Wonton Charlie's, a Hong Kong-inspired noodle bar in London Fields, has earned a 4 out of 5 star review from Time Out, praised for its comforting broth, handmade wontons, and unpretentious atmosphere. The casual eatery, attached to the front of Cantonese restaurant Cafe Kowloon, has been a popular lunch spot since late 2025 and recently expanded to dinner service.
A steamy welcome and casual canteen vibe
Arriving on the first rainy day in months, the reviewer was instantly warmed by plumes of vapour wafting from massive metal pots in the open kitchen. A strong Vesper martini arrived quickly, adding to the comfort. The space has an airy, canteen-like feel, with a massive stainless steel bar wrapping around the kitchen, where storied chef Budgie Montoya stands at the centre, dishing out noodle soup and dumplings.
Owned by the restaurant group behind Peckham's much-loved Mr Bao, Wonton Charlie's is right next to London Fields station, making it a hit with commuters grabbing takeaway or stopping for a quick bite on their way home from work. By the time the reviewer left, all 18 seats were almost taken.
Simple menu, standout wontons and broth
The menu is simple: choose your wonton (pork, prawn, both, or fish skin), choose your noodles (with or without broth), and choose your side (crispy fish skin or fish balls). The reviewer opted for pork and prawn wontons with noodles in broth and crispy fish skin. The fish skin was featherlight with an airy batter and a satisfying crunch, described as the perfect beer snack.
The generous bowl of soup featured a clear but rich broth, not too salty, slightly sweet, with a delicate fishiness from traditional dried flounder. Handmade noodles were thin but retained a good bite, and the plump hand-wrapped wontons had a bouncy, meaty filling.
Small details and practical tips
Wonton Charlie's also excels on smaller details: a crisp pilsner arrives with a chilled glass, each station is supplied with a pot of unctuous and umami homemade chilli oil, and complimentary Chinese tea is placed in front of every diner as soon as they sit down. The restaurant offers unlimited Chinese tea, cold beer, and cocktails from Cafe Kowloon next door.
Time Out's tip is not to skimp on the chilli oil. The address is 392-393 Mentmore Terrace, London Fields, London E8 3PH. As cooler weather approaches, the review concludes it's an affordable, casual spot to hunker down over a steamy bowl, unlikely to break the bank.
