9 Chinese Restaurants In Washington That Locals Trust And Adore
Neon signs glow over old counters where dumplings arrive faster than seconds. Hand-pulled noodles slap the table right beside crab rangoons and steaming wonton soup.
Washington hides a wild range of kitchens behind strip malls and quiet corners. A few rooms have run under the same family for generations, and the walls prove it.
Sushi counters sit beside wok stations, and salad bars share space with sizzling hot pot. Washington regulars already know which booth to grab and which dish to order twice.
One kitchen even fed a martial arts legend, and his favorite booth still gets requests. Another once fed a whole community when other doors stayed shut.
Curious which spots earned that loyalty across the state? Grab a friend, clear your appetite, and start working down the list.
1. Tai Tung Restaurant, Seattle
A neon sign reading Tai Tung Chop Suey still glows over South King Street at night. Step inside and the clock seems to roll backward several decades.
The diner-style front counter sits near the door, while cushioned booths fill the back room. Framed photographs of famous patrons line the walls, and one room honors martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
Order the Oyster Sauce Beef, reportedly his favorite dish here. Garlic Shrimp also earns steady attention from regulars who return year after year.
Classic Chinese-American cooking anchors the menu. Egg foo young, chow mein, sweet and sour pork, and beef chow fun all appear alongside pot stickers, fried squid, and almond fried chicken.
Family hands have run this dining room since 1935. That makes it one of the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurants in the city.
Its history runs deeper than food. During segregation, the kitchen welcomed Seattle’s Black residents when many other rooms would not.
Walk the surrounding blocks before or after your meal. Bakeries, herbal shops, and small groceries pack the historic Chinatown-International District.
Come hungry and bring friends. Shared plates suit the booths perfectly, and the time-capsule setting sparks plenty of conversation.
Address: 655 S King St, Seattle, Washington
2. Purple Dot Cafe, Seattle
Craving dumplings well past dinnertime? This Maynard Avenue kitchen has long served as a dependable late-night stop in the Chinatown-International District.
Bright colors and clean modern lines fill the interior of Purple Dot Cafe. The mood feels cheerful rather than fussy, which suits both quick solo meals and noisy group tables.
Hong Kong cafe cooking shapes the menu here. Dim sum arrives in small steamer baskets, and the choices run wide.
Try Shao Mai, shrimp dumplings, pan fried dumplings, and BBQ pork buns. Save room for a Cream Custard Bun at the end.
Soups comfort on gray Seattle afternoons. Hot and sour, wonton, and chicken noodle all appear on the list.
Fusion plates give the place its quirky charm. Baked Spaghetti and Black Pepper Steak with Spaghetti sit happily beside Kung Pao Chicken and Mongolian Beef.
A family from Guangzhou built this business and continues shaping the neighborhood’s food scene. That personal touch shows in the friendly service.
Parking in the district fills quickly, so consider transit or a nearby garage. Then explore the surrounding shops and murals on foot.
Bring an appetite for variety and order across several sections. The mix rewards curious eaters.
Address: 515 Maynard Ave S, Seattle, Washington
3. Biang Biang Noodles, Capitol Hill Seattle
Watch a cook slap a rope of dough against the counter. Wide Xi’an-style noodles appear within seconds, right in front of you.
The open kitchen at Biang Biang Noodles turns cooking into entertainment. Wooden details and an industrial edge give the spacious dining room a rustic feel.
Traditional Chinese music plays softly in the background. An aquarium bubbles nearby, calming the room during busy stretches.
Mala Spice Beef Dry Noodles headline the menu. Numbing heat, chewy strands, and bold seasoning make the dish memorable.
Cumin Lamb brings a smoky, aromatic contrast. Chicken Curry Noodles suit anyone who prefers gentler spice levels.
Start with Green Onion Pancakes or Sichuan Honey Wings. Both share well across a crowded table.
Capitol Hill surrounds the restaurant with record shops, theaters, and bookstores. Northern Chinese noodle culture feels right at home in this energetic neighborhood.
Ask about spice adjustments if chili heat worries you. Kitchens like this usually accommodate reasonable requests.
Arrive slightly before peak dinner hours for a shorter wait. Seats near the kitchen offer the best noodle-pulling view.
Walk East Pike Street afterward and let the meal settle. The stroll costs nothing and shows off the district.
Address: 601 E Pike St Unit 100, Seattle, Washington
4. Chef Lu’s Asian Bistro, Spokane South Hill
Spokane’s South Hill hides a surprisingly stylish wok kitchen. High ceilings and an open floor plan greet you inside Lincoln Heights shopping center.
Chef Lu’s Asian Bistro opened in late 2017 with a clear goal. The team set out to bring authentic Chinese cooking to the Spokane region.
Wok-fired plates cover traditional, modern, and Szechuan styles. That range keeps picky groups happy at one table.
General Tso’s Chicken arrives glossy and crisp. Mongolian Beef and Kung Pao Chicken round out the classics.
Crispy Calamari makes a strong starter choice. House Made Dumplings, Crab Cheese Wontons, and Spring Rolls also tempt.
A full-service sushi bar sits inside the same room. Rolls and rice plates share space with Pad Thai for anyone craving variety.
The modern dining hall handles birthdays and family dinners comfortably. Larger parties should call ahead during weekend evenings.
Manito Park sits a short drive away. Pair lunch here with the gardens for an easy South Hill afternoon.
Ask about Szechuan heat levels before ordering. Kitchens vary, and staff can guide you toward the right dish.
Leftovers travel well from this kitchen. Fried rice tastes almost better the next morning.
Address: 2915 E 29th Ave Ste D, Spokane, Washington
5. Hong Kong Express, Downtown Spokane
Need something lighter than the usual fried plate? West Indiana Avenue holds a Spokane kitchen built around exactly that idea.
Hong Kong Express earned attention for cooking that leans healthier. Steamed and vegetable-forward options appear throughout the menu.
Vegetable spring rolls, vegetable fried rice, and vegetable lo mein anchor the meatless side. Steamed mixed vegetables suit anyone watching what they eat.
Broccoli with garlic sauce delivers flavor without heaviness. Ma po tofu brings soft bean curd and a savory kick.
Traditional favorites still hold their ground. Chop suey, Egg Foo Young, sweet and sour plates, and teriyaki choices fill out the list.
Dim sum also appears here, which surprises some visitors to eastern Washington. Ordering a few small items makes a fun shared lunch.
Dine-in works fine, though takeout and delivery drive much of the business. Grab a box and eat along the Spokane River instead.
Riverfront Park sits within easy reach downtown. Bring your food, find a bench, and watch the water move.
Call ahead during weekday lunch rushes. Downtown workers keep this kitchen busy.
Mix one lighter dish with one classic for balance. That combination pleases most tables.
Address: 113 W Indiana Ave, Spokane, Washington
6. Mr. Wok Restaurant, North Spokane
Generous portions built this North Newport Highway reputation over many decades. Plates arrive loaded, and few people leave without a box.
Mr. Wok Restaurant now runs under the son of the original owners. That continuity keeps the family feel intact.
The dining room reopened after a stretch of takeout-only service. Sitting down again feels like a small local victory.
Special Chow Mein draws steady orders. Noodles, vegetables, and protein pile high in one dish.
Almond Chicken remains an eastern Washington staple, and this kitchen handles it well. General Tso’s Chicken satisfies anyone chasing sweet heat.
Egg rolls and crab rangoons make reliable starters. Egg flower soup warms you up on cold Spokane nights.
A build-your-own plate option adds real flexibility. Picky eaters and hungry kids both benefit from choosing their own combination.
Everything comes fresh and made to order. Expect a short wait during peak dinner hours.
North Spokane surrounds the restaurant with shops and easy parking. Wandering Park sits within a reasonable drive for a post-meal walk.
Split one large plate between two people if you order appetizers. Portions here genuinely stretch.
Address: 9222 N Newport Hwy C, Spokane, Washington
7. Chinese Gardens, Spokane
Opened in 1948, this kitchen predates most restaurants in eastern Washington. Very few Chinese dining rooms in the state can match that run.
Chinese Gardens has shifted locations across the decades. Today it sits on East Trent Avenue, close to historic Felts Field.
The environment feels traditional and welcoming rather than trendy. Longevity like this usually means the regulars keep coming back.
Special Garden Chow Mein tops many orders. General’s Chicken and Almond Chicken follow closely behind.
Combination Fried Rice works as a solid centerpiece for sharing. Sweet and Sour Pork and Mongolian Beef cover familiar ground.
Curry Chicken options add a different direction for the table. Ordering across styles keeps the meal interesting.
Start with BBQ pork or handmade dumplings, available boiled or pan-fried. Egg rolls and crab wontons also please the crowd.
Aviation fans should peek at Felts Field afterward. Small planes buzz overhead throughout the day.
The location suits travelers heading east on Interstate 90. A quick detour delivers a real piece of Spokane food history.
Bring the whole family and order plenty. Shared plates match this dining room’s old-school spirit.
Address: 5207 E Trent Ave, Spokane, Washington
8. New Peking Chinese Restaurant, Vancouver
Mall locations rarely feel elegant, yet this Chkalov Drive spot manages it. Comfortable seating and attentive service change the whole impression.
New Peking Chinese Restaurant has become a gathering place for Vancouver families. Celebrations and casual weeknight dinners both fit the room.
Salt and Pepper Squid deserves a spot on your table. Crisp edges and sharp seasoning make it hard to stop eating.
Kung Pao Chicken brings peanuts, chili, and a savory sauce. Mongolian Beef offers a milder, sweeter alternative.
Seafood choices stand out here. Seafood Soup and Seafood Lo Mein both reward anyone who loves shellfish.
Shrimp Fried Rice Plates work well for lunch. General Tso Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Honey Chicken, and Broccoli Beef cover the classics.
Crab Puffs make an easy shared starter. Order a couple for larger groups.
The east Vancouver location sits near plenty of shopping. Combine errands with dinner for an efficient evening.
Larger parties should reserve when possible. This dining room fills up on weekends.
Portland’s attractions sit just across the Columbia River. Vancouver makes a quieter, friendlier base for exploring the area.
Address: 516 SE Chkalov Dr #45, Vancouver, Washington
9. Golden City, Vancouver
Soft music, clean tables, and a Chinese motif set the mood on Highway 99. Nothing feels fussy, and that works in its favor.
Golden City keeps a relaxing atmosphere despite ample seating. The space still manages to feel cozy rather than cavernous.
Pot stickers here run large and packed with flavorful meat. Order them first and share around the table.
General Tso’s Chicken comes with adjustable spice levels. Tell the kitchen how much heat you actually want.
Fried rice arrives in satisfying portions. Soups and seafood selections widen the choices considerably.
Value shows up clearly in the balance between quality and portion size. Families notice that quickly.
Vancouver itself surprises many travelers. Growth has brought a lively food scene, strong arts community, and a mix of rural calm and city energy.
Portland sits minutes away across the river. Staying on the Washington side often means quieter streets and easier parking.
Visit the Columbia River waterfront after eating. The walking paths there make a pleasant finish to the evening.
Bring a group and order broadly. Sharing several dishes suits this menu better than sticking to one plate.
Address: 6204 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver, Washington