'I tried Chinese tapas from a Chinatown hole-in-the-wall - it was both cheap and delicious'

In the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, a small, hole-in-the-wall takeaway joint is easy to miss. That’s exactly what Chinese Tapas House is, an inconspicuous food counter tucked away on Little Newport Street, serving made-to-order Chinese morsels.

As I arrived, I saw a promising gaggle of people waiting outside for their orders, and, through the window, the welcome sight of a woman crisping up jianbing pancakes on a griddle. The interior was so small there was only enough space for one or two customers at a time, as well as the two large grills where the food was being prepared.

I ordered a pork bun for just £3 (impossible to resist after I spotted a batch steaming and ready-to-go behind the counter), a pancake filled with enoki mushrooms and other fillings for £6.50, and a dish called ‘roast cold noodle’, which, with the pork belly filling I treated myself to, came to £8.

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The bun was juicy, delicious, and a steal at £3 - two of those, and I would have been pretty happy already. The mushroom pancake didn’t have quite the umami hit I was looking for, and was a little heavy on the spice for me.

That said, it was as crispy as it looked, and would be a good option for anyone seeking a light, easy-to-eat meal on the go in Soho. The highlight was the roast cold noodle - an (intriguingly) hot dish consisting of a large, perfectly chewy noodle, which formed a kind of wrap for the succulent pork belly, a crispy fried egg, and other condiments.

I was not done. Hong Kong Egg Puffs were calling my name. These are Hong Kong’s version of a waffle, made in a special machine with spherical holes for the trademark bubblewrap appearance.

The sweet snack was served hot and set me back by a modest £4. Lighter and not as sweet as an American waffle, it was the perfect way to round off the meal.

With reasonable prices, lovely staff and tasty food, Chinese Tapas House is a must-try if you are looking for something on the go in Chinatown.

Find Chinese Tapas House at 15 Little Newport St, London WC2H 7JJ.

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