Huge Chinese restaurant with 900 international sites coming to UK for the first time

A Chinese dumpling chain which operates more than 900 locations across the globe is finally set to open its first UK branch, taking over a site on London’s Shaftesbury Avenue.

A plethora of garungatan hospitality players are set to move into Britain in the next few months, with Raising Cane’s and Houston Hot Chicken leading the charge.

Jersey Mike’s Subs has also detailed UK opening news, as has Chuck E. Cheese, and now a massive Chinese company is set to lay down its first foundations.

The brand, founded in Gegang in 2002, is known for its freshly prepared northern Chinese style dumplings, succulent soup pots, noodle appetisers, and rice ball desserts.

According to its New York menu, dumplings come in 12-piece packs, with flavours including shrimp chives and egg; celery and pork; shrimp fish roe and pork in red chilli oil; and curry chicken.

Dumpling Xi is coming to London, according to reports (Guangzhou Insider)

As well as expanding across 40 Chinese cities, the beloved business operates out of the United States, Korea, and Spain.

Of course, we are talking about the cult brand Dumpling Xi, which will open its first-ever UK restaurant in the coming months, as per Time Out Magazine.

The publication stated that the chain—considered one of the biggest dumpling chains in the world—will take over 154 Shaftesbury Avenue, previously occupied by The Theatre Café Diner.

Time Out reported that Dumpling Xi has yet to announce an official opening date but branding has already been put up across the site.

It’s also understood that a sign has been put up, inviting its first cohort of UK-based employees to apply.

More new openings in London

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is set to open its fifth London store soon (Din Tai Fung)

The Dumpling Xi launch follows close on the heels of the Taiwanese dumpling chain Din Tai Fung will open a fifth store in King’s Cross this December, as per The Sun.

You can currently visit Din Tai Fung restaurants in Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Selfridges and Centre Point by Tottenham Court Road station.

Chipotle

Chipotle continues to see success in the UK (Chipotle)

Chipotle has also recently opened another site in London, bringing its total number of British sites to 22.

The Holborn site, which first welcomed customers on 17 September, is part of the chain’s rapid expansion plan.

“The only ingredient that’s difficult to pronounce at Chipotle is ‘Chipotle.’ Our food is made with real ingredients, prepared fresh every day,” said Anat Davidzon, Managing Director, International at Chipotle.

“With our opening in Holborn, we’re bringing that commitment to quality closer to even more Londoners.”

Earlier this year, Davidzon said he and the rest of the company had been ‘impressed’ by Chipotle’s momentum since it landed in the UK.

He claimed that because of the ‘standout’ success, Chipotle will look to add to its growing estate.

“We had a really positive 2025 and are looking to grow the brand more in London following that.

“We will take the time to select the right units, looking at those with high street visibility, ideally locations in central London with the dense foot traffic.”

The business, which recently awarded actor Timothée Chalamet a coveted ‘Free Burrito’ card, added that it also sees mass growth potential elsewhere in Europe.

It’s been previously reported that ‘hundreds’ of restaurants could soon pop up across the continent, with a particular focus on London, Frankfurt and Paris.