250-year-old concept makes international debut in Chinatown London

A 250-year-old restaurant concept has opened its first location outside of China within Shaftesbury Capital’s Chinatown London neighbourhood.

Songhelou – which is officially recognised as a ‘Time-honoured Brand of China’ by the Chinese government – has taken a 3,600 sq ft, three-storey unit at 22 Wardour Street.

The concept was founded in the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, and brings a culinary heritage hailing from Jiangnan in Eastern China.

The 144-cover restaurant offers a range of soup-based noodle dishes, along with a selection of toppings such as sweet and sour squirrel-shaped bass, Suzhou-style braised pork, sizzling eel slices in oil, and stir fried crab meat and roe.

Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “Chinatown London is a window to the Far East, a destination to enjoy a collective of cuisines that cannot be found anywhere else outside of East and Southeast Asia. Steeped in history and a staple of China, Songhelou is an exceptional addition to Chinatown London, embodying the traditional experience this destination will always be renowned for.”

Pan Peiquan, chair of Songhelou, added: “As Songhelou’s first steps outside of China since conception in 1757, it was extremely important for us to partner with a location that both appreciated and championed the history and traditions the brand embodies, with a well-informed customer base. Famed for its vibrant and authentic food, drink and culture scene, Chinatown London’s reputation as a home away from home for those from ESEA appealed to us, and we are honoured to take visitors on the culinary journey from the streets of Soho to Jiangnan, delivering an authentic Eastern gastronomic experience.”