The best Chinese restaurant in every US state and DC
Dim sum winners and chow mein champions

The US has some incredible Chinese restaurants, from longstanding Chinatown mainstays serving roast duck and chop suey to popular dim sum spots. There’s so much good food, in fact, that picking the best place to eat can be as overwhelming as deciding what to order. We’ve done the hard work by seeking out the most highly rated Chinese restaurant in every state and Washington DC, from sleek modern spots to family-run favorites.
Alabama: Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, Birmingham

Among the crowd-pleasing dishes served at the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, it’s the wontons in spicy peanut sauce that people really rave about. Along with this tasty Chinese-American hybrid, the restaurant offers a range of Shanghai-style dishes, pad Thai, and Korean-style noodle soup.
Alaska: Charlie's Bakery & Chinese Cuisine, Anchorage

As the name suggests, it’s not just traditional dishes on offer at Charlie's Bakery in Anchorage. It's a classic American bakery with a twist – it serves dim sum too. As well as turning out everything from Thai curry chicken to Mongolian beef, this place is known for its phenomenal dumplings, steamed buns, and Cantonese-style egg tarts.
Arizona: Little Szechuan, Tempe

Run by Ted and Swanie, who relocated to America more than 40 years ago, Little Szechuan in Tempe is the most adorable restaurant around. Pretty much everything on the menu is delicious but the most consistently raved-about customer favorites include its potstickers (fried and steamed dumplings, sometimes served crispy, pictured) and kung pao chicken.
Arkansas: Three Fold, Little Rock

This modern, Chinese-influenced café in Little Rock is the perfect place for a light and healthy lunch of dumplings, noodle salad, and noodle soup. The menu at Three Fold, which has two locations in the city, is simple and pared back with only a few options, but everything gets rave reviews. The taro chips are praised for being unique and tasty; the plump, tender dumplings are the perfect comfort food; and the beef noodle soup is just delicious.
California: Yang Chow Restaurant, Los Angeles

Chinatown spot Yang Chow has been serving its famous slippery shrimp since the restaurant opened in 1977. It consists of fried shellfish in a sweet and sticky chili, ginger, garlic, and vinegar sauce, and is the resounding favorite dish here. Yang Chow also has locations in California’s Long Beach and Pasadena.
Colorado: Flower Pepper Restaurant, Boulder

The dining experience at this cozy restaurant has been compared to eating in someone’s kitchen – assuming that someone happens to be a master of Chinese cuisine. Flower Pepper is said to serve some of the best Sichuan food in the States. Dishes include spicy dan dan noodles, pork belly stew over rice, and soup dumplings, as well as more interesting options such as Tiger Food – a zingy combination of shredded cucumber with jalapeño and cilantro – and tofu stewed in a spicy, umami-rich broth.
Connecticut: Peter Chang, Stamford

Located in Stamford, this restaurant from award-winning chef Peter Chang is regularly cited as the best in Connecticut and, for some, the best Chinese food anywhere. Elevated dishes include seafood simmered in a complex stew and served in a hot stone pot. The Peking duck (pictured) is legendary and said to be better than that served in world-class restaurants.
Love this? Follow our Pinterest page for more food inspiration
Delaware: Confucius Chinese Cuisine, Rehoboth Beach

Upscale Confucius specializes in Hunan-style cuisine and, appropriately given its coastal setting in Rehoboth Beach, seafood. Devotees describe it as the best in Delaware and perhaps the entire USA, particularly praising the use of fresh ingredients that you can really taste in the dishes. Favorites include walnut shrimp and steamed halibut.
District of Columbia: China Boy, Washington DC

This tiny, cash-only spot has few tables and even fewer frills but it has developed a reputation as the best place around for dim sum and other Chinese favorites like pork fried rice. Rice noodles are made fresh in house and used in many of the dishes – or people can buy them to cook with at home, a detail that many customers love.
Florida: Zom Hee Chinese Restaurant, Seminole

Family-run restaurant Zom Hee has been a fixture in Seminole since 1985 and is regularly described as Florida’s best, with everything on the menu more than living up to expectations. The huge dining room has a warm, welcoming ambiance that, together with delicious and generously portioned dishes like pork lo mein and crunchy noodles, makes this a reliably good option.
Georgia: Masterpiece, Duluth

Masterpiece in Duluth is a Sichuan restaurant known for perfectly prepared, flavorsome dishes like the sour cabbage with streaky pork pot, spicy aubergine, and steamed fish in chili oil. Although fans reckon there really isn’t a bad choice on the menu and everything is joyous. The portions are wonderfully generous too and best shared (or saved for leftovers).
Hawaii: Wuwei Chong Qing Cuisine, Honolulu

There’s nowhere better in Honolulu for times when you’re craving a bowl of perfect hand-pulled noodles immersed in a wonderfully fragrant, flavorsome broth. For many fans of Wuwei Chong Qing Cuisine, there’s nowhere better in the entire USA. It’s a small restaurant but the inside is so chic and cozy, you won’t want to leave.
Idaho: Guang Zhou, Boise

All the main dishes at family-owned restaurant Guang Zhou are made to order, and it shows. For many customers it’s the best Chinese food around. The menu is comprehensive and the portions are generous, with standout dishes including the orange beef and chicken in teriyaki sauce. Wait times can be slightly longer than usual because it’s all freshly made, but it’s well worth it.
Illinois: MingHin Cuisine, Chicago

With several locations in and around Chicago, MingHin Cuisine is a far cry from a standard chain restaurant. The menu combines style and substance, with its Chinatown restaurant on Archer Avenue particularly renowned for dim sum. Standout dishes include siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), pan-fried turnip cake, rice noodle rolls, vegetable crêpes, and egg tarts.
Indiana: Imperial Palace, Indianapolis

The menu at Imperial Palace, a firm favorite in Indy, is packed with Chinese and American-Chinese classics like garlic chicken, crab rangoon, and orange shrimp. Should you want something different, however, you only have to ask – staff are so friendly and accommodating, they might just whip up something especially for you. Customers say it’s a cut above.
Iowa: Long Xing, Iowa City

Casual in style and ambiance but serious when it comes to flavor, popular takeout spot Long Xing serves American-Chinese dishes such as General Tso’s chicken, vegetable lo mein, crab rangoon, and hot and sour soup to much acclaim. For many customers, this is simply the best food of its kind anywhere in the US – and it’s great value too.
Kansas: Blue Koi, Leawood

The loyal customers of Blue Koi know it’s the place for Chinese cuisine in Kansas, with one customer describing it as the best restaurant around. Besides friendly staff, it offers consistently great food in large portions. The ginger basil chicken, crispy tofu, seafood noodle soup, and Fire Bird (roast duck, chicken, or tofu sautéed with chili, scallions, and bamboo) are top picks.
Kentucky: Oriental Wok, Fort Mitchell

Oriental Wok is a local institution in Fort Mitchell. It was opened in 1977 by Mike Wong, who still runs the business with his family. The orange chicken is said to be phenomenal and the egg rolls excellent. General Wong’s Chicken is a favorite with diners thanks to its tender meat and beautifully balanced sweet and spicy sauce. The service also gets great reviews. There’s a second location in Hyde Park, Ohio.
Louisiana: Dian Xin, New Orleans

It can be tricky to get a table at this small restaurant in New Orleans’ historic French Quarter, simply because the food is so good. Dian Xin has plenty of favorites like wontons, bao, and salt and pepper squid on the menu, alongside specialties like jianbing (Chinese-style crêpes traditionally eaten for breakfast) and xiao long bao (soup dumplings). It’s a great spot for brunch too.
Maine: Empire Chinese Kitchen, Portland

This stylish dim sum restaurant serves what some have described as the tastiest Chinese food around, with customers raving that the bao and other dishes are simply perfection. On the menu are small plates such as honey walnut shrimp and crispy orange beef, plus shu mai (pork, shrimp and shiitake dumplings) and Shanghai soup dumplings. The ramen bowls are also bone-warming favorites.
Maryland: Bob’s Shanghai 66, Rockville

The star dish at popular strip-mall joint Bob’s Shanghai 66 is the xiao long bao (pork and crab soup dumplings). Each of the huge dumplings is filled with a hot, rich broth and they're regularly described as the best in Maryland (or perhaps anywhere). They also come filled with shrimp and pork, chicken, shrimp and chicken, or just pork, and are a real specialty of the place. Other notable dishes are the spicy fried tofu, sweet and sour pork chop, and dan dan noodles.
Massachusetts: Dumpling House, Cambridge

Cambridge’s Dumpling House offers a varied range of Chinese dishes and each of them – from soup dumplings and chicken noodle soup to orange chicken – is fragrant and delicious. Attentive, friendly service further elevates the experience.
This is your state's best independent family-friendly restaurant
Michigan: The Peterboro, Detroit

Located in Detroit’s historic Chinatown, The Peterboro is a stylish yet laid-back spot with colorful, industrial-chic decor and serves a contemporary take on traditional Chinese cooking. Standout items include the crab rangoon and inventive twists on classics such as these cheeseburger spring rolls (pictured).
Minnesota: Master Noodle, St. Paul

Hand-pulled noodles are the order of any day at Master Noodle, a cozy Chinese restaurant in St. Paul (formerly named Magic Noodle). They come in different thicknesses and sizes, and are served in a variety of sauces and broths. Shanxi shaved noodle soup (with beef brisket, tomato, cilantro, pickled mustard, and scallions) and Lanzhou noodle soup (beef shank, radish, scallions, and cilantro) are among the favorites, while the Sichuan wontons are melt-in-the-mouth perfection.
Mississippi: Asian Foods Market-Restaurant, Starkville

The restaurant at Asian Foods Market specializes in Chinese cuisine and is considered something of a hidden gem, serving tasty wontons and more substantial dishes like seafood chow mein. The huge menu at the restaurant, which is attached to the grocery store, includes familiar favorites like sesame chicken and General Tso’s chicken, with a great value all-day special menu with a choice of main, sides, and a drink.
Missouri: Wonton King, St. Louis

St. Louis staple Wonton King, a Hong Kong-style Chinese restaurant, is known for its excellent dim sum, which is especially good for a weekend brunch. The pork buns are hot and steamy, the roast pork is crispy and lean, and the shrimp dumplings are simply amazing. The restaurant even gets the approval of people who have lived in Hong Kong.
Montana: Jade Garden, Helena

A modest, family-owned restaurant, Jade Garden has become known for its great food and service. The menu is classic, with mainstays such as egg rolls and wonton soup, and everything is delicious and freshly cooked to order. The fried rice with barbecue pork wins praise, while people also love that there's a good range of vegan and vegetarian options.
Nebraska: Dragon Wok, Omaha

The dragon motif features heavily in this Omaha restaurant’s dining room and branding – there’s even a resident fire-breathing (toy) mascot, Jev. But it’s the freshly cooked, made-to-order food that really makes an impression at Dragon Wok, described as consistently exceptional. Standout dishes at this hidden gem include crab rangoon (crisped dumplings) and the egg drop soup. There's also a second Nebraska location, in Gretna.
Nevada: Shang Artisan Noodle, Las Vegas

There’s so much hype around Shang Artisan Noodle but it somehow lives up to the high expectations. Customers consistently rave about the hand-pulled and knife-cut noodles, and the incredible depth of flavor packed into every dish. The Shàng noodle soup, with braised beef in a rich, flavorful broth (pictured), is among the dishes that get people talking (once they’ve stopped eating, that is).
New Hampshire: Golden Tao Restaurant, Manchester

One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in the Granite State is Manchester’s Golden Tao. Its casual ambiance and unassuming exterior are deceptive, because the dishes are exceptional – with the chow mein described as the best by far. Other favorites include the huge, tender chicken wings, perfectly crisp egg rolls, and ‘build your own’ combo plates. Fans reckon it’s incredible value for money too, especially with such generous portion sizes.
New Jersey: Hunan Taste, Denville

This ornately decorated restaurant in Denville has gained a reputation for serving top-quality dishes in beautiful surroundings. It has picked up a string of glowing reviews since it was opened by the Hsiung family in 1986. Customers particularly love the crispy sesame chicken and the Grand Marnier shrimp (a twist on walnut shrimp). There’s a second outpost in Montclair too.
New Mexico: Rising Star Chinese Eatery, Albuquerque

The owners of Rising Star Chinese Eatery in Albuquerque pride themselves on their winning customer service. Family-run for more than 30 years, the restaurant serves Chinese-American classics to loyal customers who return again and again. Expect all the usuals such as General Tso’s chicken, sweet and sour pork, and egg rolls – all reliably delicious and dished up with a generous side of warm, friendly service.
New York: CHILI, New York City

A relative newcomer on a scene with many old timers, CHILI opened in 2021 and has already won rave reviews for its Sichuan cuisine, which is served with plenty of drama. People particularly love the atmosphere and service, with waiting staff going above and beyond for customers. The food itself is phenomenal, with diners wowed by everything from the dim sum to the fried rice with tea-smoked duck.
North Carolina: Ni Asian Kitchen, Raleigh

Raleigh has a growing reputation for great food and Ni Asian Kitchen, which serves Chinese, Malaysian and Thai cuisine, is a local favorite. With a focus on healthy cooking, meals are prepared using fresh ingredients. The restaurant never lets its customers down, with consistently delicious dishes from egg rolls and fried rice to bang bang shrimp and crab rangoon.
North Dakota: Mandarin Kitchen Express, Fargo

The peanut chicken is among the must-try dishes at Mandarin Kitchen Express, which fans describe as the best Chinese food around. The bourbon chicken is pretty top-notch too. People also praise the warm, welcoming atmosphere and accommodating staff, who are happy to amend dishes to suit customers’ needs. The prices are pretty reasonable too.
Ohio: LJ Shanghai, Cleveland

Cleveland locals (and visitors) in the know head to LJ Shanghai, a cute and homey restaurant in the city, for melt-in-the-mouth soup dumplings and warm, attentive service. Other must-orders are the spicy noodle soup with beef, the seaweed salad, and spicy chaoshou (spicy sauce over meat dumplings). Some dishes are pretty fiery, though customers agree they’re all mouthwateringly good.
Oklahoma: Fung’s Kitchen, Oklahoma City

This dim sum restaurant in Oklahoma City takes classic Chinese dishes and gives them a modern spin. It’s especially renowned for its sensational seafood; customers rave about dishes like the soft shell crab and salt and pepper squid. Dainty dim sum dishes like potstickers and perfectly cooked greens are also to die for.
Oregon: Dānwèi Cāntīng, Portland

This cool, modern Chinese restaurant is much-loved in Portland. Dānwèi Cāntīng is inspired by Beijing street food and serves small shareable plates, delicious dumplings, and incredible noodles. Customers describe the flavors as simply delicious, with some of the food on the spicy side. Top choices include the crispy chicken wings, dan dan noodles, and cucumber salad.
Pennsylvania: Han Dynasty, Philadelphia

There are several Han Dynasty restaurants in Pennsylvania but the Old City branch on Chestnut Street, Philadelphia is particularly highly rated – not only for its incredible Sichuan food but also its elegant location. The restaurant is inside the Old Corn Exchange with vaulted, ornate ceilings and original features that add to its charm. The menu of much-loved dishes includes flavorful dan dan noodles, spicy, crispy cucumbers, and kung pao tofu.
Rhode Island: Cheng Du Taste, Providence

Fabulously fragrant and spicy Sichuan cuisine is the specialty of Cheng Du Taste in Providence, and it’s won fans with its fresh, flavorful dishes that use the best ingredients. The spicy country-style tofu is praised for its tender, silky tofu and complex sauce, while the Chongqing chicken – hot with dried red chilies – is described as crispy and delicious. For many customers, the food is so good they instantly want to come back for more.
South Carolina: Red Orchids Bistro, Charleston

One of a handful of upscale Chinese restaurants in South Carolina, Red Orchids Bistro is the place to go for incredible food in a stylish setting. Top dishes include Hunan chicken – packed with delicious veg like snow peas, mushrooms, and broccoli in a spicy mung bean sauce – plus chicken in a coconut curry sauce and crab rangoon. Customers insist everything is amazing, though. Knowledgeable staff and great service add to the appeal.
South Dakota: Phnom Penh Restaurant, Sioux Falls

Phnom Penh Restaurant does, as the name suggests, serve some delicious Cambodian specialties, alongside dishes from other Southeast Asian countries. But it’s also one of the most highly rated spots in the state for Chinese-American food. People praise the steamed buns (particularly the pork), sticky rice, and zingy stir-fries – though pretty much everything gets rave reviews.
Tennessee: Steam Boys, Nashville

Steam Boys’ mission was to bring Chinese comfort food to Nashville and it's definitely succeeded. The menu (served at three locations in the city) is made up of fluffy bao, dumplings, and noodle bowls. Customers can’t say enough about how incredible the soup dumplings are, describing them as one of the best things to eat in the city and too good to share. It’s the sort of place people return to time and again, dreaming about those buns in between.
Texas: Hu’s Cooking, Houston

This laid-back Chinese fusion spot impresses with beautifully prepared, classic dishes. On the menu are traditional favorites like dan dan noodles and pan-fried pork dumplings, alongside some more adventurous dishes. People particularly love the dry pots – with choices from cauliflower to squid – and the incredible sweet-skinned duck, a take on Peking duck.
Utah: Mandarin Restaurant, Bountiful

Mandarin Restaurant has gained a loyal following – and legions of fans – since it first opened its doors in 1977. The sweet and sour almond chicken is a must-try, as are the house rice and the imperial noodles (chicken and shrimp with crunchy veg and egg noodles). Customers also appreciate that it offers a dedicated gluten-free menu with some very tasty options.
Vermont: A Single Pebble, Burlington

Burlington’s A Single Pebble is as charming as its name and it’s a real favorite for a special meal, with some customers describing it as among the best Chinese restaurants in the country. The hot and sour soup is always a winner, while the mock eel and garlic broccoli are among the menu highlights. When on offer, the nine-course tasting menu – with the decisions left to the chef – is outstanding.
Virginia: Peking Gourmet Inn, Falls Church

This place is a must for lovers of Peking duck. The Peking Gourmet Inn in Falls Church opened in 1978 and has become legendary for its tangy-sweet and crisp-skinned duck carved tableside and served with house-made hoisin sauce, freshly prepared pancakes, and home-grown jumbo scallions. All that extra effort and care clearly pays off, as one customer describes it as the best around.
Washington: Tai Tung Restaurant, Seattle

When a restaurant’s fans have included Bruce Lee, you pretty much know it’s going to be good. Tai Tung, Seattle’s oldest Chinese restaurant, was founded in 1935 and even has a Bruce Lee Booth, where the actor apparently liked to sit while eating beef with oyster sauce and garlic shrimp. Today people still love the food, including potstickers, flavorsome fried chicken wings and sweet and sour pork ribs.
West Virginia: Rice Bowl, Cross Lanes

Rice Bowl's menu is all about showcasing fresh ingredients in its classic dishes, which can be ordered à la carte or presented on an impressive platter. While the restaurant also serves sushi, it's the Chinese food that really shines. People love that you can taste the amount of care that goes in to every dish, from egg rolls to orange chicken. The service is great too with friendly, welcoming staff.
Wisconsin: Emperor of China, Milwaukee

With colorful murals, bright red lanterns, and decorative vases, family-run The Emperor of China certainly has ambiance, which is one of the things that keeps customers coming back. The food is another, with must-orders including orange chicken, sesame chicken, and prosperity shrimp. The latter is a slightly sweet specialty dish of crispy prawns in a creamy glaze with pineapple and candied walnuts.
Wyoming: Chinatown Restaurant, Jackson

People love the atmosphere at this cozy Jackson spot, which serves fabulous Cantonese, Sichuan, Peking, and Hunan cuisine. The family-run restaurant’s menu favorites include volcano shrimp (lightly battered prawns in a fiery red sauce), chicken lo mein, and the amazing spring rolls. It’s all this – along with the warm service and decent value for money – that has earned the restaurant many loyal regulars.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature