Jen Cafe

This was the experience I was hoping for. I went in knowing Jen Cafe only accepts cash for payment. The lady rolling dumpling wrappers was working away in front of the window, and she reminded me “cash only” when I walked in. This is a no-nonsense dumpling café in London’s Chinatown. It was conveniently located to the Sondheim Theatre where I was seeing Les Mis that night. I popped in here for half an hour before the show to enjoy a mug of jasmine tea and a plate of freshly fried pork dumplings. It was a quick and easy dinner, very reasonably priced.

Popped into Jen’s Cafe this evening before the Theatre (Life of Pi (you probably didn’t care 😏)) for something quick and tasty, and we weren’t disappointed!! This place is a bit of a gem and a China Town institution. Definitely no airs and graces… Upon entering you’re guided to your seat at a speed that could well incur whiplash… Menu’s are laminated card and the choices are short and simple. Customer service isn’t high on the agenda, when we asked to keep hold of a menu after we’d ordered we got a look of disdain and it frisbee’d back at us 😂 However, the food is so bloody good all of the above paled into insignificance. The dumplings were cooked to perfection and packed full of flavours and filling!! One of the chefs beavers away making more dumplings in the corner of the cafe as you eat… Our fave things: The Fried Dumplings, and how care free the service is - all the effort goes into making the food so great!✊🏻👌🏻👊🏻 📍🚇| 2/3 mins walk from Leicester Square Tube Station

It's all about the dumplings. Fresh. Home made. Good value. Tasty. Best fried - though you need to specify that. Been snacking on dumplings at Jen's for decades. The dumplings have gotten a bit smaller over the years, but are still yummy. (And to be fair I have also gotten larger.) Every time I strayed into the menu I wished I had had dumplings. So. Dumplings. That's all you need to know.

It really is all about the dumplings! We had the fried and the boiled dumplings and they were all so delicious. We also tried the BBQ pork with rice which was really nice. It is a small, cosy place but with great comfort food. And seeing the dumplings being made in front of your eyes just makes it even more special. Will definitely be visiting again!