As the Chinese calendar welcomes in the Year of the Horse, we pick the top places to celebrate in London this weekend.
A. Wong
Presenting a modern take on classic, regionally specific Chinese cooking, expect dishes such as five-spice smoked cod cheeks, or razor clams with sea cucumber, wind-dried sausage and soy butter to
come from the open kitchen. This is Chinese dining that’s as far removed from Chinatown as you can get.
Read our review of A. Wong here
Hutong (pictured right)
It’s more than just the views which are impressive at the highest Chinese restaurant in London. And there are extra treats on top of the menu’s northern Chinese cuisine this weekend: at the end of
the meal, each table will be given a red envelope which will contain a special gift, and in one lucky table’s case, their entire meal will be complimentary.
Read our review of Hutong here
Kai
Visit this two-tiered smart Mayfair haunt for an utterly indulgent way to see in the Year of the Horse. Approaching classical Chinese cuisine through contemporary eyes, expect to find caviar and
truffle with your preserved duck egg, and Dover sole goujons with your curries.
Read our review of Kai here
Min Jiang
Combining beautiful views over Kensington Gardens with well-loved dishes such as Beijing duck, spicy Szechuan and dim sum, Min Jiang is a Chinese New Year hotspot. On top of the kitchen's usual
offerings, they’ve devised two special set menus for the occasion, including the likes of wind-dried oyster with pork and pan-fried nian gao (Chinese New Year cake) with sweet potato and
taro.
Read our review of Min Jiang here
Opium (pictured right)
Set up a discreet flight of stairs in Chinatown, Opium is a Hong Kong-inspired drinking den unlike anywhere else in London. Heady drinks include the dumpling pumpkin made with homemade spiced
pumpkin purée, sage extract and absinthe, and the fiery feather of the phoenix made with chilli, blood orange and Tequila.
Read our review of Opium here
Phoenix Palace
There are always more than 300 dishes to choose from at this grand, traditional Baker Street favourite, but even so, two special menus have been created for the occasion. One features classic New
Year dishes such as raw fish salad and steamed sea bass in ginger; the other is an elaborate dim sum menu including modern takes on Chinese dishes, such as black pepper-marinated honeycomb and
steamed wasabi prawn dumpling.
Read our review of Phoenix Palace here
Yauatcha
Guests at Alan Yau’s sleek and sexy flagship restaurant can enjoy a little extra with their dim sum: every diner will receive red envelopes containing vouchers for fashion and beauty treats, to be
spent at Harvey Nichols. Special desserts are also being created for the occasion, including red mandarin macarons depicting the Chinese character for the Year of the Horse, and red jasmine-honey
petits gateaux in the shape of a traditional Chinese New Year lantern. And don’t miss the special window display that Harvey Nichols has helped to create for the restaurant.
Read our review of Yauatcha here
See more of London’s best Chinese dining options here
See our selection of London's best dim sum here