As the Chinese New Year approaches next week and we get ready for The Year of the Snake, Chinatown is gearing up for a weekend of celebrations. The annual Chinese New Year parade will take place on Sunday 2nd February, starting from East of Trafalgar Square to Chinatown. Ahead of the parade, there are expected to be lion dance performances throughout Chinatown on Saturday 1st February to excite and entertain visitors in celebration of the festivities.
Of course Chinatown's restaurants will be celebrating with a host of feast menus and celebratory dishes, each with their own traditional symbolism over the festive period, as well as limited edition ‘Year of the Snake’ food & drink creations. Make sure to book a table early as it's going to be a busy weekend; one of our all time favourites is Golden Phoenix, a stalwart of Gerrard Street since the 1990s. One of the biggest restaurants in Chinatown, it's always a popular spot and for good reason; they serve up a fantastic menu of classics, over 60 dim sum dishes (with dumpling traditionallly eaten on the eve of New Year) and of course the Chinese New Year specials, like its spectacular whole steamed seabass with ginger and spring onions. Representing a whole and healthy family, the fish should be served with its head facing towards distinguished guests. Its special New Year menu is available now until 9th February.
We popped in recently to try some of the classics and they didn't disappoint. We started with juicy sesame prawn toast and some of its brilliant dim sum menu; we loved the unique stir fried turnip cakes and ham with dry shrimp in XO sauce and prawn dumplings with spinach and green tea, not to mention their fantastic cheung fun. You can't beat a classic Cantonese Sweet & Sour Chicken; call us basic but theirs is particularly juicy and utterly delicious. The Singapore Noodles are fantastic, as is the dangerously delicious crispy squid. There was in fact not a bite we disliked. It's always nice to share a spread and take the leftovers home for lunch - even nicer when you get to enjoy a fantastic meal for the second time. Wit so many great dishes on the menu, you'll want a return visit - and be sure to try the frog's legs if you're feeling brave.
www.goldenphoenixchinatown.co.uk
37-38 Gerrard Street
London
W1D 5QB
