London bakery with ‘perfect’ fluffy cakes plans to open 20 new sites across UK

If you’re a Londoner, you’ll know that the city is home to some spectacular bakeries – from award-winners like Chestnut Bakery to cult favourites like Pophams, Fortitude Bakehouse, and Panadera.

One bakery business that’s been hailed ‘a real gem’ is Chinatown Bakery, which makes and sells Hong Kong-style cakes and breads.

Founded in 2012 in the heart of Chinatown, the business has gone from strength to strength over the last 14 years, so much so that a sixth location has just launched in the capital.

The brand new store can be found at Westfield White City, and while it’s only just opened its doors, there’s already so much more in the works from the Chinatown Bakery team.

The bakery business, known for its incredibly fluffy sponge cakes, filled pork buns, and Japanese Taiyaki (warm fish-shaped cakes filled with custard, Nutella, or red bean paste), has revealed ambitious expansion plans.

The team is looking to scale significantly, intending to open 20 sites across the UK in the next five years.

Exactly where these new bakeries will be located has yet to be confirmed. Still, co-owner Simon Tang previously told The British Baker the business is looking to launch ‘a little bit further out into London and maybe beyond as well’.

Speaking about the new Westfield site, Simon said it was a ‘proud moment’ for the company. 

‘We started with one small shop in Chinatown 12 years ago, staying true to the flavours and techniques of the Hong Kong bakeries that inspired us.

‘To now share that with the millions of visitors who come through Westfield each year – while keeping every bake as authentic as the first – is exactly the kind of growth we set out to achieve.’

Visitors will notice that the new store looks noticeably different from the others, having undergone a rebrand, introducing a bright new colour palette as well as vibrant neon signs. 

According to the business, the new look is intended to honour the company’s roots, while broadening its appeal to a wider audience. 

The current fan base is strong though, with Tripadvisor reviews hailing Chinatown Bakery as ‘a fabulous place’, ‘simply divine’, ‘excellent’, ‘tasty’, and ‘a real gem’.

The sponge cakes are a particular favourite, with fans claiming they are ‘perfect’, the ‘fluffiest’, and ‘like eating a cloud’.

Gitana-Preciosa wrote: ‘I have been here dozens of times over the years and it’s been a pleasure to watch this bakery grow and prosper. The baked goods are always outstanding, and I love the expansion to taiyaki and bubble tea. I consistently bring people here when they are visiting London because it’s a go-to fan favourite.

‘Tip: They sell amazing banana cake, a whole loaf for very cheap, and if you get it while it’s hot it’s amazing with a classic brown sugar tea. Also don’t miss the pork pastry, pandan cake and sesame balls.’

While Dadwhoeats shared: ‘Delicious desserts. There was a queue that went reasonably quickly. Worth the wait. Wish we could have tried more as everything looked great.’

Over on Google, reviews are similar, with Omar Azar saying: ‘Chinatown Bakery is a gem in London’s Chinatown, offering a variety of delightful snacks, including their iconic fish-shaped cakes. These are freshly made and filled with creamy custard, making them a sweet and satisfying treat. 

‘Watching them being prepared adds a fun and interactive element to the experience.’

He added: ‘The bakery itself is vibrant and inviting, with an impressive selection of steamed buns and other traditional treats. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or something unique, the fish cakes are a must-try. A perfect stop for dessert or a light snack while exploring Chinatown!’

However, not everyone is a fan, with some claiming the food is overpriced and others stressed by how busy the bakeries can get.

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