Originally a Sichuan restaurant when it first opened at the turn of the century, Red Chilli on Manchester’s Portland Street has expanded its repertoire to offer Cantonese and Beijing-style dishes too. It’s a good place for a celebration – Red Chilli is a bit plush and has some pedigree as well as a cracking wine list. All the favourites are on the menu: aromatic crispy duck, spring rolls, chicken in honey and lemon sauce.

If you’re looking to be a bit more adventurous you can sample Sichuan dishes that aren’t as common as the more ubiquitous Cantonese flavours. Gong Bao chicken with peanuts and chilli is a popular choice, seasoned with tongue-tingling Sichuan peppercorns. Red Chilli gets the balance of searing heat and subtle flavour just right. There’s a great selection of soups but it’s the home-style section of the menu that contains more authentic dishes to tempt jaded palates. Recommendations include mushroom and fungus with vegetables in hot clay, stir-fried frog’s legs in godmother chilli bean sauce and braised aubergine with minced pork.

Address: 70-72 Portland St, Manchester M1 4GU

Website: http://www.redchillirestaurant.co.uk/

Tai Wu Chinese Restaurant is a little part of The Far East just a mile south of Manchester City Centre. They have now rebranded from the Tai Pan, as hopefully with a change in name can also prosper with a change in fortune after such a difficult year during the pandemic.

Tai Wu's aim is to take you beyond the “Bamboo Curtain” on a culinary experience that will both delight and tantalize your taste buds. Tai Wu literally translated means “Great Lake”, and is one of the largest lakes in China which draws a parallel with being one of the largest Chinese restaurants in Manchester.

Tai Wu boasts a huge expanse of space, presenting a comparable eclectic choice of regional cooking styles and cuisines, there's truly offers an authentic array of dishes duly confirmed by those who have visited the Far East and those visiting here from China.

Address: 81-97 Upper Brook St, Manchester M13 9TX

Website: https://www.taiwu.co.uk/

Shanghai Shanghai Chinese Restaurant & Bar has just recently opened a branch here in Nottingham and quickly became one of the most popular Chinese Restaurants in Nottingham. Shanghai Shanghai restaurant is situated in the heart of the city centre. This restaurant is conveniently located within walking distance of the Victoria Shopping Centre, the Lace Market and Nottingham’s premier "TrentFM Arena" complex.

The Cuisine here is traditional Cantonese style, typical of what you would find in Hong Kong. Shanghai Shanghai is regarded as the best Chinese restaurant for the Chinese in the East Midlands. The menu has over 250 dishes, as well as a wide range of drinks including a wine list. This restaurant brings out a wide variety of authentic hot and spicy Sichuan cuisine, specifically designed for the Mainland Chinese Taste. You would expect to find all your favourite dishes, ranging from the Sweet & Sours and Sizzlers to live seafood such as Lobster, Crabs & Scallops. The menu is widely seen as being the largest in England. The philosophy here has always been to try and cater for all the customer’s tastes and demands.

Address: 15 Goose Gate, Nottingham NG1 1FE

Website: https://www.shanghai-shanghai.co.uk/

Bao Borough has the general culinary approach, as is the system of ordering by ticking courses off a menu. Here the feeling of a Taiwanese bar is in full force, but with one of the most delicious selections of non-alcoholic drinks in London to go alongside the booze: the Yakult float in particular is heaven, as is Bao’s own beer. Plus: there’s a karaoke room in the basement for when a few drinks turn into the desire to sing a few tunes.

The menu blends expertise and pleasures perfectly: the chicken nugget bao is given a new level of complexity by its fluffy, smoky bun. The curry cheese bao is so savory and rich that you just want to giggle like a schoolboy who just got away with something. The short rib bao – full of gooey, rich meat and topped with the most opulent mayo you’ll ever try – is bananas in all the right ways. Perhaps the standout, however, is the 40 day-aged beef atop butter rice with a raw egg yolk. Once it's all worked together it is smoky, velvety, creamy, rich, punchy, spicy... every adjective, all at once. You’ll be fighting away from your companion’s chopsticks for the last bite.

Address: 13 Stoney St, London SE1 9AD

Website: https://baolondon.com/restaurant/bao-borough/

After opening its doors to the people of Glasgow in 2005, I Chai Glasgow Restaurant has served Asian flavours and provided delicious authentic Chinese dishes using seasonal ingredients and inspiration from the roots of China. Dishes served to include crispy spring rolls, satay stir-fries, and curries.

The beautiful, refurbished restaurant in the West End of Glasgow is an ideal spot to enjoy a delicious meal. A lunch menu is available from Wednesday to Friday 12 pm to 2 pm and is aimed at those looking for a business lunch with two courses priced at £8.50 per person or three courses for £9.50 per person. Alternatively, if you are looking for a tasty dinner a ‘Simple Set Dinner’ three-course menu priced at £15.95 includes options such as chicken noodle soup, sweet and sour chicken and banana and pineapple fritter.

Address: 1015 Crow Rd, Anniesland, Glasgow G13 1JP

Website: https://ichaiglasgow.com/

Yu Copster Green (formerly known as Yu and You) is an established, upscale Chinese restaurant serving British favourites and house inventions in the heart of the Ribble Valley. Family plays a strong role in the operation; the restaurant was founded by Yu himself and it’s now run by his sons Victor and Vinny who’ve maintained his commitment to excellent customer service as well as expanding the bar, cocktail and wine lists. The result is an elegant restaurant that feels as relevant as ever.

You can choose from crispy duck pancakes, steamed pak choi with oyster sauce, Singapore vermicelli noodles – and so on – or opt for one of the much-loved house specials. The wok-seared Wagyu beef with sweet soya, lime, garlic and ginger won Best Chinese Dish in Gordon Ramsay’s Best Restaurant TV show in 2011, while Charlie Yu’s 12-hour chicken curry has its own fanbase.

Address: 500 Longsight Rd, Copster Green, Blackburn BB1 9EU

Website: https://www.yucopstergreen.co.uk/

The Lychee Oriental is a city center-based Chinese restaurant located close to the Gallery of Modern Art. Headed by award-winning chef Jimmy Lee, Lychee Oriental has secured several prestigious awards including a mention in the ‘Top 25 Chinese in the UK’ by the Sunday Times in 2018. It is a sleek and contemporary restaurant, and its décor focuses on dark wooden panels and a sophisticated vibe.

The a la carte menu provides an extensive range of delicious starters, mains, and nibbles as well as vegetarian options. Spare ribs in Peking sauce, Vietnamese king prawn rolls, and crispy duck rolls are just some of the starters on offer. The Banquet Menu is a five-course setting, which is perfect for a special family event, priced at £38 per person diners can enjoy a soup, mixed starter platter, choice of main served with fried rice, jasmine rice, or noodles before finishing with a dessert and tea or coffee.

Address: 59 Mitchell St, Glasgow G1 3LN

Website: https://www.lycheeoriental.co.uk/

Amber Regent Restaurant is a sophisticated Cantonese restaurant that is located on West Regent Street in the heart of the city centre of Glasgow. It’s famous for fusing fresh Scottish produce with classic Chinese flavours to create delicious dishes that are the reason why the restaurant has retained its loyal client base.

The restaurant's menu offers to include lunch, a la carte, takeaway and even a dedicated Christmas menu; A two-course lunch menu is also available for the price of £13.50. The a la carte menu is perfect for date night with a wide selection of appetizers including Dim Sum and Special Spring rolls. You will be served dessert with a banana fritter and ice cream or a delicious hot chocolate fudge cake as an invitation till the end that you don't forget to visit next time.

Address: 50 W Regent St, Glasgow G2 2RA

Website: https://www.amberregent.com/

Located in a Mayfair townhouse, MiMi Mei Fair connects with old-world China through an intimate series of rooms, each gorgeously decorated. The Hall, on the ground floor, is inspired by the Forbidden Palace of Beijing, imagined through the lens of a Wong Kar Wai film. Timber screened booths with red leather seating, brass wall lights and chinoiserie cabinets are complemented with a bespoke marble floor with a fish scale mosaic. Upstairs, the drawing-room and the peacock room feature hand-painted silk chinoiserie wallpaper.

The kitchen is led by Chinese-Singaporean Executive Chef Peter Ho, who brings years of experience from the Michelin starred Lei Garden, Singapore, My Humble House, Beijing and Hakkasan, London. The menu reflects authentic and innovative Chinese dishes from Hong Kong, Singapore and the provinces of mainland China, including Guangdong, Sichuan, Fujian and Hunan. The tantalizing menu features a selection of dim sum, a whole wok-baked lobster, Chongqing chili chicken, roasted Cantonese char siu and Norfolk black pork with raw wildflower honey.

Address: 55 Curzon St, London W1J 8PG

Website: https://mimimeifair.com/

This venerable Chinatown stalwart can be found on Princess Street - not to be confused with Little Yang Sing, on neighboring George Street, although that’s worth a visit too. They’re both run by members of the same family (Yang Sing owner, Harry Yeung’s cousin Warren runs the smaller site) but are completely separate operations.

If you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of weird and wonderful dishes to try, from stir-fried jellyfish to satay ostrich to steamed ox tripe. Drinks-wise, tea is the specialty here. Sourced from the same tea master for over 40 years, the range includes Orange Pekoe, fermented Dark Pu’er and Shou Mei as well as some rare and aged teas. The bar also serves Asian, British and continental beers and a range of wines, including some premium champagnes.

Address: 34 Princess St, Manchester M1 4JY

Website: http://www.yang-sing.com/