London Chinese Culture Meet Up

Whether you’re deeply connected to Asian culture, curious to learn more, or simply looking to meet new people in London, you are warmly welcome here 🙋
This event is open to everyone — no matter where you’re from. Whether you’re interested in culture, food, travel, languages, games, or just want to spend a relaxed afternoon and evening with friendly people, we’d love to have you join us.
Join us for a fun-filled afternoon and evening of culture, conversation, games, and genuine connection.

From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, we’ll begin with our cultural activity and networking session, featuring an Interactive Culture Quiz about Asian culture, history, food, and fun trivia. There will be prizes for the top 5 players, followed by free-flow conversation where you can mingle, share stories, and meet new friends.

From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, we’ll continue the evening with a casual Board Games Social. Whether you enjoy strategy games, party games, or just want to relax and chat, you’re welcome to stay and join the fun.
We also invite everyone to bring your own favourite snacks to share with others. It could be something from your culture, your hometown, or simply something you love. Let’s make it a cosy snack-sharing evening with friends old and new 🥟🍪

🎮 Interactive Culture Quiz about culture, food & fun trivia
🏆 Prizes for the top 5 quiz winners
💬 Cultural networking & free-flow conversation
🎲 Board games social from 7 PM
🥨 Bring your own snacks to share with others

No prior knowledge of Asian culture is needed — just bring your curiosity, your favourite snacks, and an open mind 😊

🕒 Cultural Activity & Networking: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🎲 Board Games Social: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

📍 Loong Express
104 Great Portland St, London W1W 6PE

📋 RSVP & Attendance
• Please update your RSVP if you can no longer attend. Kindly cancel your ticket in advance so your spot can be offered to someone on the waitlist.
• Late arrivals may miss the quiz rounds.
• You are welcome to join the cultural activity, the board games session, or both.

⚠️ Disclaimer
The organiser has no responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of any personal belongings during the event. Please take care of your personal belongings throughout the event.

Hosted by Nihao Serica

As Nihao Serica is also building cultural travel experiences between the UK and China, we’ll share a short 5-minute introduction to our upcoming China travel social for anyone curious about visiting China, exploring Chinese cities, food, heritage, and local experiences in the future.

Ever wondered what's inside those pyramid-shaped parcels at the Chinese restaurant?
Come and make them yourself! This Dragon Boat Festival, we're hosting a hands-on zongzi making workshop at Loong Express — one of the most fun ways to experience Chinese culture, no language skills or cooking experience required.

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🏮 A little bit of history
The Dragon Boat Festival (端午节, Duānwǔ Jié) falls on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month and is one of the most celebrated dates in the Chinese calendar. It honours Qu Yuan, a beloved poet and statesman from ancient China who drowned himself in protest against a corrupt government. According to legend, the local people were so grief-stricken that they rowed out on the river throwing parcels of rice into the water — hoping to keep the fish away from his body. That's how zongzi were born.
More than 2,000 years later, the tradition is still very much alive. Every Dragon Boat Festival, families across China gather to wrap sticky rice in lotus leaves, pack them with fillings, tie them with string, and steam them to perfection. It's a labour of love — and today, you're going to try it yourself.

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🍃 What we'll be making
Zongzi are parcels of glutinous (sticky) rice wrapped in lotus leaves and steamed until soft and fragrant. They come in sweet and savoury versions depending on the region, and the fillings vary endlessly across China. Today we'll be making a classic savoury zongzi with:

• 🍃 Lotus leaves
• 🍚 Glutinous rice
• 🥚 Salted egg yolk
• 🥩 Pork
• 🌹 Red dates
• 🍬 Sugar

Everything is provided — just bring your appetite and your curiosity.

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📋 How the session runs
11:00am — Welcome & introduction to the Dragon Boat Festival, its history and traditions
11:20am — Step-by-step zongzi making class led by an experienced teacher. You'll learn how to soak and layer the leaves, portion the rice, add the fillings, fold, wrap, and tie — the full process from scratch. Each person will make 3 zongzi.
12:30pm — Your zongzi go into the professional kitchen to be steamed while you relax and mingle
1:00pm — Sit down and eat what you made! Any zongzi you can't finish are yours to take home.
Optional: Stay on after the workshop and enjoy lunch at Loong Express restaurant.

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👌 Perfect for you if…

• You're curious about Chinese food culture and want to go beyond just eating it
• You're looking for a social, fun activity to do with friends or to meet new people
• You want to properly celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival
• You've never tried making Chinese food from scratch and fancy giving it a go

No experience needed. No Chinese language skills needed. Just turn up!

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⚠️ A few things to know

• Places are strictly limited to 30 people — this event tends to fill up fast
• Please arrive on time as the class starts promptly at 11:00am
• Zongzi contain glutinous rice, pork, and egg — please check the ingredients against any dietary requirements before booking
• Wear something you don't mind getting a little sticky!

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We can't wait to celebrate with you. See you at Loong Express! 🐉