From Chinatown to The Shard: Tradition and innovation in Chinese cuisine in London

Description: A challenge, six weeks of travel, and one final question: Does London have better Chinese food than China? To settle the score with my friend Jing, I'm hunting down the most authentic, innovative, and expensive Chinese cuisine in the UK capital.

In Episode 3, we move beyond Chinatown to explore how London became a global "melting pot" for regional Chinese flavors. We start with 280-year-old Suzhou noodle traditions at Song He Lou, then head to the 33rd floor of The Shard to visit Hutong.

I'm joined by celebrity chef Ching-He Huang to discuss the transformation of Chinese food from humble takeaways to £110 Peking ducks, and Emil Minev of Le Cordon Bleu to ask: Is authenticity still the goal, or is innovation the new king?

Featured Restaurants:

• Song He Lou: Ancient Suzhou heritage in the heart of London.

• Hutong at The Shard: High-end Sichuan with a view of the skyline.

• Mimi Mei Fair: Where Imperial China meets Georgian Mayfair glamour.

• Hunan: The legendary "No Menu" experience in Belgravia.

• Jingcheng Alley: The fiery, vibrant soul of Sichuan street food.

From importing ingredients 10,000km to the "trust" required for a no-menu tasting journey, this is the ultimate guide to London's elite Chinese food scene. Next stop? My hometown: Hangzhou.