Top Famous Chinese Restaurants Around the World
Chinese cuisine is globally recognized for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and intricate cooking techniques. Whether you’re craving spicy Sichuan dishes, delicate Cantonese dim sum, or the savory delights of Peking duck, Chinese food offers an endless array of tastes that appeal to people all over the world. Over the years, some Chinese restaurants have gained international fame due to their exceptional food quality, innovative dishes, and stellar dining experiences. This article explores some of the most famous Chinese restaurants around the globe, which have become landmarks of Chinese culinary excellence.
1. Peking Duck Restaurant – Beijing, China
Peking Duck is one of the most iconic dishes in Chinese cuisine, and Peking Duck restaurants in Beijing are synonymous with excellence. Among the most famous of these is Quanjude (全聚德), a historical institution in Beijing that has been serving the best Peking duck for over 150 years. Known for its crispy skin, tender meat, and sweet hoisin sauce, Quanjude has earned a reputation as the go-to destination for a traditional Peking Duck experience.
The restaurant’s unique preparation technique involves roasting the duck in a wood-fired oven, resulting in perfectly crispy skin and flavorful meat. The duck is typically served with thin pancakes, sliced cucumber, and scallions, allowing guests to assemble their own bite-sized wraps. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Quanjude remains a must-visit when in Beijing.
2. Lung King Heen – Hong Kong, China
Located in the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Lung King Heen is the world’s first Chinese restaurant to receive three Michelin stars, a prestigious culinary accolade that reflects its unparalleled dining experience. The restaurant specializes in Cantonese cuisine, offering a range of dim sum, seafood dishes, and Cantonese-style roasted meats.
Lung King Heen’s menu is a tribute to the delicacies of Cantonese cooking, and its signature dishes include barbecued pork buns, steamed dumplings, and lobster with egg whites. The restaurant is renowned for its emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients and the precision with which each dish is prepared. For those who are looking to experience an upscale, Michelin-starred take on Chinese food, Lung King Heen is a top destination.
3. Tim Ho Wan – Hong Kong, China
Tim Ho Wan, known as the “cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world,” has gained worldwide attention for its exceptional dim sum. Founded by Chef Mak Kwai Pui, a former dim sum chef at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan has become a symbol of affordable luxury.
Despite being a modest and simple establishment, Tim Ho Wan’s signature dim sum dishes, such as the baked barbecue pork buns and steamed dumplings, have earned the restaurant its well-deserved Michelin star. With multiple locations in Hong Kong and around the world, including in cities like New York, Manila, and Singapore, Tim Ho Wan offers an accessible yet exceptional dim sum experience.
4. The Forbidden City Restaurant – Beijing, China
A symbol of China’s imperial past, The Forbidden City Restaurant in Beijing offers guests a chance to dine like royalty. This grand restaurant is located near the iconic Forbidden City, and it draws inspiration from the lavish feasts that took place in the imperial palace.
The menu at The Forbidden City Restaurant features a fusion of traditional Chinese royal cuisine and contemporary flavors. Guests can indulge in luxurious dishes such as braised shark’s fin soup, imperial-style Peking duck, and steamed fish with a rich blend of spices and herbs. The restaurant’s opulent décor, with its red walls and intricate wood carvings, adds to the royal dining experience, making it a top destination for those looking to indulge in authentic, high-end Chinese cuisine.
5. Jade Dragon – Macau, China
Located in the City of Dreams in Macau, Jade Dragon has earned three Michelin stars for its outstanding Cantonese cuisine. As the first restaurant in Macau to receive this honor, Jade Dragon offers an exceptional fine-dining experience that highlights the traditional flavors of Guangdong and Cantonese cooking with a modern twist.
The restaurant is known for its exquisite presentation, attentive service, and luxurious ambiance. Its signature dishes include double-boiled soups, dim sum, and a variety of high-end seafood such as abalone and lobster. The intimate dining setting and focus on top-tier ingredients make Jade Dragon a must-visit for food enthusiasts and anyone looking to experience Michelin-starred Chinese cuisine.
6. Hakkasan – London, United Kingdom
With locations across the globe, Hakkasan is a world-renowned Chinese restaurant chain that blends traditional Cantonese cooking with a sleek, modern aesthetic. Since its opening in 2001 in London, Hakkasan has garnered international acclaim, earning Michelin stars for its exceptional food and luxurious dining experience.
Hakkasan’s menu is a celebration of bold flavors, with signature dishes such as crispy duck salad, dim sum platters, and black truffle roasted duck. The restaurant’s chic interior design, featuring dark wood, low lighting, and an upscale bar, creates a stylish ambiance that attracts celebrities, food critics, and locals alike. Hakkasan has expanded to locations in cities like New York, Las Vegas, and Dubai, making it one of the most successful Chinese restaurant brands in the world.
7. Xian Famous Foods – New York City, USA
Located in New York City, Xi’an Famous Foods has become a favorite for lovers of bold, spicy, and flavorful Chinese cuisine. Founded by Jason Wang in 2005, the restaurant specializes in the cuisine of Xi’an, a city in the Shaanxi Province known for its unique blend of spicy, sour, and savory flavors.
The restaurant’s signature dishes include hand-pulled noodles, lamb burgers, and spicy beef cold noodles. Xi’an Famous Foods has gained a cult following due to its distinctive flavors, which combine traditional Chinese ingredients with an innovative twist. The restaurant’s success has led to the opening of multiple locations across New York, solidifying it as a popular destination for Chinese food lovers in the city.
8. Din Tai Fung – Taipei, Taiwan
Known for its world-famous soup dumplings (xiaolongbao), Din Tai Fung is one of Taiwan’s most beloved restaurant chains, with locations around the world. The restaurant was founded in 1958 in Taipei by Yang Bingyi, who initially opened a small shop selling dumplings. Today, Din Tai Fung has become an international sensation, with locations in cities like Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, and Sydney.
Din Tai Fung’s signature dish is its soup dumplings, which are filled with hot, flavorful broth and finely minced pork. The restaurant is also known for its dumplings, noodles, and savory dishes that showcase the delicate art of Chinese dumpling-making. The brand’s success lies in its commitment to consistency, quality, and the meticulous preparation of its dishes, which have earned it numerous accolades and a loyal following worldwide.
9. Baidu – Shanghai, China
In the heart of Shanghai, Baidu has become an iconic dining destination for those looking to experience high-end Chinese cuisine. Known for its classic dishes and elegant atmosphere, Baidu offers a wide range of traditional Chinese dishes, particularly from the Shanghainese culinary tradition.
Signature dishes at Baidu include Shanghai-style braised pork belly, crispy fried shrimp, and tender stir-fried beef with scallions. The restaurant is known for its beautiful décor, which blends modern luxury with traditional Chinese design elements, creating an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and welcoming. Baidu remains one of Shanghai’s premier dining experiences for those looking to indulge in authentic, upscale Chinese food.
10. Shandong Restaurant – Beijing, China
Located in the heart of Beijing, Shandong Restaurant is renowned for its traditional Shandong cuisine, which is known for its emphasis on fresh ingredients, light seasoning, and delicate flavors. Shandong cuisine is one of China’s Eight Great Culinary Traditions, and the restaurant’s dishes are a reflection of this rich culinary heritage.
Shandong Restaurant’s signature dishes include its famous Shandong-style fried chicken, braised sea cucumbers, and refreshing cold noodles. The restaurant’s commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and its mastery of traditional cooking techniques have earned it a place as one of Beijing’s top dining destinations.
Conclusion
The world of Chinese cuisine is as diverse and vibrant as the country itself, and these famous Chinese restaurants exemplify the range of flavors, techniques, and dining experiences that make Chinese food so beloved worldwide. Whether you’re looking for an upscale dining experience or a casual spot for dim sum, these restaurants offer the best of what Chinese food has to offer, each with its unique twist. For anyone passionate about Chinese cuisine or eager to experience the art of Chinese cooking at its finest, these top Chinese restaurants are must-visit destinations.