
London
The Best Places for Asian Food in London
Best places in London for Bao buns, Nasi Gorengs, hot pots and more.
London's culinary scene is a fusion of tradition and innovation, offering endless dining options from traditional eateries to modern cooking, and a vast array of ethnic foods, including everything from casual street food to upscale restaurants. In this guide we list some of the best Asian restaurants in London, showcasing the diversity and depth of London's Asian culinary scene. From the authentic Malaysian dishes at Roti King to the innovative Japanese yakitori at Humble Chicken, and the comforting bowls at Supa Ya Ramen, none of these places will dissapoint.
To help you navigate on your Asian food tour of London, we have based all of our picks on World of Mouth experts, such as Ian Bailey, Matthew Burgess, and Tom Jenkins, who have recommended these places in the app. Dive in and discover the best of Asian food in London.
Roti King is a cozy spot in London offering Malaysian and Singaporean street food with an open kitchen where you can watch the team make everything fresh. It often attracts a crowd, so be prepared for a wait. The friendly, no-reservations setup adds to its laid-back vibe, making it a popular go-to for a quick, satisfying meal.
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Authentic food and flavours. Crispy and spicy sambal chicken. Amazing if you can handle a bit of heat. This place is super busy. Expect to queue. Sometimes waiting time can be up to an hour. Just shows how good the food is that people are willing to wait in line for it. They have an app system that tells you how long in line you wait, so you can go off and do something else and come back. I was a single diner and was lucky to wait just 10 mins. Table was in the corner but I didn't mind.Very small dining room and open kitchen where you see the chef make all the delicious roti by hand.Lots of Asian customers dining here at the time which is always a good indication that the food and flavours are authentic.I ordered the sambal chicken which was crispy, juicy & spicy. Amazing if you can handle a bit of heat. Then mutton curry with roti. Delicious and eating with your hands is so satisfying.
Som Saa is a casual London restaurant serving old-style regional Thai food inspired by its chef’s experience at respected kitchens in London and Bangkok. They use seasonal British produce and Asian ingredients to create dishes packed with bold flavor. It’s a relaxed spot that welcomes anyone looking for genuine Thai cooking in the city.
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Som Saa serves super tasty old-style regional Thai foodSom Saa serves super tasty old-style regional Thai food. The food is really tasty and spicy, the service was good and the place is looking nice. Som Saa restaurant and bar uses seasonal British produce and quality Asian ingredients to create flavour-packed regional dishes from across Thailand. The restaurant is run by head chef Andy Oliver having previously worked at Nahm in London (one of the restaurants owned by famous chef David Thompson) and then at the “Bo.Lan” in Bangkok for two years.
Humble Chicken in Soho offers a close-up dining experience where you can watch the small team at work behind the counter. Their tasting menu reflects Japanese and European influences without getting too fancy. The intimate setting and thoughtful use of quality ingredients create a relaxed atmosphere worth exploring.
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The Humble Chicken has evolved into something far less humble with it’s new version 2.0Angelo Sato’s original Humble Chicken brought yakitori to Soho with a line of konro grills sat behind a counter serving up tasty sticks containing every imaginable part of our most common farmyard fowl. The crowds loved it and queuing was the norm. Now after a refocus, and a rebrand to Humble Chicken 2.0, Angelo has created a 6-7 course tasting menu bookended by a trio of snacks and sweets. No more outside tables, just 18 counter seats arranged around the small team carrying out their skills for all to see. Clever dishes involving well sourced ingredients and fun techniques make this a great experience. Well priced menu and a good drinks selection help set the tone.
Paradise Soho offers a modern take on Sri Lankan flavors in a relaxed spot tucked away in London’s Soho. The team uses local and Sri Lankan produce to create a multi-course experience that’s lively yet refined. With a welcoming atmosphere and friendly service, it’s an inviting place to explore new tastes again and again.
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Fiery cooking with local ingredients and exemplary service. The dishes, drinks and service all transport you to the island, leaving Soho behind. The highest quality, local ingredients with fiery injections of flavour really make paradise a must-visit when you’re in London!
Hakkasan Hanway Place is a modern Cantonese restaurant in London recognized by the Michelin Guide. It’s known for its sleek interior, energetic crowd, and a forward-thinking approach to Chinese cooking. The atmosphere is both cool and welcoming, drawing people who want something a bit different in the city.
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A path breaker in the North-Chinese-European fusion cuisine. Not gourmet but a trendy place with a very cool London crowd.
Scully in London blends influences from around the world, guided by chef Ramael Scully’s wide-ranging heritage. The kitchen focuses on sustainable, low-waste cooking with creative techniques like fermentation. Diners can expect a welcoming atmosphere and menus that evolve with the seasons.
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Scully is one of our favourites in London! There aren't many restaurants that are able to offer such a diverse cuisine at such a high level. The dishes are very creative and have an influence from all over the world, which is no wonder given chef Ramael Scully's background: Born in Malaysia and brought up in Sydney, with a Mother of Chinese/Indian descent and an Irish Balinese Father.Some of our favourite dishes that night were:-Arepa, eggplant sambal and bergamot labneh.-Crispy pork belly, wild forest pepper caramel and pomelo.
Bone Daddies Victoria is a laid-back ramen spot in the Nova Building, just a short walk from Victoria Station. The stripped-back space and rock ’n’ roll soundtrack create a fun, casual vibe where you can grab a quick meal or linger at the central bar. Outdoor seating is also available if you’d rather dine outside and watch the world go by.
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The new-wave New York-style ramen joint has now landed in Nova, Victoria. This stripped-back space pumping out ear-bending rock ’n’ roll brings the broth: its ultra-rich signature stock, made from 20-hour simmered pork bones and given extra complexity via sweet miso and sesame paste.
Mr Ji Soho is a laid-back spot in the heart of Soho that offers modern Asian-style plates and drinks. The menu is designed for sharing, creating a casual atmosphere that makes it easy to drop in with friends. It’s a convenient choice if you’re looking for something fresh and enjoyable while exploring the neighborhood.
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Super cool Taiwanese small plate fun in the heart of SohoBehind a small shop front in Old Compton Street the team are serving up great value cocktails and tapas style plates of modern Asian cuisine. A menu designed for sharing has an Izakaya feel. Dishes smack of flavour and fun. A perfect Soho pit stop!
Happy Lamb offers Mongolian-style hot pot featuring freshly sliced meats and a broth simmered with a variety of herbs and spices. The casual, hands-on setup makes it easy to gather friends and share a meal at your own pace. Founded in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, it brings a taste of its heritage right to London.
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Oh, Happy Lamb. There isn't really much else to say, other than - I have the hots for you.Specialising in Mongolian-style hot pot, Happy Lamb sprung up in Baotou and has since established itself as a chain with a presence in the UK, China, Taiwan, the US, Japan, Australia and Canada. They pride themselves in their quality meat, which is freshly sliced in house; as well as their rich and savoury broth, which is crafted from carefully selected hen and beef bones that are simmered over the course of 6 hours. The end result is a concentrated milky-white soup base that is enlivened with 36 aromatics, including goji berries, jujubes, ginseng and herbs.DIY dining setups such as hot pot are one of the few things I prefer to do in a group setting, as it enables you to do far more damage to the menu. Alas, it was just the two of us on this occasion. Nevertheless, the combination platters helped us along and offered a convenient short-cut in terms of menu navigation. As for the broth, we went for the nourishing chicken, which is the house special and rightly so. I also liked the sound of the spicy sour pickled cabbage so we opted in for that too.Anyway, long story short(ened), it was absolutely delicious and barely a word was said until each and every plate was relieved of its ingredients. The intensely flavourful broth was easily the star of the show, deeming the additional dipping sauces all but unnecessary. A final few slurps of noodles ensured none of it went to waste.Oh, Happy Lamb. There isn't really much else to say, other than - I have the hots for you.
BAO Soho is the original branch of a Taiwanese-inspired restaurant that has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for several years. It began as a street-food stall and continues to draw lines at lunch and dinner thanks to its casual setting and ever-evolving menu. Guests appreciate its friendly vibe and straightforward approach to dining in the heart of London.
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The first - and still the best - Taiwanese bao outpost of its kind in London. Having originally started as a street food stall in a small East London market, Bao now has six outposts (slightly differing in menu and offering) across London. The OG Soho restaurant still commands a queue on most days at both lunch and dinner times. Go for the pillowy soft bao buns stuffed with an array of unctuous fillings (pork, daikon and fried chicken to name a few) and stay for the delectable Xiao Chi menu of punchy, finger lickin good small plates. Firm favourites include the blood cake and cured egg yolk, Guinea fowl rice and the fried chicken.
BAO Borough is a lively spot in London’s Borough Market with an open kitchen, terracotta floors, and posters scattered around the space. Tucked under the railway tracks, it’s an interpretation of a late-night grill house that also offers a private karaoke room for those seeking a fun twist.
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The best Bao restaurant in LondonBao is a casual Taiwanese streetfood restaurant, widely popular and rightly so. One of the best cheap eats in London, Bao certainly ticks all the right boxes. This Bao specifically is the best (in my humble opinion) as it has their star dish- the 40 day aged beef on buttered rice (under 10£) This was hands down the best dish I had in London on this trip. Such intense flavours & the buttery rice really complimented the beef. Bao menu varies all over London; original concept & bite size dishes - a great lunch option
BaoziInn – London Bridge is a welcoming spot near Borough Market that highlights handmade specialties inspired by flavors from across Asia. Drawing on the sharing culture of 1960s China, it offers a relaxed setting where people can gather and explore new tastes. The restaurant blends traditional influences with fresh ideas, creating a comfortable place to enjoy a meal with friends.
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Steamer baskets of joy! Nestled away just past the bustling Borough Market are London’s best dumplings. With classic flavours of prawn and chive and delicious pork bao buns, this place is well versed in the language of dumpling. Every dumpling is handmade in the window, you can taste the quality.
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