A Belated Kung Hei Fat Choi (Have a Happy & Prosperous Chinese New Year!)
Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
I love Chinese New Year in London. I love popping to Chinatown and having lunch and spotting the red envelopes being handed out. I love all of the celebration around it and the food.
Xiao Long Bao (or Siu Long Bao) at Leongs Legend - Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Yesterday, I popped down to Chinatown to soak it all up and to have some of my favourite dumplings. Not traditional Chinese New Year food but comfort food of the highest order, (pork) Xiao Long Bao, gorgeous steamed dumplings with pork and soup inside. I like to have them at Taiwanese restaurant Leong’s Legend, they’re the best I have found.
Xiao Long Bao (or Siu Long Bao) at Leongs Legend - Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
They’re tricky to eat as the soup is molten when the dumplings are steaming. Remove them gently from the steamer by their tip using your chopsticks, plonk them (gently!) on the soup spoon before dipping them in the delicious black vinegar and ginger. Then bite the top off, suck the soup out (trying not to burn yourself) and eat the dumpling. And do it 7 more times before leaving happy. Love it.
Some more on my trip to China & Hong Kong in December and also Chinese food this week.
Awesome hat - Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Just missed the dragon! Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Taking a break - Chinatown in London, on Chinese New Year 2012
Comments
Beautiful photos. Love the xiao long bao at Leong’s Legends- nearly as much as I love sturdy northern Chinese dumplings ( though still trying to find great ones in London….)
Have heard mixed reports about Leong’s Legends but that dumpling pic has swung it for a visit. Ps I’m just about to print off your BA recommendations for our trip to Argentina tomorrow! x
What lovely photos. New Year in Soho is always a good time! I hope you had a lot of fun.
I spent the day trying to make Hom Bao, in lieu of going out to soak up the celebrations in China town here. Next year, I will make the buns the day before, and go and get me some photos of my own.
Great looking dumplings. Never been to Chinatown for New Year, not sure why. I’ll have to go next year for sure. GG
The xiao long bao at Leong’s Legends are wonderful things. The ones at Dragon Castle in SE17 are pretty good too.