Food / 2 March, 2026 / Ellie Thompson

Date Night In Chinatown: San Hao London Is Our New Favourite Spot

If your idea of romance includes hand-pulled noodles, crispy dumplings and something a little bit unexpected, then San Hao London, just right around the corner from Leicester Square, should be bang on your radar.

Newly opened on Gerrard Street in Chinatown, San Hao feels like the kind of place you stumble into for “just noodles” and leave planning your next visit. It is the first collaboration between renowned chef Daren Liew, formerly of Hakkasan and Duddells, and the team behind YiQi, The Eight and Dozo. In other words, you are in very good hands.

San Hao Noodle Atelier

The menu takes traditional Chinese noodle craftsmanship and gives it a confident London twist, using exceptional British produce sourced locally and sustainably. The result is comfort food that feels thoughtful, refined and genuinely exciting.

Start with the mixed dumplings. These golden fried delicacies are crisp on the outside, juicy inside, and almost impossible to share. The Spicy Ma La Sardines bring heat and crunch in equal measure, while the San Hao Fennel Pork Belly is smoky, fragrant and deeply satisfying.

Then come the noodles. The Beijing Zha Jiang Mein, with black pepper foie gras and braised pork, is indulgent without feeling heavy. The Golden Roe Chilli Crab is a standout for date night, spicy-sweet with bursts of roe folded through dry tossed noodles. And the Wagyu Dan Dan was completely delicious, and guaranteed to impress.

For something playful, the New-Age “Cappuccino” Chicken Noodles offer a surprising twist that feels fun rather than gimmicky.

Dessert is simple but smart. The Hojicha Crumble is warm and comforting, while the Milk Oolong Caramel Egg is silky and delicate, a lovely way to round things off.

San Hao is in the heart of Chinatown and it’s super easy to get to. The space itself is warm and inviting, buzzing without being overwhelming. It feels lively but intimate enough for conversation. No reservations are taken, so arrive early or be prepared for a short wait, but the turnover is smooth. Can’t recommend highly enough!

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At around £50–60 for two, it feels like a date night that delivers real flavour without requiring a special occasion. Just you, your partner and a bowl of very good noodles. San Hao might just become your new go-to.

Address: 3 Gerrard Street, London W1D 5PD
Instagram: @sanhao.ldn

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