2 Best Restaurants in London, England

XU

$$ | Piccadilly Fodor's choice
It feels like a cinematic reinterpretation of 1930s Taipei at this glamorous jewel box on the edge of Chinatown. Peerless dishes like tomato and smoked eel cold soup and marinated Shou Pa chicken with rice, ginger, and white pepper are complemented by a tea kiosk, a tea master, railway clocks, two hidden mahjong rooms, and a collection of cute solo dining seats.

BAO

$ | Soho

Lines form daily to secure a prized seat, perch, or stool at this no-reservations 32-seater from a crack team of Taiwanese steamed bao bun specialists. The gloriously plump milk-based, rice flour bao buns—stuffed with organic Cornish braised pork, peanut powder, and fermented greens—are the undisputed stars of the show. These nifty bao buns also come with fried chicken, crumbed daikon, or lamb with soy-pickled chilis and garlicky mayo. Kick off with the silky scallops in yellow bean garlic sauce and finish with a fried bao bun stuffed with Horlicks ice cream for dessert.