bring you our guide to the best dim sum in London. Don't forget though, it's Chinese New Year this weekend, so you'll need to book ahead!
Ugly Dumpling
Not only does this best dim sum pick have a fab name, but it also has a wonderful menu too. Combining Western seasonal ingredients with Asian home recipes, Ugly Dumpling has transformed the humble dumpling into a dining sensation (none of which is actually ugly). Don't forget to leave room for the Nutella dumplings when it comes to dessert: delectable doesn't cut it!
Ugly Dumpling, 1 Newburgh Street, London W1F 7RB
Beijing Dumpling
Located in bustling Chinatown, Beijing Dumpling is an authentic Chinese restaurant specialising in delish dumplings. Its Xiao Long Bao and Gaozi are freshly made daily by its awesome chefs, and you're gonna wanna order several portions of them, that's for sure! It also serves up a huge array of traditional faves and speciality dishes from all over China, and we can't wait to get back to try its brand new Seafood Supreme Dumplings. Nom, nom, nom.
Beijing Dumpling, 23 Lisle Street, London WC2H 7BA
Royal China
If it's high quality Chinese food you're after then the dim sum and Hong Kong Chinese dishes at any of the six Royal China restaurants around London will deffo hit the dumpling spot. This fine Cantonese cuisine arrived in London - Queensway to be precise - 20 years ago, and can also be found in China, Hong Kong and Dubai, so it's a real international a-fare. You'll find seasonal menus served up by award-winning chefs, and we can highly recommend its Crab Meat and Spinach Dumplings, Chicken with Chilli Chiu Chow Style and Sautéed Chinese Broccoli with Ginger. Delectable.
Royal China: Canary Wharf, Queensway, Baker Street (two branches), Harrow on the Hill and Fulham.
A.Wong
Shanghai Steamed Dumplings Infused with Ginger Vinegar? So much 'yes please!' A.Wong is one of the fancier dim sum places we've popped on our list of faves, but we say it's never too early to introduce the kiddos to a bit of fine dining. We love its speciality dim sum lunch menu, and you absolutely can't leave without trying its Pork and Prawn Dumplings with Pork Crackling.
This is also one of our hot spots for date night sans kids: head to the Forbidden City bar on the lower ground for seriously good cocktails before feasting on dim sum baskets, Gang Bao Chicken with Roasted Peanuts and Crispy Peking duck.
A.Wong, 70 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London SW1V 1DE
Din Tai Fung
There were many things we were sad to leave behind when we moved away from Singapore, but Taiwanese restaurant chain, Din Tai Fung (pictured top), was on our whole family's list of eateries we would massively miss. Luckily for us a Din Tai Fung opened in Covent Garden in December 2018, and has been serving up its little parcels of joy ever since, and has also add two more outlets to its dumpling repertoire. Woohoo to that! Its Hot and Sour Soup is not to be missed, and our youngest was over the moon to find his beloved Crispy Gold Prawn Pancakes on the menu. Dim sum wise we all love the traditional Pork Xiao Long Bao, but the Pork and Vegetable Wontons in Black Vinegar and Chilli Oil (pictured) are amazeballs.
Din Tai Fung, 5 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8PT, 11 St Giles Square, Centre Point, London, WC2H 8AP and Selfridges, 4th Floor, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB
Hakkasan
Ditch the kiddos for this one and head out for an evening of unique Cantonese recipes which pride themselves on contemporary influences. We're talking modern dishes using traditional techniques all thrown together using top notch ingredients. Add in an excellent wine and cocktail menu, and you've got yourself a special occasion date night sorted. If you do want to bring the small humans along, then your best bet, in our opinion, is the less fancy but still delish lunchtime dim sum menu which includes mouth watering Char Sui Buns, Sesame Prawn Toast and Scallop Shumai.
Hakkasan, 17 Bruton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 6QB and 8 Hanway Place, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1HD
Golden Dragon
After a fun-packed day exploring London with the kids, Golden Dragon never ceases to please when it comes to an easy, tasty dim sum feast in Chinatown. Expect fab service, a lively ambience, amazing Cantonese dishes and, of course, a whole heap of flavoursome dumplings. The King Prawn Dumplings, Stuffed Mixed Meat Dumplings, Salt and Pepper Soft Shell Crab and Deep Fried Won Tons (pictured) are always on our pick list, but don't forget to leave some room for the delectable Cream Custard Buns for dessert. If you have adventurous foodies in the fam, get them to try the Steamed Chicken Feet in Black Bean Sauce...
Golden Dragon, 28-29 Gerrard Street, Chinatown, London W1D 6JW
Baozi Inn
With five outlets of Baozi lnn dotted all over London, this Northern Chinese street food is the perfect mix of affordable and flavoursome! Personal family faves include its delish BBQ pork baozi buns, its pan fried dumplings with chili oil and a large serving of Gong Bao Chicken. Don't forget to wash it all down with a rather lovely Asian-inspired mocktail!
Baozi lnn, various locations
慢用!
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