Escape to the City
February sees the annual celebration of the Chinese New Year – 2022, the Year of the Tiger. Sadly, the free annual event across Chinatown and the West End has been cancelled for 2022, so instead, why not head to the capital for a foodie day out?
Nestled in the heart of the West End, Chinatown is the perfect location for a family day out. Whether you have children to entertain, foodie friends or family from afar, the area has something for everyone.
Start off your day at the Chinatown Bakery where you can choose from an assortment of sweet and savoury baked goods. A must try is their infamous Taiyaki fish – soft fish-shaped waffles filled with gooey custard paste.
Next, take a wander around some of Chinatown’s supermarkets, filled with unique and exotic ingredients such as spices and fresh fruits and vegetables. There is no doubt these products will export you to the shopping aisles of East Asia. On your way between shops, look out for buildings and streets decorated with Chinese lanterns and dragons, and street signs written in both English and Chinese.
Once you have worked up an appetite, head to one of Chinatown’s many traditional Chinese restaurants. Chinatown will spoil you for choice with restaurants ranging from spicy Szechuan specialities to Chinese buffet restaurants. If you don’t fancy Chinese food, you’ll also find other cuisines including Korean, Malaysian, Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Japanese, alongside European eateries and pizza places.
Chinatown is in the heart of Central London, so if you (somehow) run out of things to do, head over to Leicester Square, Covent Garden or Oxford Circus to continue your foodie day out!
Lucy
