The Chinese community is one of London’s oldest communities. The first immigrants arrived during the 17th century when Britain started to trade with China. By Nadine Carle and Tiija Rinta
They first Chinese settled around Pennyfield and Limehouse Causeway near the docks. At this time, houses were not allowed to be built within a 3 mile radius from the City of London. However, in 1666, the Great Fire destroyed 13,000 homes and so the area where China Town is nowadays was starting to be built to accommodate for the loss. Because of this, the first incarnation of China Town took place in Limehouse in the 19th century when a number of Chinese people came over to the UK in search of work. Soon enough a number of Chinese cafes and restaurants could been seen around the area. Laundrettes were another common business venture for the Chinese.
Post-war years saw the decline of the East End China Town, however, when the shipping industry began to take over that side of London after Limehouse was destroyed in the war. The invention of high street laundrettes brought a loss to the Chinese community as well, and soon the Chinese moved on from the area.
After the early part of 19th century, different waves of Chinese immigrants had settled in different parts of London. There were approximately 2000 Chinese in the UK in the 1950s. When the British soldiers returned to the UK from the war in the Far East, they were keen to continue eating exotic Chinese food in London. Since there were only a few Chinese restaurants in the West End at this time, the Chinese picked up on the idea and started opening restaurants in the area that is now known as China Town. The new restaurant workers were mainly farmers from Hong Kong who had settled in Soho and Bayswater. The new China Town grew and, in the 60s and 70s, it was known as ‘the Imperial City’, with the intention of making a point to the Chinese out of the UK on how the Chinese had their own ‘town’ in the centre of London.
Collaboration between restaurants, shop and cafe owners was also started up so that the needs and the wants of the community could be facilitated and China Town promoted. Other business, such as translation and interpretation services, were soon started up. Soon enough a number of massage and acupuncture places were also seen.
Since the 80’s, Westminster City Council has transformed Chinatown to make it a major tourist attraction. An example is the first public celebration of the Chinese New Year, which took place in 1985. Today, the Chinese are the fourth largest Asian community in London, with over 100,000 people, and China Town continues to evolve.
Chinese cuisine
There are so many Chinese restaurants in London that choosing one can sometime be overwhelming! Here are a few suggestions of Chinese cuisine with a twist.
Yauatcha, on Broadwick Street, is a modern and stylish place that serves exquisite dim sums all day as well as beautiful French style patisseries and macaroons.
For a real treat, try Hakkasan on Hanway Place (W1) or in Mayfair. The acclaimed restaurant offers inventive modern Chinese cuisine in a refined atmosphere.
Ping Pong is a chain of modern tea houses serving dim sums all day. There are over a dozen restaurants across London.
Cha Cha Moon is a funky modern noodle bar in Soho, on Ganton Street. Created by Alan Yau (who also created Wagamama but no longer owns it), Cha Cha Moon is a fun and cheap eat.
Jenny Lo’s Tea House is a small colourful café near Victoria, on Eccleston Street, which serves original dishes at a very good price.
Horoscope: The Year of the Rabbit
The Chinese annual cycle follows the moon, and so the Chinese New Year normally takes place in February. The current year is the Year of the Rabbit.
The Rabbit symbolises such characteristics as creativity, compassion, and sensitivity. Rabbits are friendly, outgoing and prefer the company of others, they also prefer to avoid conflict. Rabbits believe strongly in friends and family. Their serene nature keeps Rabbits from becoming visibly upset, which is why they tend to keep these feelings inside. When they don’t express these feelings, such feeling can cause Rabbits to become ill. Sophisticated, well-mannered, and stylish, those born under the Sign of the Rabbit enjoy leaning about cultural issues and learning about people from other countries. Rabbits are most comfortable being at home, which are often well organised.
Rabbits are articulate and good communicators, which is why friends and acquaintances seek out their advice. Good careers for Rabbits include: writer, actor, fashion designer, therapist, public relations, or teacher. Rabbits tend to give more of themselves than they should in relationships, which can lead to unrealistic expectations and unhealthy situations.
