The Chinese new year starts on the 28th January and it will be the Year of the Rooster. The parade in London will take place on the 29th January

Go to Timeout for details

With all this in mind thought it would be good to tell you all about my favourite Chinese haunts in London.

My Old Place 88-90 Middlesex St, London E1 7EZ

Deep fried aubergine with chilli and garlic and raw spicy potato (above)

Great restaurant serving large portions of authentic Szechuan cuisine at bargain prices. Massive menu, quick service and a great option for large groups. You can book in person for larger groups, pop to the pub (The Bell is always my choice) and come back, otherwise you may be waiting a little bit. Can generally squeeze in smaller groups pretty quickly.

Fu Manchu 15-16 Lendal Terrace, London SW4 7UX

Clapham’s late night Dim Sum bar, Fu Manchu, has created a spicy rooster cocktail exclusively for Chinese New Year.

From the spicy Lin Tang’s Szechauan Sling to the floral and delicate Lady Jasmine, Fu Manchu’s cocktail concoctions take direct inspiration from the flavours of the Far East. Especially for Chinese New Year, head bartender Paulo Ferreira has created – ‘The Year Of The Rooster’ (above) – using fiery chilli infused vodka as a nod to the weaving Chinese dragons on the streets of New Year parades. To honour the year of the rooster the red chilli vodka has been used to create this vibrant, and rooster red, cocktail.

As well as the dim sum menu all week they also do Bottomless Brunch 12-4 on Saturdays and All you can eat dim sum Sundays for £19.50PP

Royal China Baker Street 24-26 Baker Street London W1U 3BZ

Head here to the flagship Royal China Restaurant for a refined Chinese experience with lots of exquisite banquet and a la carte options available. Click here for menu.

Traditional Chinese New Year Feast in a Sharing Pot for £98pp. A luxurious family feast designed for sharing. Various seafood, meat, abalone and vegetables are prepared in layers and slow cooked in a clay pot, resulting in an interesting mixture of various flavour. A meal on its own.

Suckling pig, Wild Scottish Lobster, Canadian Crab, Wagyu and Whole Abalone also all available too- what a treat.

Shuang Shuang 64 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6LU

This hot pot restaurant is great fun! With a sushi style conveyor belt full of amazing ingredients you can really go to town on your bespoke soup cooked in your own hot pot.

Order the crispy pigs ears- they are amazing!

 

Too Too Moo Moo 12 Crouch End Hill, Crouch End, N8 8AA

Pan Asian Restaurant group  in North London with the flagship being in Crouch End. I really love this restaurant and the top quality, effortless service we received from all we met. On arrival we felt instantly welcome and were totally looked after until our departure.

 

Finally I cant talk about Chinese New Year in London without mentioning Gong in the Shard.

Gong The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU, UK

The cocktails here are simply divine and really very special. Minimum £30 spend but you pay a similar amount to go up to the viewing platform and here on the 52nd floor the view is as spectacular and you can appreciate it with an amazing cocktail.