Cafe TPT

Huge flavours from a huge Chinese menu, with small prices and an even smaller kitchen – it’s all a-okay at TPT. The menu in the window of Café TPT looks longer than the complete musings of Confucius. It’s not unusual to see a big menu in Chinatown, but such a vast repertoire seems impossible from a kitchen galley the size of an origami junk. Not so, because dishes from Hong Kong, mainland China and the diaspora are all produced competently, and some of them with commendable aplomb.

The Cantonese dishes tend to be better than the Malaysian ones: the roast duck on rice was succulent, and a generous helping. A sizzling dish of stuffed tofu, served in a hot stone bowl, was a highlight. Seafood is also a strength, with around 50 dishes to choose from; their squid, part of a noodle dish, was fresh and pert. Many customers were moved to speechlessness by their bubble teas – this is a good place to try these Taiwan-style drinks. TPT isn’t the cheapest of the budget Chinatown cafés, but both cooking and service are better than you might expect. This restaurant is said to be one of the best cheap eats in London.

Google rating: 4.0/5

Phone: +44 20 7734 7980

Address: 21 Wardour St, London W1D 6PN, United Kingdom

Service options: Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery

Prices: £11-25

Website: http://www.cafetpt.com/