The best Asian restaurants in Covent Garden

Fittingly, Gilgamesh used to be London's biggest restaurant before relocating to its new digs. It still does things on an epic scale, however, with a grand, opulent setting complete with Babylonian carvings. The menu at this pan-Asian Covent Garden restaurant finds inspiration across the continent, including hand-rolled sushi, fragrant curries, and tempting bulgogi. Add a couple of cocktails or a bottle of something fine and stick around for the resident DJs to kick things up a notch in the evening.

Receiving high praise for its authentic, halal-friendly take on Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine, Rasa Sayang is a Covent Garden favourite. Find the striking red front, walk in, and you'll be greeted by constant chatter, sizzling woks, and all sorts of tantalising aromas – it's a bit like if you plonked a traditional hawker market down in the middle of London. The kitchen turns out an extensive array of dishes, from market snacks and curries to charcoal-grilled specials, noodles, and more.

If you're a fan of spicy food, make sure to pay a visit to Bali Bali in Seven Dials. This simple, family-run restaurant takes its chillies very seriously indeed, so a bit of caution among more heat-sensitive diners is advisable. The menu features traditional Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai dishes, with standouts including regional favourites such as nasi goreng or the sharing-friendly rijsttafel platters.

A novel pan-Asian concept, YiQi is a mellow, wood-toned Chinatown retreat where diners browse a wide selection of seafood, seasonal vegetables, and quality cuts, then decide exactly how they'd like them cooked – slow-temperature sous-vide, binchotan over charcoal, or sizzling teppan style. The restaurant combines choice and variety, theatre, and comfort under one roof.

India and China might be on the same continent, but their cuisines are often worlds apart. Not so at Fatt Pundit, though. This compact Asian restaurant in Covent Garden finds common ground in the unique recipes of Calcutta's Chinese immigrant community, where traditional Chinese cooking meets bold Indian flavours. Diners can expect dishes like dim sum with a spicy chutney, Bombay chilli prawns,  and more.

For many, Asia conjures up images of high-tech advancements and futuristic cityscapes, and Inamo brings a taste of tomorrow to the heart of London. The award-winning Covent Garden restaurant accompanies its menu of pan-Asian dishes like sushi, kimchi rice, and crispy duck bao buns with touch-sensitive tables that can be used to play games, watch a live feed from the kitchen, and more.

A franchise with outposts in multiple UK towns, Banana Tree offers an affordable dive into the vibrant world of pan-Asian cuisine. The setting is sleek, contemporary, and geared towards groups with its roomy tables and communal benches, while the kitchen spans the region, serving curries, stir-fried noodles, refreshing salads, and other dishes from Southeast Asia. They also do a lively bottomless brunch on weekends.

Just off Leicester Square, Goodwhich provides a convenient and affordable option for diners on the go. The budget-friendly pan-Asian restaurant serves a menu full of crowd-pleasing classics like pillowy bao buns, aromatic curries, and mouth-watering fried chicken. A few outdoor tables are available as well, and you can also arrange event catering.

Citarasa delivers the tastes of Southeast Asia to Covent Garden, with a line-up that runs from flaky roti canai and punchy nasi goreng to rich curry laksa and other regional staples. Step past the ornate carved doorway and you enter a warm-toned dining room where lush plants and natural textures bring a mellow tropical feel. If you'd rather eat at home, the restaurant's full menu is also available for takeaway and delivery.

Gura Gura is a lively pan-Asian restaurant in Covent Garden, drawing on Japanese, Thai, and Chinese influences for a broad menu that has something for everyone. Guests can kick things off with sushi or baskets of dim sum before moving on to elaborate dishes like black cod in shellfish velouté or soy-marinated lamb grilled over charcoal. Spread across two levels, the restaurant boasts striking, Asian-inspired design and also encompasses a cocktail lounge.