50 Must-Try Chinatown Chinese Food Delicacies

Chinatown is a vibrant and bustling neighborhood in many cities around the world, renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or just starting to explore the culinary delights of China, here's a curated list of 50 must-try dishes that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Chinese culinary tradition.

Dim Sum

1. Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow)

Har gow is a classic dim sum dish consisting of translucent dumplings filled with succulent shrimp. The delicate balance of flavors and textures makes it a delightful start to any dim sum meal.

2. Steamed Pork Siu Mai

These savory dumplings feature a juicy pork filling wrapped in a薄皮 (thin skin) made from wheat flour. The addition of seasonings like ginger and soy sauce enhances the umami flavor of the pork.

3. Steamed Beef Balls (Ngau Yuk)

Tender and flavorful, ngau yuk is made from a mixture of ground beef, water chestnuts, and seasonings. The beef balls are steamed until cooked through, resulting in a juicy and satisfying dish.

Noodles

4. Beef Chow Fun (Beef Flat Noodles)

This popular noodle dish features wok-fried flat noodles tossed in a savory sauce with tender beef slices, vegetables, and often oyster sauce. The flat noodles absorb the sauce, creating a delicious and filling meal.

5. Wonton Noodle Soup

A heartwarming bowl of wonton noodle soup is made with egg noodles, wontons filled with pork or shrimp, and a flavorful broth. The broth is typically seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other aromatics.

6. Dry Noodles with Spicy Sauce (Zha Jiang Mian)

A spicy and flavorful dish, zha jiang mian consists of wheat noodles topped with a savory sauce made from ground pork, soy sauce, and fermented bean paste. The dish is often garnished with cucumbers and scallions.

Rice Dishes

7. Cantonese Roast Duck

Succulent and aromatic, Cantonese roast duck is one of the most iconic dishes in Chinatown. The duck is marinated in a blend of spices and roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy.

8. Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce

A classic Chinese dish, steamed fish with black bean sauce features a delicate fish fillet steamed until cooked through and topped with a savory black bean sauce. The sauce is made from fermented black beans, soy sauce, and other seasonings.

9. Fried Rice with Shrimp and Egg

Versatile and delicious, fried rice with shrimp and egg is a popular dish that can be found in many Chinese restaurants. The rice is stir-fried with shrimp, eggs, vegetables, and seasonings, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Soups

10. Hot and Sour Soup

A spicy and tangy soup, hot and sour soup is made with a broth flavored with chili oil, vinegar, and soy sauce. The soup typically contains tofu, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and other ingredients.

11. Wonton Soup

A simple but comforting soup, wonton soup features wontons filled with pork or shrimp swimming in a flavorful broth. The broth is often seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other aromatics.

12. Egg Drop Soup

A classic Chinese soup, egg drop soup is made with beaten eggs that are slowly poured into a hot broth, creating a delicate and fluffy texture. The broth is typically seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings.

Appetizers

13. Spring Rolls

A popular appetizer, spring rolls are crispy pastry rolls filled with a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, meat, or seafood. The rolls are deep-fried until golden brown and served with a dipping sauce.

14. Fried Wontons

Crispy and flavorful, fried wontons are made from wonton wrappers filled with a variety of ingredients. The wontons are deep-fried until golden brown and served with a dipping sauce.

15. Sesame Balls (Jin Dui)

Sweet and sticky, sesame balls are made from glutinous rice flour balls filled with a sweet red bean paste or lotus seed paste. The balls are deep-fried until golden brown and then coated in sesame seeds.

Meats

16. Peking Duck

A renowned dish in Chinese cuisine, Peking duck is a whole duck that is roasted in a special oven until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender and juicy. The duck is traditionally served with thin pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.

17. Kung Pao Chicken

A spicy and flavorful dish, kung pao chicken features tender chicken pieces stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and a spicy sauce. The sauce is typically made with soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, and other seasonings.

18. Steamed Fish with Ginger and Scallions

A simple but elegant dish, steamed fish with ginger and scallions features a delicate fish fillet steamed until cooked through and topped with a savory sauce made from ginger, scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil.

Vegetables

19. Stir-Fried Greens with Garlic

A healthy and flavorful dish, stir-fried greens with garlic is made from leafy greens such as bok choy or spinach stir-fried with garlic and other seasonings. The dish is a good source of vitamins and minerals.

20. Sautéed String Beans

Another healthy option, sautéed string beans are made from string beans stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and other seasonings. The beans are cooked until tender and retain their vibrant green color.

21. Stir-Fried Lotus Root

Crispy and crunchy, stir-fried lotus root is made from lotus root slices stir-fried with vegetables and seasonings. The lotus root provides a unique texture and is a good source of dietary fiber.

Desserts

22. Mango Pudding

A popular dessert in Chinatown, mango pudding is a creamy and smooth pudding made with fresh mango puree. The pudding is often served with fresh mango slices on top.

23. Red Bean Paste Buns (Dou Sha Bao)

A classic Chinese dessert, red bean paste buns are soft and fluffy buns filled with a sweet red bean paste. The buns are often steamed or baked and served warm.

24. Honeycomb Cake (Feng Li Su)

A unique and delicious dessert, honeycomb cake is made from a batter that is poured into a special mold and steamed. The resulting cake has a honeycomb-like texture and is often topped with a sweet glaze.

Drinks

25. Jasmine Tea

A fragrant and refreshing drink, jasmine tea is made from green tea leaves that are scented with jasmine flowers. The tea has a delicate floral aroma and flavor.

26. Chrysanthemum Tea

A popular herbal tea, chrysanthemum tea is made from dried chrysanthemum flowers. The tea has a cooling and refreshing effect and is often enjoyed on hot days.

27. Oolong Tea

A semi-oxidized tea, oolong tea falls between green tea and black tea in terms of flavor and aroma. Oolong tea has a unique floral and earthy flavor.