The best restaurants for Chinese food in Boston

What is it? After a night at the casino tables, dining at this gorgeous restaurant inside Encore Boston Harbor is a safe bet. Red 8 recently became the culinary castle of celebrated Chinese Chef Kevin HanQing Yuan, and he skillfully works with his team to prepare sumptuous dishes.

Why go? You’ll find an à la carte menu with familiar specialties like dim sum, wok-tossed noodles, pork wontons, crab rangoon, noodle soups, and sweet and sour pork—all elevated and served in a sumptuous red and gold room.

We love: The Peking Duck comes straight from the wood-fire oven, and the whole steamed fish presentation is a feast for the eyes and the palate.

Address: 1 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. 5-11 pm; Fri. 5 pm-2 am, Sat. and Sun. noon-12am

What is it? This Chinese-inspired cocktail bar located in the heart of Central Square might look familiar on the outside (locals know it as being built within the cherished former Mary Chung’s space), but the inside is an intimate and super cozy new experience. 

Why go? You'll never get bored with the cocktail menu (it changes daily), and the portions are larger than you ever would expect at a cocktail bar. Play your cards right with ordering and you'll even have leftovers.

We love: Where to start? We're obsessed with the 8 Dollar Cucumber (pro tip: pour any remaining sauce on an order of the Jasmine rice), the Filet of Fish Bao and Lo Bak Go (pillowy dashi-braised daikon). For cocktails, some highlights you might enjoy include the Common Trope - milk washed vodka, jasmine, lychee, black rice sake and cucumberblack rice sake - or the Living is Just Dying Slowly, their answer to an Old Fashioned. 

Address: 464 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139

Opening hours: Tues.-Thurs. 5pm-12am; Fri. and Sat. 5pm-1am; Sun. 5pm–12am

What is it? From the minds of beloved chef Joanne Chang and Christopher Myers (also both of Flour Bakery + Cafe fame), this hip South End gem serves a fusion of “Asian-ish” (their word) cuisines, including Chinese and Taiwanese. The vibrant, intimate spot is also great for a dim sum date night.

Why go? Menu highlights include fall-off-the-bone tea-smoked spare ribs, braised pork belly buns, and smoked chicken wings with maple, miso and cashews.

We love: The restaurant is notable for offering nut-free, shellfish-free, gluten-free and vegetarian menus.

Address: 1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Opening hours: Mon.-Wed. 4-9pm; Thurs.-Sat. 11:30am-10pm; Sun. 11:30am- 9pm

What is it? It’s no wonder this Chinese spot has been beloved by locals for decades. Asian art, sleek banquettes and a prominently positioned full bar dispensing exotic cocktails in retro tiki glasses give Changsho’s contemporary dining room an upscale feel.

Why go? The impression is reinforced by highly professional service—the affable waitstaff will guide you through the menu of Hunan and Szechuan specialties.

We love: Popular options include delicate steamed edamame dumplings, sumptuous lobster with ginger scallions and northern Chinese classics like Kung Pao chicken.

Address: 1712 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Opening hours: Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. 11:30am-9pm; Fri. and Sat. 11:30am-10pm

What is it? Sister restaurant to Brighton’s humble Yunnan rice noodle shop South of the Clouds, this small South End spot has garnered attention from not only locals but also top industry dogs (its chef was a 2023 James Beard Foundation Award Best Chef Northeast nominee).

Why go? While there are classics like spring rolls, garlic shrimp and General Gao’s Chicken, not to be missed among the authentic Dian dishes found nowhere else in Boston are the Grandma’s Potatoes, Wood Ear Mushroom Salad, and Mint Beef.

We love: The Xishuangbanna Lemongrass Tilapia serves two, but you might have trouble sharing.

Address: 1721 Washington St B, Boston, MA 02118

Opening hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11:30am-9:30pm; Fri-Sat: 11:30am-10pm

What is it? Down a side street and up a flight of stairs, Taiwan Café can be hard to find, making the journey part of the adventure.

Why go? With more than 100 items, the sprawling menu incorporates something for everyone, especially those with an adventurous palate (fried stinky tofu, oyster omelets, spare ribs and lily flowers, pork kidneys, and stuffed intestines make multiple appearances). If you aren’t feeling adventurous, there are plenty of tasty traditional soups, noodles, dumplings, and meats to dive into.

We love: Specialties include Crispy Chicken Quarter Leg, Thick Bacon-Cut Braised Pork and Taiwan Style Duck and Cold Cut Beef Shank.

Address: 34 Oxford St, Boston, MA 02111

Opening hours: Daily 11-1am

What is it? Office workers and hoodie-clad students pack this 20-seat noodle house to down steaming bowls of spicy soup and orders of hand-pulled flour noodles (smacked into shape onsite).

Why go? Carnivores have plenty of choices, such as the stellar cumin-lamb noodles and the namesake pork or beef flatbread sandwiches, which are a staple food in the owner’s Western Chinese region of Xi’an.

We love: Due to the limited space and scruffy environs, most customers take their orders to go. 

Address: 466 Main St. Woburn, MA 01801

Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 11am-8pm

What is it? Its location near Kendall Square almost guarantees this Hunanese restaurant’s bright, colorful environs is packed with local techies and office workers. The restaurant—a labor of love from Sumiao Chen, a research scientist-turned-restaurateur from Xiangtan, Hunan—offers the bold flavors and fiery spices known to the cuisine, one of eight famous culinary Chinese traditions.

Why go? The kitchen combines traditional recipes and techniques with high-quality sourcing and modern touches, yielding flavorful dishes, including several exotic, unique options.

We love: Wednesday and Thursday nights add in live music to complete the scene, and there are amazing monthly food and drink specials that keep the menu exciting. They also have an impressive non-alcoholic drink list that manages to be super fun.

Address: 270 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142

Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 11:30am-10pm

What is it? Even if you don’t live in the area, this consistently packed gem is worth the trek for its freshly prepared, authentic Taiwanese (and Chinese) eats served in a relaxed, contemporary setting (slate floor, dark, Asian-style woodwork).

Why go? Attentive staff start you off with complimentary pickled veggies and hot tea. Progress to handmade dumplings and stellar savories, such as cuttlefish with scallion and ginger, and stir-fried Chinese watercress with minced garlic.

We love: While many of the options lean more American Chinese than authentic, if you know how to translate well there are definitely some gems – like the West Lake beef soup.

Address: 835 Main St. Waltham, MA 02451

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

What is it? If the name conjures up bucolic landscapes, Peach Farm’s dowdy basement digs promptly erase them. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t in for a culinary treat.

Why go? Happily, the Hong Kong-style seafood soon makes amends. Spiced dry-fried eel, enormous steamed oysters in black bean sauce, and lobster stir-fried with ginger and scallions are all superlative.

We love: The seasonal dishes are exiting menu additions and have included such specialties as California Spot Prawns, Chinese watercress, and Razor clam with black bean sauce.

Address: 4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111

Opening hours: Daily 11:30-12:30am

What is it? This tastefully understated Huron Village spot is a cut above the standard-issue neighborhood joint.

Why go? With a menu that spans Szechuan, Taiwanese and Mandarin fare, everything is cooked fresh to order. This translates to noticeably fresher, lighter flavors, as represented by the Taiwanese spicy mushroom salad and the fiery volcano chicken, which is marinated, fried, and then stir-fried with five spices to create a succulent dish.

We love: The spicy string beans and chicken boast a complex red pepper flavor, as does the Ma Po tofu. Classics like the mooshi pork don’t fall short and offer up a nice mix of fresh vegetables and hearty portions. Of note: the gluten-free options are outstanding.

 Address: 282 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138

Opening hours: Tues.-Sun. 11:30am-9:30pm

What is it? Sister entity of Woburn’s Sichuan Garden restaurant and Baldwin Bar and tucked away in Brookline Village in a sophisticated, airy room, is some of the best Sichuan cuisine in the Boston area,

Why go? What truly elevates this spot is Blossom Bar, the in-house cocktail bar that leans heavily into rum-based, tiki-style drinks, which delightfully complement the Sichuan food.

We love: The Dan Dan noodles will make your tongue tingle and braised beef with napa cabbage is not to be missed.

Address: 295 Washington St., Brookline, MA 02445

Opening hours: Daily 5pm-12am

Why go? Not to be missed is the Double Awesome, a scallion pancake sandwich with two eggs, Vermont cheddar, local greens pesto, and bacon or ham.

We love: They also offer beer, wine and cocktails alongside their menu.

Address: 58 Old Colony Ave. Boston, MA 02127

Opening hours: Wed.-Sun. 12–6pm

What is it? White walls, utilitarian floor tiles and sparse decor create a somewhat stark setting, but who cares? This small, spare eatery specializing in Northern Chinese dishes, dumplings and dim sum. And it’s even won a Best of Boston award for them.

Why go? A cheap-eats fixture in North Cambridge, it’s known for its dumplings (pan-fried or steamed) and vast menu, which includes specialties like Szechuan-style fish with black bean sauce and cumin-spiced lamb.

We love: The homemade Pork Leek dumplings are a favorite, as are the 3 Delights Shrimp. The Combo Dinners feed hearty appetites. 

Address: 2382 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140

Opening hours: Daily except Tues. Noon-3pm and 4:45-9:30pm

What is it? Nan Xiang Express is the fast-casual snack shop sister of Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao and focuses on takeout and delivery, but there is also seating on site.

Why go? Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao first opened in 2006 in NYC and immediately made the Michelin Guide for nine years straight. Known for its soup dumplings, Nan Xiang Express is certainly a place to get your fix.

We love: Beyond the Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), pan fried pork buns, siu mai, chive and pork dumplings, fried rice and much more fills the menu.

Address: 52 Beach St, Boston, MA 02111

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9:35pm