Sometimes the belly wants what it wants: a giant bowl of umami-rich noodles that’ll leave you not just extremely full, but extremely comforted. And where better to satisfy that craving than Chinatown?

Sanhao is a relatively new noodle restaurant that opened just last December, but it’s already become famous for its viral Chicken Cappuccino Noodles and dry crab noodles. But there’s so much more to it (and so much more to eat) than those two dishes.

We visited Sanhao recently – here’s all about our experience and what you should order.

What’s the vibe like?

Sanhao’s got that rushed and hushed vibe of Chinatown, busy all around, with people coming in and out. It’s not a place where you’d linger – you’re here to take care of some serious noodle business after all. But fear not – there will likely be a table for you given they’ve got tables outside as well as a second floor.

And what’s on the menu?

Noodles, noodles, and did we mention noodles? There’s plenty to choose from, and the portions are enormous, but don’t let that stop you from ordering a few starters first. The menu features a variety of dumplings alongside small plates such as deep-fried bean curd slices with sweet chilli sauce, crab and mushroom spring rolls, salted egg salad and, lest we forget, xiao long bao (Shanghai-style soup dumplings). We had every intention of ordering one, but ran out of stomach space.

Instead, we ordered the fried bean curd, which was surprisingly flavourful. Just bear in mind that it is, as advertised, deep-fried, so expect it to be on the oily side. We also tried the cured mandarin tomatoes: slices of tomato that are quite disorientating because they taste nothing like tomato. Instead, they deliver a bright, zesty burst of citrus that completely transforms the fruit. Finally, we tucked into the dumplings, which were just as good as they look in the photo.

When it comes to noodles, there’s an extensive selection of both dry noodles and noodle soups. We tried the vegetarian noodle soup, served with mushrooms, chestnuts and fresh vegetables. It’s not exactly the easiest dish to tackle with chopsticks and a spoon, and as far as noodle etiquette goes, we’re certainly no experts, but we gave it our best shot. It came with bean curd knots (to mimic meat) and chestnuts on the side.

The real hero at Sanhao, though, is the New-Age “Cappuccino” Spicy Chicken Noodles. If you’ve seen Sanhao on social media, chances are you’ve come across this dish. Instead of the usual thin, clear broth, it’s topped with a generous dollop of creamy, cappuccino-like foam that almost resembles whipped cream, hiding a rich chicken broth beneath. Stir it all together and the froth melts into the soup, creating an intensely comforting, silky broth with pieces of chicken.

Another signature dish is the Golden Roe Chilli Crab, which has sold more than 100,000 portions since Sanhao’s opening is December 2025. Dry-tossed noodles are folded through a spicy-sweet mix of crabmeat, bursting roe and salted prawn, creating a deeply savoury dish that’s packed with umami and impossible to stop eating. It’s a solid 10/10, we can attest. Please do order it when you’re visiting.

Verdict

Chinatown isn’t always the most reliable place to eat, with the questionable hygiene practices of some restaurants giving the area a mixed reputation. But places like Sanhao make it more than worth the visit. Celebrating noodles in the most vibrant, colourful way, it delivers exactly what you’re hoping for when you head to Chinatown: a monstrous bowl of pure comfort packed with bold, satisfying flavours. Better still, the prices won’t make you wince – each bowl costs around £12 and £15. If you’re bored of having your soy noodle concoction at home, make your way to Sanhao to get some inspiration. No boring plates here.

Key details

Address: 3 Gerrard St, London W1D 5PD

Website: www.sanhao.co.uk

Socials: @sanhao.ldn

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