Houston boasts a vibrant culinary scene, and its Chinese food offerings are no exception. From traditional dim sum to spicy Sichuan dishes, the city offers a plethora of options for Chinese cuisine enthusiasts. Whether you’re craving classic flavors or modern twists, here’s a guide to some of the best Chinese restaurants in Houston.
Fung’s Kitchen: A Dim Sum Delight
Established in 1990, Fung’s Kitchen is renowned for its authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum. After a temporary closure due to fire damage, the restaurant has made a triumphant return, offering a vast menu that includes steamed shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork rice noodles, and golden egg yolk lava buns. The push-cart dim sum experience adds to the traditional charm, making it a must-visit spot for dim sum lovers. (The 12 best Chinese food restaurants in Houston)
Mala Sichuan Bistro: Spice Up Your Life
For those who enjoy bold flavors, Mala Sichuan Bistro delivers with its numbing-inducing dishes. Specialties like mala prawns with crispy rice crackers, dan dan noodles, and mapo tofu showcase the rich and spicy flavors of Sichuan cuisine. With multiple locations across Houston, it’s a go-to destination for spice enthusiasts. (Houston’s Best Chinese Restaurants – Eater Houston, Houston’s Best Chinese Restaurants – Eater Houston)
Duck N’ Bao: Peking Duck Perfection
Duck N’ Bao has quickly gained popularity for its expertly prepared Peking duck, barbecued until crisp and served with traditional fixings like pancakes, duck sauce, cucumbers, and scallions. Beyond the duck, the menu features other delectable options such as tea leaf pork ribs and stir-fried lotus root, offering a comprehensive Cantonese dining experience. (Houston’s Best Chinese Restaurants – Eater Houston)
Golden Dumpling House: Dumplings Galore
A favorite in Houston’s Asiatown, Golden Dumpling House specializes in hearty portions of dan dan noodles and wonton soup. However, it’s their namesake dumplings—available steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or in soup—that keep patrons coming back. Don’t miss out on their pan-fried onion cake or take home some frozen dumplings for later enjoyment. (Houston’s Best Chinese Restaurants – Eater Houston)
Mein: Modern Cantonese Cuisine
Mein offers a contemporary take on Cantonese food in a stylish setting. Signature dishes include saucy garlic eggplant and crispy, honey-roasted char siu. Complement your meal with one of their creative non-alcoholic mixed drinks, like the preserved lemon 7-Up, for a refreshing twist. (Houston’s Best Chinese Restaurants – Eater Houston)
Siu Lap City: Cantonese Barbecue at Its Best
Located in Midtown, Siu Lap City is a haven for Cantonese-style Chinese barbecue. Diners flock here for the crispy, fall-off-the-bone Beijing duck, as well as the roasted or barbecued pork offerings. For a true feast, consider ordering one of their whole-roasted pigs, perfect for sharing with a group. (Houston’s Best Chinese Restaurants – Eater Houston)
Agnes and Sherman: A Fusion of Flavors
Chef Nick Wong’s Agnes and Sherman brings a unique blend of American and Asian cuisines to Houston. Dishes like scallion waffles with sambal honey butter and al pastor fried rice reflect Wong’s fusion of his American upbringing and Asian heritage. The restaurant’s decor, adorned with family memorabilia and cookbooks, adds a personal touch to the dining experience. (Scallion Waffles and Fried Rice Come Together at Houston’s New Asian American Diner, How a New Houston Diner Is Reimagining Asian American Cuisine)
Turan Uyghur Kitchen: A Taste of Central Asia
Turan Uyghur Kitchen introduces Houston diners to the rich flavors of Uyghur cuisine, blending Chinese, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences. Standout dishes include the “big plate chicken,” featuring thick noodles in a chile-laced sauce with bone-in chicken, and hand-pleated dumplings served with Uyghur-style chile oil. The restaurant offers a unique and authentic dining experience that’s hard to find elsewhere in the city. (Review: Turan Uyghur Kitchen highlights Chinese and Central Asian flavors rarely seen in Houston)
Exploring Houston’s Chinatown
Houston’s Chinatown, located in the southwest part of the city, is a bustling area filled with a diverse array of Asian restaurants, supermarkets, and bakeries. The neighborhood celebrates various Chinese holidays with official events, adding to its vibrant cultural atmosphere. Visitors can explore a wide range of cuisines, including Chinese, Hong Kong, Taiwanese, Filipino, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese, making it a culinary hotspot for food enthusiasts. (Chinatown, Houston)
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a visitor, Houston’s Chinese dining scene offers something for everyone. From traditional dishes to innovative fusion creations, these restaurants showcase the rich culinary heritage and evolving flavors of Chinese cuisine in the city.
For mor click here – Best Chinese Food in Los Angeles: A Flavorful Journey You Can’t Miss
