Where to Find Chinatowns in the UK
Chinatowns can be found everywhere in the world and the UK is no exception. The UK has quite a few Chinatowns around its various cities and it is a known fact that they grab the attention of many tourists and the attention of Chinese and international students living in the UK.
1. London Chinatown
It is the largest Chinatown in the UK. It is located on Gerrard Street with Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus just a few minutes away. It was established in 1950 and still remains a diverse Asian hub with all types of Asian restaurants you could think of. Limehouse Chinatown was the first Chinatown of London from 1860 to 1950 and then the current Chinatown emerged.
If you are ever near London Chinatown and wish to grab a quick drink, try YiFang Cafe. A Taiwanese cafe with the most delicious tea ever, their bubble teas are to die for. The tea is sweet with a great texture and a subtle taste of caramel. Dumplings’ Legend is another good place to try. They serve amazing soup dumplings prepared from scratch with natural ingredients.
2. Liverpool Chinatown
Liverpool has the oldest Chinatown in the history of the United Kingdom as it was established in the 1890s and relocated to its current position after World War II. A must-see event in Liverpool Chinatown is the Chinese New Year celebration, the dragon dance, the firework display, the food stalls, and the children and family activities and rides. This celebration offers the best experience of a Chinatown you could ever wish to have. The restaurants inside the town are also top-notch. Yuet Ben Restaurant is a very old restaurant that maintained its quality until now. They have the best Wonton Soup and their beef dishes are mouthwatering.
For more information about the Chinese New Year celebrations, check out our Happy Chinese New Year blog article.
3. Birmingham Chinatown
Also known as the Chinese quarter, Birmingham Chinatown covers three streets in the city, Hurst Street, Ladywell Walk, Pershore Street. Birmingham is considered a small one. It is generally a diverse area with restaurants and entertainment venues from various Asian cultures. If you wish to visit the town try some of the unique choices inside, try the Japanese cuisine at Miyako Teppanyaki where you will find the best iron plate Teppanyaki ever and maybe check Ten-Ichi for a quick lunch box.
In the same area, There is the Back to Backs Museum, although it is not a part of Chinatown, it is a part of the national trust. They offer tours to check old buildings and how they looked like in the 19th century. They also have a souvenirs store to buy your family some.
4. Manchester Chinatown
It is located between Mosley and Portland Streets, a town of colour and flavour. It is the second-largest Chinatown in the UK. The entrance has an impressive Archway that was a gift from China to recognize the place. As a visitor, you must take a picture with the archway and maybe have some lunch at famous restaurants like Little Yang Sing. Their lunch menu is affordable to students and they have mouthwatering duck dishes that you will fall in love with!
Which Chinatowns have you been to? Which one is your favourite? Share your experience with us.