The best Chinese restaurants in America

What is it? The city’s first dim sum house, famous for its almond cookies and moon cakes.

Why we love it: This Manhattan institution was declared the best Chinese restaurant in NYC by our editors. The iconic dim sum house in New York’s Chinatown first opened in 1920. Despite the dim sum’s deliciousness, it quickly became known for its almond cookies and mooncakes. After a remodel in 2010, the stalwart got not only a new look (think cozy, charming art deco-like decor, a distinct departure from the chaotic banquet halls that Chinatown’s dim sum scene is famous for), but also a new menu that put its made-to-order fare front and center.

Editors claim that even the typical menu items that you can find elsewhere—like fluffy pork buns, stuffed eggplant and shrimp siu mai—simply taste fresher here. Leave it to the experts in the kitchen to nail the ideal chewy-yet-light wrappers and doughs every time. Once you have your fill of dumplings, turn your attention to meaty starters (like steamed chicken feet in black bean sauce or garlicky spare ribs) and veggie-heavy apps (like Hoisin-kissed turnip cakes and cilantro-scallion rice rolls). To go beyond basic bites, there are satiating soups and bona fide mains up for grabs, too. Think salt and pepper shrimp, sweet and sour pork chops, pan-fried noodles and egg fried rice. As for dessert, there are a number of sweet buns and sesame balls on the menu… but we suggest sticking with old faithful and trying the legendary almond cookies first.

Time Out tip: The Doyers Street location is the OG, so we recommend venturing there if you’re a first-timer seeking the full experience. However, we’d be remiss not to mention that Nom Wah has additional locations in Nolita and at Pier 57, as well as in Philadelphia and Las Vegas. 

Address: 13 Doyers St, New York, NY 10013

Opening Hours: Daily 11am–9pm

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What is it? A casual Chinatown institution famous for its hand-drawn and shaved noodles and soups.

Why we love it: Ask natives and transplants alike: This is one of the best restaurants in Philly, not to mention one of the most iconic. The city’s Chinatown is replete with next-level eats, but you’d be hard-pressed to find better noodles than those at Nan Zhou Hand-Drawn Noodle House. Its hand-pulled noodles are lengthy, springy and remarkably comforting (if you like a doughier texture, the shaved noodles will be right up your alley). They’re the base of dishes like the famous beef brisket soup, complete with tender meat and savory broth, as well as Szechuan cold noodles, slicked with tongue-tingling chile oil. The ambiance contributes to the energizing nature of this mainstay: It’s always buzzing with the sound of chatter and slurping, courtesy of locals, college students and tourists. It’s the sort of hole-in-the-wall, no-frills place that feels like a hidden gem, even though Nan Zhou’s reputation far precedes it.

First-timers will revel in the many soup options. You can pair your choice of hand-pulled or shaved noodles (FYI, hand-pulled noodles are manually stretched to be long and thin, while knife-cut or shaved noodles are shaped more like ribbons and sliced directly into boiling water to cook) with lamb, fish balls, pork, roast duck, beef tripe, clams—you name it. All the broths are topped with spinach, cilantro, scallions and pickles, plus you can add a marinated or fried egg to your bowl for about $2 more. You can also opt for noodles sans-broth, if you want to see what the hype is about outside of soup season. As a Philly resident, I recommend the peanut noodles with chili oil, crowned with scallions and a luscious peanut sauce, or the Szechuan cold noodles, finished with peanuts, scallions and lettuce. (You can also ask for them to be made extra spicy or add a protein; I’m partial to pork.)

Time Out tip: Of course, you’ll want to start with dim sum, and I don’t blame you. But be sure to save room for the diced cucumber in the sauce after all those dumplings. It’s zingy, crisp and offers a cool contrast (and reprieve) between bites of hot soup and spicy meats. 

Address: 1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11pm

What is it? Farm-to-table Asian-inspired comfort food in the San Gabriel Valley.

Why we love it: Technically, this new-school spot in Alhambra isn’t a Chinese restaurant—at least not in the traditional sense. However, to our L.A. contributors, it’s among the best Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles with flourishes from Japanese and Vietnamese cuisines. Anyone familiar with the Sinosphere’s culinary influences will delight in the unique ways Chef Chris Yang riffs on regional Chinese staples, with dishes like dan dan campanelle with mushrooms, mustard stems and chili crisp and Hainan-style sea bass atop a delightfully succulent chicken fat rice. 

Our editors adore the smoked cha siu pork jowl paired with spicy mustard, not to mention the fried chicken wings, which come naked-skinned and served with salt, white pepper and a lemon wedge. Seafood lovers are in luck here, too, with dishes like Dungeness crab cold noodles, ginger-scallion hiramasa, and claypot mussels with mung bean noodle sheets on the menu. More likely suspects, such as soy-braised duck leg with taro puree and mapo tofu with mushrooms and Sichuan peppers, are also available for purists. But no matter how you order, it’ll be a meal for the books, given this resto’s reputation for flawlessly executed Asian-inflected dishes that are deliciously complex. 

Time Out tip: To ensure you get the widest selection of desserts at the end of your meal, place your order ahead of time, especially if you’re going to dinner later in the evening. Popular items, like the black sesame cake with house whiskey caramel, often sell out early. 

Address: 112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801

Opening Hours: Thu–Sun 5–9pm; Fri–Sat, Thu, Mon 9am–2pm (additional brunch hours)

What is it? A no-frills eatery serving family-style dishes on West Philly’s main drag.

Why we love it: There’s no shortage of streetcorner takeout joints in Philadelphia. But if you’re looking for the real deal outside Chinatown, this West Philly establishment fits the bill. You can still get the Americanized basics, not to mention Malaysian and Thai fare, but the main draw is no doubt the Szechuan food, which is as stunning as it is savory, spicy and nuanced. 

Take it from me, a regular. All the best appetizers are Chinese, from the delightfully greasy scallion pancakes to the generously lacquered dan dan noodles to the melt-in-your-mouth pork dumplings, doused in crimson chili oil. As for mains, the dry chili pepper-stir-fried chicken is a go-to of mine, thanks to its punchy heat and shattering crunch. But my favorite entree is the poached pork in bold, numbing Szechuan sauce. If you’re eating with a crowd, consider the BBQ whole fish with mixed seafood and lotus root, or the dry-braised whole fish for a crispier experience. You also can’t go wrong with the melt-in-your-mouth braised pork belly or any of the noodle soups. (I’m partial to spicy beef, but there’s tomato and egg or cucumber egg drop for the vegetarians.) 

If you want to venture into the Malaysian corner of the menu, you’ll have curry stir fries, noodles and rice-and-protein mains to choose from. I suggest the sizzling black pepper beef, the bold shrimp paste fried rice and the starry tofu, complete with snow peas, bean curd and carrots. As for Thai food, the menu includes all the essentials, like coconut-kissed green and red curries, tom yum soup and a slew of noodle dishes, like pad si ew and pad kee mao. 

Time Out tip: If you order anything brothy, saucy or crowned with chili oil, hear me out: Order a second side of rice. You won’t want to let a single drop of liquid gold (or liquid red, rather) go to waste. 

Address: 4626 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19143

Opening hours: Wed–Mon 11am–11pm

What is it? A Michelin-starred fine dining outpost in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

Why we love it: As one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants categorized as Chinese, the impact Mister Jiu’s has had on the country’s fine dining scene is nothing to sneer at. Chef and owner Brandon Jew opened the groundbreaking restaurant in 2016 in a space that once housed the legendary Chinese banquet hall and restaurant, Four Seas. Ever since, the restaurant has been showered with accolades for its distinctly Californian rendition of Chinese fare.

Today’s version of the menu offers à la carte dishes, as well as a four-course tasting experience for a crowd. The former offers modern, elegant spins on the essentials, like salt and vinegar shrimp chips with king salmon rangoon dip, scallion milk bread with honey butter and wonton soup with sea scallops and yellow chive. As for the banquet celebration menu, you’ll get to choose two starters (like scarlet turnip cake, Santa Barbara sea urchin or squid fried rice) before digging into the main event, then end it with an inventive dessert of your choice, like chrysanthemum ice milk with ginger snaps or apricot kernel gelatin. The crowning glory of both lineups is the Liberty Farms Peking-style roast duck, which comes whole with sides of pancakes, peanut butter hoisin and cucumbers. (If you go banquet-style, it also comes with cilantro and duck liver mousse, plus an optional pluot sauce add-on.)

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a more casual option of the same high quality, head upstairs to Moongate Lounge, a cocktail haven offering a smaller, curated food menu. 

Address: 28 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–9:30pm

What is it? A modern restaurant with a stylish, vibrant atmosphere that pulls inspiration from various Chinese regions and cooking styles.

Why we love it: It’s home to some of Miami’s best Chinese food, if you ask our contributors. After MIMI took over the south side of the historic Firestone building on Alton, it quickly became a hub for celebrities. But don’t let that fool you: Despite its swanky energy and decor, MIMI puts out dishes that are deeply memorable in a supper club-like space that’s both comfortable and splurge-worthy. Don’t believe us? Chef David Schwartz picked up a recognition from the Michelin Guide before copying his Toronto concept in Miami Beach, so you know it’s the real deal.

Starters range from fresh and light (heirloom tomatoes in aged Zhenjiang vinegar, Hokkaido scallops with seared chive oil, smacked cucumbers with wood ear mushrooms) to hot and hearty (sticky rice-stuffed chicken wings, honey walnut shrimp, pork siu mai with salmon roe). There’s also plenty of fried rice and noodles for those dining on a lower budget, or exquisitely garnished steaks for those willing to spend a bit more. But the real highlights are the chef specialties, which range from the ever-popular char siu ribs to Hunan chili sea bass in wine to garlic vermicelli prawns in ginger oil and oyster sauce. If you want to relieve yourself of the burden of ordering, leave it up to the chef. For $110, the pros in the kitchen will curate a well-rounded meal for you.

Time Out tip: Save room for dessert, because the sweets here are scrumptiously unique. Current options include coconut soft serve sundae with peanuts and sticky rice cake, ice jelly with orange granita and ginger or almond cold foam and the steamed cake with custard filling and sweet rice cream.

Address: 1575 Alton Rd. Unit 2, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 6–10pm; Fri, Sat 6–11pm; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A fast-casual Asian-American restaurant beloved for its takes on street food and baked goods.

Why we love it: Once you bite into the iconic Noodlebird egg tart, you’ll know why the Chicago restaurant has attracted scores of pastry lovers. With a creamy yellow inside and a fluffy crust, the egg tart does the Chinese bakery classic justice. Egg tarts are far from the only signature treat at Noodlebird, though. Other delectable sweets, like miso brown butter banana cake or crisped rice treats topped with nori, pork floss and chili, lead the innovation charge, but the savory highlight is surely the resto’s namesake noodles, which are made by hand on the premises. 

After getting your fill of starters like pork ginger dumplings, lotus-wrapped sticky rice and char siu buns, turn your attention to the noodles. If you like long pasta, the dan dan mian (aka long wheat noodles and minced pork in sesame Sichuan sauce) or the steamed chili peanut noodles (house rice noodles steamed with smoked shiitake mushrooms, greens and chili crisp) should check all your boxes. There’s also feather-thin vermicelli noodle soup with shrimp and coconut broth, or the Lu Special (rice macaroni with soy sauce-seasoned beef, jalapeños, peas and alliums) if you want a shorter noodle. We also love the convenient dinner packages for two to four people, which come with a protein of your choice (like charcoal chicken or BBQ pork), coconut rice, ginger cabbage salad, dumplings and dessert. 

Time Out tip: Keep an eye out for the crispy fried chili chicken thigh sandwich during football season. The limited-time menu item comes on a house-made milk bread bun, complete with spicy slaw and sesame ginger pickles. 

Address: 2957 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 4–9pm; Sat 11am–9pm; Sun 11am–8pm

What is it? A laid-back, old-school Chinese resto for family-style dining.

Why we love it: If Peking Gourmet Inn looks like your grandfather’s favorite Chinese spot from back in the day—painted lanterns, red vinyl booths, jacketed waiters and all—that’s because it could have been. After all, it’s been in operation since the late 1970s, when Deborah Lee and Bobby Tsui’s Shandong-born grandfather opened it with only eight tables. It’s expanded dramatically over time, but the signature Peking duck remains at the center of it all, ceremoniously dismantled tableside for a bounty of dark, rich meat and crackling golden skin, accompanied by impossibly delicate pancakes, house-made hoisin sauce and scallions. 

The menu is easy to wrap your mind around, even if you’re new to authentic Chinese food. There are also plenty of Chinese-American offerings for kids or folks who prioritize familiarity over novelty. Our contributors recommend the lamb dishes (like lamb with spring onion or the Peking-style lamb chop) and the lightly-battered, deeply garlicky jeo-yen shrimp for starters. You also can’t go wrong with chef specialties like crispy Szechuan beef, firecracker sea scallops or sea cucumber with roasted spring onions. If you go with a crowd and want the ordering done for you, opt for one of the Gourmet Group specials, which start at $59 per guest for parties of four or more. They come with starters, soups, sides, mains and dessert for good measure. 

Time Out tip: Don’t let the vintage vibes throw you—some of the produce at Peking Gourmet Inn is as farm-to-table and local as it gets. The crew sources scallions, crowd-favorite garlic sprouts, leek sprouts and even fish from its nearby family farm. 

Address: 6029 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–10:30pm; Fri, Sat 11am–11pm

What is it? A chainlet of eateries with a 20+ year legacy that puts Xi’an’s unique culinary traditions in the spotlight

Why we love it: Chinese food fanatics have rejoiced in recent years as Xi’an Famous Foods, a Flushing-born line of modest Chinese eateries, has rapidly expanded, opening a slew of shops across Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Here, guests revel in the cuisine of Xi’an, an ancient city in North Central China that was once a vital part of the Silk Road trade routes. 

The biang biang noodles (extra-wide, thick wheat noodles pulled by hand) and the spicy cumin lamb are arguably the most adored menu items. The former typically comes with all the fixings: bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro and seitan. Venture to the hand-ripped noodle section of the menu, and you can pair them with tingly beef, Mt. Qi pork, spicy chicken and more, or have them in soup instead of sauced. As for the lamb, it most famously comes in the form of a handheld, dubbed a burger by the resto. The signature sliced lamb stars on a split, house-made flatbread, alongside red onions, scallions, garlic, red chile and longhorn peppers. 

Time Out tip: Before you load up on dumplings, allow us to introduce the Chang’An Spicy Tofu Custard. This app stars gorgeously delicate house-made tofu, along with pickled veggies, cilantro and a slew of sour, savory sauces. Go ahead, ask for chili oil, too. 

Address: 20 locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, as well as Boston, Philadelphia and Alexandria, VA

Opening hours: Hours vary by location

What is it? A Taiwanese restaurant chain known internationally for its soup dumplings and Huaiyang food.

Why we love it: There is a go-to restaurant for every kind of Chinese dish in Los Angeles, and for xiao long bao (soup dumplings), we go to Din Tai Fung every time. Now, with locations in LA, San Diego, the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland, New York (which we got to review ourselves when it opened) and Las Vegas, to name a few, the Taiwanese dumpling house is a nationwide favorite for dumplings among both tourists and locals. The soup dumplings come filled with pork, pork and crab or chicken, so there are three ways to dig in. As far as other dumplings go, the options are borderline endless with buns, shao mai and potstickers on the roster. 

Don’t let them distract you from the rest of the menu, though. There are many fan favorites, like wok-fried noodles, wontons and soups, to savor. To be specific, we’re particularly intrigued by the shredded Kurobuta pork fried noodles, tossed in a wok until tender and evenly sauced, the pork chop fried rice, and the braised beef noodle soup, which comes with house-made egg noodles. At the end of your meal, turn your eyes to dessert for sweet spins on bao buns filled with taro, sesame, chocolate or red bean. 

Time Out tip: This is a stellar option for plant-based eaters, as the menu includes many meatless takes on traditional items. Think vegan wonton soup, vegan steamed buns and vegan noodles with sesame sauce, to name a few. 

Address: 23 locations across the U.S. and Canada, mostly in California

Opening hours: Hours vary by location

What is it? A hole-in-the-wall soup and noodle spot serving Xi’an essentials.

Why we love it: Gene Wu calls the food of Shaanxi province “very simple, not fancy at all. It’s all based on freshness.” Of course, nothing requires consummate skill and an unwavering work ethic quite like simple dishes dependent on fresh ingredients. And Wu’s actions speak louder than his words, as he shuttles between the pair of modest shops he, his wife and his cousin run in Boston’s Downtown Crossing and the northern suburbs to make buns for sloppy joe-like rou jia mo, dough for wide, springy noodles they’ll pull to order, the way the third-generation restaurateur’s family did back home and…not much else. 

Unlike the majority of its competitors, Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Café serves just a few dishes. Perhaps the most loved is the spicy cumin lamb hand-pulled noodles, fierce with garlic, onion and cilantro. You can also try the famous lamb in a flatbread sandwich with scallions (if pork is more your style, consider the five-spice slow cooker pork belly flatbread sandwich), in a stew with cellophane noodles and mushrooms or on a skewer. The hot and sour dumpling soup, which comes with a whopping dozen dumplings, bean sprouts, onions, carrots and cilantro in spicy broth, is also among the most popular dishes.

Time Out tip: The Boston location on Bedford Street is a tight squeeze with only 20 seats. To avoid crowds of college students and office workers, make like a local and ask for your food to go. (Oh, and just FYI, it’s cash only if you order in person.)

Address: Three locations in Massachusetts, including one in Boston proper

Opening hours: Hours vary by location

What is it? A small Szechuan eatery with a penchant for dumplings and cold noodles.

Why we love it: Yiquan Gu wordlessly washed dishes for six months to convince a master chef in his native Chengdu that he was serious about his culinary education. If that wasn’t enough, Gu also closed his wildly popular namesake bistro in favor of a counter stall in Inman Park’s Krog Street Market, where he could streamline his dedication to Sichuan cuisine. Years after closing the initial bistro, Yiquan Gu’s daughter and son-in-law opened Gu's Kitchen in 2019, just a short hop from the original spot.

The proof is in the pudding—or rather the stuffed, boiled Zhong-style dumplings that give Gu’s its name, tossed with tangy sauce he’s perfected the secret recipe for. They’re available with pork, chicken and vegetable fillings, so you can sample a range in one visit. Dumplings aside, diners also adore the spicy dried eggplant, the savory-sweet, sesame-tinged Chengdu cold noodles and the Chongqing spicy chicken that stars—wait for it—flash-fried chicken nuggets in a mix of garlic, ginger, red chiles, scallions and Szechuan peppercorns. Wash it all down with homemade bubble tea, available in jasmine green and black milk varieties, with or without tapioca bubbles. Oh, and don’t sleep on the selection of house-made condiments, ranging from spicy mayo to spring roll sauce to an award-winning dumpling sauce.

Time Out tip: Purists will tell you to pair your meal with steamed jasmine rice, but real ones will point you toward the Szechuan French fries. The fried potatoes are stir-fried with minced garlic, dried red chiles, ground cumin, and fresh cilantro for maximum deliciousness.

Address: 99 Krog St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307; 6330 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta, GA 30005

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–10pm

What is it? A Bib Gourmand-awarded resto with more than 100 rotating dishes on the menu.

Why we love it: Exceptionally fresh and flavorful dim sum keeps this longtime restaurant (which has been around since 1958) thriving in an unlikely corner of a massive office complex. The aromas coming from the steamed and fried dumplings at Yank Sing are so tantalizing that you’ll likely gobble them down before finding out what’s in them. 

Ordering is half the fun at this trolly-serviced dim sum institution: Just point at what looks good as the waiters roll their carts past your table and dig in to your heart’s content. Favorites include Shanghai dumplings with pork, scallion, ginger and a shot of hot broth, stuffed crab claws and goldfish dumplings filled with crunchy shrimp and bamboo shoot tips. Michelin has also given a nod to the stunningly crisp Peking duck, as well as the sweet-and-salty char siu bao. You can also warm your soul with rice or egg noodle soup, or share a meaty main with friends, like Szechuan chicken, salt and pepper pork or honey walnut prawns. As for dessert, don’t sleep on the egg tarts, which are as rich and custardy as they look. (Sesame balls and mango pudding are also up for grabs.)

Time Out tip: This is a favorite among vegetarian diners for its meatless dumplings. Options include spinach, mushrooms, snow pea shoots, and savory vegetables. 

Address: 101 Spear St., San Francisco, CA 94105; 49 Stevenson St, San Francisco CA 94105

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11am–3pm; Sat, Sun 10am–3pm

What is it? A Michelin-approved, one-of-a-kind tasting menu hosted in a prep kitchen.

Why we love it: At $150 per person, Ling Kitchen is one of the more expensive restaurants on this list, but it’s also one of the most unique—and we can’t stress how the tasting menu is worth every penny. Those lucky enough to snag one of the chef table’s ten seats can witness Chef Ling Qi Wu’s creations come together in real time. Ling learned to cook in her native Fuzhou City, then toiled her way from kitchens in NYC’s Chinatown to Austin. 

You’ll unexpectedly feel like family in the intimate chef’s table setting, where you’ll get a full view of the pros at work, turning fresh, organic ingredients into elevated Chinese cuisine. The menu is ever-changing and notoriously hush-hush, but past dishes have included her fisherman’s-style Hong Kong lobster with steamed egg and sea cucumber, braised pork belly with quail egg or steak with beef wagyu potstickers over purple yam puree. 

Time Out tip: You won’t be able to walk in and snag a table, as seating is super limited. You’ll need to make a reservation, and rumor has it that spots open up on the first of every month at noon, so that’s your best bet for getting a seat. 

Address: 8423 Research Blvd., Austin TX 78758

Opening hours: Thu–Sat 6:30–8:30pm 

What is it? A Chinatown institution known for its soup dumplings.

Why we love it: Philadelphia’s home to a number of contenders, but few have a backstory like this Chinatown magnet. The owners can trace their ancestry back to one of the chefs who invented xiao long bao, or soup dumplings—and they’ve got the recipe to prove it. What’s more, says Sally Da, her mother-partner Shizhou has been cooking “the entire line of Shanghai-style dim sum” for more than 30 years. 

That said, Dim Sum Garden’s dedicated fanbase is the product of more than just its famed little dough pouches, bursting with broth at the touch of a tooth. Its dumplings (with roast pork, crab, pan-fried beef, chives and more) and cakes of all kinds (pumpkin! coconut! sweet red bean!)—flat, thick, steamed, fried, savory, sweet—have all played substantial roles, not to mention myriad variations on the snappy house noodles. If you like yours slightly crisped, the Shanghai stir-fried noodles are the move. For a dish that’s spicy and loaded with an array of proteins, look no further than the Singapore mei fun. For a thicker, chewier eating experience, opt for the Shanghai fried rice cakes. P.S.: This Philly staple also offers an extensive lineup of bubble teas, fruit teas and smoothies. 

Time Out tip: Want to have this resto’s famed dumplings at the ready whenever a craving strikes? No problem: Simply order frozen dim sum to take home. Options include all the must-haves, like spicy pork dumplings, shrimp shao mai and even spring rolls.

Address: 1024 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Opening hours: Daily 11am–10pm