Kommons Asian London: Finding the Best Asian Spaces in the City

If you’ve spent any time trying to find a good bubble tea spot or a work-friendly cafe with Asian vibes in London, you know it’s not always obvious where to go. People always talk about Chinatown, but that barely scratches the surface. There’s a whole layer of Asian life spread through the city, and Kommons Asian London is basically your cheat sheet for getting in on it.

Food is just the start. Asian communities in London have shaped everything from coworking spaces to nightlife. Ever tried a late-night Korean barbecue in New Malden? Or joined a low-key networking group for Asian creatives in Shoreditch? You’re missing out if you haven’t.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with choices. Even locals sometimes don’t know about the small, hidden joints where the food tastes like home or the pop-up events where you can actually make friends without it being awkward. The trick is knowing where to look. That’s what this article is for—pointing out the places and tips that make London’s Asian scene a bit more approachable, whether you’re here for a week or for the long haul.

• What is Kommons Asian London?
• Top Neighborhoods for Asian Communities
• Best Asian Restaurants and Cafes
• Asian-Focused Coworking and Event Spaces
• Tips for Getting Connected and Enjoying the Scene

What is Kommons Asian London?

When people talk about kommons asian london, they’re basically talking about the places, groups, and spots in London where Asian culture and community buzz is really strong. It’s not a single building or company. It’s more of a scene—restaurants, coworking spaces, networks, and cultural events all rolled together. Basically, if you’re wanting to tap into the real Asian side of London, this is where you go.

Think of it as a network of trusted hangouts and safe spaces where folks from Asian backgrounds (and anyone curious about Asian culture) can meet up, collaborate, or just enjoy food that actually reminds them of home. For example, people use these spots to run business meetups, organize creative workshops, or just grab ramen after work with friends who “get it.”

Something cool? A survey by London & Partners from July 2024 found that there are over 325 Asian-run restaurants and 45 Asian coworking start-ups in Greater London alone. Here’s a breakdown:

Besides just being social, these Kommons Asian London spaces often fill a legit need—people find jobs, business partners, or even housing through these networks. It’s way easier to settle into London when you know where to find people with similar experiences.

"For anyone new to London or just wanting to connect, these Asian-centric spaces offer way more than food—they’re a second home and a springboard for new ideas," says Teresa Lim, founder of Asian Creators UK.

If you’re familiar with apps like Meetup or Eventbrite, you can find dozens of groups under “Asian community London” or “Asian creators London.” Some even run regular mixers, workshops, and even advice clinics on UK life. You just need to know where to look.

Top Neighborhoods for Asian Communities

If you ask anyone in London about the best places for Asian food and culture, they’ll almost always say Chinatown. But honestly, Kommons Asian London goes way beyond that. The city’s got pockets of Asian life scattered all over, each with its own vibe and strengths.

New Malden is pretty much Korean central. Around 20,000 Koreans live here, the biggest Korean community in Europe. It’s got grocery stores, clinics, salons, and barbecue spots that feel like you’ve just landed in Seoul. Try popping in for kimchi at Seoul Plaza or grabbing doughnuts at Bunsik. Weekends get lively, especially during big Korean holidays or World Cup games.

Then you’ve got Southall, where the Indian and Pakistani presence shapes everything from the music in the markets to the lineup of sweet shops and restaurants. It’s not just about food either—there’s Bollywood on the radio, fashion stores with dresses that stand out at weddings, and local events that run late into the evening.

Further up north, Finchley has a thriving Japanese community. Head over to Atariya Sushi or the Japan Centre to see the influence first-hand. There’s even a Japanese kindergarten and a few schools teaching in Japanese—shows what kind of community roots you’re dealing with.

Chinatown in Soho is still a big deal when it comes to Chinese food, groceries, and those late-night dessert spots. But truth is, the Chinese community is spread out—look to areas like Barnet and Hackney for legit dim sum without the crowds and higher prices.

If you want Southeast Asian flavors and the buzz of a tight-knit community, King’s Cross and Shadwell are worth a visit. Thai and Vietnamese restaurants, halal grocers, and regular cultural events keep these neighborhoods lively.

Check out this quick comparison table if you want a sense of what each neighborhood brings to the table:

So, if you’re into exploring or meeting people, don’t just do the tourist spots. Every neighborhood listed here has its own small festivals, language meetups, and shops where you can pick up snacks you won’t find in regular supermarkets. It’s the only way to experience the real kommons asian london scene.

Best Asian Restaurants and Cafes

When it comes to kommons asian london, food is usually the first thing people think about. Honestly, you could spend every Saturday this year exploring London’s Asian restaurants and still have a long list left. The go-to is usually Chinatown, but there’s so much more once you look beyond the red lanterns and selfie-happy crowds.

Let’s talk about some heavy hitters. If you’re craving solid Korean barbecue, New Malden is unbeatable—often called "Little Korea." Places like Jin Go Gae are known for their marinated bulgogi and table-top grills. For Japanese, Soho has some gems—Shoryu Ramen does legit Hakata-style tonkotsu, and if sushi is your thing, Sushi Tetsu in Clerkenwell is as close as you’ll get to Tokyo in London (pro tip: you need to book months ahead).

Let’s not forget about Southeast Asia either. If you’re after Indonesian, Warung Tempeh in Dalston comes up a lot among locals. For Malaysian cravings, visit Roti King near Euston. Their roti canai is messy, flaky, legendary. If slurping is your style, Vietnamese phở joints line Kingsland Road—Song Que is still the classic. Craving South Asian flavors? Dishoom is famous for its Bombay-style breakfasts—yeah, the bacon naan is as good as people say—and Tayyabs in Whitechapel is the go-to for Punjabi grills.

Now, on the cafe side, bubble tea almost deserves its own article. Chinatown is packed with choices like Happy Lemon and YiFang, but a lot of locals head to Tooting or Greenwich for lower key (and often tastier) options. Café East in Surrey Quays has old-school Vietnamese drip coffee, which beats the chains any day. Japanese patisseries? Lanka in Finchley and Kova in Soho have wicked matcha cakes.

The real draw with these spots is that they’re social hubs as much as food joints. You spot students working on laptops, old-timers catching up, and people waiting out the rain with hot jasmine tea.

"When you eat in London’s Asian restaurants, you’re tasting stories that traveled thousands of miles and reimagined themselves in a big city," said Angela Hui, food writer at Time Out London.

If you want to avoid long lines or want to try specialty menus (like Chinese New Year dumplings or Diwali sweets), always check the place’s socials or book ahead if you can. London’s top Asian restaurants fill up fast—especially on weekends.

• Book early for hot spots like Sushi Tetsu and Dishoom.
• Don’t trust outdated reviews—menus and chefs change fast.
• For authentic bubble tea and snacks, try indie joints outside of tourist-heavy areas.
• Look for signs of “home cooking”—like handwritten specials—or chat with regulars to get real recommendations.

Asian-Focused Coworking and Event Spaces

London has plenty of coworking spaces, but finding spots with a real kommons asian london vibe isn’t as easy as just Googling ‘coworking near me.’ A few spaces pop up again and again because they’re all about the Asian community or just have the kind of crowd where you feel right at home.

One place that stands out is Second Home Spitalfields. It’s not “Asian-only,” but you’ll notice their event calendar is packed with talks by Asian founders, pop-up ramen bars, Chinese New Year art events, and even Korean scriptwriting workshops. The networking here doesn’t feel forced—you can just grab a coffee and meet people who get what you’re into.

Another favorite for actual Asian-focused coworking is Asia House in Marylebone. They do a ton of stuff for Asian creatives and business owners—open talks, tons of networking events, cultural showcases, and support for Asian-led startups. If you want to meet people trying to bridge Asian culture and UK business, this is honestly one of the first places you should check out. Plus, their event space is always buzzing with everything from art exhibitions to panel talks on tech trends from Seoul to Singapore. Their newsletter keeps you in the loop for free events and workshops—worth a click.

For those who prefer something low-key, look up the Bento Asian Creatives Meetup in Shoreditch. It’s more casual than a big coworking brand, but you’ll find designers, coders, writers, and chefs swapping ideas and job leads every few weeks. They use coworking cafes like Timberyard so nobody feels pressured to commit to a pricey membership.

If you’re all about networking and not just a desk, save these tips:

• Join the Asia House events list. You’ll be the first to know about free or affordable workshops and business mixers.
• Follow Bento Asian Creatives on Eventbrite for monthly meetups that actually make networking easy and fun.
• Don’t miss Komyuniti’s quarterly Asian Founders Night in King’s Cross, where you can pitch ideas or just hear honest stories from successful Asian entrepreneurs.

Quick glance at where people go most:

Spaces like these aren’t just good for productivity—they help you plug into the asian community london without it feeling staged. You actually walk away with new ideas, opportunities, and people to message when you’re stuck on a project or just need a late-night recommendation for dim sum nearby.

Tips for Getting Connected and Enjoying the Scene

Cracking into the kommons asian london community isn’t as hard as you’d think. London’s packed with meetups, pop-up markets, and low-key networking events where you don’t have to already know someone to fit in. Apps like Meetup and Eventbrite list Asian-focused gatherings every week, from dumpling-making classes in Hackney to Korean language socials in Holborn.

Don’t just hit up asian restaurants london for dinner—go for their weekend events. Places like Bao in Soho sometimes host ramen nights or art shows. You can usually find these by following your favorite spots on Instagram. Those stories about food and art collabs are legit ways to strike up a conversation without feeling like a tourist.

If you’re looking for a pro angle, check out Asian-affiliated coworking spaces such as Second Home Spitalfields or the campus near Liverpool Street. They often host panel talks on Asian entrepreneurship, which draw people from tech, food, and even content creation. The vibe is refreshingly relaxed—no stuffy suits. A tip: most networking happens after the main talk when everyone’s grabbing snacks or drinks.

Here’s a quick list to give you a head start:

• Follow London’s biggest Asian hubs like @EastAndSouthEastAsiaFestival and @AsiaHouseUK for event updates.
• Jump into cultural festivals, like the Japanese Matsuri in Trafalgar Square and the Vietnamese Tet in Deptford each spring.
• Join student association groups—even if you’ve long left uni. Alumni usually welcome newcomers and host open dinners.
• Don’t forget smaller, specialty shops—like Rice Guys’ food pop-ups—where people actually talk to each other.

Stats show that over 18% of people in the boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets identify as Asian or mixed Asian, so these neighborhoods have some of the most active community groups and events. Many run WhatsApp groups for quick updates on hangouts, study sessions, or volunteering opportunities.

If you’re shy, honestly just start by frequenting the same place a few times a week. Regulars at bubble tea cafes and bakery counters spot each other. After my third trip to TSUJIRI in Soho, I finally struck up a chat with a fellow Matcha fan, and now we trade restaurant tips every month.

The asian community london isn’t an exclusive club; it’s about being open to joining in, even if that means occasionally showing up solo and giving a smile. London’s Asian scene is way more welcoming when you give it a go, not just browse.