The US is home to some amazing Chinese establishments, from well-known Chinatown staples that serve chop suey and roast duck as well as tiny dim sum restaurants. There's so many great Chinese restaurants there, in fact, choosing the right spot to dine could be as daunting as picking what to eat. For your convenience our readers, we've identified some of the highest-rated Chinese establishments in each state as well as Washington DC.
Alabama: Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, Birmingham
Its Great Wall Chinese Restaurant in Birmingham has a wide selection of dishes to please the masses however, customers prefer the wontons served in a spicy peanut sauce most. As well as this delicious Chinese American hybrid, the restaurant also serves a variety of Shanghai-style meals, pad Thai and Korean-style noodles soup. There are also regular lunch menus.
Alaska: Charlie's Bakery & Chinese Cuisine, Anchorage
Like the name implies there are more than just the classic dishes available in Charlie's Bakery in Anchorage. It's a traditional American bakery, but with an added twist: it offers delicious Chinese dishes, also. Apart from making anything from soups made of wontons to Mongolian beef, the place is famous for its amazing dumplings, steamed buns as well as egg tarts made in the style of Cantonese. You can also find specials like this crisp pork belly.
Arizona: Little Szechuan, Tempe
Family-owned Little Szechuan located in Tempe is serving delicious Chinese dishes for more than forty years. The restaurant is open from lunch to dinner. The restaurant is also open for take-out. The food here is tasty, however some of the top-rated customers' favorites are Potstickers (fried and steaming dumplings occasionally served crisp, as seen) and Chicken Kung Pao.
Arkansas: Three-Fold, Little Rock
The modern-day Chinese restaurant located in Little Rock is the ideal location for an easy and nutritious lunch consisting of homemade dumplings, noodles, steaming buns and noodle soup. The menu of Three-Fold, with two locations across downtown Little Rock, is slim and basic, having limited options - but every dish is highly rated. Taro chips are noted for their unique taste and scrumptiousness and the soft, plump dumplings are the ultimate comfort food as is the beef noodle soup, which is simply delicious.
California: China Live, San Francisco
China Live sits in the center of Chinatown and features a seasonally-inspired menu featuring ingredients from the farm to table and is the work of award-winning Chef George Chen masterminds. These dishes are bursting in flavor and the customers enjoy the lively, energetic environment. The most popular dishes include Kung Pao chicken and the spicy chili crab with garlic noodles.
California: Dumpling Yo! Sacramento
Yelp users have rated Dumpling Yo! as the 3rd best Chinese establishment in America It is known for its traditional Shanghai dumplings. They are particularly famous for the soup dumplings that are full of pork and shrimp. The diners love the succulent American blend beef roll that is which is served with scallion pancakes as well as homemade sauce. The good food and delicious, but the staff are courteous and accommodating as well as the ambience is warm and welcoming.
California: Yang Chow Restaurant, Los Angeles
Chinatown restaurant Yang Chow has served its famous slippery shrimp ever since it began in 1977. The dish is fried and seasoned with the sweet and sticky chili with garlic, ginger and vinegar sauce. the dish remains a popular choice in the area. Yang Chow also has locations located in Long Beach and Pasadena.
Colorado: Flower Pepper Restaurant, Boulder
The dining experience offered at the cozy restaurant is like dining in a kitchen. Many say that Flower Pepper serves some of the finest Sichuan dishes within the States. Food items include spicy dandan noodles, stewed pork belly with rice and soup dumplings as well some more interesting dishes like Tiger Food which is a spicy mix of chopped greens, jalapeno and cucumber and tofu simmered in an umami-yuppy, spicy broth.
Connecticut: Peter Chang, Stamford
The restaurant is located in Stamford The restaurant of an award-winning Chef Peter Chang regularly earns the distinction of being the top restaurant in Connecticut. The dishes are elevated and include seafood cooked in a complex, flavorful stew served over a hot stone pan. Peking duck is a must. Peking duck (pictured) is a cult dish and has been said to be superior to the dishes served at top eateries. This restaurant is currently closed because of the move to a different location however, it is expected to open again in the near future.
District of Columbia: China Boy, Washington DC
China Boy offers a limited number of tables, and no frills. But it's earned its reputation for being the most popular spot for dim sum as well as other Chinese favourites such as pork Fried Rice. They make rice noodles freshly in the kitchen and incorporates these in numerous menu items - or guests can take them home to cook at home. It's a nice touch that is loved by many. It is important to note that the establishment is cash-free.
Florida: Zom Hee Chinese Restaurant, Seminole
The family-run restaurant Zom Hee has been a regular fixture at Seminole since 1985. Guests often describe it as one of the best Chinese eateries, offering every dish on the menu that exceeds their expectations. The spacious dining area provides a cozy, inviting ambience - with the delicious, generously-portioned food such as moo shu pork, eggs, vegetables as well as pancakes, make the restaurant an extremely good choice.
FAQ's
1. How do publications choose the "best" restaurant for each state?
A majority of lists blend quantitative information along with curation by experts. Food editors generally examine cross-platform reviews (like Yelp, Google, and TripAdvisor) and also take into account the local awards for culinary excellence (like James Beard nominations or Michelin Guide mentions) Also, they reviewers from local restaurants to ensure regional excitement is balanced with genuine quality.
2. Do these lists focus on authentic regional cuisine or American-Chinese food?
The top lists include an assortment of both. It is possible to find authentic local eateries that specialize in Sichuan peppercorn-based dishes, Cantonese dim sum, as well as Shaanxi noodles that are hand-pulled alongside famous local eateries that are known for their mastery of American Chinese classics such as General Tso's Chicken and premium lo mein.
3. Which cities or states dominate the top slots nationally?
Although every state has one winner in these list, California (specifically the San Gabriel Valley and San Francisco) and New York ( Flushing, Queens and Manhattan) always have the top eateries across America because of their long-standing Chinese communities as well as their highly intensely competitive food scene.
4. Are the winning restaurants usually high-end, expensive spots?
Not at all. Even though a rare high-end or historical establishment (like Cafe China in NY or Mister Jiu's in San Francisco) is likely to make it into the top ten the majority of the state's winners are hidden treasures, strip-mall standsouts and counter-service establishments that are casual, which focus on the food, not the decor.
5. Why do different "Every State" lists name different winners?
The perception of taste is subjective and various lists employ various guidelines. A Yelp-based list is heavily based on customer reviews and 5-star reviews, and could favor an eatery with a long-standing reputation in the area. In contrast, magazines such as the Tasting Table as well as Eater could be skewed towards the latest culinary trends, authenticity in regional cuisine and chef awards.
