Events
Happy Lunar New Year!
29 January marks the beginning of the New Lunar Year, the year of the snake. It’s one of the most significant events for some East and Southeast Asian communities. It’s a time to celebrate the past year and embrace new beginnings. Happy Lunar New Year to all those celebrating! Don’t miss the free Chinese New Year Parade, supported by the Mayor of London taking place in Chinatown and the West End on Sunday 2 February. Everyone’s invited!
The Royal Docks and the wider east end and have strong connections to East and Southeast Asia, both past and present. From the clipper ships that carried tea from China to the Docks to London’s first Chinatown in Limehouse, the area boasts a rich heritage. Today, organisations such as St Anne's Filipino Community Association and Newham Chinese Association champion the East and Southeast Asian community in the Royal Docks. The community makes a huge contribution to the area economically, culturally, and socially. Here are more highlights of local links:
Eat
China Palace
China Palace has been serving authentic Chinese cuisine for over three decades. Located in Royal Victoria Dock, the restaurant has an extensive menu offering classic and traditional dishes. The house specials include papaya salad with prawns, fresh crab hot pot and oyster pancakes. China Palace also offers a fun karaoke experience with several private rooms for groups of 10 - 40 people. Guests can choose from a selection of over 20,000 songs with ultimate party anthems and classics from across the decades.
Unit R1 Warehouse, 2 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock North, London, E16 1DR
Keon Bae
For Korean barbeque and cuisine head to Keon Bae in Royal Wharf. The dining experience features a tabletop grill in the centre of the table allowing you to cook marinated meat and veg yourself or with the assistance if needed. On Tuesdays satisfy your cravings with a mouth-watering 90-minute unlimited Korean barbeque and buffet. Plus spend over £20 to enjoy two free parking hours of free parking while you dine in. Cheers!
Keon Bae, 20 Royal Crest Avenue, London E16 2PR
Le Kitchen
Take a night off from cooking and enjoy a local takeaway. Le Kitchen serves delicious Vietnamese food you won’t want to miss. Enjoy all the classic Vietnamese without any washing up.
Le kitchen, 390 Barking Road, London, E13 8HJ. Tel - 020 7511 4815
Myma
Nestled with the heart of Caxton Works, Myma is new addition to the Royal Docks. The restaurant and cocktail bar serve authentic Japanese-inspired cuisine. The menu reflects Japanese culture’s appreciation for balance and simplicity with a selection of small plates such as gyoza, yasai tempura and soft-shell crab. For main course try bao buns and fresh handmade sushi or a comforting bowl of hearty chicken katsu ramen. Save room for dorayaki, delicious traditional Japanese sweet pancakes.
Upstairs you’ll also find Canning Town’s only cocktail bar where handcrafted cocktails are made using traditional Japanese ingredients and top-notch spirits.
Myma Restaurant, 2 Caxton Street North, London, E16 1XJ
Nakhon Thai Restaurant
For an authentic taste of Thai cuisine, visit Nakhon Thai restaurant, located in Royal Victoria Dock. The restaurant serves traditional dishes that offer a delicious balanced of sweet, salty, sour, umami, bitter and spicy flavours. Try Monk’s Delight, a vegetable green curry with pea aubergine, eggplant, pepper, and bamboo shoots all cooked in homemade curry paste made from fresh green chili and basil. For dessert try mango sticky rice, sliced sweet mango served over a bed of steamed glutinous rice in coconut milk infused with pandanus leaves.
Nakhon Thai Restaurant, 1 Dock Rd, London E16 1AH
S'more Taste of Asia
Located in Royal Albert Dock, this stylish fusion restaurant offers a menu of unique dishes that celebrates the best of Asian cuisine that will transport your taste buds. Try the tender Mongolia fillet steak or the Malaysia inspired Gelato Brioche with Pandan Onde Onde glutinous rice balls. Don’t miss the mouthwatering artisan dim sum that includes black truffle prawn, scallops, mushroom, and kimchi chicken dumplings. Enjoy two hours of free parking when you dine in.
S'more Taste of Asia, 18 Royal Crest Avenue, London E16 2PR
Tian Tian Market
Tian Tian Market is a one-stop shop for East and Southeast Asian groceries. The store offers a wide range of premium and niche groceries, drinks and lifestyle products from over 25 Asian countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It’s a foodie’s paradise! From noodles to confectionery, shoppers can enjoy a culinary journey adventure, with staff on hand to share their expertise. Don’t miss their regular food-tasting events to sample the delights of soju, bubble tea, gyoza and more.
Tian Tian Market, 6-8 Minnie Baldock St, London E16 1YE
Yi-Ban
Just a short walk from Royal Albert DLR station, Yi-Ban Chinese restaurant offers traditional cuisine in a chic and modern setting. Yi-Ban which means first class in Mandarin, perfectly reflects their delicious dim sum, making it a popular choice within the local Chinese community. With panoramic views of Royal Albert Dock and London City Airport, the restaurant is also perfect for plane spotting.
Yi-Ban, London Regatta Centre, 1010 Dockside Rd, London E16 2QT
Shop
Jiamart Asian Grocery & Yifang Fruit Tea
Discover an exciting range of authentic Asian products at Jiamart grocery store in Royal Wharf. Shop seasonal ingredients, exotic fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, aromatic herbs and spices, snacks, condiments, unique specialties and more. Household goods, kitchenware and even plants are on offer too. Indulge in Asian patisserie, authentic hot snacks to take away, handmade bread and fresh cream celebration cakes available to order. The tiramisu cake box is a firm favourite. Plus try Taiwanese bubble tea at Yifang Fruit Tea, a premium tea shop located within the store.
Jiamart Asian Grocery & Yifang Fruit Tea, Royal Wharf, 5 Starboard way, E16 2NY
Langis Essentials
Local Filipino crafters and sisters, Ana and Jen are the creators behind Langis Essentials, a collection of handmade aromatherapy products using the finest certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils. Their range includes bath salts, soy wax candle, pillow sprays, hair oil and more, all designed to promote wellbeing and bring harmony to the mind and body. Discover their products at The Crafted Corner in Canning Town, a unique shop that offers an amazing collection of handmade items from various local makers and small independent businesses. You can also shop the full range of Langis Essentials products directly on the Langis website.
The Crafted Corner, 27 Silvertown Way, London, E16 1DH
Macaroni Penguin
Services
Dream Nails Royal Wharf
Born in East London to Vietnamese parents, Thanh Vu is the founder and CEO of Dream Nails, a nail and beauty salon franchise with five salons stretching from Essex to East London including Royal Wharf. The team at Dream Nails Royal Wharf prides itself on attention to detail, high quality nails and exceptional client service. Other tempting beauty services include waxing, eyebrow threading, eyelash extension and more. Men can also enjoy beauty treatments such as a rejuvenating facial. It’s the perfect place for a top to toe pamper!
Dream Nails Royal Wharf, 10 Royal Crest Ave, Royal Wharf, London, E16 2TQ
www.dreamnailsbeauty.com/locations/royal-wharf
Newham Chinese Association
The Newham Chinese Association, based at St. Mark's Church in Beckton support the local Chinese community, particularly the most vulnerable and those in need of language assistance. Visit the Newham Chinese Association website to see details of regular social and educational activities, including workshops, a lunch club, mah-jong, dancing, Tai Chi, karaoke, day trips, and festive celebrations.
Newham Chinese Association, St Marks Church, 218 Tollgate Road, London, E6 5YA
www.newhamchineseassociation.wordpress.com
Newham Chinese School
Discover the joys of Mandarin with Newham Chinese School. Newham Chinese School offers in-person and online classes for all ages. Young ones are taught using an immersive Montessori teaching method combining songs, stories, Chinese cultural activities, puppets, picture cards and more. Adults can join online classes to achieve an HSK qualification in Mandarin with options for beginner, intermediate and advance levels.
Newham Chinese School also offer free Alpha courses which take place Tuesdays,6pm – 8pm in-person at University of East London or online. The course covers confidently nurturing children’s growth and education, Chinese culture, mental health, wellbeing and more.
www.eastlondonculturesschoolcic.org/ncs
Leisure
Crafted Corner
Everyone is invited to the Lunar New Year celebration at Crafted Corner 12pm – 4pm on Saturday 25 January. Learn the traditional Chinese art of making pomelo leaf soap, take part in an origami workshop and enjoy face painting activities. Delicious Pan-Asian cuisine from Mimo’s Cafe will be available for purchase, and you'll also have the chance to browse themed gift stalls. This event is a perfect opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together, learn, and celebrate the New Year. Please Book in advance on Eventbrite.
The Crafted Corner, 27 Silvertown Way, London, E16 1DH
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunar-new-year-celebration-tickets-1152091630079?aff=oddtdtcreator
Diesel Gym London
Many martial arts have roots East and Southeast Asian. Experience the thrill and focus of martial arts at Diesel Gym London, one of the oldest and leading mixed martial arts gyms in the UK. With skilled instructors, you can explore a range of disciplines including Muay Thai, 10th Planet Ju Jitsu, Thai boxing, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and more. The gym also offers free ladies-only circuit classes each week.
Diesel Gym London, 1012 Dockside Road, London, E16 2QT
Macaroni Penguin
Little ones can learn Mandarin and karate and more at Macaroni Penguin, a beautifully designed play café, located in Royal Wharf. The fun and engaging classes also include music, drama, art and more. Classes take place term time, after-school and in the holidays so there’s always plenty on offer to keep the kids busy.
The chic venue also offers a cool place for children to climb, slide, jump, crawl and explore in the custom designed timber-framed soft play and baby-sensory area. Meanwhile carers can relax nearby in the cafe enjoying Taiwanese bubble tea and waffles from the T4 kiosk.
On Sunday 31 January, children are invited to try the fascinating art of Chinese Calligraphy. They will also receive a free fortune cookie and a beautiful handmade red paper lantern, all in celebration of Lunar new year.
Macaroni Penguin, 28 Royal Crest Avenue, London, E16 2TE
Windy Pandas
St Anne's Filipino Community Association
Based at St Anne's Catholic Church in Custom House, the St Anne's Filipino Community Association (SAFILCA) brings together Filipino parishioners who foster friendship and share the catholic faith. This vibrant group offers a space for Filipinos to contribute their time, skills, and talents both within at church and the wider community. Visit the SAFILCA website for updates on events, trips, charity project and more. The welcoming community also meet every Sunday after the 10am mass at St Anne's Catholic Church for a cuppa, cake, and a friendly chat.
St Anne's Filipino Community Association, 1 Berwick Rd, London, E16 3DR
Windy Pandas
Dragon boat racing originated in China over 2,500 years ago. You can try out this exciting sport with the Windy Pandas London Dragon boat club based at Royal Albert Dock. The team ethos revolves around having fun, building team spirit and fostering friendship. The team train twice a week at the London Regatta Centre and compete regularly throughout the year in various events both internationally and locally.
You can join pay as you go sessions or sign-up annual membership, with your first session free! The friendly bunch also regularly meet for non-boating socials. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced paddler looking for extra training sessions, everyone is welcome.
Windy Panda Dragon Boat Club, 1012 Dockside Rd, London, E16 2QD
