Embroiled in history dating back to the 16th century, Taiwanese cuisine was born with the aboriginal people of the islands of Taiwan. From there, its development into the modern day has been influenced by Hakka, Japanese and American cuisine to name a few. Food from across this region is now hugely popular globally, with places dedicated to bubble tea and Taiwanese fried chicken taking the culinary scene around the world by storm.
Taiwanese restaurants in the UK's capital city are no exception, with many serving the most delicious sticky rice dumplings, beef noodle soup and Asian-inspired cocktails. With everything from secret restaurants tucked away in Chinatown to cult favourites serving up the best bao buns in the big smoke, here is the best Taiwanese food at London restaurants.
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London's Best Taiwanese Restaurants
BAO
Originally popping up as a food truck at East London's Netil Market, BAO has cemented itself as an iconic restaurant across its six sites: Borough, Soho, King's Cross, Shoreditch, Battersea and Marylebone. Their Taiwanese restaurant in Soho on Lexington Street has been awarded Michelin Bib Gourmand for eight years running, so it really is that good.
Their menu is packed with Taiwanese favourites, including crispy noodle chips and their popular pig blood cake with soy-cured egg. The bao fillings are also sensational - think beef short rib, fried chicken and fried Horlicks ice cream (dribbling yet?). Better yet, their Shoreditch, Battersea and Borough sites offer Karaoke for two hours, with off-peak prices starting at just ÂŁ69.
Cult Taiwanese restaurant chain, BAO London, have six sites under their belt across the city.
Daddy Bao
Tooting's Daddy Bao is the second site by the founder of Peckham's Mr Bao, and it's a good'un. As the name suggests, there's a whole host of bao buns on offer, with fillings such as beef brisket, shitake mushroom and drunken prawn. They've also got some sensational sips from their limited cocktail menu - their lychee daiquiri is a fab one for a hot summer's day.
They work with London-based suppliers, such as Bloody Ben's Gin in Balham and Flock & Herd butchers, to champion other small businesses around the city. And not to worry if you don't want to commute to South West London, they've got two other sites at both Westfield shopping centres (White City and Stratford) for you to venture into for a post-retail therapy munch.
This Taiwanese restaurant in Tooting is one of the best in London.
Leong's Legend
This (very) hidden Taiwanese gem in Central London is tucked away behind a locked door in the heart of Chinatown. If you find it, you'll have to knock on an unassuming door to be granted entry into Leong's Legend.
Once you enter, you'll be met with a menu filled to the brim with Taiwanese delicacies like oyster omelettes, beef noodle souple and chilli crab. The Taiwanese pork buns are the star of the show though, dripping with slow-cooked pork belly with a sprinkling of crunchy peanuts (trust us, it's insane). They even offer up bottomless dim sum, which is an absolute must-try.
This Taiwanese restaurant in London’s Chinatown is hidden behind a secret door.
Din Tai Fung
With more than 160 restaurants worldwide, Din Tai Fung has taken the London Taiwanese dining scene by storm. Opening up its Covent Garden site in 2019, this amazing venue was the brand's first with its own cocktail bar - making for a good excuse to try the tipples on the menu. Their summer drinks (named Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo and Taipei) are fuelled with the best vodkas, gins and rums on the menu (and also make for a delicious refresher).
The food is also sensational, but the stand-out dish is their world-famous xiao long bao soup dumplings stuffed with succulent minced pork. And if you can't get enough (we don't blame you), then there's a sweet version for you to gobble down for dessert.
Din Tai Fung London will leave you wanting more.
Good Friend
The night markets of Taiwan are known to be the best places to get fried chicken, but did you know you can also get it in London? Good Friend on Little Newport Street is a Taiwanese hotspot that will turn into your go-to fried chicken spot.
Everything is ordered fresh (so forget Maccies chicken nugs), and they even cook it in an oven that's been shipped all the way from Taiwan. The popcorn chicken is an absolute favourite, alongside the crispy squid and chicken skin.
This fried chicken shop matches Taiwan’s night markets.
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