Beyond sweet & sour: The secret evolution of London's Chinatown

Is it possible to find better Chinese food in London than in China? After a heated argument at a London party, We've set out on a mission to prove my friend wrong. But what we discovered in the streets of Chinatown surprised us. 

In Episode 1 of this 4-part series, we go behind the scenes of London's transforming Chinese food scene. From the "hidden" noodle factories supplying Gerrard Street for 50 years to the rise of massive regional chains like Haidilao, the days of "Chop Suey" being the only option are over.

I'm joined by Chinatown veterans Jerry Ho and Desmond Tang to explore the Cantonese legacy, and academic Lisa Lu to uncover the dark history of London's original Chinatown in Limehouse.

This is a journey from the alleyways of London to the bustling markets of Hangzhou and Hong Kong. Can a Western city really beat the motherland at its own culinary game?

Reporter: Wang Mingjie

Video: DJ