Best Chicago Chinatown Restaurants To Satisfy Your Cravings

If you're in the mood for Chinese food, these restaurants will hit the spot.

Chicago is one of the crown culinary cities of the U.S. Divided into distinct neighborhoods that might as well be their own cities, the city offers flavors from countries like Mexico, Poland and Italy.

Then there’s, of course, Chinatown, where you’ll find everything from authentic roast duck to fusion Asian BBQ. If you’re craving amazing Chinese food, these are the best Chicago Chinatown restaurants you’ll definitely want to try.

10. Cai

Cai / Facebook

Rating: 37 (out of 100 based on Tripadvisor reviews)

Chicago natives looking for an affordable dim sum place love Cai. Located in the Chinatown Square Mall, the banquet hall–like restaurant is typical of Chinese places in the U.S. Make sure to order a warm cup of tea, which you can sip as you glance through the gigantic selection of dim sum.

Accompany them with a variety of meats and vegetables, and expect very generous portions.

9. Chi Cafe

ChiCafe / Facebook

Rating: 39.6

If you ever find yourself wandering Chinatown late at night, stop by Chi Cafe. Providing ultimate comfort food to those roaming the streets after the bars close, this cafe will bring you back to life with its congee soup, crab rangoon and deep-fried dough fritters.

The menu is very extensive, so you’ll likely find whatever it is your late-night self is craving.

8. BBQ King House

MrWarrenM / Tripadvisor

Rating: 40.5

A casual place in Chinatown Square, BBQ King House is known for its perfectly crispy barbecue duck. As you go in, you’ll see the whole ducks hanging over the counter, which is how you know this place is the real deal.

The duck is, of course, the best thing to order, but there are also some other delicious dishes, like the whole roasted pig and fried vegetables.

7. MingHin

Dumplings from MinHin in Chicago Chinatown

Minhin cuisine / Facebook

Rating: 41

The Michelin Guide recognizes MingHin Cuisine as a Bib Gourmand restaurant, meaning it serves high-quality food at affordable prices. Dim sum is usually what people come here for, with options for any taste. We recommend the taro roll, the green chive shrimp dumplings and the spare ribs with black bean sauce.

The lunch and dinner menus also offer other dishes like pork hock with wine rice, duck salad and — for those wanting to try something not usually found in the U.S. — eel with honey sauce.

6. Chiu Quon Bakery

Chiu Quon Bakery / Facebook

Rating: 43.3

For those days when you want to skip the salty portion of lunch and head straight to dessert, visit Chiu Quon Bakery. A fixture of Chicago’s Chinatown, the bakery does offer some salty food but is best known for it’s wide array of sweets.

Try the sesame balls and sponge cakes. Or go for the egg tarts, a Portuguese dessert that’s found in the special administrative Chinese region of Macao.

5. Ken Kee Restaurant

Ken Kee Restaurant / Facebook

Rating: 43.7

Ken Kee Restaurant focuses on Cantonese food. Come here for delicious Hong Kong cart noodles, which started in the street food carts that once dotted every street in the region.

The congee rice porridge, fried rice and ox tongue are also highly recommended.

4. Strings Ramen

Strings Ramen Shop / Facebook

Rating: 48

One of the city’s top ramen spots, Strings serves fresh noodles (made daily) in flavorful broths. Focusing more on Japanese-style ramen, you’ll find four broth bases that can be paired with a wide variety of ingredients, depending on what you’re in the mood for.

If you’re feeling a great need for comfort food, there is also oden, a soothing and filling Japanese soup.

3. Qing Xian Yuan Dumplings

Qing Xian Yuan Dumplings Chicago Chinatown

Qing Xian Yuan Dumplings / Facebook

Rating: 64

There are so many dumpling choices on Qing Xian Yuan‘s menu that, instead of a physical card, you’ll receive an iPad. Scroll down for what seems like an eternity as your brain fights the urge to order absolutely everything. Besides the filling, you’ll have the choice of how you want your dumplings cooked: steamed, boiled or fried.

And if you ever feel the need for something other than dumplings (though we don’t know why you would), keep scrolling even more to find other options.

2. Happy Lamb Hot Pot

Happy Lamb Hot Pot, Chicago / Tripadvisor

Rating: 78

Chinese hot pot is one of the most unappreciated dishes outside of Asia. Meant to be shared with a group, it’s the perfect dish for a night out with people you love.

Gather around the pot at Happy Lamb Hot Pot, and enjoy watching the thin cuts of meat and chopped vegetables cook right in front of you.

1. MCBC

Redshirts889 / Tripadvisor

Rating: 82.1

Another place highlighted as a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, it seems like everyone who dined at MCBC left satisfied. The Modern Chinese Cookbook specializes in Sichuan food, though you’ll find flavors from other regions as well.

Try the seasoned fried rabbit or the charcoal-cooked fish.