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Chinatown is bustling with great food.
Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago

Where to Eat and Drink in Chinatown

Discover a trove of Asian delicacies on the South Side

by Ashok Selvam and Jeffy Mai Updated
1 comment / new
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Chinatown is bustling with great food.
| Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago
by Ashok Selvam and Jeffy Mai Updated
1 comment / new

The sights and smells of Chinatown can be both intoxicating and overwhelming for the uninitiated. That’s why the following map will help guide diners through the neighborhood by highlighting the top places to satisfy those Chinese food cravings. Whether it’s dim sum, soup dumplings, or fiery Sichuan dishes, there are a variety of different styles and flavors at these 22 spots.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

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What started out as a Chinatown food court stall has blossomed into one of Chicago’s best dumpling spots. The specialty here is made-to-order soup dumplings filled with lamb, pork, beef, chicken, seafood, and more. They’re served without broth but each one holds a burst of soup-y goodness inside. Don’t forget to add a few of the well-seasoned barbecue skewers, either.

2002 S Wentworth Ave #103, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 799-1118
(312) 799-1118

Also featured in:

Cai

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This second-story restaurant inside Chinatown Square is renowned for dim sum thanks to first-rate versions of chicken feet, siu mai, creamy egg yolk buns, and more. The banquet-sized dining room is decked out with chandeliers and able to accommodate large parties so bring companions in order to sample as many bites as possible. Additionally, there’s also an extensive menu of Cantonese classics, such as braised sea cucumber and abalone.

2100 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-6888
(312) 326-6888

Also featured in:

Ken Kee Restaurant

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Ken Kee roared back in 2021 with new ownership, famous for a large Cantonese menu. The restaurant dates back to 1997 and its signature dish is Hong Kong Boat Noodles. The interiors have been refreshed and the bright neon sign can’t be missed at night. This two-level restaurant has something for everyone.

2129 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-2088
(312) 326-2088
Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago

Joy Yee

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Crowds form both inside and outside of Joy Yee, where bubble tea is the main attraction. The restaurant serves budget-friendly, sizeable portions of noodles, soups, rice dishes, and more, but Asian beverages are the most popular item. Guests can order their drinks at the walk-up window and customize them with ingredients like lychee, papaya, taro, avocado, and chewy tapioca pearls.

2139 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 328-0001
(312) 328-0001

Also featured in:

Hing Kee

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Hing Kee is not short on options — the expansive menu covers Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes. Skip the spicy tuna rolls and stick with the hand-pulled noodle soups and house-made xiaolongbao, addictive soup dumplings that erupt with flavorful broth. Diners can even watch as they’re being made from the dining room or outside.

2140 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-9538
(312) 808-9538

Also featured in:

BBQ King House

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Eaters can feast like a king but dine on a dime at this Asian barbecue spot. The family-style dinners provide ample food, and value to boot. The Peking duck spread, priced at $33.88, serves three to four people and comes with crispy duck baos, duck bone soup, shredded duck, and fried shrimp. Diners who’d rather order a la carte can try favorites like roasted pork and soy sauce chicken.

2148 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-1219
(312) 326-1219

Also featured in:

Chi Cafe

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Chinatown is home to plenty of late-night dining establishments and Chi Cafe is among the busiest. The cheap, all-encompassing menu has everything from congee and noodle soups to beef, pork, chicken, and seafood entrees. On weekends, the restaurant is open almost 24 hours so that General Tso’s chicken and sizzling beef tenderloin will be there to comfort guests no matter how late they stay out.

2160 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-9993
(312) 842-9993

Also featured in:

Phoenix

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Few places in town offer the traditional experience found at this Chinatown stalwart. Instead of ordering dim sum off a menu on the weekends, servers push food carts around the dining room for guests to choose items from. It’s a unique way of eating and the continual flow of sweet and savory bites helps ensure that everyone leaves satiated. The restaurant also hosts large parties with family-style feasts that include all the Chinese essentials.

2131 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 328-0848
(312) 328-0848

Also featured in:

MingHin Cuisine

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Arguably the most well-known restaurant in Chinatown, MingHin is a consistent and reliable source for dim sum and other well-executed dishes. Start the day off by enjoying shrimp dumplings, spare ribs, barbecue pork buns, and Macau-style crispy pork belly served with a bowl of dipping sugar. Dim sum is available late at night, as well, while the rest of the menu offers delicacies like pan-fried foie gras and braised bird’s nest soup.

2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1999
(312) 808-1999

Also featured in:

Lao Sze Chuan

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Spicy food fanatics come to this Sichuan spot to set their taste buds ablaze. Nearly every dish is loaded with chilies and peppercorns, and favorites include mapo tofu and the signature dry chili chicken. For an all-you-can-eat experience, order the fiery hot pot to cook the proteins and veggies tableside.

2172 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-5040
(312) 326-5040

Also featured in:

Nine Bar

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The owners of Moon Palace Express transformed the back of their restaurant into Chinatown’s only cocktail bar. Nine Bar is sleek with great pub food and drinks that appeal to Chinese Americans and their parents. This is one of the best bars in Chicago and is proof that there’s more than one way to support your local Chinatown.

216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-4081
(312) 225-4081
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Golden Bull

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Dependable home-style cooking is this unassuming restaurant’s forte and the menu yields interesting options that go beyond the norm. French-style steak and jumbo steamed oysters are expected hits, but delve deeper to find beef tongue in XO sauce, jelly fish, and fried pigeon, too. Those in need of late-night sustenance should order the hearty rice casseroles that are packed with chicken, quail, frog, and more.

242 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1668
(312) 808-1668

Also featured in:

Three Happiness

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Diners often find true happiness while scarfing down chow mein and fried rice in the middle of the night. This no-frills spot is open 24/7 and serves an array of Cantonese dishes and dim sum. It’s quick, inexpensive, and dependable like any good neighborhood standby should be.

209 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-1964
(312) 842-1964

Xi'an Cuisine

Copy Link

Sandwiches are an underrepresented part of Chinese cuisine but it gets top billing at this Xi’an restaurant. The kitchen makes flatbreads from scratch daily and stuffs them with savory riches like cumin lamb and marinated pork. Other dishes similarly showcase the street fare of China’s northern region, such as potato slices in sour and spicy sauce, lamb soup, and biangbiang noodles.

225 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-3171
(312) 326-3171

Also featured in:

Dolo

Copy Link

Dolo arrived with a splash in 2015 when it was named one of the country’s best new restaurants by Esquire. The contemporary spot emphasizes fresh seafood prepared with inventive spins. Get messy with a Cajun-style boil or chow on made-to-order egg tarts, chicken feet, crepes, and other dim sum bites. As an added bonus, the restaurant has its own parking lot.

2222 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 877-5117
(312) 877-5117

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Original Triple Crown

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Not to be confused with the Triple Crown on Wentworth Avenue, this late-night favorite located above a grocery store is the place to go for a fix of Cantonese fare and solid seafood. Try the “hundred flavored” beef, chicken, or shrimp for a flavor kick.

211 W 22nd Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 791-1030
(312) 791-1030

Also featured in:

Daguan Noodle

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From lo mein to chow fun, there are a variety of different noodle styles in Chinese cooking. This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient focuses on rice noodle soups, bringing the broth and ingredients to the table and cooking it all together in a stone pot. Protein choices include oxtail, beef shank, and spicy pig intestines. It’s rounded out with sides like pork buns and pumpkin pancakes.  

2230 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 929-2758
(312) 929-2758

Also featured in:

Chiu Quon Bakery

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Grab a pastry or bun from the oldest bakery in the neighborhood for a cheap and filling snack. Popular items include pork buns, sesame balls with bean paste, and egg tarts. There’s also a limited dim sum menu.

2253 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6608
(312) 225-6608

Also featured in:

Slurp Slurp Noodles

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Noodles can be found on almost any menu in the neighborhood but very few produce them in house. Like all the finest things in life, the offerings here are made by hand. Patrons have the choice of hand-pulled or shaved noodles, enjoyed in either a soup broth or stir-fry. The end results are chewy, textural bites that put Slurp Slurp ahead of the competition.

2247 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 982-2969
(312) 982-2969

Also featured in:

Go 4 Food

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The aptly-named Cantonese restaurant is a great place to go for ... food. The menu is littered with American-Chinese staples and creative dishes like taco baos, chili fusion Dungeness crab, and “Millionaire-style” fried rice. Alcohol is BYOB.

212 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-8688
(312) 842-8688

Also featured in:

Seven Treasures

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There are plenty of treasures, such as shrimp wonton noodle soup, on the menu at this bare-bones spot. The most popular dish among those in the know, though, is simply dubbed the “554.” It features a plate of steamed rice topped with char siu pork and two fried eggs. Folks can order the “554” any time but it’s particularly appetizing as a late-night meal because the kitchen is open until 2 a.m.

2312 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-2668
(312) 225-2668
The 554 is iconic.

Mrs Gu Skewers Hot Pot 顾大姐串串香火锅

Copy Link

Mrs. Gu is a popular Chinese chain that debut in 1987 and has endeared itself to customers due to its unique style of hot pot. Customers pluck skewers from a station and bring them back to their tables to cook them in piping hot broth. Hot pot is, of course, great to enjoy in big groups, and the ingredients at Mrs. Gu give customers a chance to try different food and customize their pots in unique ways.

2407 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 291-9058
(312) 291-9058

Also featured in:

More in Maps

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Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings

2002 S Wentworth Ave #103, Chicago, IL 60616

What started out as a Chinatown food court stall has blossomed into one of Chicago’s best dumpling spots. The specialty here is made-to-order soup dumplings filled with lamb, pork, beef, chicken, seafood, and more. They’re served without broth but each one holds a burst of soup-y goodness inside. Don’t forget to add a few of the well-seasoned barbecue skewers, either.

2002 S Wentworth Ave #103, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 799-1118
(312) 799-1118

Cai

2100 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

This second-story restaurant inside Chinatown Square is renowned for dim sum thanks to first-rate versions of chicken feet, siu mai, creamy egg yolk buns, and more. The banquet-sized dining room is decked out with chandeliers and able to accommodate large parties so bring companions in order to sample as many bites as possible. Additionally, there’s also an extensive menu of Cantonese classics, such as braised sea cucumber and abalone.

2100 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-6888
(312) 326-6888

Ken Kee Restaurant

2129 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616

Ken Kee roared back in 2021 with new ownership, famous for a large Cantonese menu. The restaurant dates back to 1997 and its signature dish is Hong Kong Boat Noodles. The interiors have been refreshed and the bright neon sign can’t be missed at night. This two-level restaurant has something for everyone.

2129 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-2088
(312) 326-2088
Jack X. Li/Eater Chicago

Joy Yee

2139 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616

Crowds form both inside and outside of Joy Yee, where bubble tea is the main attraction. The restaurant serves budget-friendly, sizeable portions of noodles, soups, rice dishes, and more, but Asian beverages are the most popular item. Guests can order their drinks at the walk-up window and customize them with ingredients like lychee, papaya, taro, avocado, and chewy tapioca pearls.

2139 S China Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 328-0001
(312) 328-0001

Hing Kee

2140 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Hing Kee is not short on options — the expansive menu covers Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes. Skip the spicy tuna rolls and stick with the hand-pulled noodle soups and house-made xiaolongbao, addictive soup dumplings that erupt with flavorful broth. Diners can even watch as they’re being made from the dining room or outside.

2140 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-9538
(312) 808-9538

BBQ King House

2148 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Eaters can feast like a king but dine on a dime at this Asian barbecue spot. The family-style dinners provide ample food, and value to boot. The Peking duck spread, priced at $33.88, serves three to four people and comes with crispy duck baos, duck bone soup, shredded duck, and fried shrimp. Diners who’d rather order a la carte can try favorites like roasted pork and soy sauce chicken.

2148 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-1219
(312) 326-1219

Chi Cafe

2160 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Chinatown is home to plenty of late-night dining establishments and Chi Cafe is among the busiest. The cheap, all-encompassing menu has everything from congee and noodle soups to beef, pork, chicken, and seafood entrees. On weekends, the restaurant is open almost 24 hours so that General Tso’s chicken and sizzling beef tenderloin will be there to comfort guests no matter how late they stay out.

2160 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-9993
(312) 842-9993

Phoenix

2131 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Few places in town offer the traditional experience found at this Chinatown stalwart. Instead of ordering dim sum off a menu on the weekends, servers push food carts around the dining room for guests to choose items from. It’s a unique way of eating and the continual flow of sweet and savory bites helps ensure that everyone leaves satiated. The restaurant also hosts large parties with family-style feasts that include all the Chinese essentials.

2131 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 328-0848
(312) 328-0848

MingHin Cuisine

2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Arguably the most well-known restaurant in Chinatown, MingHin is a consistent and reliable source for dim sum and other well-executed dishes. Start the day off by enjoying shrimp dumplings, spare ribs, barbecue pork buns, and Macau-style crispy pork belly served with a bowl of dipping sugar. Dim sum is available late at night, as well, while the rest of the menu offers delicacies like pan-fried foie gras and braised bird’s nest soup.

2168 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1999
(312) 808-1999

Lao Sze Chuan

2172 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Spicy food fanatics come to this Sichuan spot to set their taste buds ablaze. Nearly every dish is loaded with chilies and peppercorns, and favorites include mapo tofu and the signature dry chili chicken. For an all-you-can-eat experience, order the fiery hot pot to cook the proteins and veggies tableside.

2172 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-5040
(312) 326-5040

Nine Bar

216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

The owners of Moon Palace Express transformed the back of their restaurant into Chinatown’s only cocktail bar. Nine Bar is sleek with great pub food and drinks that appeal to Chinese Americans and their parents. This is one of the best bars in Chicago and is proof that there’s more than one way to support your local Chinatown.

216 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-4081
(312) 225-4081
Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Golden Bull

242 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

Dependable home-style cooking is this unassuming restaurant’s forte and the menu yields interesting options that go beyond the norm. French-style steak and jumbo steamed oysters are expected hits, but delve deeper to find beef tongue in XO sauce, jelly fish, and fried pigeon, too. Those in need of late-night sustenance should order the hearty rice casseroles that are packed with chicken, quail, frog, and more.

242 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 808-1668
(312) 808-1668

Three Happiness

209 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

Diners often find true happiness while scarfing down chow mein and fried rice in the middle of the night. This no-frills spot is open 24/7 and serves an array of Cantonese dishes and dim sum. It’s quick, inexpensive, and dependable like any good neighborhood standby should be.

209 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-1964
(312) 842-1964

Xi'an Cuisine

225 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616

Sandwiches are an underrepresented part of Chinese cuisine but it gets top billing at this Xi’an restaurant. The kitchen makes flatbreads from scratch daily and stuffs them with savory riches like cumin lamb and marinated pork. Other dishes similarly showcase the street fare of China’s northern region, such as potato slices in sour and spicy sauce, lamb soup, and biangbiang noodles.

225 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-3171
(312) 326-3171

Dolo

2222 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Dolo arrived with a splash in 2015 when it was named one of the country’s best new restaurants by Esquire. The contemporary spot emphasizes fresh seafood prepared with inventive spins. Get messy with a Cajun-style boil or chow on made-to-order egg tarts, chicken feet, crepes, and other dim sum bites. As an added bonus, the restaurant has its own parking lot.

2222 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 877-5117
(312) 877-5117

Related Maps

Original Triple Crown

211 W 22nd Pl, Chicago, IL 60616

Not to be confused with the Triple Crown on Wentworth Avenue, this late-night favorite located above a grocery store is the place to go for a fix of Cantonese fare and solid seafood. Try the “hundred flavored” beef, chicken, or shrimp for a flavor kick.

211 W 22nd Pl, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 791-1030
(312) 791-1030

Daguan Noodle

2230 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

From lo mein to chow fun, there are a variety of different noodle styles in Chinese cooking. This Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient focuses on rice noodle soups, bringing the broth and ingredients to the table and cooking it all together in a stone pot. Protein choices include oxtail, beef shank, and spicy pig intestines. It’s rounded out with sides like pork buns and pumpkin pancakes.  

2230 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 929-2758
(312) 929-2758

Chiu Quon Bakery

2253 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Grab a pastry or bun from the oldest bakery in the neighborhood for a cheap and filling snack. Popular items include pork buns, sesame balls with bean paste, and egg tarts. There’s also a limited dim sum menu.

2253 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-6608
(312) 225-6608

Slurp Slurp Noodles

2247 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Noodles can be found on almost any menu in the neighborhood but very few produce them in house. Like all the finest things in life, the offerings here are made by hand. Patrons have the choice of hand-pulled or shaved noodles, enjoyed in either a soup broth or stir-fry. The end results are chewy, textural bites that put Slurp Slurp ahead of the competition.

2247 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 982-2969
(312) 982-2969

Go 4 Food

212 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616

The aptly-named Cantonese restaurant is a great place to go for ... food. The menu is littered with American-Chinese staples and creative dishes like taco baos, chili fusion Dungeness crab, and “Millionaire-style” fried rice. Alcohol is BYOB.

212 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-8688
(312) 842-8688

Seven Treasures

2312 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

There are plenty of treasures, such as shrimp wonton noodle soup, on the menu at this bare-bones spot. The most popular dish among those in the know, though, is simply dubbed the “554.” It features a plate of steamed rice topped with char siu pork and two fried eggs. Folks can order the “554” any time but it’s particularly appetizing as a late-night meal because the kitchen is open until 2 a.m.

2312 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 225-2668
(312) 225-2668
The 554 is iconic.

Mrs Gu Skewers Hot Pot 顾大姐串串香火锅

2407 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Mrs. Gu is a popular Chinese chain that debut in 1987 and has endeared itself to customers due to its unique style of hot pot. Customers pluck skewers from a station and bring them back to their tables to cook them in piping hot broth. Hot pot is, of course, great to enjoy in big groups, and the ingredients at Mrs. Gu give customers a chance to try different food and customize their pots in unique ways.

2407 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 291-9058
(312) 291-9058

Related Maps