Just last week we reported that one of the biggest Chinese dumpling chains Dumpling Xi is opening its first London store, and now it looks like another Chinese name is heading our way – historic noodle brand Cai Lin Ji is getting ready to open on New Oxford Street.
Cai Lin Ji was founded in Wuhan all the way back in 1928. Over the last 98 years, it’s become one of the most popular breakfast spots in the Hubei province, mainly thanks to its signature re gan mian (hot dry noodles). They’re served without broth and tossed in a rich sesame sauce with chilli oil and pickles, and the technique behind them has been on Hubei’s intangible cultural heritage list since 2011. While Londoners may not typically eat noodles for breakfast, the capital’s ever-growing line-up of noodle joints shows there’s a healthy appetite for them at any hour.
The brand has over 200 restaurants across China, and began expanding overseas in 2023 with sites in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, before opening its first European outpost in Paris earlier this year. London will be its first UK opening, and rumour has it, we could see a fish & chips inspired noodle dish on its menu…
We don’t know much more yet, but watch this space for more info.
Update: Fish & chip noodles will not be appearing on the menu. This was part of our honey trap for a certain other publication…
Key Information
Opening date | TBC
Address | New Oxford Street, London, WC1A
For more information | whclj.com
