Lost in China Town

Manchester Chinatown is currently the second largest Chinatown in UK and third largest in Europe. Although a relatively new Chinatown that emerged during the 1970s, Manchester Chinatown has developed very fast and has even become the main cultural hub for Chinese living in northern England. In fact, Manchester Chinatown is known as the “Chinese Village for the north of England”.

Archway

This status is further enhanced by the establishing of Chinese culture centers and the most visible icon of Manchester Chinatown – its impressive archway. This archway is located at Faulkner Street and was a gift from China. Not many Chinatowns around the world have this honour.

Manchester Chinatown is bounded by 4 streets (York Street, Portland Street, Oxford Street and Mosley Street).

Within and around this area, there are lots of Chinese restaurants, supermarkets, shops and Chinese physicians. In some of the shops, we can even find newspapers published in Hong Kong and China specially airfreight for sale in Manchester Chinatown. There are also restaurants for other Asian cuisines (Thai, Japanese, and Nepali) including cuisines of overseas Chinese from Singapore and Malaysia who migrated to UK.

Chinese

Obviously, there is plenty of Chinese food to try, including diverse dishes from the Szechuan - Red Chilli,  and Pekingese - The Great Wall cooking traditions. More spicy thrills are in store at the many Thai, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese restaurants that line the square - and there’s something for every wallet too. Soups and traditional desserts in Siam Smiles stand out, alongside formal Cantonese meals at former Michelin star winning restaurant, Yang Sing.

Thai

Two of the city’s best Thai restaurants are located within a couple of meters of each other on George Street. Siam Smiles Supermarket and Noodle Bar is the newest addition to the block, and it’s a few canteen-style tables inside a Thai supermarket. Just upstairs from Siam Smiles is the more formal restaurant, Phet Palin. Among the fake palm fronds and mock-bamboo, this established restaurant that’s a favourite of the Thai ex-pat community serves an excellent white fish in hot, clear broth, as well as wildly spiced salads, and the red and green curries.

Japanese

Across the square are two restaurants which have been heavily supported by the British national press. First up is the tiny Japanese gem, Yuzu. All lacquered wood and bench-style seating, Yuzu specialises in simple set meals, which include perfect sticky rice topped with.