In the heart of West London’s bustling Bayswater district, a Chinese woman found an unexpected sense of home in a Japanese restaurant. Xinran, a renowned author and founder of the Mothers’ Bridge of Love charity, embarked on a culinary journey with her son Pan to explore the diverse flavors of Queensway—a street that has become a global crossroads.
A Taste of Queensway: Exploring Global Cuisine
Curious to learn more about her neighborhood after her son’s enlightening gap year travels, Xinran delved into the history of Queensway. Originally known as Black Lion Lane, the street was renamed in 1837 to honor Queen Victoria. A century later, it took on its current moniker. Queensway boasts a rich past, once home to one of London’s first department stores, Whiteleys, established in the 1860s.
Today, Queensway is a vibrant tapestry of international cuisine. Xinran and Pan embarked on a 27-week culinary adventure, sampling dishes from an astonishing 27 countries. Their gastronomic journey took them from Mexican delights at the Queens ice-skating rink to Moroccan and Brazilian fare in Queensway Market. They savored Arabic kebabs, Persian grills, Indian curries, Iraqi stews, and Turkish delights. The pair also explored Russian, Italian, French, Greek, Thai, Malaysian, Mediterranean, Korean, Chinese, and even American fast food options.
Finding Home in a Japanese Restaurant
Their final stop was a Japanese conveyor-belt sushi spot in Whiteleys. Opting for the most economical choice—a single bowl of fried rice—Xinran and Pan were touched by the generosity of the Chinese sushi chef. He prepared an egg-fried rice dish with ample oil and salt, ensuring they left satisfied after drinking four glasses of water to balance the flavors.
Queensway isn’t just a street in London. It’s a global crossroads, a home for people from all over the world. Together, we bring our cultures, traditions and home tastes to this free and vibrant city.
Xinran, author and founder of Mothers’ Bridge of Love
For Xinran, who had previously called various places home throughout her life in China and England, this experience in the Japanese restaurant crystallized her sense of belonging. Queensway, with its rich tapestry of international flavors, embodied the essence of home—a place where diverse cultures could come together and thrive.
A Lucky Chinese Woman in London’s Global Village
Reflecting on her culinary adventure with Pan, Xinran felt fortunate to live amidst such a vibrant global community. Queensway serves as a microcosm of London’s multicultural spirit, where people from all corners of the world can find a taste of home. As Xinran aptly put it, “What a lucky Chinese woman I am, to live in such a rich world of flavors in west London – my real home.”
In a city renowned for its diversity, Xinran’s story reminds us that home is not merely a physical space but a feeling of belonging fostered by shared experiences, flavors, and cultural understanding. Through her culinary journey along Queensway, Xinran discovered that home could be found in the most unexpected places—even in a simple bowl of egg-fried rice in a Japanese restaurant, surrounded by the warmth and generosity of a global community.
