Tell anyone who knows Chicago that you’re visiting the city, even if it’s just for a weekend, and they’ll insist you head to Chinatown. Not only is Chinatown a thriving district bursting with Asian charm and culture, but it’s also the perfect spot for you to taste authentic Chinese cuisine flavors, ingredients, and dishes.
As you plan your upcoming trip to Chicago, be sure to incorporate at least one of the top five must-try Chinatown Chicago restaurants into your travels. Your eyes, palate, and stomach will thank you. Looking to hit all five in one trip? Set up a Chinatown food tour with Bobby’s Bike Hike!
1. Triple Crown Restaurant
A Chinatown institution since the 1990s, Triple Crown Restaurant serves up fine Cantonese flavors with an emphasis on seafood and dim sum. The menu is varied and extensive — and just perfect for all types of diners, from the adventurous to the cautious. The owners of this Chicago hotspot have taken many measures to make it one of Chinatown Chicago’s best restaurants, including adding beautiful decor throughout the space.
2. Chiu Quon Bakery
Not only are the treats here exquisite, but Chiu Quon Bakery is also Chinatown’s oldest bakery. Enjoy tastes from China’s Macau region, which was heavily influenced by colonial Portuguese visitors. Be prepared to consider everything from sweet to savory options. You’ll find that Chiu Quon Bakery has a little something for every appetite and time of day.
3. Xi’an Cuisine
It’s very difficult to find any Chinese restaurants that serve traditional dishes from the northwestern Xi’an region of China. Consequently, travelers flock to Xi’an Cuisine to indulge their senses in real Xi’an cooking. Don’t be shocked by how modest the menu is. Because Xi’an Cuisine focuses solely on one type of cuisine, it offers a less extensive menu than many of its neighbors. At the same time, you’ll find just enough options to choose from to expand your culinary horizons.
4. Lao Sze Chuan
A relative newcomer to Chinatown, the 20-year-old Lao Sze Chuan restaurant has expanded to locations across the country as a result of rave reviews. Additionally, it has been named “Best Chinese Restaurant in the U.S.” by both Travel and Leisure and The Daily Mail. The service here focuses on a relaxed experience, so be prepared to get comfortable and take in the ambiance as well as the flavors.
5. Little Lamb Hot Pot
Never tried a Chinese hot pot? You’re in luck when you visit Chicago, and even more so if you’re on a bit of a budget. Little Lamb Hot Pot offers affordable, large meals that mix meat, vegetables, and broth. Plan to share the hot pot family-style in their eatery as you bask in one of the must-try Chinatown restaurants. And definitely look for this restaurant elsewhere if you love what you try, as they have 500 international locations.
Tour Chinatown with Bobby’s Bike Hike
What’s new in the world of Chinatown options? If you want to find out, our team of touring experts is ready to help! Bobby’s Bike Hike can take you across the threshold of culture and cuisine into Chicago’s Chinatown. Get a taste of the Eastern cultures in a way you simply can’t back at home by joining us for our Chinatown Food & Culture Walking Tour to eat at all 5 of these restaurants!
On our tour of Chicago’s Chinatown we take you on a stroll through the rich Chinese cultural center of the Windy City. There you will feast your eyes on the vibrant shops and impressive monuments in between feasts of delicious food at what we think are the top 5 restaurants in Chicago’s Chinatown. On the tour you will sample dishes & delicacies from 5 distinct regions of Chinese cuisine. You can visit the tour page to learn more about this rich cultural experience right in Chicago.
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