Rebecca DavisWhile some nights call for exploring the top local sushi restaurants, nothing quite hits the spot like an authentic plate of dumplings or a rich, steaming bowl of hand-pulled noodles.
Whether you’re a dedicated food enthusiast craving the fiery, tongue-numbing heat of traditional Szechuan spices, a family diner looking for affordable group platters, or an office worker needing a quick lunch takeout, Philly’s historic Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods deliver unforgettable meals.
Let’s dive into the best Chinese restaurants in Philadelphia, where you can skip the generic takeout and treat your taste buds to some legendary, deeply satisfying Chinese dishes.
How much does Chinese food cost in Philadelphia?
Grabbing Chinese food in Philadelphia is generally super affordable, with casual noodle bowls starting quite low and high-end specialty platters scaling up for big group feasts.
| Dish Type | Price Range |
| Quick Casual Bites, Dim Sum, Rice Platters | $10 to $18 |
| Large Family-Style Plates, Szechuan Entrees, Specialty Seafood | $15 to $35 |
| Signature Whole Roasted Peking Duck | $55 to $65 |
1. EMei 峨嵋
Website: https://www.emeiphilly.com/
Address: 915 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: (215) 627-2500
Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM -10:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
If your palate craves the blistering heat and complex depths of real Sichuan peppercorns, EMei stands out by specializing entirely in fiery, deeply authentic Szechuan cuisine right in the vibrant center of Chinatown.
We’re talking dishes like sliced beef shank and tripe in chili oil, spicy poached chicken, chilled spicy noodles, boiled sea bass in Sichuan chili broth, and the like.
The kitchen delivers an unforgivingly bold flavor experience through celebrated specialties like their iconic Chongqing spicy chicken, making it a dream come true for adventurous food lovers who want an alternative to standard restaurants in Philadelphia.
However, anyone searching for a mild or classic American-Chinese takeout night might feel a bit overwhelmed here because the menu stays unapologetically committed to that intense, traditional spice profile.
Customer Reviews:
My favorite in Philly
This is my favorite in Philly. I know that’s a big statement, but I love Szechuan and they are so accommodating to gluten free and vegetarian options that I take all of my visiting friends here. I highly recommend the woodear mushroom and garlic cucumbers appetizers, the cumin lamb and the tofu pot (the one with the napa cabbage). So good!
Lindsey M. Adams | Google Review
Favorite Chinese restaurant
Our favorite Chinese. We have mostly stopped in for lunch and it is bustling. The scallion pancakes and steamed dumplings are really good. The dry wok with cumin dishes are better than anywhere else in Philly. The menu is long so there is something for everyone.
John Ventre | Google Review
2. Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Website: https://www.sangkeechinatown.com/
Address: 238 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: (215) 925-7532
Hours: (Daily)
Dine-in: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Takeout: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
BBQ & Noodle Soup Only: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Step into Sang Kee Peking Duck House to get a rich piece of local culinary history. This iconic 1980 establishment reigns as the city’s very first Peking duck destination. They roast their poultry fresh daily inside a specialized 400-degree oven.
When I shared a meal here with a friend, the traditional preparation method truly shone through the perfectly crisp skin and rich five-spice seasoning, accompanied by an impressive selection of Hong Kong street barbecue.
The only real catch to plan around is that they don’t offer a single-serving portion for the famous Peking duck platters, so you will definitely need to bring a dining partner along since the smallest available size feeds two people.
Customer Reviews:
Highly recommend
Nice Cantonese restaurant offers high quality dishes. The flavor is quite authentic. No reservation is needed but if you plan to go during the busy hours, you may have to wait for a while to get seated. Beef chow fun is highly recommended. It tastes no different from what you can get from Hong Kong.
Anwei Chai | Google Review
One of my new favorite spots
10/10! One of my new favorite spots in Chinatown. We got the roast pork noodle soup w shrimp dumplings – the broth was unbelievable, roasted duck and pork over rice- amazing, and the beef chow fun, my personal favorite! My wife loved the lychee sake and I got an iced Thai tea. For all this, it was about $60, and we took so much home!
Highly recommend and will definitely be back.
Jair Guardia | Google Review
3. Nom Wah Philadelphia
Website: https://www.nomwah.com/philadelphia
Address: 218 North 13th St, Philadelphia, PA
Contact: (267) 519-2889
Hours: Wednesday to Monday: 11:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Tucked inside the historic Ballinger Building just a short stroll from the local convention center, Nom Wah Philadelphia brilliantly matches classic dim sum traditions with excellent modern dietary accommodations. The setting provides an incredibly cool architectural vibe for casual dining.
It’s an absolute lifesaver for groups with mixed preferences because the kitchen easily provides dedicated gluten-free and vegan dumpling options alongside their savory standard plates.
However, anyone with a massive sweet tooth might find the dessert menu a bit repetitive since it mostly features various sweet fillings tucked inside steamed buns. If you’re looking for other Chinese desserts such as egg tarts or pumpkin pancakes, you’ll have to go elsewhere.
Customer Reviews:
Absolutely amazing food
Excellent all around!
We came here about a year ago, and were so pleased. We don’t come to Philly often, so we were excited to come back to this restaurant. We were too early, they weren’t open yet. We were warmly welcomed in before opening time, which was very nice. Everything we ordered was fresh and delicious. Wonderful service, absolutely amazing food.
Prices are very reasonable as well.
(Ate some of the food before getting a picture lol)
Laurel McDonald | Google Review
Recommended
Went for Dim Sum before heading to the airport. Arrived 10 mins before they actually opened…. didn’t matter. Welcomed us in and got a us a pot of tea.
Had the giant pork buns, shrimp fried rice, and fried pork dumlings. Everything was delicious. Highly recommend.
Paul Flynn | Google Review
4. Dim Sum Garden
Website: https://www.dimsumgardenphilly.com/
Address: 1024 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: (215) 873-0258
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Incredible dumpling lineage takes center stage at Dim Sum Garden under the guidance of Chef Shizhou Da, a fifth-generation descendant of the original soup dumpling creator. She infuses three decades of homemade Shanghai expertise into every fold.
A coworker recently told me how effortlessly the staff adjusted recipes for their severe food allergies during a massive group event, proving that the kitchen handles safety just as well as they handle their legendary, steaming broth-filled creations.
You can even bring your own favorite drinks along to complement the meal, thanks to a flexible bring-your-own-bottle policy.
However, you should save your sugar cravings for somewhere else, given that the dessert section is strictly limited to two options.
Customer Reviews:
Good dining experience
i’ve gone here twice — both times were great! the scallion noodles are delicious and the diced chicken is nice and crispy. i LOVE the dumplings here and will order like 3 things of pork and chive dumplings. my partner and i also tried the duck noodles and the pork here — very good! we always entertain coming back here.
Lain | Google Review
The best Chinese food in Philly
Love this place. Have eaten here several times the past couple months. It’s hands down the best Chinese food in Philly! And the restaurant is new and clean. Service is fast and efficient. I highly recommend it!
Jacob Hawkins | Google Review
5. Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House
Website: https://www.nanzhounoodle.com/
Address: 1022 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Contact: 215-923-1550
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Craving a deeply comforting texture that only scratch-made dough can deliver leads hungry diners straight to Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House. They focus on crafting fresh, hand-pulled noodles daily to anchor their savory soups.
The kitchen keeps things moving quickly to satisfy the massive crowds, sending out steaming bowls of their famous braised beef noodle soup with remarkable speed and efficiency. It’s an amazing option for a fast, filling lunch or a quick takeout order managed through their direct online portal.
However, you must remember to stop by an ATM beforehand because they don’t accept traditional credit cards at the register.
Customer Reviews:
The food came out hot and fast
Amazing dumplings (recommend the sampler), scallion pancake, and hand pulled noodles. Each dumpling had a unique flavor. The scallion pancake was fried to perfection with each flaky layer standing out. The pulled noodles had the perfect amount of add-ins (vegetables, meats) and a flavor that stood out, but wasn’t overpowering. Service was great from the time I sat down all the way through. It was busy, but the food came out hot and fast. Looks unassuming from the outside, which just adds to the vibe. Only note is that they only take cash or venmo, so be prepared.
David Bucci | Google Review
Best noodle soup restaurant in Chinatown Philly
Hands down the best noodle soup restaurant in Chinatown Philly! We had the Braised sliced beef noodle soup & House special noodle soup, the broth of each is pretty unique and not salty at all – just exactly what we wanted. The experience was super straightforward, so no hassle at all. Please remember to bring cash or have Venmo if you visit there.
Kai Pham | Google Review
