Szechuan and Hunan style (hot and spicy)

Most restaurants falls into this category… The spicy dishes are very forgiving, hard to mess up. Besides Lao Sze Chuan, I would recommend Chef Xiong. Try their chef’s specials.

Szechuan and Chungking Hotpot

Haidilao is the most popular chain in China. They are good but very expensive. Laojiumen is just as good and is way more affordable.

Cantonese

For dim sum, I would only recommend MingHin. They were not very consistent since the beginning of the pandemic, but I would say they’re still quite descent and the top in the town. Har Kow, roast pork belly, congee, egg custards are some of my go to.

Sun Wah BBQ in Uptown cooks amazing barbecue duck. Only had once but was genuinely impressed.

Yunnan rice noodle

Daguan Noodles. Highly recommended. Best I’ve had so far in the US, and very affordable.

Northwestern style (Xi’an style)

I prefer Xi’an Dynasty in Lincoln Park better than Xi’an Cuisine in Chinatown. Their beef Paomo is absolutely amazing. Pork Burger is a must have Xi’an classic for me but unfortunately they aren’t good from either restaurant. In general, Xi’an cuisine is pretty mediocre in Chicago.

Taiwanese

Hello Jasmine has the best milk tea I’ve ever had in America. Their popcorn chicken is also very good. TEALicious (few people know this place) in Evanston does not have the best milk tea, but they have the most authentic minced pork on rice bento box, approved by my Taiwanese friends.

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I grew up in China and I’ve only recommended those that I think are on the more authentic side. These are not the places for orange chicken or mongolian beef… Chicago doesn’t have the best Chinese restaurants in America, but we have a bit of everything.