The best Asian restaurants in London, England no matter what you’re in the mood for

London is brimming with great restaurants that keep us coming back time and time again. From exquisite afternoon teas to romantic spots, there’s something for everyone and every occasion. And if it’s an Asian feast you’re looking for, then you’re in the right place. We’ve already shared the best Chinese restaurants in London, and the best Asian restaurants in London serve up a sizzling array of spicy skewers, fluffy baos, fragrant curries, and freshly pulled noodles – all sure to whet that appetite. While the continent may be a long-haul flight, you needn’t travel far to get your fix of culinary delights.

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The best Asian restaurants in London, England

1. SOOM | Covent Garden

Cuisine: Korean BBQ
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Group dinners & Korean BBQ
Standout features: Premium tabletop grills, stylish interiors, handmade kimchi, large sharing platters
Address: 99 St Martin’s Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4AZ

As K-culture explodes across the nation, we’re delighted that Korea’s food scene has seen a major glow-up in London, specifically from the BBQ stance. SOOM comes from the team behind 3KOBROS, led by Korean chefs fanning only the most authentic flavours. Fill the table with premium cuts of meat (platters are available), then add all your favourite Korean staples, ours being their scratch-made each day Mandu Guk, juicy Tteokbokki, and seafood-packed Haemul Pajeon pancakes. Kimchi lovers, you’re in fermented heaven; the slides have it all. Basically, generous portions, a chic space for gatherings, and warm Asian hospitality make this our number one Korean restaurant in London town.

Find out more about SOOM

2. Dream Xi’An | Tower Hill

Cuisine: Northern Chinese / Xi’an
Price: $–$$
Best for: Hand-pulled noodle lovers
Standout features: Authentic Biang Biang noodles, spicy cumin buns, pot sticker dumplings
Address: 117 Mansell Street, Tower Hill, London E1 8AN

Chef Guirong Wei’s Dream Xi’an is the best place to taste the cuisine of Xi’an, Northern China, specifically the physically demanding ‘Biang Biang’ noodles. These hand-pulled bowls are full of silky bounce and jam-packed with flavour, whether you go down the veggie, beef, pork, or combination route.

Guirong handpicks the very best chillies herself for that linger-on-your-tongue finish. And noodles aside, you’ll want to save room for tasty street food plates such as the spicy cumin beef bun and the pan-fried chicken and mushroom pot sticker dumplings. 

The restaurant also features in our list of the best Chinese restaurants in London.

Find out more about Dream Xi’An

3. MyKopitiam | Canning Town

Cuisine: Malaysian
Price: $
Best for: Chinese-Malaysian classics
Standout features: Satay Tofu Puffs, Nasi Lemaks, Hainanese Chicken, Snow Ice desserts
Address: 4 Minnie Baldock Street, London E16 1YE

It’s not often you see Canning Town on a ‘best eats’ list, but that’s surely set to change now that MyKopitiam has landed. This Malaysian kopitiam is all about relaxed dining and comforting classics, and it’s our pick for a real slice of KL. Authentic KL.

We came for the hearty Hainanese Chicken served with a deliciously fragrant rice and brothy soup, and as we were sharing, did so alongside a plate with a kick – the Berempah Pork Nasi Lemak, whose fried anchovies were rather addictive! If you’re feeling noodles, their Wonton bowl will do the trick, swimming with juicy handmade pork and shrimp wonton parcels, and fans of coconut broths will also delight in the variety of curry noodle soups on the menu. 

For sweets, there’s a choice of two, including a refreshing Mango Sago…but for us, it’s the Snow Ice (Milo or Biscoff) that’s worthy of standalone Chinatown-Dessert-Alley-status. Really, the icing on the meal, and an independent Asian business we’re back to support again and again.

Find out more about MyKopitiam

4. Hotori | Holborn

Cuisine: Japanese yakitori & Edomae sushi
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Exceptional yakitori and intimate counter dining
Standout features: Binchotan charcoal grill, beak-to-tail chicken tasting menu
Address: 1 New Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1AN

One of London’s most exciting Japanese openings in recent years, Hotori brings the precision of Tokyo’s yakitori bars to the city. This intimate Holborn eatery centres around a glowing binchotan charcoal grill, where skewers of meticulously sourced British chicken are cooked with remarkable restraint and care. The menu embraces a true beak-to-tail philosophy, showcasing different cuts alongside beautifully executed Edomae sushi from a Tokyo-trained chef, making it as much a lesson in craftsmanship as it is dinner.

We loved the Hotori set, comprising six yakitori cuts, including wing, double thigh, Parson’s nose, meatball, and chicken oyster. Speaking of oysters, the Kaki fry (fried breaded oysters) are a must, too, dipped delightfully in tonkatsu and tartre sauce. Side the table with their brothy Saboro-don, and maybe even a Tuna Volcano Roll or Nigiri set. To finish, mochi or matcha ice creams seal the deal. Sake pairings are also highly recommended, though the drinks menu also spans spirits, wines and beers if you prefer. 

Find out more about Hotori

5. Khao So-i | Fitzrovia

Cuisine: Northern Thai
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Thai comfort food
Standout features: Khao soi noodles, Thai cheesecake
Address: 9-10 Market Place, Fitzrovia, London W1W 8AQ

In 2025, Chiang Mai’s cult-favourite noodle bar, Khao-Sō-i, opened its first international outpost in London’s Fitzrovia, and just like that, London landed its new best Thai. Founded by Chef Win Srinavakool and Por Haruethai Noicharoen, the husband-and-wife duo takes cherished family recipes and street-food classics and spins them on our table. We absolutely loved Tum Khanun, a young jackfruit salad, and the northern Thai sausage with a kick, before moving on to the main event – the Khao Soi, of which there are many variations on the menu. Everything from the trusted chicken and pork cheek to the luxe wagyu and langoustine. End on a sweet note with the light and creamy Cha Thai Cheesecake, drizzled with heavenly homemade coconut milk. Probably the best cheesecake we’ve ever had!

Find out more about Kaho So-i

6. Belly | Kentish Town

For some of the best and certainly most creative Filipino cuisine we’ve had, fill your Belly…at Belly. The independent Kentish Town bistro ensures every plate is packed with unforgettable flavour, and seriously, you won’t want to waste a drop of any sauce. Our standout licks were the Trout Kinilaw, a Fili ceviche-style seafood dish marinated in juicy citruses and coconut milk; the Kare Kare pumpkin peanut stew crumbling with almonds; and the Australian wagyu, selected from the board of specials with a jus ideal for soaking up fragrant jasmine rice to spoonful. For dessert, it’s gotta be the whiskey-drizzled purple Ube Tiramisu, or the avocado ice cream with caviar (that’s right, caviar!). In a city that’s light on Filipino restaurants, Belly more than makes up for the disparity.

Find out more about Belly

7. Cho Asia | Putney

Cuisine: Pan-Asian
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Date nights & modern Asian dining
Standout features: MasterChef-created menu, creative mocktails, truffle bing bread
Address: 10 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, London SW15 2RX

The brainchild of MasterChef: The Professionals alumni, Chef Parminder Singh, Cho Asia is a cosy spot that offers dishes from across the Asian continent. You’re in excellent hands here, with every single menu choice an authentic flavour sensation with a modern twist.

Last time we visited, we indulged in a range of small plates for starters, including deep-fried softshell crab with wasabi mayo, prawn har gow, and perfectly pan-fried scallops with saffron cauliflower. For mains, sambal prawns with Hakka noodles were enjoyed with the surprising star of the show: truffle bing bread. Of course, we had to end with the coconut jaggery rice pudding, topped with pistachios and finished with just the right amount of cardamom.

The wine list takes in both old and new world inclusions, with some interesting drops, but it was the mocktails that we enjoyed the most, each blending unique Asian ingredients, like chaat masala and boba pearls, for a refreshing accompaniment to this flavourful experience.

Find out more about Cho Asia

8. Singapulah | Shaftesbury Avenue

Cuisine: Singaporean
Price: $$
Best for: Casual comfort food
Standout features: Hokkien mee, kaya toast desserts, affordable tiffin lunch sets
Address: 5–6 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EJ

Join the line on Shaftesbury Avenue, where Ellen Chew’s Singapulah, London’s hottest 2024 opening, resides. Her menu harnesses the multicultural melting pot of flavours found in the little red dot, and you’ll delight in the likes of Hokkien Mee (the real Singapore noodles), Singapore Loaded Rojak, Ang Kar prawn noodle soup, and the sweet spot, Kaya ice cream toast made with Creamier’s pandan coconut ice cream and buttered toast soldiers. A special Tiffin set lunch menu is also available weekdays from 12 – 4 pm for just £15.95 if you’re strapped for time…and waistband elasticity!

Find out more about Singapore

9. Da Long Yi | Soho

Cuisine: Sichuan Hot Pot
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Interactive group meals
Standout features: Customisable hot pot broths, extensive dipping station, authentic Chengdu-style hot pot
Address: 46 Gerrard Street, Soho, London W1D 5QJ

Hot pot fans will love a visit to Da Long Yi. This beloved chain out of Chengdu has over 300 locations worldwide, so it’s fair to say that they know a thing or two about hot pot. Scroll through the tablet menu, and you’ll find a plethora of fresh and seasonal goodies to choose from.

Start with choosing your broth (they even have vegan options!), then select your proteins (we’re fans of the tofu and the fishballs), before bulking out your meal with loads of vegetables, like mushrooms, a range of greens, and potatoes. Add in some ramen, fresh noodles, or dumplings, and you’ll be in hot pot heaven. And don’t forget a trip to the condiment station, where you can fill up on tasty dips like sesame sauce and a selection of spices.

Read more about Da Long Yi

10. Kokum | East Dulwich

Cuisine: Modern Indian
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Refined Indian dining
Standout features: Excellent seafood dishes, Indian wines, Indian Sunday roast menu
Address: 42 North Cross Road, East Dulwich, London SE22 9EU

Just off the beaten path in trendy East Dulwich sits Kokum, the vision of Sanjay Gour and Simeron Lily Patel. Here, modern Indian dishes pack a powerful punch, and we’d venture to say that you can’t go wrong with ordering anything from the menu.

As superfans of this welcoming spot, we’d recommend starting off with the Pani Puri and the Amritsari Fish before tucking into the creamy Malvani Fish and the lemongrass-infused, Makrut Lime Prawn. Meat eaters may wish to indulge in offerings from the grill such as Lamb Chops or Chicken Tikka, too.

The wine selection is excellent, and we always like tasting the Indian varieties that they offer to accompany the meal. Keep an eye out for their superclubs, and, on the weekend, the Indian Sunday Roast menu features dishes like Tandoori Roast Chicken and Roast Kingfish Steak for an Indian twist on a British classic.

Learn more about Kokum

11. Tayyabs | Whitechapel

Cuisine: Punjabi / Pakistani
Price: $$
Best for: Legendary curry house experience
Standout features: Famous lamb chops, lively atmosphere, long-standing London institution
Address: 83–89 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London E1 1JU

It’s hard to believe, but Whitechapel stalwart Tayyabs has been serving up hungry locals with exquisite Punjabi cuisine since the 70s. Be sure to book ahead to avoid long queues that are known to wrap around the block, especially on weekends.

Our favourites are the Dhal Baingun and the Karahi Fish, but the restaurant is renowned for its succulent lamb chops. Work groups, lovers, families, and friends will all quickly fall in love with this institution.

The restaurant also features in our guide to the great London restaurants that we keep going back to.

Find out more about Tayyabs

12. Kawan by Uncle Roger | Chinatown

Cuisine: Pan-Asian / Malaysian
Price: $$
Best for: Sharing with a group, Uncle Roger fans, creativity
Standout features: Signature fried rice, Chinese Wellington, Hainanese Chicken Chop
Address: 12 Macclesfield Street, London W1D 5BP

YouTube’s most famous fried rice critic has put his money where his mouth is. Kawan by Uncle Roger is the first UK restaurant from Malaysian comic Nigel Ng, the man behind Uncle Roger, and it arrives in Chinatown with plenty of personality. Expect creative dishes, a buzzing atmosphere and plenty of references for devoted ‘nieces and nephews’.

Rather than sticking rigidly to one cuisine, Kawan embraces a broad pan-Asian approach filtered through a distinctly London lens. The menu jumps from Curry Cloud Toast and brothy curry seafood pots to the tongue-in-cheek Chinese Wellington…but our fave is the Hainanese Chicken Chop; a crispy chicken deep-fried and packed with flavour, sided West-style with golden potato wedges and ‘slaw. Additional table items we recommend are the Ex-Wife Noodles, served in a Sa Cha soup you’ll want to soak up with a bread roll, and of course, the XO-spiked Chinatown Fried Rice. Finish with the Sizzling Blue Milo dumplings and prepare for the only acceptable response: ‘Fuiyoooh!’

Find out more about Kawan by Uncle Roger

13. Mukbap | Shoreditch

Cuisine: Vegan Korean
Price: $–$$
Best for: Vegan-friendly dining
Standout features: Fully vegan Korean menu, kimchi pancakes, Korean fried “chicken”
Address: 180 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, London E1 6SA

This vegan Korean cafe in Shoreditch is walk-in only and never fails to disappoint. The flavours here are legit, and the fact that they achieve it all with completely animal-free ingredients makes us even more impressed!

We usually order Jap Chae, sweet potato noodles with mixed vegetables; Kimchi Jeon, kimchi pancakes; and Kim Bap, rice and vegetable roll with a side of cucumber kimchi. Though we’ve yet to try it, word is that they’ve recently released a veganised Korean Fried Chicken that tastes amazing.

Find out more about Mukbap

14. Fatt Pundit | Soho

Cuisine: Indo-Chinese / Hakka
Price: $$
Best for: Fun dinners with friends
Standout features: Kolkata-style Hakka dishes, momos, chilli venison, sizzling brownie dessert
Address: 77 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F 8TH

With a long line of Hakka-Chinese generations in Kolkata (including mine!), the bold flavours of the region are deliciously served at Fatt Pundit. Founded by Mumbai-born brothers Huzefa and Hamza Sajawal, the restaurant blends Chinese techniques with Indian spice. Our favourites include the Shredded Chilly Venison served with a fluffy Mantou bun, and the Manchurian Chicken’s sauce was too good to leave behind. Of course, Momos are a must for the table (tip: do the kid goat), and another must is to end with a sizzling brownie melting with snowflake gelato. Do not share it! Fatt Punditt now has two locations, one in Soho and one in Covent Garden.

Find out more about Fatt Pundit

But wait, there’s more…

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