If there are two concepts that define China's Spring Festival, they are "family" and "food."

As Chinatowns across the world prepare to celebrate, it's the cooks who are working flat out behind the scenes to feed millions of revellers.

"We get lots more customers coming in," explains Chris Liu of London's Shanghai Modern restaurant. "A lot of Western people, tourists... it brings everybody together. For European people, they want to know about Chinese [culture] they come out, to have a look, try to join in to Chinese New Year.

"As for food, we have lots to offer but the staples are, of course, chicken, fish and vegetables. You have to have those three dishes.”

London's Chinatown is teeming with restaurants – some have been here for generations, others are newer.

And there's one new one in particular, that's really creating some buzz.

Haidilao Hot Pot is a Chinese staple, with outlets spread across the mainland. But the chain has just moved into Europe and its first branch is in Picadilly, on the edge of London's Chinatown and right in the heart of the city's tourist spots. 

The restaurant offers a unique experience – with manicures and massages upstairs in the waiting area and a party-like atmosphere downstairs in the main restaurant, where you'll find noodle dancing at the tables, robots delivering snacks and taking away used dishes and even large cuddly bears placed at single-occupancy tables to make the diner feel like they have company.

This restaurant opened in April and has proved a hit so far: "When we first opened, customers waited around 10 hours," Gioia Zhan, one of the waitresses told CGTN. "And we're booked right throughout the days over Spring Festival."