Tucked away at 305 Walworth Road sits Lao Dao, an authentic Xinjiang Chinese restaurant inspired by the historic Silk Road trade routes in Northwestern China. I walk by Lao Dao every day and was always allured by the moody neon lights reflecting through the window and the artsy vintage decor. Since then, I have sat in to eat a handful of times, and it has proved itself to be consistent, affordable, and absolutely delicious — exactly everything you want to find in a neighbourhood gem.
The staff warmly welcomes you as if you were a guest in their home with soft jazz playing in the background to set the tone. I arrived with friends around 6 pm, and it seemed like everyone else had the same idea. Couples, groups, and solo diners filled up the dining room with soft conversations and giggles, furthering the cosy and homely vibes.
To start, we decided on a refreshing tequila cocktail mixed with melon juice, cucumber, and lime. One by one, the food came out and left our table exclaiming oohs and ahs. First came the smashed cucumber, drizzled in vinegar and chilli oil, balancing the cool and crisp with a kick. As we finished savouring the smashed cucumbers, a dish of small cubed chicken sautéed with peppers and onions arrived, coated in the most amazing tangy sauce and served over a bed of rice.
The best part about Lao Dao is the variety of flavour profiles throughout the menu. They never miss the mark — each dish perfectly rides the line between savoury and spicy. Next up was my personal favourite: the Xinjiang fried noodles. The noodles are the star of the show in my humble opinion and they have never failed me. The hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with chillies, peppers, leeks, and slices of beef feel like a warm hug that leaves you speechless. Once that dish was placed in front of me, I could not say a word until I was finished! Last came the pride and joy of Lao Dao: their beef dumplings. The small parcels are lightly crispy and perfectly juicy and gingery, a close runner-up to the fried noodles.
By the end of our meal, we were thrilled with our experience and ended up spending £18 each. Considering we left with our bellies full, a container of leftovers, and relaxed by the put-together ambience, it is safe to say that Lao Dao will be seeing more of me in the future!
Harley Berry
Address: 305 Walworth Rd, London SE17 2TG