Over the years Birmingham’s Chinese New Year celebrations have become a legendary event across the city.

For obvious reasons, the usual celebrations are unable to take place this year, but the businesses in Birmingham’s Chinatown still need our support, now more than ever. Many of these restaurants have very little (or no) social media presence, so it can be difficult to discover them without venturing into the city. We’re here to shine a spotlight on these restaurants and show them some much needed support in these difficult times. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up our top pick of incredible Chinese restaurants you can order a take-away from and support this Chinese New Year and beyond.

Chinese New Year celebrations take place all over the world and typically last up to 16 days, marking the beginning of a new Lunar New Year. As the Chinese New Year is marked by the cycle of the moon, rather than the sun, the date changes each year but is usually around the end of January – early February. Chinese New Year this year will be celebrated on Friday 12 February, with celebrations beginning on Chinese New Year’s Eve (11 February) and culminating in the Lantern Festival on 26 February.

Birmingham’s Chinatown, in the heart of the Southside District, is home to not only some of the very best Chinese restaurants you’ll find in the city, but also to many other incredible restaurants celebrating the diverse flavours of Asia. Whether you love Asian food already, or are just dipping your toes in, see this as your go-to-guide to discovering the tastiest restaurants in Chinatown.

Please note: this is not a definitive list of Chinese and Asian restaurants in Birmingham’s Chinatown, just our pick of the very best (not all restaurants in Chinatown have been able to reopen, so this list only contains those who are currently open and offering take-aways). There are so many more amazing Chinese and Asian restaurants to discover across the city and we highly recommend having a wander around both the city centre and the suburbs (once lockdown is over) to stumble upon the amazing hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

Scroll down, pick a restaurant that takes your fancy, order a mouth-watering take-away, eat, then repeat!

Chung Ying Cantonese

Photo: IG:@adamhayes900

The very first Cantonese restaurant to open in Birmingham’s Chinatown, and a firm favourite for many locals thanks to their brilliant hospitality and delicious dishes. A mix of traditional dishes and take-away favourites can be found at this award-winning restaurant, with lots of vegetarian and vegan options available.

Address: 16-18 Wrottesley Street, B5 4RT, Website: https://www.chungying.co.uk/

Peach Garden

Photo: Scott O’Byrne

Tucked away down a side street, foodies flock in their droves to this restaurant specialising in Chinese roast meats. If you only try one thing, it has to be the Triple Roast – roast belly pork, char siu pork and roast duck all served over fluffy white rice.

Address: 34 Ladywell Walk, B5 4RX

Ken Ho

This Cantonese restaurant is known for their authentic dishes, delicious Dim Sum and traditional Chinese roasts along with their friendly service. Delivery is available within 3 miles, making this a great option for your next take-away.

Address: 41-43 Hurst Street, B5 4BJ, Website: https://www.facebook.com/KenHoBham/

Look In

A favourite of those in-the-know, Look In is a true hidden gem and a popular place to indulge in delicious Chinese roast meats. Just as well-known for their window displays as they are for their delicious food, a trip to Look In is a must for any foodie on the search for authentic Chinese comfort food.

Address: 6 Ladywell Walk, B5 4ST

RuGa Bistro

At RuGa Bistro they specialise in classic Cantonese dishes and hot Hunan cuisine. Whether you choose take-away style favourites or go for more traditional dishes, there’s a great selection to choose from, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too.

Address: 10 Pershore Street, B5 4RU, Website: https://www.facebook.com/RugaBistro/

Hey Sugar

Hey Sugar have been around for over 30 years, delighting customers with their delicious Chinese bakes. Find everything from egg tarts to cheesecakes and a daily selection of cakes, and grab a refreshing bubble tea while you’re at it too!

Address: Arcadian Centre, Cathay Street, B5 4ST

Caffe Chino

Caffe Chino offer a range of beautiful and delectable treats for their customers. Enjoy cakes, coffee and teas (as well as a range of bubble tea options), gelato flower ice creams, Chinese buns (sweet and savoury) and more. They also create bespoke, show-stopping, celebration cakes too.

Address: Unit B107 Arcadian Centre, 70 Hurst Street, B5 4TD, Website: https://caffechino.com/

Pepper Chef

This restaurant is a popular choice with visitors and locals alike. They serve lots of favourite dishes from noodles to Dim Sum and Szechuan spicy dishes to BBQ. An all-round crowd pleaser, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Pepper Chef.

Address: 1B Hurst Street, B5 4TD

Xiong Qi Hot Pot

As the name might suggest this restaurant specialises in Hot Pot cooking (typically where a simmering pot of broth is used to cook ingredients at the table). This is seriously comforting food and if you’ve never tried it, we recommend a trip to Xiong Qi Hot Pot.

Address: Unit 3B, 44 Essex Street, B5 4TR

Wu Shuang

This restaurant serves all your Chinese favourites – from fried rice to chow mein and everything in between, you’ll find all your take-away favourites here. A great option for a Friday night feast at home in front of the TV, or a quick and tasty casual dinner.

Address: 2 Bath Passage, B5 4SZ

China Court Bakery

One of the oldest residents of Chinatown, China Court has stood the test of time thanks to their menu of old favourites and exciting new dishes. They have their own bakery too full of fresh cream cakes, buns and pastries.

Address: 24 Ladywell Walk, B5 4SZ, Website: https://chinacourtbirmingham.com/

No.1 Chinese Cafe and Takeaway

This restaurant fuses both dining in and take-away services (as their name suggests) for the best of both worlds. When you can, visit them for a dine-in meal, but for now order a take-away and enjoy all your favourite Chinese dishes from the comfort of your living room.

Address: 22 Holloway Circus, B1 1EG, Website: https://no1chinesecafe.com/

Whilst we have primarily focussed on Chinese restaurants in this article, there are many other Asian restaurants to discover in Birmingham’s Chinatown. Many other Asian countries also have their own Lunar New Year celebrations taking place in February too. Here are a few more of our favourite Asian restaurants in Chinatown.

Asia Asia Food Hall

If you’re unsure what to choose, or you fancy a selection of dishes from different cuisines, Asia Asia is the place to go. This brilliant food hall has a number of different Asian restaurants so you can pick and choose the dishes you want from a range of different cuisines for your own take-away buffet.

Address: 10 Pershore Street, B5 4RX, Website: https://www.asiaasiafoodhall.com/

Ten Ichi

This modern Japanese restaurant focuses on the very best ingredients for their Japanese-inspired fusion dishes. Think A5 Wagyu Beef, King Crab Claw and more. For delicious, authentic Japanese food made with high quality ingredients, Ten Ichi is the go-to.

Address: 70 Hurst Street, B5 4TD, Website: https://tenichi.co.uk/

Topokki

For a taste of amazing Korean dishes, Topokki is an absolute must. Whether you’re new to Korean food or you’re a life-long fan, Topokki is a great place to get your fix. The Bibimbap is a great place to start if you’re new, but there are so many amazing dishes to try, you’ll need more than one visit to explore the menu.

Address: 1C Hurst Street, B5 4TD, Address: https://topokki.has.restaurant/

Malaysian Delight

This casual dining spot brings a taste of Malaysia to the streets of Birmingham. Check them out for authentic Malaysian dishes, particularly their roast meats and enjoy a taste of Malaysian cuisine.

Address: 8 Ladywell Walk, B5 4ST, Website: https://www.facebook.com/Malaysian-Delight-100636288076330/

Formosa Izakaya

This excellent restaurant specialises in Taiwanese cookery, bringing traditional dishes with a fusion twist. They have a great range of dishes on their menu, including a good selection of vegetarian options. If you’re looking to try something a little different for your next take-away, this is a great place to start.

Address: 115 – 117 Hurst Street, B5 6SE, Website: https://www.facebook.com/Formosaizakaya/

Takumi

If you love Japanese food then you must sample the delights of Takumi. This brilliant restaurant serves delicious Japanese dishes in a relaxed and elegant restaurant that mixes traditional and modern brilliantly. Think super fresh sushi and sashimi, Donburi, Ramen, Katsu curries and more. All of your Japanese favourites beautifully presented and cooked perfectly.

Address: 35 Hurst Street, B5 4BJ, Website: https://www.takumi.uk/

Mr Egg

Mr Egg is somewhat of a legend when it comes to the food scene in Southside – thanks mainly to the fun name and the late night opening (making it a favourite of those vacating the clubs in the small hours). Perhaps not the most authentic, but for cheap and cheerful take-away dishes, it can’t be beaten (no pun intended).

Address: 20 Hurst Street, B5 4BN, Website: http://mr-egg.edan.io/

As stated earlier, not every restaurant in Birmingham’s Chinatown has been able to reopen during lockdown. Here’s a list of some brilliant restaurants for you to discover and support when they can once again reopen.

Dezhou Style Braised Chicken

Photo: IG:@karmenloveca

This restaurant does exactly what their name suggests – they specialise in Dezhou Style Braised Chicken. The chicken is braised overnight and the noodles are made fresh to order for some of the freshest noodles you’ll ever taste.

Address: Unit B109 Arcadian Centre, 70 Hurst Street, B5 4ST, Website: https://www.facebook.com/dezhoustyle/

Cafe Soya

Found in the Arcadian Centre, this brilliant restaurant has been serving a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese favourites for over 20 years. They have an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu and can cater for gluten-free diets too.

Address: Unit B106 Arcadian Centre, B5 4TD, Website: https://www.cafesoya.co.uk/

Kyoto Sushi and Grill

If you’re a big sushi fan, a trip to Kyoto Sushi is a must. They’re well-known for their All-You-Can-Eat Sushi where you can enjoy unlimited sushi and Japanese grill dishes for a very reasonable price. With Japanese-inspired décor and delicious (did we mention unlimited?) sushi, this is a foodie must.

Address: 72 Hurst Street, B5 4TD, Website: https://kyotosushi.co.uk/

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