First new restaurants announced at 48,000 sq ft Chinatown London scheme

Property firm Shaftesbury has announced the first two restaurants to sign at its Central Cross scheme on the eastern gateway to Chinatown London.

Sichuanese eatery JinLi and casual concept Modern Shanghai will open new sites at the 48,000 sq ft mixed-use development later this year.

JinLi’s venue will span 4,300 sq ft and offer space for up to 150 guests.

The venue’s interiors will feature wooden panels and soft lighting, with fittings and tableware imported from China. It will be the company’s second in the area.

Modern Shanghai will occupy 4,000 sq ft. Its interior will include a display at the front where chefs will prepare fresh dumplings and noodles.

Shaftesbury’s head of group restaurant strategy, Julia Wilkinson, said: “We are thrilled to announce two key restaurant signings, an exciting milestone in the evolution of Chinatown London.

“JinLi Chinatown and Modern Shanghai are both creative new concepts from existing Chinatown operators that perfectly reflect our strategy to introduce new flavours to Chinatown London, offering the very best Chinese and East Asian cuisine in the capital.”

Yi Fei, owner of JinLi Chinatown, commented: “2018 has been a significant year for our brand’s expansion and we are proud to be a part of the brand new Central Cross development.

“This Chinatown London location will offer innovative and exclusive new dishes, with the aim of playing a big role in redefining London’s Sichuanese culinary landscape.”

Yi Fei added: “With its reputation as London’s leading destination for East Asian cuisine, we couldn’t think of a better place to launch our second London restaurant and to offer such dishes.”