The Top Chinese Restaurants in Boston

Boston’s Chinatown is the best place to visit if you’re searching for an Asian-inspired gastronomic experience, but you’ll find delicious Chinese options scattered all over the city. If you get a craving for Chinese food while you’re in Beantown, the dishes from the restaurants on this list are sure to satisfy your hunger and delight your senses. Here are our picks for the best Chinese Restaurants in Boston.

Winsor Dim Sum Cafe

10 Tyler Street, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 338-1688

Winsor Dim Sum Cafe offers hearty and light dim sum options, and their congee is a must-try. From deep-fried pork dumplings to white turnip cakes, you’ll be able to get your fill of stuffed dough at Winsor. If you’re feeling adventurous, the chicken feet are a hot item on the Winsor menu.

Hei La Moon

83 Essex Street, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 338-8813

When it comes to Chinese food in Boston, Hei La Moon in Chinatown is one of the best. This two level eatery is filled with ornate and traditional decor that is routinely packed by people searching for the best Dim Sum in the city. While it does offer a vast menu of traditional Chinese cuisine, Hei La Moon is renowned for its Dim Sum. In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to find many places that can compare. So, if you’re looking for that special something and have a craving for Dim Sum, make sure to check out this place.

Dumpling Cafe

695 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 338-8859

At Dumpling Cafe, you’ll find dishes originating from all over China and Taiwan, but the dumplings are the main attraction. Fried dumplings, sweet and spicy eggplant, and mini-juicy pork buns are hot takes on the menu. Enjoy dining in or take your delicious dumplings to go. The late hours 11:30 Sun-Thu and 1:30 on Fri-Sat make this a perfect late night spot.

Five Spices House

58 Beach St #2017, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 574-8888

Voted Best of Boston in 2018 by Boston Magazine, there’s something for everyone on the menu at this Sichuan restaurant. The menu at Five Spices House can be a bit overwhelming, and there are plenty of unique dishes you won’t find on the menu at typical Chinese restaurants. This makes Five Spices House all the more authentic. Pig guts and duck tongues pair well with the Chinese watercress and a side order of steaming, hot dumplings. For the less adventurous Chinese dishes the Dan Dan Noodles, Salt & Pepper Shrimp and Sichuan Kung Pao Chicken are scrumptious choices.

Taiwan Cafe

34 Oxford St Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-8181

Taiwan Cafe is one of Chinatown Boston’s most renowned establishments. Noodles, dumplings, and liver are popular here, along with the white fish from the Sichuan section of the menu. If you are looking for a late-night snack, Taiwan Cafe is open past midnight to serve you whatever your heart desires from their menu, whether it’s an octopus ball, fried pork intestines, or crab rangoons.

Mala Restaurant

129 Brighton Ave Allston, MA 02134
(617) 254-1839

Add a little spice to your life with the food from Mala Restaurant. You’ll want to order a couple of beers to wash down your food. If you can’t take the heat, you can still enjoy lunch from Mala Restaurant’s kitchen. All dishes are spiced to order, so you can get your food made exactly the way you want it. If you’re not sure what to order, you can’t go wrong with the dan dan noodles or the Dry Stir-fried Chicken with Spicy Capsicum.

Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe

86 Bedford St Boston, MA 02111
(617) 482-1888

Boston is home to a growing hand-pulled noodle trend, and Gene’s is the origination point. Lamb skewers, pulled pork, and hand-pulled noodles dressed a variety of ways are available for takeout and delivery. Add some tea eggs, peeled boiled eggs steeped in cinnamon with a bay leaf, to complete your order. The menu at Gene’s is simple and concise, but each dish is unique and bursting with flavor.

MDM Noodles

351 Washington St Brighton, MA 02135
(617) 208-8663

Xi’an-style hand-pulled noodles are available here. Whether you are craving a protein fix or a light, vegetarian meal, you can get your noodles dressed any way you like. Order hand-pulled noodles with egg and tomato, beef and scallions, or ask for them spicy. The lamb meat soup will warm your soul on a chilly day, and the spicy cumin lamb burger is a must-try.

Myers and Chang

1145 Washington St Boston, MA 02118
(617) 542-5200

Head to the South End and enjoy “Asian-ish” dishes in a bright and airy venue. Cuisines from all over Asia can be found at Myers and Chang. Non-traditional dishes like wild boar dan dan noodles, Filipino Bloomin Fun Yun, Grilled Corn & Sriracha Butter, and the Spicy Taiwanese Fried Chicken Leg. Be sure to try the perfectly cooked crispy Brussels, the flavorful without being overpowering nasi goreng, and the buckwheat soba which is refreshing and a nice break from the strong flavors of the other dishes. 

Clay Pot Cafe

74 Kneeland St Boston, MA 02111
(617) 357-5262

Enjoy Cantonese food prepared traditionally in clay pots. As the name suggests, the dishes at this restaurant are made in clay pots, as is the norm in Hong Kong. Fish, chicken, and beef clay pot dishes are all great alongside traditional Chinese favorites like wonton soup. Clay Pot Cafe is a very small little place with close seating but you won’t mind it one bit because the food is so good.

Q Restaurant

660 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
(857) 350-3968

Q restaurant is a modern Asian fusion restaurant located in the heart of Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. The restaurant has a contemporary and elegant atmosphere with a full bar, and it’s popular for Hot pots, sushi & traditional Chinese dishes. While the Hot pot options are what they are known for traditional dishes like Beef with String Beans and Chicken in Spicy Garlic Sauce are amazing.

Shojo

9A Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111
(617) 423-7888

This hip spot in Chinatown features a menu that draws inspiration from all over Asia as well as a fusion of other cuisines such as Southern & Italian. The menu is a delicious adventure with varying dishes like C-Town Chicken & Waffles made with chicken thighs and Hong Kong puf waffles. Their interpretation of a classic burger is the Shojonator which is a 1/4 patty with smoked bacon, kimcheese served on a home made bao bun and you have to add the Duck Fat Fries on the side.

For more information on where to eat and drink in Boston, visit our city page!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 21, 2021 and last updated on July 12, 2023. Please refer to restaurant websites and social media pages for the most up-to-date information.