Liverpool Street has replaced Chinatown as the go-to destination for the most authentic and distinctive mouthwatering Chinese food in London, thanks to XI Home. The restaurant stands out from the crowd for its true-to-tradition recipes, stunning variety of unique dishes, and indulgently generous portions, bringing a real taste of Northern China – and its famous dumplings – to the heart of the city.
XI Home draws inspiration from the port city of Dalian in Northern China, renowned for its mastery of dough-based dishes—from delicate dumplings and fluffy mantou to crispy pancakes and savoury buns. Embracing this rich culinary heritage, XI Home proudly brings its authentic flavours to London’s vibrant food scene, complemented by carefully curated tea pairings, handcrafted cocktails, and refreshing detox juices.
With over 20 delicious options to choose from, each dumpling is handcrafted to order by skilled pastry chefs, who create a thin, tender wrapper that perfectly encases the generous fillings. Made with fresh high-quality ingredients, these dumplings embody the warmth, generosity, and tradition of northern Chinese cuisine, offering Londoners a true taste of time-honoured craftsmanship courtesy of XI Home’s Dalian chefs.
The dumpling selection includes classics like Spicy Pork, Pork with Fennel, Beef with Spring Onion, and Open Mouth King Prawn. But the true standouts are the Lobster Dumplings and the absolute must-try Black Cuttlefish Dumplings, which burst with flavour in every bite. They offer a fresh twist on what Londoners have come to expect from this cuisine, with the exceptional quality of the pastry and the freshness of the ingredients brightly shining through. Paired with mature vinegar and soy sauce dips, these dumplings make for a deeply satisfying starter, or the centrepiece of a hearty main.
No visit would be complete without a dive into the buns, rolls, pancakes, rich soups, and meats that sit along the headline dumpling menu. The unmissable Dan Dan Noodles, a Sichuan classic, combine bold flavours of sesame, chilli, and garlic with fresh noodles and minced meat. Meanwhile, the exceptional Speciality Chilli Steamed Chicken delivers tender poached chicken drenched in a fiery sauce of vinegar, soy, chilli oil, and sugar. The Stir Fried Liver with Chives & Bean Sprouts is a great choice for anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone, while fans of Insta-worthy dishes can opt for the Pork Soup Bun where the pork broth is sipped from a straw inside the bun.
The food is rich and the portions generous – but this is a save-room-for-dessert kind of place, and the Deep Fried Pumpkin Cake is the clear choice. Served with a sweet mango sauce, its satisfyingly mochi-like texture contrasts perfectly with the crispy hot coating, bringing the meal to a close in the most deliciously moreish manner.
XI Home stays true to the culinary traditions of its background, proving that great food isn’t about reinventing the rulebook, but honouring precious generation-tested techniques. While its dishes may be familiar to North Chinese natives, they bring something entirely fresh to London’s Chinese food scene – one that’s almost saturated with options, yet lacking anything quite like XI Home’s Lobster or Cuttlefish Dumplings, Dan Dan Noodles, and Speciality Chilli Steamed Chicken that has patrons regularly returning for more.
XI Home can be found at 10 Blossom Street, London E1 6PL. You can view its menus, make a reservation, and discover more about the restaurant’s rich culinary history right here.
