A titan of Chinese gastronomy has made its way to London, as Song He Lou, one of China's oldest and most esteemed restaurants, opens its first international branch in the heart of London's Chinatown.
Founded 268 years ago in the picturesque city of Suzhou, Song He Lou has since grown to more than 200 locations across China. Now, it's bringing the rich heritage of Jiangnan cuisine to the UK for the very first time.
Long celebrated as a destination for food lovers, London's Chinatown is no stranger to culinary excellence. But the arrival of Song He Lou marks a new chapter. The restaurant is renowned for its Suzhou-style noodles, a centuries-old recipe, and its show-stopping sweet-and-sour squirrel-shaped bass – a dish that is as visually dazzling as it is delicious.
"We try to keep everything as original and authentic as possible," said Xiaoyu Zhou, CEO of Song He Lou London. "All of the dishes are directly replicated from our head office in China, and we have a chef from there stationed in London to ensure the consistency and quality remain unchanged."
The branch will bring a much-loved cuisine to London's bustling Chinatown. /CGTN
This commitment to authenticity is more than a nod to tradition—it's a central part of the brand's identity. Since its acquisition by Fosun International Limited in 2018, Song He Lou has experienced rapid growth within China.
The launch in London, its first outside of Asia, signals growing confidence in the UK market's appetite for true regional Chinese cuisine.
Ellen Chew, a veteran London restaurateur, has witnessed the evolution first-hand. "I've been here for 20 years, and in the last five years especially, there's been a surge in genuinely authentic restaurants. It's no longer just dim sum and roast meats – you're seeing a much wider range of Asian cuisines emerging."
Indeed, the culinary landscape of Chinatown is evolving – from the hand-pulled noodles of northwest China to the xiao long bao of the south, diversity is thriving.
"I think this trend is here to stay," Chew added. "Once people get a taste of the real thing, they want more. And now, they know where to find it."