Seattle’s food scene is nothing if not diverse, boasting a vast array of restaurants dishing up cuisine from all four corners of the globe. If you’re a fan of Chinese food, you’ll find no end of places to indulge your cravings, from unassuming little dumpling joints to world-famous hotpot chains and legendary fine dining establishments. Whether you’re in the mood for dim sum, noodles, orange chicken, or hot and sour broth, here’s our guide to 10 of the best places for Chinese food in Seattle.
10. Kau Kau Barbeque, 656 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104
Kau Kau Barbeque has enjoyed a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Seattle’s International District for over 30 years, and looks in no danger of letting its standards slip any time soon. A winner of the Hoodline’s list of “The 5 best Cantonese spots in Seattle” in 2019, it keeps its loyal patrons happy with a tried and tested menu of hand-made noodles in a variety of hot and sour sauces, scrumptious pan-fried pot sticker and deliciously tender barbecue pork.
9. A+ Hong Kong Kitchen, 419 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
If you’re looking for a milder alternative to the eye-watering heat of Sichuan food, stop by A+ Hong Kong Kitchen in the International District. Its Cantonese-inspired menu packs a big flavor punch, but in a gentler, mellower fashion than its spicy brethren. Key dishes to try include the satay beef noodle soup, crispy shrimp and pork wontons, beef mala tang, and an incredibly tempting Chinese sausage rice stone pot.
8. Buerjia Chinese Sauerkraut Fish, 13200 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
Named one of the best Chinese restaurants in Seattle by Eater, Buerjia Chinese Sauerkraut Fish bucks the trend for huge menus and endless add on options by focusing on just one dish. Fortunately, it’s the kind of dish you could happily eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, so the lack of variety is less of a minus than a massive selling point. Expect giant bowls of flaky fish and pickled mustard greens floating in a hot-and-sour broth boosted with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. On a cold day, there’s nothing better.
7. Dough Zone, 504 5th Ave S #109, Seattle, WA 98104
If you can’t make up your mind between noodles, potstickers or fruit-flavored seaweed, consider Dough Zone the spot for you. The vast, varied menu includes a giant selection of traditional Chinese buns such as Q-Bao, soup dumplings, and regional Chinese noodles. The Dan Dan noodles, which are made using a secret savory spicy sauce, topped with green onion & preserved mustard greens, and liberally doused in peppercorns, are particularly good.
6. Hai Di Lao Hot Pot, 600 Pine St Suite 355, Seattle, WA 98101
Hai Di Lao Hot Pot might be famous for its tableside attractions like hand massages, manicure services, and noodle dancers, but this well-established chain wouldn’t be where it is today without knowing a thing or two about good food. The star of the show is the Mala hot pot, which, unlike some places, customers get to enjoy from their own individual pot rather than a common pot. It also offers a tempting range of flavor-packed broths (including a Sichuan style spicy broth that shouldn’t be missed), noodles, meat and seafood dishes, and more besides.
5. Harbor City Restaurant, 707 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104
An unpretentious restaurant with good vibes, friendly service, and exceptional food, Harbor City is a must-visit for dim sim enthusiasts. According to Trip Advisor reviewers, the veggie egg rolls are “awesome” with “crispy skin with very fresh cabbage, unlike frozen egg rolls.” Other dishes drawing rave reviews include the fluffy steamed pork buns, veggie chow mein, and the hot, sweet, gooey sesame balls.
4. Jade Garden, 424 7th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
A longstanding favorite in the International District, Jade Garden is best known for its daily Hong Kong-style dim sum, superbly fresh seafood, and authentic Chinese cuisine. It gets a bit crowded, but the lines are there for a reason. Customers rave about the perfectly moist, perfectly balanced salty sweetness of the steamed pork buns, but the plump, flavor-packed steamed shrimp dumplings shouldn’t be missed either. For dessert order a round of eggs tarts, which come with perfectly smooth, wobbly custard encased in flaky, golden pastry shells.
3. Little Ting’s Dumplings, 14411 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
As the name suggests, Little Ting’s Dumplings is all about the dumplings. Juicy, bursting with flavor, and stuffed with tasty ingredients like pork, shrimp, fresh napa cabbage, and pickled napa cabbage, they’re unbelievably good. If you’re chasing a little variety, there’s also an excellent selection of pan-fried potstickers, hand-made noodles, soups, and pancakes. Both take-out and dine-in options are available.
2. Chiang’s Gourmet, 7845 Lake City Way NE Seattle, WA 98115
Located in an unassuming spot in Lake City, this affordable little eatery doesn’t look like much from the outside, but don’t dismiss it before you’ve tried it. Stop by for a fixed-priced dinner that includes an egg roll, deep-fried prawn ball, barbeque pork, sliced beef with broccoli, and General Tso chicken for just $21, or take a pick and mix approach to the dim sum menu. The hand-drawn noodles are also superb, as is the range of vegetarian dishes, which includes a silky MaPo tofu that will convert even the most committed carnivore to the benefits of soy.
1. Din Tai Fung, 2621 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105-5041
Din Tai Fung started as a small cooking oil retail shop in Taipei, Taiwan, in the late ’50s before finally emerging as a full-blown restaurant in 1972. Since then, it’s spread throughout the world, boasting two outposts in Seattle alone (one in University Village and one in Pacific Place). Known for its soup dumplings and noodle dishes, it’s a great place to grab a speedy lunch or linger over dinner. Try the shrimp and pork Shao Mai dumplings, dig into a bowl of braised beef noodle soup, or slurp up a bowl of Jidori chicken noodles. Just be sure to save some room for dessert, which includes a heavenly chocolate and mochi xiao long bao and an equally tempting sweet taro bun.
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