When it comes to Chinese cuisine, London offers an array of enticing options, including the ever popular all-you-can-eat buffets. From traditional favourites to regional specialities, the Chinese buffets in London promise to satisfy even the heartiest appetites.
Each buffet restaurant has its own unique charm, be it through the authentic decor, live cooking stations, or the diverse range of dishes available to try. This is a great way to try a variety of Chinese dishes, and fill your stomach on the cheap.
The Best Chinese Buffets in London
Whether you’re a dim sum enthusiast, or a lover of stir-fried cuisine, this article will help you navigate the best Chinese buffets in London.
In This Article show
Young Cheng Buffet – Experience an Authentic Chinese Feast
Located in Chinatown, Young Cheng Buffet serves a wide range of authentic Chinese food.
The food here all tasted really fresh; I thought that the food quality was excellent for an all-you-can-eat buffet, which sometimes utilise cheaper ingredients to reduce costs. The chicken wings are a must-try dish at Young Cheng Buffet, as are the delicious shrimp.
There was a wide range of dishes available, from vegetarian dishes, to pork, duck, beef and chicken, as well as seafood options. This is a great opportunity to try a bit of everything, and perhaps some dishes that you’ve never ordered before.
It’s important to note that while Young Cheng Buffet serves plenty of authentic dishes, they do not offer some classic British-Chinese items that you may be hoping for. Therefore, you might want to check the menu beforehand if that’s what you’re hoping for.
The seating area in Young Cheng Buffet is a somewhat cramped space, so I would suggest visiting here for an early dinner to avoid the crowds and get a seat close to the buffet. Also, this restaurant is cash only, so be sure to bring some with you.
Address: 39 Wardour St, London W1D 6PX
Related: 8 Best All-You-Can-Eat Sushi Buffets in London
Aroma Buffet – Extensive Pan-Asian Buffet
Situated in Shepard’s Bush, Aroma Buffet offers a brilliant Chinese buffet that caters to diverse tastes.
Aroma Buffet includes a huge array of Chinese dishes, ranging from traditional favourites to regional specialities, along with sushi, seafood, and a variety of desserts. The duck is an absolute must-try, and the noodle dishes were all outstanding.
This contemporary restaurant has a spacious setting, with plenty of seats and larger tables, making it perfect for families and groups.
The service at Aroma Buffet is attentive, and the prices are reasonable, making it a popular choice for those wishing to indulge in a delicious Chinese feast.
Address: West 12 Shopping Centre, Unit B,1st floor, West12 Shopping Centre, London W12 8PP
Read: 5 Best Malaysian Restaurants in London – Yummy Laksa
Hong Kong Buffet – Authentic Chinese Buffet in Chinatown
If you’re looking for an extensive Chinese buffet, Hong Kong Buffet in Leicester Square is a fantastic choice filled with different dishes.
This restaurant has one of the largest buffet menus I’ve seen in London, with a wealth of dishes available to try. You can find just about anything here, from classic favourites like miso soup, and sweet and sour chicken, to more traditional, authentic Chinese dishes such as Tofu with Chinese Mushrooms.
I was impressed with the quality of each dish, considering the wide range available. The sauces were all rich and flavourful, and the meat was cooked very nicely.
While we didn’t have much interaction with the staff, they were efficient and seemed to be very on top of cleaning up after customers and replenishing the empty food trays. You only have your time slot for an hour, however there were no queues for the buffet, so this was more than enough time to fill up your plate and enjoy your meal.
Hong Kong Buffet also privately hires out their function room, which can seat up to 30 people – this would be perfect for celebrations or work parties. Karaoke is available for function room parties, to follow your delicious Chinese feast.
For less than £15, I was impressed with the number of dishes available to try, and pleased with the quality of the food. This is a great opportunity to try some traditional Chinese food for a very low price compared to some restaurants in Chinatown.
Address: 14 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BE
Read: 6 Best Teppanyaki Restaurants in London – Flaming Hot Picks
Max Orient – The Cheapest Chinese Buffet in the City
You can’t miss Max Orient on Camden high street, adorned with a huge dragon scaling the outside of the restaurant.
This Chinese buffet is fantastic value for money; for less than £10, you can eat as much Chinese food as you’d like. It’s not as authentic as you may find in Chinatown, but it was still tasty.
I found that some of the dishes here were a bit hit-and-miss, with the low price somewhat reducing the quality. That being said, there were a few stand-out dishes, including the sweet and sour chicken, and the chicken chow mein. For dessert, I tried the banana fritters which were crispy and sweet.
The interior is rustic and very casual; it almost feels like a relaxing pub. It was kept very clean, with staff members consistently walking around clearing up. I was glad to see the food being replenished frequently, meaning that it is continuously being prepared and not left out all day.
I was happy with the value for money at Max Orient; you can definitely fill yourself up for far less than you would spend in the market around the corner.
Address: 273-275 Camden High St, London NW1 7BX
Read: Food Heaven: 7 Best Buffets in London (+ Map!)
Fei Er Cottage – Bottomless Dim Sum
Enjoy unlimited authentic Chinese dim sum at Fei Er Cottage for only £26.50.
You can select all of the dim sum flavours you desire from their extensive menu, including classics like steamed char siu buns, prawn dumplings, and pan-fried Peking dumplings. You can also add on extra non-dim sum dishes for a low cost, usually around £1.00-£2.00 per item.
Each dish that arrived at the table was presented perfectly and made of incredible quality ingredients. The dim sum dishes were prepared and served very efficiently, and the restaurant aesthetic really set the scene, with lots of authentic Chinese decor and artwork.
This is some of the best quality buffet food that I have tried in London, however, you are fairly limited to only ordering dim sum as part of the offer. So, if you’re looking for a wide variety of Chinese dishes, this may not be the best spot.
Address: 37 Strutton Ground, London SW1P 2HY
Related: 6 Halal Buffets in London – Enjoy Halalicious Delights
Tai Pan – Pekinese and Cantonese Buffet
Situated in London’s West End, Tai Pan is a well-established Chinese restaurant known for its generous portions and extensive menu, offering an all you can eat buffet on Sundays.
This buffet features a wide range of Pekinese and Cantonese dishes, including dim sum, barbecue meats, and various stir-fried options.
The head chef of Tai Pan worked in Chinatown for over twenty years, and this is evident when you bite into each dish. The chilli beef dish was so flavourful, it had a real kick to it! The Singapore-style noodles were also one of my favourite dishes that day.
The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, even when the restaurant was buzzing with customers, they were still able to help us efficiently.
The reasonable prices and range of delicious Chinese dishes available make Tai Pan a very popular choice for a Sunday feast. This spot may require booking in advance due to its popularity!
Address: 336 Footscray Rd, London SE9 2EB
Kung Fu Buffet – Good Value Family Restaurant
Kung Fu Buffet is a contemporary Chinese restaurant serving an extensive range of dishes, from dim sum to teppanyaki. They also have a range of desserts and a chocolate fountain to cater to those with a sweet tooth.
Some of the dishes were slightly disappointing, with a few items being lukewarm or cold. However, overall, I thought that most were very tasty, particularly the barbecue ribs.
They also serve a range of non-Chinese dishes, like chicken nuggets and chips, which is great for any children or fussy eaters in your group.
This buffet is great value, with weekday buffets starting at just £16.99. The prices increase slightly at weekends and during bank holidays, but the value is still great considering the amount of food you can enjoy.
Address: Clarence St, Kingston upon Thames KT1 1QJ
Expert Tips for the Best Chinese Buffet Experience
Time your visit. Buffets are often busiest during peak dining hours. If you’re hoping for a less crowded experience and fresher dishes, consider dining slightly off-peak.
Ask about specials. Some buffets offer daily specials or rotating dishes that aren’t listed on the regular menu. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff about any unique or seasonal dishes you might be missing out on.
Know your dietary restrictions. If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, make sure to check with the staff about ingredients. While many buffets try to cater to a range of dietary preferences, it’s always best to double-check to avoid any unpleasant reactions.
