The Best Chinese Food in Chicago
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The best Chinese food in Chicago, according to the experts: AAA, the Forbes Travel Guide, and The New York Times have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Shanghai Terrace comes out on top.
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Chef's Special Cocktail Bar and MCCB Chicago hold the next two places. AAA shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with Eater next.
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Rank 1. Shanghai Terrace
Chinese
The dim sum here comes plated like jewelry, each shumai crowned with a different color of tobiko. This is Chinese luxury dining of the kind you rarely find outside Asia, served on the fourth floor of the Peninsula with Michigan Avenue spread out below. A dedicated abalone section signals where the menu is headed, and the prices follow. Come with a reservation and dressed for the occasion.
The awards
- AAA AAA: Four Diamonds
- Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Travel Guide: Forbes Four Star
- The New York Times The New York Times: The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now
- AAA Four Diamonds
- Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Four Star
- The New York Times The 25 Best Restaurants in Chicago Right Now
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Rank 2. Chef's Special Cocktail Bar
Nostalgic Chinese-American
The U-shaped bar and oceanic color scheme set the mood before you've ordered a drink. Chef's Special is a cocktail bar and Chinese-American kitchen in Logan Square doing crab rangoon and shrimp chips without a hint of irony, which is exactly the point. The dan dan noodles and the bone-in pork shank with black bean sauce pull serious weight. The Michelin Guide awarded it a Bib Gourmand, and the room is loud and happy enough that nobody's surprised.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand
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Rank 3. MCCB Chicago
Chinese
The awards
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Rank 3. The Phoenix Restaurant
Cantonese
The awards
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Rank 5. Yao Yao
Sichuan
The glass-enclosed kitchen at the front is the first thing you notice, and if you can grab a table facing it, you'll watch the whole operation. This Sichuan spot in Chinatown is named for its signature dish, a fiery pickled fish with sour greens that comes in sizes running up to a platter for six. The wontons in chili oil are a foregone conclusion. A long list of cold sides fills out the table without much effort.
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Selected Restaurant
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Rank 6. Emperor's Choice
Cantonese Seafood
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
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Rank 6. Lao Sze Chuan - Downtown
Sichuan
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
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Rank 6. MingHin Cuisine
Cantonese
The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
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Rank 9. Lao Peng You
Chinese
Lao Peng You is a tiny, no-frills dumpling and noodle spot where the dumplings arrive plump, in a dried shrimp broth, and the chile oil is homemade enough to sell by the jar. Two brothers took their grandmother's lessons and ran with them, and the noodles have a pleasing chew. Seats are scarce, so arrive early or spend the wait watching other people's dinner with open envy.
The awards
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The awards
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Rank 11. Chef Ping
Korean-Chinese
The awards
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Rank 12. MingHin Cuisine
Cantonese
MingHin is a big, banquet-style dim sum hall in the Loop, with white tablecloths that promise formality and a room full of families that never got the memo. The menu runs long, and the sesame buns tend to start a small stampede toward the middle of the table. It makes a sensible pit stop once the boat tour, the Sears Tower, and the Bean have all been checked off for your out-of-town guests.
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The 14 Best Restaurants In The Loop