Looking for a dessert spot after a delicious meal in London’s Chinatown? You’e come to the right place! While better known for its dim sum, hot pot and various restaurants, London's Chinatown has a lot to offer in the dessert department, and is a paradise for any sweet tooth. Chinatown is a breadbasket of delectable sweets and treats, and a melting pot of asian culture right in the heart of London. With all the available treats, it's bound to be overwhelming. So we're here to give the breakdown.
1. Bubble Wrap
24 Wardour St, London W1D 6QJ, United Kingdom
Waffles and Ice Cream a good combo! Who would have thought. Although the Belgians may have perfected the waffle, the shops in Chinatown have elevated the pastry to the next level. Straying away from the classic lattice pattern, Bubble Wrap, as the name suggests, opt for circular air pockets to give the snack a unique and fresh texture. However, ingenuity does not stop there. The waffle is then rolled and serves as the cone to your favorite ice cream flavor. Finished off with all the toppings in the world, the final product is a delectable treat worthy of your instagram story and a diabetes test.
2. Taiyaki
As you walk through Chinatown, keep your eyes peeled towards the shop windows. If you're lucky you just might see a pastry machine, or better yet a baker making Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a quintessential Japanese street food, which can be easily identified by its fish shape. These pastries are delicious and house various sweet fillings, such as sweet red bean paste, custard, and Nutella. Of course, like most desserts on this list, you can always add more sugar and get more crazy, using these fish pastries as ice cream cones.
3. Meet Fresh
100 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5EE, United Kingdom
Looking for something refreshing? What about something sweet with potatoes? What about both! Try Meet Fresh, the Taiwanese Dessertery that can whip up an icy dish worthy of any hot summer day. Their catalog includes massive towers of shaved ice, squishy tofu puddings, and all the taro and jelly you could dream of. If that’s not enough for you, they also have extravagant boba offerings, with the choice of all the toppings in the world. So start jamming and yamming your way over to Meet Fresh.
7-9 Newport Pl, London WC2H 7JR, United Kingdom
Walking through the streets of Chinatown, the aroma that drifts into your innocent nostrils is unmatched. The peking duck hanging in restaurant windows, the fresh dumplings steaming in the kitchen, the London sewer. However, the best whiff of all has to be the smell of freshly baked pastries in Chinatown Bakery. Walking into the bakery is like walking into heaven. Rows upon rows of baked goods: egg tarts, moon cakes, sweet buns, and sponge cake. Each delicate pastry is made fresh daily, and is delectable in every account. There truly is nothing like it. The baked goods are so popular that there are two locations in Chinatown alone. Whether it's for breakfast, dessert, or maybe just an afternoon snack, be sure to check out the Chinatown Bakery.
5. Mamasons
32 Newport Ct, London WC2H 7PQ, United Kingdom
Welcome to London’s first Filipino Ice Cream Parlor, or should I call it Paradise. Mamasons makes sure to cover all the bases in the dessert department, serving pastries, ice cream, and drinks all in one place. Mamasons ice cream flavors are unique and scrumptious. There’s matcha, avocado ube, milo, and black buko. Don’t know what those last ones are? Go to mamasons to find out. Their specialty dish and showstopper has to be the Bilog, which can only be described as an ice cream sandwich on crack. Picture any of the aforementioned ice cream flavors smashed between a fried donut-like pastry. Yum! So if you are ready to get down and dirty with some dirty-ice cream, swing by Mamasons!
Honorable Mention: All the Freakin Boba
If you haven’t heard of boba what are you doing? Boba has joined the cultural zeitgeist in the past decade becoming everyone and their asian auntie’s favorite drink. Originating in Taiwan, Boba is prevalent in Chinatown; with upwards of fifteen shops, there is no shortage of different spins on this delicious drink. Whether you are craving a classic brown sugar milk tea, or boba topped with cheese foam, Chinatown has it. The boba scene may be overwhelming, but don’t worry, stay tuned for our guide to find the best tapioca in town.