Beijing Dumpling Chinatown is a busy Chinese restaurant at 23 Lisle Street, a short walk from Leicester Square. Chefs shape dumplings by hand in the front window, giving passersby a clear view of the preparation and establishing the speciality before they enter the compact dining room.
Jiaozi are prepared fresh with fillings such as pork and chive, seafood, spicy chicken and vegetables. They can be steamed, served in soup or pan fried for a crisp base, allowing diners to compare the texture of the wrappers and fillings through several traditional cooking methods.
Xiao long bao hold hot savoury broth inside delicate dough, with pork, chicken and crab variations providing different levels of richness. Dim sum, spring rolls, wontons and other small dishes make it easy to build a shared meal around the dumplings rather than treating them as a single starter.
Dan dan noodles, mapo tofu, spicy pork, fried rice, seafood and vegetable dishes broaden the menu into a complete Chinese meal. Hot pot offers another communal option for hungry groups, while tea, beer, wine and soft drinks accompany both quick lunches and longer evening visits.
Address: 23 Lisle Street, Chinatown, London WC2H 7BA, United Kingdom