Whether you’ve been abroad or not, I have a feeling you probably know how to use a pair of chopsticks. And, for those who haven’t traveled afar, go ahead and pick yourself up a fork and eat your favorite Chinese meal the more Americanized way. Whatever tickles your fancy is cool with me, just as long as you’re enjoying some of the best cuisine on the planet. Thanks to fine cooking methods, the right balance between spices, natural flavors and other ingredients, Chinese food is some of the most sought out by people everywhere. And us Americans are definitely in that category. So which restaurants in the States are the best to get yourself a meal? I was able to find some that you might want to try out the next time you’re either traveling or just heading to the nearest place in your own town.
10. Gourmet Dumpling House – Boston
Located in Chinatown in Boston, it’s not too hard to find out what distinguishes the place from others in the city—it’s the dumplings! My personal favorite? Those would be the sou dumplings, or xiaolongbao, which pack a ton of flavor and are the perfect amount of food for anyone looking to stay warm during a brisk fall or winter day. Combining flavor from both northern and southern China, Gourmet Dumpling House gives its patrons the full option of the tremendous dishes in the country.
9. Wing Lei – Las Vegas
A Michelin-starred restaurant that’s located inside The Wynn casino, Wing Lei doesn’t stop at offering the best experience for anyone who walks through the doors and sits at their tables. Thanks to a tremendous decor that is both classy and traditional, the food matches the look of the place, with the peking duck being the house specialty. Sure, it’ll set someone back nearly $100 when ordered, but seeing how the dish is carved next to your table and served in two different ways with a variety of toppings, it’s a small price to pay.
8. Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant – San Francisco
One can’t have solid Chinese without venturing into the land of vegetarian. And, as one myself, I can tell you that there are tremendous options out there that aren’t just full of tofu, rice and veggies. And if you’re looking for some of the best in the city of San Francisco—which is a tough task, seeing the Chinese influence in the city—Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant will provide that. With a variety of vegan options that looks and taste like real meal, along with gluten-free options to enjoy, the name of this place really does say it all, as you can’t go wrong with anything you decide.
7. Lao Sze Chuan – Chicago
As someone who used to live in Chicago, I can tell you first-hand just how seriously these people take their food. And thanks to places like Lao Sze Chuan—which offers the best Chinese option in town—Chicagoans can get their fill. With a spicy chicken dish that will make guests’ eyes water thanks to the crazy amount of red-hot chili peppers, it’s so addicting that the burning sensation won’t even bother the one eating it. Thanks to hearty meals that will leave anyone full, this is a place that should be on everyone’s list when visiting the Windy City.
6. Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot – San Mateo, California
Another option in the state of California, Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot also has locations in both China and Japan, setting the standard when it comes to the hot pot method of cooking Chinese food. Although there are a number of different varieties of flavored broths, the best, and most popular, is probably the spicy one, bringing a ton of flavor to whomever is enjoying it. Served up as family style, one will rarely, if ever, go home still hungry from Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot.
5. Legend – Honolulu
Whether coming for lunch of dinner, seats fill up extremely quickly at the restaurant called Legend, located in Honolulu. Known for the dim sum dishes during the lunch hours, a line to get into the place isn’t uncommon while the sun’s still out, but it’s even more packed once it turns into a more upscale, seafood restaurant once the stars shine down. Our best recommendation? Head over to the restaurant by about 10:30am on a weekend and order the deep-fried taro puffs, because they’re incredible and go fast.
4. Beijing Pie House – Monterey Park, California
While most Chinese places will go all out with the white tablecloths and pretty fancy decor, Beijing Pie House in Monterey Park, California is quite the opposite. Still, make no mistake that this place is still the best in the entire state of California. Known for its one-of-a-kind meat pies—flaky pies stuffed with seasons pieces of meat—not only is the food delicious, but with prices of around $7, the bill will be, too! So for you meat-lovers out there, take a look at this place and be happy to go back over and over.
3. Tropical Chinese – Miami
Known for having a tremendous, well-kept and classy atmosphere, Tropical Chinese’s food is just as sophisticated, giving its guests tremendous options that look as incredible as they actually taste. With their most popular dishes coming in the form of orange beef, shrimp dumplings and egg tarts, Tropical Chinese also offers a take-out menu for those who are looking for, arguably, the best Chinese food in Miami, but without the long wait.
2. Star Kitchen – Denver
Mostly known for its dim sum—or small, bite-sized, steamer baskets—Star Kitchen in Denver is a great choice for anyone looking for either a tasty lunch or a more romantic setting for dinner. Featuring some of the best seafood selections like fish crab and lobster, the restaurant also has a few outrageous menu items that might sound a little rough on a more Americanized palate, but are absolutely delicious upon eating. The food is also quite nice on the wallet, too.
1. Prosperity Dumpling – New York City
After giving you a ton of different options around the U.S. that offer a tremendous atmosphere along with fantastic dishes, the No. 1 spot for Chinese food is a place where dumplings cost just, get this, $0.20—and, no, that is not a typo. For less that a quarter, guests can get the tastiest dumplings this side of Shanghai, even getting the option to pair them with a sesame pancake that will bring the total cost to less than $3. All of these places might have their own character and intrigue, and Prosperity Dumpling’s is authentic Chinese food for the cost of a slice of pizza. How amazing is that? I’d say, quite, actually.
