I ate at London’s best Chinatown restaurant for Chinese New Year – my leftovers tell the real story

London: As the Year of the Snake rolls in, everyone in London is buzzing about where to eat. I decided to check out Four Seasons on Gerrard Street for Chinese New Year. It’s been dubbed the best restaurant in Chinatown by VisitLondon, so I had to see if it lived up to the hype. Spoiler alert: my leftovers tell a pretty tasty tale.

The vibe at Four Seasons is just what you want from a Chinatown spot. It’s got that lively energy with sizzling woks and busy servers. You walk in and get hit with all those amazing smells. It’s a bit chaotic, but that’s part of the charm.

The menu has all the classic dishes, but the real stars are the roast duck, char siu pork, and crispy pork. I didn’t try the duck, but I can vouch for the vegetarian options. The braised mixed veggies with tofu felt like a warm hug from my favorite auntie.

Even as a vegetarian, I was loving it! The dumplings were like little bites of happiness, and the house special fried noodles were so big they could feed you for lunch and a midnight snack. Seriously, in Central London, that’s a rare find. And you can wash it all down with some Chinese tea.

Now, don’t get too comfy with that tea. When it’s busy, the staff might be eyeing your table for the next family. It’s not exactly a place for a long, leisurely meal. But honestly, when the food is this good, I’d take it any way I can get it.

Four Seasons is known for its amazing duck and BBQ meats, and they really stick to what they do best. While other places might be trying to mix things up, this spot keeps it traditional and does it well. In a city where everyone’s trying to be everything, Four Seasons is just happy being a solid Chinatown restaurant.

So, if you’re planning to visit, just know it’s all about the food here. It’s not a remote working spot; it’s a place to eat and enjoy. Just be ready for a bit of a crowd during Chinese New Year!