10 of the Best Asian Restaurants

15th January 2016 | By Fran Hazell

Think Asian cuisine and the first thing you probably think of is sushi. Sushi is definitely a favourite of ours but seeing as 2015 was such a popular year for Vietnamese, Taiwanese and Japanese in London we have put in the ground work and gathered 8 of the best Asian restaurants in London. From swanky to the downright slurpy (ramen: we’re looking at you) there’s an Asian restaurant for you.

Zuma

Swanky sushi

There is no shortage of Japanese restaurants in London frequented by the A-list but we love Zuma. The restaurant is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the mouth; hanging metal shelving and vast pieces of carved rock and far daintier sashimi, often served over ice. As well as sushi and sashimi you’ll find salads, grilled and cold dishes. If it’s good enough for Kim and Kanye…

Where: 5 Raphael Street, Knightsbridge, SW7 1DL
Website: http://www.zumarestaurant.com

Bao

Taiwanese street food

If the queues outside the pale grey building on Soho’s Lexington Street don’t hint at a good thing, then Bao’s reputation as the best bao in London certainly should. The newish spot is a permanent home for the former street food stall which excels in the art of the fluffy white bun. Street stall prices remain, but the menu has expanded; in addition to braised pork and peanut buns are small soy-milk marinated chicken, mayo and kimchi baps and a sweet doughnut batter bao filled with malty Horlicks ice cream. Sweet!

Where: 53 Lexington Street, Soho, W1F 9AS
Website: http://www.baolondon.com

Opium

Opulent dim sum and cocktail parlour

This cocktail and dim sum parlour is one of Chinatown’s best secrets. Once you know of it’s existence the struggle remains until you locate the inconspicuous jade door. Upstairs you’ll stumble upon another world – rows of apothecary jars line the bar and cocktails come in a cloud of smoke. Dim sum comes in single baskets or sharing platters so after watching the mixologists at work at the bar move on to one of the intimate tables – ideal for a date.

Where: The Jade Door, 15-16 Gerrard Street, Chinatown, W1D 6JE
Website: http://www.opiumchinatown.com

Hakkasan

Michelin-starred Cantonese

Forget your greasy takeaway chicken chow mein, Hakkasan is in a different Universe. In addition to dim sum and trademark Peking duck with caviar and grilled Wagyu beef is an award-winning wine list and signature cocktails – it really is the full package. The Hanway Place restaurant was the original, followed by Mayfair and now there are restaurants in cities across the world all delivering an unforgettable dining experience.

Where: 8 Hanway Place, Fitzrovia, W1T 1HD
Website: http://hakkasan.com

House of Ho

Contemporary Vietnamese

2015 was the year of Vietnamese food. With numerous new openings across the city it was hard to dodge a pho. One of our favourites was the flagship House of Ho which brought shaking beef and crab croquettes to a townhouse in Fitzrovia. As fitting for most Asian restaurants, sharing is strongly encouraged and hey, it means you get to try a bit of everything.

Where: 1 Percy Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 1DW
Website: http://www.houseofho.co.uk

Kanada-Ya

Ramen, ramen and... ramen

Kanada-Ya do one thing and they do it well. Ramen is the dish of the day (every day…) served three ways; basically it’s the original, original with beansprouts and original with pork collar – why mess with a good thing? The ramen is made with a secret recipe pork broth simmered for hours on end to extract the creaminess. Add some pork round the edge of the bowl, chuck in some noodles (extra hard, hard, regular or soft), a handful of field mushrooms and sprinkle with spring onions; perfection.

Where: Panton Street and St Giles High Street
Website: https://www.kanada-ya.com

Nozomi

Decadent Japanese

Asian restaurants in London fit into two categories; the no-frills finger-lickingly great food or the starched tableclothed, A-list favourites. Nozomi doesn’t only fit into the latter, it epitomises it. The contemporary Japanese dining room has Rihanna flocking to Knightsbridge whenever she’s in London for her fix of sashimi, nigiri, kenshai and maki. It’s glamorous, it’s indulgent and it’s one for the bucket list.

Where: 13-15 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1NQ, United Kingdom
Website: www.nozomi.co.uk

Kurobuta Chelsea

Japanese small plates and booze

Scott Hallsworth’s Kurobuta has slowly been popping up all over town – next thing we know there are restaurants in Chelsea, Marble Arch and a residency in Harvey Nichols so if you haven’t been yet there’s really no excuse. Raw, grilled or tempura-d, Kurobuta is trendy and tempting in equal measures. Miso grilled baby chicken and tea smoked lamb? We told you it was tempting.

Where: 312 King's Road, London SW3 5UH, United Kingdom
Website: www.kurobuta-london.com

Smoking Goat

Thai barbecue in Soho

Think of Thai and you probably think Pad Thai, Thai Green Curry or, at a push, Thai Red Curry. The Smoking Goat are trying to change all that with other culinary gems from the ‘Land of Smiles’ grilled and smoked to perfection. Snuggled up close and personal to other diners, fill your table with a selection of the small plates on the concise menu; Wood smoked whole lamb shoulder and fish sauce chicken wings are particular standouts. It’s loud, it’s small and you will most likely have to queue but that’s all part of the fun.

Where: 7 Denmark Street, Soho, WC2H 8LZ
Website: http://www.smokinggoatsoho.com

Sexy Fish

Celebrity-Approved Sushi

We couldn’t put a guide like this together without including the most talked about new Asian restaurant (or maybe restaurant full stop) of last year. Schools of celebs flock to Berkeley Square for the prawn tempura and Sexy Fish sushi roll and probably to give their new Louboutins an outing. It’s pricey but you’ll be treated like royalty so definitely won’t forget the experience any time soon.

Where: Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1J 6BR
Website: http://www.sexyfish.com

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