A panel of experts picked the best places to get Chinese food in London

Britain’s best Chinese eateries went head to head this week as the first ever British Chinese Food Awards took place in London.

Chinese food [Photo: VCG]

Over 50 restaurants and takeaways from across England, Scotland and Wales competed in 12 categories from regional awards to Best Street Food. A panel of judges including award-winning chefs, entrepreneurs and food writers chose the winning candidates.

The top spot in the London Central and City category went to Aldgate Shikumen, a 1940s-Shanghai-style hotel dining room, which judges said “stood out from the crowd with its fresh and fragrant ingredients”.

South of the river (and just off the Elephant roundabout), Dragon Castle was crowned king of the London Suburbs category. The judges praised the legendary Cantonese giant for its authentic menu, local ingredients and rich flavours.

Quirky takeout chain Zing Zing bagged the Best Takeaway Delivery Award, while Harrow restaurant Hakkaland’s “pioneering and very tasty” Indo-Chinese menu won them the title in the Best Fusion Restaurant Category.

The full list of winners were announced at the inaugural British Chinese Food Awards ceremony near Heathrow on Sunday, attended by a 400-strong audience of nominees and Chinese food fans.