I’ve been missing Hong Kong desperately this week. A stroll through London’s Chinatown last night only intensified this feeling.
My longing stems from the fact that Chinese New Year celebrations have been in full swing all last week in Hong Kong; I am sad to be missing out.
I walked from Leicester Square and through Chinatown, which occupies the area in and around Gerrard Street.
Loud music, a diversity of food aromas, smatterings of Cantonese, and almost-too-bright lights assault the senses. It is crowded, but I love it.
I’m grateful to have a bit of Hong Kong in London when I need it most. Kung hei fat choy and happy new year.
Do you have a Chinatown in your area? Have you ever celebrated Chinese New Year?
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG I really miss this place !!!
When I lived in London, I used to visit one of the shops there every week to buy HK cup sponge cakes and to eat roast duck.
Thanks for posting these pictures, it brings back all the memories
I wanted to check out the celebrations in Trafalgar Sq today but will have to give it another miss. Next year!
Happy Chinese New Year.
Wow! What a great photo!! Kung hei fat choy!
The best restaurant is on the corner at the end of the road! Love Love Love China Town!!
Yes. Surprisingly, many people don't know that there is a Chinatown in Brooklyn. There is one, and I have to admit that I like it a little better than Manhattan's. There is a also huge area with great Chinese & Korean restaurants in Flushing, Queens. I've been meaning to go there for awhile, but it can be a pain from where I am to get there via subway. We'll see. Happy Lunar New Year!
Cool photos!! Kung hei fat choy!
Fantastic place and one is spoilt for choice when it comes to food.
I fondly remember one cool evening dining with loved ones on huge (and delicious) lobster washed down with copious quantities of tiger beer,lol
Happy Chinese New Year!
I'm from the Bay Area, so we have a couple of China Towns in the area (San Francisco and Oakland). I never went to a Chinese New Year celebration, but we did talk about it and do activities in school.
I live near the Chinatown in San Francisco and enjoy going, especially for the handmade fortune cookies
Nice photos. Chinatown in London looks great – the one is San Francisco is my all time favorite.
Rashida
http://www.blackwomenonthego.com
Such awesome shots! I'm dying to celebrate Chinese New Year in China. The coolest place I've celebrated it is in NYC in Chinatown.
Looks like tons of fun. Actually, the London Chinatown looks similar to Chinatown in San Francisco! Although, San Fran has tons of cars on the street! Thanks for sharing the pics.
Happy Chinese New Year! When we were in London's China town there were not even close to as many people
I've never really celebrated Chinese New Year! It's just one of those festivals I keep on hearing about but never have… I wish they had a Chinatown in Barcelona, it would add even more to the city!
I was at the Chinese New Year events in Trafalgar Square and Chinatown on Sunday. It was a really great celebration!
I'm glad you liked the pics! How long did you live here?
Sad I missed it but I was feeling so sick on Sunday that I didn't leave the house at all!
To you too!
Thanks! Right back atcha
Ooh! Do you know the name?
Didn't know that either! Only went to Canal Street! Maybe you should do a post on it.. :-0
Merci!
Yum yum! I haven't eaten in Chinatown yet!
I've been to the one in San Fran! It's pretty cool..
Wow, I haven't had fortune cookies in ages. Need to get my hands on some!
Cool! Which others have you been to?
Honestly, it was fabulous taking part in the CNY festivities in Hong Kong! I miss it so much!
I think this one is wayyy smaller than the one in San Fran, from what I remember it is massive!
I definitely think it was due to Chinese New Year happening!
I agree! Barcelona is such a pretty city. Liebling was just saying how he'd love to live there!
I'm jealous! I was sick in bed on Sunday… Can't wait to see your post on it!
I lived in London for one year. I studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Marylebone Lane……not far from Oxford street.
I live in Bali now and I do miss London so much
There's no Chinatown in Santiago, although there is an area with some Chinese markets. I always forget about them, but you've inspired me to go – apparently they have some exotic ingredients that you can find anywhere else, so it would be fun to check them out.