Has anyone been to London&#59;s Chinatown?

It's basically just a cluster oriental restaurants. But if you're in the mood for that style of cuisine it's conveniently located near the West End for good eating before or after a show.

We enjoy it! Top Of The Town is our favorite resturant in London's Chinatown. There are also some shops- including a few jewelery stores.

I agree with Michael's description. In some cities, Chinatown feels more like a separate place. In London, it felt more like it was placed into the rest of that part of the city. The times we've been through it, the streets have been crowded and lively. It is worth going through if you are in the area. == I initially used the word "d r o p" in place of "ed," but that is one of those words that the system apparently removes as some type of programming code. If you are keeping track, add it to your list of words not to use. ==
Ooops. "I n s e r t e d" drops the "i n s e r t." How about "placed?"

We go for Dim Sum fairly regularly in the London Chinatown and enjoy it. For my nickel the London Chinatown does not match up to those in (in order of my preferance) Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or NYC. We go for dim sum on carts, there is some quite good at the New World. Much of the London Chinatown has moved to the suburbs, like Croydon and Edgware where we find even better.

Thanks we love chinese food and can go to "chinatown" here in ny but have been to others and my husband is still searching for chow mein as he ate it as a child in Trinidad (a lot of Chinese people there!) it
was not soupy like we get it here in the states.... we had it in the chinatown in Victoria Canada and it was what he recalled... I admit it was very different more on the lines of lo main.. oh well that is why he wanted to check it out,,

We enjoyed an excellent dinner in London's chinatown. I will try to find out the restaurant's name. Our friends in London took us to their favourite place, quality food and reasonably priced. As already posted - it's worth a visit if you are already in the area but I wouldn't make a special trip there.

Agree with above, fine if you're there and fancy a chinese meal. Not like Toronto or San Francisco.
S

Sorry, but I have to rank San Francisco ahead of Toronto as it relates to their versions of Chinatown. I love Toronto, but Spadina is a pretty crappy street...just plain ugly. Dundas is much better, especially heading back toward University. I don't know, Chinatown up and down Grant in San Francisco just seems more cozy and atmospheric (if not a little gaudy). Lanterns strung across the streets, old dudes playing Chinese board games/gambling/whatever it is they're playing in Pourtsmouth Square Plaza on a Saturday morning. It's just a much better vibe. Touristy...yes, but I like it. I do agree that these are the two best IMO and other versions pale in comparison...DC, Chicago, whatever...not worth a special trip.

again,,,just there to see if we can find chow main made the way my h likes it.. we have seen many china towns so not so much to see that.. if we are not far one day we may try it for lunch..

Have never had "soupy" chow mein here in the UK so likely your husband will get lucky! I like London's China Town, not because of any Chineseness (is that a word?) it may or may not have but because I like narrow city streets buzzing with life. If you look above the shopfronts you will see that many of the buildings are 18/19C townhouses.

great thanks Linda.. do you recommend any particular restaurant?

Difficult one! The resto we have been going to since 1990 is not one for fine dining but quick and cheap. Good for pre theatre eats. Lately it has become a bit of a parody of itself ie reputation for the rudest wait staff in town. We have found them brusque and efficient. So sorry, will duck out and hope that others will come up with some suggestions. Also check out Time Out for honest opinions http://www.timeout.com/london/search/?tag_id=4256&date=&cuisine_vis=Chinese&cuisine=1121&area_vis=Chinatown&area=Chinatown&keyword=Keyword+%28optional%29&postcode=&submit=1

Sorry folks, Vancouver's chinatown has all the rest beat. We have a large Asian population with plenty of influence in many areas of greater Vancouver.

Not so much a "chinatown' as we are used to in America (including Vancouver); mostly good (authentic) restaurantsbut really enjoyable for a meal. We enkoy a dim sum lunch, doesnt seem as crowded as it does at night.

I love Chinatown. It's colourful and interesting . There is a great restaurant there that's famous for it's really terrible service . It's so well known that people go there just to witness it, cant remember how its name is spelt but its pronounced wonk eye ( yes really) you walk in and they shout what you want? and just about throw it at you . THE FOOD IS GREAT just think service Basil Fawlty!!!