Six delicious dim sum dishes you must try in Chinatown London

Have some dim sum fun this Bank Holiday weekend!

Got brunch on the brain this Bank Holiday Weekend? Perfectly packaged parcels of joy, enjoyed up until 4pm, with a pot of tea, and BFFS. These bite-sized dishes are a must-eat whether you fancy a light lunch or cheeky slap-up banquet with friends. So, wrap your taste buds around these dim sum dishes at Chinatown’s finest dim sum eateries.

King Prawn Cheung Fun @ Plum Valley

Soft, slender, rice noodle rolls, cheung fun are a Cantonese classic. Their glossy white exterior of layer upon layer of rice-flour sheets houses some unforgettable fillings. Gently steamed to perfection, they’re a dim sum staple. At Plum Valley, their cheung fun has its very own section on the menu including roast pork and crispy grilled eel. If you can’t choose, you can’t go wrong with their moist and tender King Prawn Cheung Fun.

Plum Valley, 20 Gerrard St, London, W1D 6JQ

Xiaolongbao @ Dumplings’ Legend

Like the name suggests, Dumplings’ Legend are masters of the legendary dumpling. Star of the show is their xiaolongbao. These are the infamous soup dumplings that have taken the Capital by storm – thin, translucent skins that protectively envelop a meaty middle and steaming hot broth. They come in all manner of flavours from fresh crab roe to chicken and pork. Sip and slurp!

Dumplings’ Legend, 15-16 Gerrard St, London, W1D 6JE

Steamed Barbecue Pork Bun @ Haozhan

How do you like your buns? There’s no denying big and bouncy is best! Forget wafer-thin outer, we’re talking dense-yet-squidgy doughy buns that cocoon rich, meaty interiors. Haozhan’s steamed barbecue buns are something to behold – curvaceous cloud-like outer shells with melt-in-the-mouth pulled pork inside in an unbelievably good sticky-sweet sauce.

Haozhan, 8 Gerrard St, London, W1D 5PJ

Fried Turnip Cakes with XO Sauce @ Wan Chai Corner

Cast aside images of bamboo steamers and introduce another kind of dim sum – fried turnip cakes. Made from shredded Chinese radish (not turnip, confusingly!), it’s combined with rice flour and vegetables, like mushrooms and onion, and flattened out in a large dish. Slices are flash-fried and served. At Wan Chai Corner, turnip cake comes with power-punching XO seafood sauce.

Wan Chai Corner, 3 Gerrard St, London, W1D 5PD

Chicken Claws Marinated in Wine @ Lotus Garden

A dish that’s quintessentially Chinese – and while it sounds like an acquired taste, it’s totally worth taking the culinary plunge here. You’ll find chicken claws on any dim sum menu worth its salt in Hong Kong, and you’ll find them at Lotus Garden in Chinatown too. Marinated in wine and lovingly steamed until the meat and skin are soft, their plump chicken feet invite you to nibble and gnaw. Be brave and you’ll be rewarded, trust us!

Lotus Garden, 15A Gerrard St, London, W1D 6JD

Deep Fried Custard Buns @ Orient London

Did you know dim sum isn’t just savoury? Most dim sum menus will have dainty dessert dishes too. At Orient London, their Deep Fried Custard Buns sure hit the sweet spot. Perfectly spherical, these golden balls encase a molten dollop of creamy custard. They’re an irresistible way to round off your dim sum banquet.

Orient London, 15 Wardour St, London, W1D 6PH

If you’ve found #foodspiration for brunch in Chinatown London this weekend, tag @chinatownlondon in your delicious dim sum snaps for a chance to feature on our Insta-feed!