A tiny little place on the corner with communal tables which can get very busy at times. I go there as I love their three roast meats combo with rice. The service is a little unfriendly and ultra efficient. As my coke was emptied into my glass without a comment and then the can was thrown away which is a little bit rude to me. However I forgive them for that. Do watch the ladies by the window making dumplings. Its amazing how quickly they can make a dumpling. But alas I've yet to try one as I'm lazy and go for the easy option everytime here. read more

This cafe is totally unassuming, a green shop front on a corner in Chinatown, but it is usually pretty full at most hours of the day, mainly I imagine because it is exactly everything you could possibly want from a cheap as chips Chinese in central London. There is always a woman making pork and cabbage dumplings in the window and these are the best things to get here, steamed or fried and served in generous portions. The noodle dishes are also pretty nice and again, ridiculously cheap. You sit where there's space at tables that often become communal as there's not much seating and you find yourself sharing with a mix of the local Chinese community and young trendies. An excellent no frills place to swing by if you become overwhelmed by the choice of restaurants all doing pretty much the same thing in Chinatown. The pervasive smell of bleach can be a little off-putting. read more

I've eaten here twice and each time was not very enjoyable, the service is lacking (and a bit rude) and the tables were dirty...which makes me question my utensils. Ew. But they do have the best bubble tea in China Town! They have a lot of veg options, but do not venture to the noodle side of things...it's sketchy, my friends and I have all gotten stomach aches. Samosas are unimpressive and small, but the dumplings were good. I'll have to pass on the atmosphere, but will not be hesitant order my bubble tea to go. read more

I have been wanting to try this place for a while, so me and my friend finally popped inside for an impromptu lunch meet. The place is quite small and quite busy during lunch hour, but we managed to be seated straight away. I ordered the soup noodles with roast duck - the soup was maybe a bit bland, but it wasn't too bad when eaten with the roast duck which helped balance out the flavours. You can add extra soya sauce if needed. My friend ordered the hot and spicy pork noodles with sauce. The noodles looked homemade and were quite thick like udon noodles. We saw the table next to us having it so we ordered one ourselves, and it was simple but quite tasty. We also shared a bowl of wanton soup. I think they use the same soup base for the noodles and dumplings as they taste the same. We were too full to try their dumplings which are supposed to be pretty good, and you can also watch them making them by the window. The food here is simple, tasty and cheap, and I would probably pop back in again soon. read more

Firstly I read reviews about this place and I knew what the best thing to come for here was - the dumplings. A clue is when you see a woman in the window making them. Don't expect much in service, this is in the heart of Chinatown, but the dumplings are good. We got a batch steamed and fried and the fried ones were much tastier. Crispy exterior enhanced the flavour. Also had a chocolate bubbletea. read more

Jen Cafe - Chinese Near Me - London, XGL

Service here is not a priority, but if you're craving fresh dumplings then this trip to Chinatown is worth it! This tiny little restaurant is on the corner of Newport Place so it's really easy to find and really convenient. I would not suggest bringing a large party into this place - I think the largest table could hold maybe 6 people. I ordered: -Deep Fried Squid Rings (super tasty and not too chewy) -Beijing Dumplings (the wrapping was super good and the filling was equally tasty, to be honest, the menu didn't indicate what was in these dumplings but I sure as hell didn't care after I ate them, haha) -Roast Duck with Rice (the duck was way too salty for my taste, but the flavor was just right) I ordered these as a take-away and I was out of there in about 10 minutes. I can definitely see myself craving their dumplings again. read more

Dummmmmpppplllingggsss . . :) Since I've been in London, I've been looking for a dumpling/noodle spot. And I found this little spot! Great place to grab a quick meal - food comes out fast. && nothing beats some good ol' homemade noodles and dumplings. YUM. This place reminds me of my trips to Beijing. It's a small place, which includes table sharing, but enough arm space to use chopsticks! [for all my chopstick users out there, you know what that means . . :P] I definitely recommend this spot if you're craving some dumplings/noodles or even if you don't even feel like cooking. Cheap prices £10 or less per person, depending on what you get. read more

Beijing dumplings are loaded with green onion, ginger, pork goodness; satisfying my dumpling fix until I get back to my beloved Dumpling House in Toronto. read more

Jen Cafe - An order of Beijing dumplings for 5$ - Chinese Near Me - London, XGL

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Jen Café is a Chinatown institution and has been on its corner site on Newport Place for as long as I can remember. It's very much a caff reminiscent of the cha chaan tengs of Hong Kong serving a wide choice of hot drinks and breakfast stuff like toasted sandwiches. Whilst the bulk of the menu consists of Cantonese BBQ served with a choice of rice and noodles, there's only one reason why you come here and that's for their hand-made jiaozi or Beijing dumplings. These dumplings remind me of Beijing and you know they're hand-made as you can see the ladies making them in the shop window. I ordered the jianjiao or fried dumplings (£5/8 pcs) but you can also order boiled dumplings (£4.50/8 pcs). There was a bewildering choice of drinks but being a bit of an old git, I ordered a tankard of hot chrysanthemum tea (£1.20). The dumplings were perfectly pan-fried with a nice char on the outside. As these are Northern Chinese dumplings, they're more rustic than Cantonese dim sum but what they lack in delicacy they make up for in taste. The filling of pork, spring onion, chives, and Chinese leaf was juicy and was complemented well by the traditional vinegar dip. All in all, Jen's handmade dumplings make for a great snack or to share as a side order with a one-plate meal. read more

Terrible experience. Went for cabbage pork noodle at 12:30 and was told cabbage not ready so we settled for dumplings. Dumplings were room temperature, the outside already changed color nor fresh cooked. Coffee taste like water. I I'll never come back here or recommend my friends here. read more

Slightly grungy place that serves typical Chinese fare. Baozi Inn was closed for the day, so my friend and I hopped over to Jen Cafe hoping for some good bubble tea. The tea itself was good, but the bubbles were hard and slimy. Mission half accomplished? My combination rice was only so-so and my friend said her vegetable dumplings were also just average. Service was quick and friendly. It gets fairly crowded at lunch time. There are definitely better places in Chinatown, but it's not bad for a quick, authentic Chinese meal. Next time, if there is a next time, I'll order the meat dumplings and tea sans bubbles. read more

I love this place. I know the service is not great- the staff are often pushy and a bit annoying, even at their best- and I know the seating is a bit odd (getting sat next to strangers at the same table can be a bit weird!), but the dumplings? Well, they make up for everything. It's wonderful watching people make dumplings from scratch in the window, and when you taste them, they're even better. I actually think everything pork-based from this place is amazing-- at least, I have yet to try something I disliked. Wonderful assortment of teas, as well. The price is, of course, the real winner- you always leave feeling full and satisfied! read more

Lured by the relatively cheap prices, my partner and I went to Jen Cafe before heading to movie at Covent Garden this weekend. The canteen atmosphere reminds me of the many hole in the wall chinese 'cafes' in Sydney. I had the beijing dumplings, the filling was delicious but the dumpling dough was a bit goopy for my taste. My fellow had the won ton soup and the dumplings were a bit less goopy in that, but the soup was not very flavourful. Overall I would rate this place ok, good for a quick cheap meal, but dont expect too much. read more

That's the worst chinese restaurant in China Town I think. It can not accept card and I had to find the ATM. The service is not good and staffs are noisy. I will never come back. read more

Great little place. Really tasty dumplings and great bubble tea. I really want to go back! Not expensive at all!

I love this place! The dumplings...they are fantastic. Fried or steamed they are delicious! And I love washing it down with a bubble tea...so far the best I've had in London. The Pork Noodle soup...it was ok... the noodles were mushy and didn't hold up very well, but the flavour of the soup was good. For the price, I think it is a great value and I prefer to take my lunch to go and sit outside. Not to mention the service is fast! read more

Tiny place at the edge is Chinatown. Service was courteous indeed. Dumpling is their bread and butter, so that's also decent. The soup noodle was overwhelming flavorful, perhaps because of the msg. Overall 3 stars. read more

solid dumplings, except I have never been treated so poorly at a restaurant in my life! the owner was extremely rude and pushy. we went to grab a late lunch (business was rather slow), and she basically was trying to get us to wolf down our food and get out of the restaurant. when I asked for an extra plate so we could divide up our order, she yelled at me saying no one was allowed a plate no exceptions. read more

Jen Cafe - Chinese Near Me - London, XGL

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I only come here for their dumplings, they're one of the best I've had in Chinatown. You'll usually see a lady making dumplings by the window. Food here is very cheap however the service is absolutely awful. If you're not too bothered about it then definitely try it out read more

Only had the boiled Beijing dumpling with chive and pork. Soooo good, great condiments to go with and made fresh to order.

I dream of the Beijing dumplings. I do a happy dumpling dance everytime I go. The dumplings are fresh, fresh, fresh!

Ordered octopus and lo mein. I asked the server for recommendations and found her to be causally indifferent. My octopus was rubbish (or just rubber) and the noodles were of the Cup o' Noodles variety - truly. Conclusion? My fault. Should've ordered what everyone was saying on Yelp: dumplings. They looked great on everyone else's plate. read more

The Beijing dumplings were not special at all like other yelpers were saying. We are from California USA and dumplings we tried were tasty and fresh with pillow soft skins. These were thick skinned and ordinary flavor. Also, it is un-appetizing to eat on old , worn down plates and bowls. read more

Great place for a quick bite, or a drunken feed. It's all about value here. Feed four people with drinks for little more than £20. the menu is limited so it is best to just stick to the dumplings, which are all delicious. Don't expect a "dining experience", just great dumplings at a great price. read more

The first dish of dumplings that we ordered were tasty, so we thought we were on to a good find in the hotch-potch of offerings in Chinatown. However, the won-ton's were a really doughy and then it went downhill from there. As none of the waitresses seemed to speak English it was a real stuggle to tell them our noodles did not match our order and when we asked for additonal spoons and chopsticks to share our communal selection of dishes we were told 'you have enough chopstick'. We were shoved the bill before we could order more driinks to wash down the MSG, or finish the two full dishes of food still remaining on our table. For service like this, I'd rather go to China. There are plenty of other places where I can get decent food and service in London. read more

Cheating restaurant Paid the money for hand-made dumplings, and the stuff asked me to collect after an hour. When I come back, they don't have my dumplings, and told me they don't have my order. What a cheating restaurant, and I lost my money. GUYS, don't trust this cheating restaurant. read more

My favourite Chinese dumpling restaurant in London. Really good and fresh dumplings heat are made in front of you. This is not cheap Chinese takeout. Be aware that you probably need 3 orders of dumplings to be full, so 18-20 gbp. It's the price you pay for quality food. read more

http://hungryinlondon.com/2011/03/jen-cafe-chinatown/ Even though I must have walked past Jen Cafe a million times and was always more than intrigued by the Chinese lady sitting in the window of this small Chinese eatery making dumplings, it needed the heartfelt recommendation of Eat Noodles Love Noodles (read his review of Jen Cafe here) to finally convince me to give it a try. Entering Jen Cafe on the corner of Chinatown, I felt like I had left London and ended up somewhere in China. Half of the waitresses don't even speak English. You wouldn't exactly call Jen Cafe stylish with its metal floor and furniture that has seen its best times (which were not very good even then) probably 30 years ago. I had not even finished placing my order when the food was already in front of me. This was just as well as Jen Cafe doesn't invite to linger. I just had to try the home-made Beijing Dumplings (5) and I did not regret this choice. The generous portion of steamed dumplings with meat-based filling was very tasty indeed. In fact they tasted far better than they looked Even though the dumplings would have been probably plenty for my lunch, my culinary curiosity made me order also the Pork and Pickled Cabbage with Noodles (5) from the board of specials. This soup was rather insipid and I got the confirmation that not even Chinese spices can turn cabbage into something interesting. Jen Cafe gets additional points for entertainment. Half way through my meal one of the waitresses wordlessly put loads of food I had not ordered on my table. Intrigued I watched as she brought shredded chicken, vegetables and burritos and finally takes the seat opposite me (I should mention that my table was small and the restaurant was not full). Still without a word she started rolling herself a burrito and heartily eating it completely ignoring my presence. I decided to quickly leave, somehow I didn't feel very welcome Jen Cafe is not the best place I have ever eaten at but it's fun, cheap and definitely worth a visit to enjoy home-made dumplings. I would recommend though not to choose the table the closest to the counter, she is not going to share her burritos with you! read more

Nothing fancy here, but home made noodles and dumplings. Simple, inexpensive, and right in the middle of all the action. Not a big place and there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat while you wait (buns, hot pot, etc). read more

The appetizers (fried squid, spring rolls) were good. The dumplings that we waited an hour and 45 minutes for were good, but not worth the incredibly rude service. It was a busy day, but tables that were seated AFTER us and ordered the same things were in and out of the restaurant in less than an hour, while we waited almost two hours and were yelled at when we asked politely about our order. The only attention we were paid was when they collected the check. Fine food, but absolutely not worth giving this place your business. read more

I have never written a review before but hopefully this will save another potential customer from wasting there time and money at this place. Went in for a quick snack. Ordered two dishes. When the food came out we asked for plates and this is the first (hopefully last) restaurant I've ever been where they said no! Pretty incredible and makes me wonder how they were ever in business to begin with. I hope no one else ever eats here. read more

I found the service horrendous. I was in at the door before a mother and her 2 kids arrived, yet, she wouldn't offer me the free table, and ask me to sit with other people, and gave the table to the mother/kid that arrived after me. We ordered our food, and shockingly, they serve all the westerners first (the westerners sitting to our left, right, and the mother/kids). I had to ask about 3 times as to where my veg dumplings are? They say they are making them. I find it hard to believe they don't have one prepared earlier, yet can serve others first. Food came out ordinary. Dumplings were few and small sized. Came in soup, when i thought i get noodles. Later unimpressed with their preferential service. I will never go back there again. Went to another one afterwards on the main strip called "Far East" and had much better attentive service that the boss even came up to us to chat, bigger dumplings, and cheaper too. read more