Chinese New Year in Chinatown London in 2019 was a chance to walk beneath the red lanterns, enjoy the streets after dark and find something hot to eat. I began in Trafalgar Square on a cold, slightly rainy evening, then headed towards Chinatown for decorations and takeaway skewers from Baozi Inn.

This visit was on Chinese New Year’s Day, ahead of the main weekend celebrations. The video premiered on 10 February 2019, which is the archive date used here. It captures an evening of food and lanterns rather than the later Trafalgar Square event.

From Trafalgar Square to Chinatown

At the start of the walk, I explained that the big celebration in Trafalgar Square was still a few days away. For that evening, my plan was simpler: head up to Chinatown, see the decorations and get something warm to eat. It was freezing cold, with a little rain, so takeaway food sounded particularly appealing.

I arrived near an entrance to Leicester Square station and continued towards the main streets. The red lanterns were already overhead. They make such a difference to the atmosphere, especially after dark, when the restaurant signs and shop lights add another layer of colour.

The streets were busy with people walking, taking photographs and heading out for dinner. I also pointed out the relatively new restaurants in the development near Charing Cross Road. Then I carried on into Chinatown to see more of that year’s decorations.

Chinese New Year lanterns in Chinatown London, 2019

The lanterns were the main reason for taking this walk. Rows of red decorations stretched from one side of the street to the other, creating a canopy above the crowds. Looking along the streets gave some of the best views, with the lights continuing into the distance.

There was plenty to notice at pavement level too. Restaurant windows, illuminated signs and people gathering outside made the evening feel lively despite the weather. The wet paving caught the light, while the lanterns stood out against the dark sky.

I mentioned the Year of the Pig during the visit and looked for a small decorative gift. However, the main attraction was simply being there among the decorations. A walk through Chinatown at this time of year gives you plenty to look at without needing an elaborate plan.

Hot skewers from Baozi Inn

For food, I stopped at Baozi Inn. I showed the restaurant and its takeaway kitchen, where the choice included bao and skewers. Although I liked the bao, the cold evening persuaded me to go for the hot, spicy skewers instead.

I chose broccoli, chestnut mushrooms and okra. In the video, I described a wider selection that also included meat and fish, but those were not what I ordered. The skewers went into a hot pot to cook, and I came away with a steaming takeaway.

The cooking liquid had a spice mix I could not identify. I joked that the ingredients were a secret to me; I did not know the recipe. What I could say was that the result tasted very spicy, which suited me because I love hot food.

I tried the chestnut mushrooms first, followed by the broccoli and okra. Everything was piping hot. Fresh coriander had been sprinkled on afterwards, and I thought the okra was cooked perfectly. It was just the sort of warming food I had wanted when setting off from Trafalgar Square.

Eating outside also meant I could stay among the lanterns rather than leave the street scene behind. Once I had finished, I carried on looking around the rest of Chinatown.

A final walk beneath the lanterns

Later in the evening, I pointed out Four Seasons as a restaurant I recommended at the time. I talked about the long queues I associated with Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. This was a passing recommendation during the walk; my food stop that night had been Baozi Inn.

The rest of the video returns to the streets. People pass the camera beneath the lanterns, bright shopfronts frame the walk and the decorations continue overhead. Those longer views give a better sense of the atmosphere than any single photograph can.

I said goodbye before the final stretch of footage, leaving a little more time to enjoy Chinatown after dark. Between the lanterns and the hot skewers, it had been a very good reason to head out on a cold London evening.

Watch the original Chinatown 2019 video

The original Roberts London video premiered on 10 February 2019. Watch below for the walk from Trafalgar Square, the Baozi Inn takeaway stop and Chinatown’s Chinese New Year decorations after dark.