If you aren’t looking for Zhong Hua Snacks, you’ll never find it. Tucked away on Norfolk Street, this tiny spot has zero social media presence and no website, making it a true Xiao Spot find.

The name itself is a dead giveaway for those in the know: Zhong Hua is a formal, cultural name for China and its civilization. Unlike the Westernized Cantonese takeout many are used to, this is unapologetic, Northern Chinese cuisine. This is a great find for people who love it authentic!

Grit Meets Hospitality

I’ll be honest; the place is small and, frankly, a bit grubby. It’s the kind of interior that won’t be winning any awards. However, in the world of Asian street food, “unpolished” can often translate into “culinary gold”.

The owner (who was also my server) was incredibly helpful, personally wiping down my table and guiding me through a menu that spans everything from pork and fennel dumplings to chilli prawn wontons. The restaurant feels family run with a young lad serving and a lady in the back grinding dozens of dumplings.

Pigs Ears

I couldn’t resist the pull of something so unusual as the pigs ears. The inner foodie in me simply had to give it a go. Shredded into strips with cucumber and seasoned with Five Spice, they featured thin white ribbons of cartilage that gave a soft crunch. The flavour was light and mild – a great sharing dish. Would I order it again? Probably not, but it is an experience worth ticking off the bucket list. You’ve gotta try these things!

Lamb dumplings

Following the owner’s advice, he recommended the lamb dumplings, as, in his own words, “lamb is hard to find in Chinese dumplings”. He also suggested I get the dumplings fried (which costs an extra £1.80). I’m glad I listened to him, as the crispy skin brought the dumplings body to life. While the filling was a bit mild, the use of lamb was a refreshing change from the standard pork ones I am used too.

Beef noodle soup

When I asked my server about what I should order there was a lot of thought and consideration, but when I asked him about the best dish on the noodle menu he immediately and confidently blurted out “the Beef Noodle Soup”. 

The braised beef was cooked all the way through to a dark brown, making it tender enough to fall apart with chopsticks. Unlike the chewy, “posh” beef that often makes a mess in soups, this was practical, honest, and deeply comforting home cooking. The noodles were swimming in a thin broth with carrots, bok choy, and spring onions that amounted to a warm comforting bowl of Chinese home cooking.

Authentic northern Chinese home cooking

Zhong Hua Snacks isn’t going to win awards for its interior design, and it may struggle to keep up with more polished restaurants when it comes to presentation or bold flavor punches. However, it is affordable, authentic, and humble. It fills a specific gap for a great price, offering the kind of simple home cooking that explains why it’s so popular with Chinese restaurant-goers looking for a taste of home. It is everything a Xiao Spot is supposed to be.