The 25 Best Chinese Restaurants In America

It’s not surprising that there is some incredible Chinese food in America, given that over 5 million people (1.5% of the entire population) living in the USA can trace their roots to China.

America is home to the largest population of Chinese people outside of China itself. And, they’ve brought their food culture and heritage with them, spanning generations. Chinese food comes in many shapes and forms, and you’ll find many of them here. We wanted to round up the 25 best places to eat Chinese food in America.

With 1000s of options, we whittled it down to just 25 in the whole country. From simple noodles to the more deluxe dining experiences, there is something here for everybody.

Think we’ve missed something? We’d love to hear your further suggestions in the comments below.

The 25 Best Chinese Restaurants In America, How do these rankings work?

25th. Red Pearl – Homewood, Alabama

A charming room welcomes you into Red Pearl, where lanterns cover the ceiling and dark panelling gives the place a great atmosphere. While they serve some of the best Chinese food in America, the venue also doubles a seafood store. So, you can take home the freshest catch to make your own dishes or enjoy the beautiful, well-crafted food they cook on-site.

24th. Trey Yuen – Mandeville, Louisiana

Ornate traditional decor makes the space at Trey Yuen feel super authentic. And, the flavours that come bursting out of the food work to further add to the authenticity you’ll find here. While you might not expect it, this restaurant in Mandeville, Louisiana serves some of the best Chinese food in America. Everything here tastes gourmet but is filled with traditional flavours you’d expect to find in any restaurants in China.

23rd. Dragon Palace – Phoenix, Arizona

Family-style Asian-infused dining is what you can expect at Dragon Palace, one of the best Chinese restaurants in America. This popular Phoenix hotspot is a favourite amongst locals. And, while they serve everything from Mongolian Beef to Kung Pao Shrimp, it’s the finely-craft Cantonese flavours that truly steal the show. Everything here tastes so good that it’s a truly unforgettable dining experience.

22nd. Yang Chow – Los Angeles, California

This famous Chinatown eatery has long been well-loved by locals. However, we’re looking to put it on the map internationally, as it definitely deserves a spot on any list of the best Chinese restaurants in America. From Schzeuan beef to their ever-famous Slippery Shrimp Bowl, you’re going to want to try one of everything on their menu.

21st. Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co – Little Rock, Arkansas

If you’re visiting Little Rock then you absolutely cannot pass up the chance to sample the wonderful dumplings at Three Fold Noodles and Dumpling Co. In this minimalist space, you’ll find a fairly simple menu consisting mainly of noodles, dumplings, and steamed buns. However, simplicity doesn’t equal boring, and it certainly doesn’t signify a lack of taste. Each and every bite at this restaurant takes your tastebuds on a journey.

20th. Star Kitchen – Denver, Colorado

So, we’ll start by saying that everything here is truly impeccable, both in terms of taste and presentation. However, it’s the delightful variety of dim sum dishes that Star Kitchen offers that make it one of the best Chinese restaurants in America. From Masako Pork Siu Mai and Spicy Jelly Fish to a variety of pork buns and dumplings, there’s something here for everybody.

19th. Great Taste Chinese – New Britain, Connecticut

If you’re after a trendy fine-dining experience in New England, head to Great Taste Chinse. Elegance is infused in every dish they serve here no matter what you order. Locals even note that this is the most sophisticated art of Chinese cooking they’ve seen in America. For an intriguing experience, order the Peking duck, which they carve at your table.

18th. Amerasia – Covington, Kentucky

Visit Amerasia to sample a taste of how Chinese food should be made. Here, the specialise in crafting dishes by hand and with skill. However, their claim to fame is their lovely 71-year-old Chef Chu and wonderful dumpling maker Elias. They work tirelessly every day to bring residents from all over Kentucky some of the finest, most well-crafted and delicious dumplings in America.

17th. Pagoda – North Pole, Alaska

You’ll have to travel to the North Pole to indulge in some of the finest Chinese food in America. Chef and owner Benny Lin started cooking at a young age, and in 1990 at the age of 25, he established Pagoda Restaurant in Santa’s hometown of North Pole, Alaska. While everything is tasty, they particularly excel at udon noodle soup savoury scallops.

16th. Chan’s Restaurant – Cape Girardeau, Missouri

While the unassuming exterior might be a bit deceiving, if you happen to pass through Missouri, you’ll want to make your way straight to Chan’s Restaurant. Treat yourself to a traditional Chinese meal in a super laidback setting. Ingredients taste fresh and the dishes are well-crafted, but we suggest starting with the chicken stir fry or spicy pork.

15th. Hunan Taste – Denville, New Jersey

Another ornate eatery, Hunan Taste excels in delivering quality service alongside traditional, tasty dishes. Guests here rave about the decor, which makes it feel as if you’re entering a luxurious Chinese palace. However, it’s the quality of the food that’s a real showstopper. Stop by for a lunch special and prepare for your taste buds to explode.

14th. Duck House – Portland, Oregon

The Sichuan-focused menu at Duck House highlights traditional favourites that are sure to have you drooling even before you order. Indulge in delightful dishes such as Chow Fun, Lamb Dumplings, Chow Mein, and Salt and Pepper Squid. Food critics and locals all agree, there’s nothing here that’s not superbly crafted and full of flavours you’ll only find in small restaurants in China.

13th. Han Dynasty – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

At Han Dynasty, they offer a quality authentic Szechuan dining experience throughout the Philadelphia area. One of the keys to their success is the use of the distinctive Szechuan peppers in their cooking which brings the whole meal alive. The dining room itself is light and airy, the beautiful design making it the perfect backdrop for the stunning food they present. Everything seems so simple, but then again perfection always does.

12th. Mandarin – Bountiful, Utah

Enjoy a tantalising variety of wok-prepared Chinese dishes at Mandarin. Bountiful is where you’ll find this scaled back restaurant, which truly makes sense as dishes here off an abundance of flavours ranging from delectable to savoury and superb. Regulars note that their Tropical Thai Tofu and their Pepper Tofu are two top dishes you absolutely have to try if you visit.

11th. A Single Pebble – Burlington, Vermont

Family-style dining is what it’s all about at A Single Pebble, one of the hottest and most authentic Chinese restaurants in all of Vermont. While the owner and chef is Taiwanese, the flavours here are Chinese through and through. While the dim sum is particularly tasty, the MSG-free flavours you’ll find in all of the dishes are truly delightful regardless of what you order.

10th. Lao Sze Chuan – Chicago, Illinois

There’s a lot of great Asian food in Chicago, but Lao Sze Chuan is home to some of the best Chinese food in the city. With numerous locations all over Chicago, you’ll find that Lao Sze Chuan is convenient as well as delicious. Their menu offers guests quite the variety, with their oven-roasted Peking duck shining through as a favourite for those looking to indulge a bit.

9th. Wo Hop – New York, New York

Wo Hop, with all of the customer photos hung on the walls, feels a bit more like a local pizzeria than a traditional Chinese restaurant. However, this no-frills eatery is the spot for quality Chinese food in New York. Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or are hungry for deep-fried dumplings and duck lo mein at 3 am, you can bet on being able to enjoy a quality dish at Wo Hop.

8th. Café China – New York, New York

If you’re looking for a bit of a fine-dining Chinese food experience, then head to Café China. A sumptuous 1930s Shangai-era interior welcomes you into the dining room. You’ll find a unique traditional Sichuan menu paired with elegant wines and tasty cocktails. Pair any of them with a dish off the menu and your tastebuds will be in heaven.

7th. Xi’an Noodles – Seattle, Washington

Nothing beats Chinese street food, but it’s often hard to come by outside of China. Xi’an Noodles in Seattle changes all of that, serving up Chinese hand-pulled noodles and other delicious street food classics. Enjoy watching the chefs prepare your meal, as the kitchen is open. Then, tantalise your tastebuds with a sample of superb noodles and delectable dry pots.

6th. Great China – Berkeley, California

Great China serves Northern Chinese fare using the best of Northern California’s world-famous bountiful land and amazing produce. The room here is always buzzing with regulars sitting and waiting expectantly for the amazing food they know is coming their way. The crispy duck rolls are the pick of the menu. And, they come with perfect pancakes to hand roll them, as well as a sweet sticky sauce at the table.

5th. Tropical Chinese – Miami, Florida

If you fancy sampling some Hong Kong pushcart-style dim sum then make your way to Tropical Chinese. Here, their dim sum is handmade fresh daily in their kitchen along with fresh noodles. A real highlight, though, is the Peking duck, which is roasted to perfection and then carved table-side. This is truly as good as it gets when it comes to Chinese food in America.

4th. Canton House – Atlanta, Georgia

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Canton House is a spectacular restaurant that offers authentic Cantonese cuisine throughout. But, they specialise in dim sum. You’ll definitely want to come with a large group of friends and have a serious appetite because they load the table with a variety of tasty dishes. The family-style eating set up gets everybody talking and mixing their food which makes for great vibes.

3rd. Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings – Chicago, Illinois

What makes Qing Xiang Yuan one of the best Chinese restaurants in America is the fact that they place a huge emphasis on selecting authentic ingredients. They excel at using specially imported sauces and following the traditional process of Chinese cooking, too. These aren’t just some of the best dumplings you will taste in Chicago but in the entire USA.

2nd. MáLà Project – New York, New York

Head to either one of the two locations of MáLà Project in New York City to enjoy unaltered, original Chinese dishes to in a 90s China inspired ambience. They offer a variety of satisfying Chinese traditional dishes to solve nostalgia for the homesick, as well as to create an authentic experience for diners with and without Chinese roots. Their “Dry Pot” is a sharing dish for the table that is an absolute must-try here.

1st. China Live – San Francisco, California

China Live is an interactive culinary and cultural experience found in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Here, you’ll get the chance to engage in an in-depth exploration of Chinese gastronomy. You’ll be taken on a delightful journey of Chinese ingredients and recipes while immersing yourself in the rich history of Chinese culture. Simply put, their food looks like artwork and is prepared by masters of their trade.