These 8 Milwaukee Chinese Restaurants Are The Ones That Locals Trust And Love

One Milwaukee Chinese restaurant hands out chocolate fortune cookies after the meal. I love that detail, because it tells you someone in the kitchen cares about the last bite too.

The city’s Chinese food scene goes deep. You can find Shanghai soup dumplings, Cantonese clay pots, and Korean-Chinese noodles made by hand. One spot even keeps a secret menu for more traditional dishes.

Wisconsin gets plenty of credit for cheese curds and fish fries. Honestly, its Chinese restaurants deserve a louder cheer. These kitchens range from decades-old dining rooms to late-night counters near campus.

I picked eight places with staying power and serious fans. Some feel fancy, and some feel like your favorite takeout drawer come to life. So which one is calling your name for dinner tonight?

1. Emperor of China

Dessert here comes with a sweet twist: chocolate fortune cookies and ice cream after your meal. That little finale says a lot about how this Brady Street favorite treats its guests.

The family-run restaurant has served regional Chinese cuisines since 1986. That’s a long run in a busy Milwaukee neighborhood full of choices. Inside, the spacious dining room shows off striking artwork. It feels calm and quiet, which makes it easy to actually talk over dinner.

Now for the menu, which is huge. You’ll find duck, chicken, beef, seafood, pork, and vegetarian dishes, plus soups and egg foo young. Crispy Duck is a strong pick if you want something beyond the usual takeout order. Sesame Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken cover the classics nicely.

Craving something lighter? Try the Egg Drop Soup or the Wonton Soup with Fried Noodles. Sauteed green beans in brown sauce and beef and broccoli round out a great shared table.

Vegetarians get a full menu here, so nobody gets stuck with plain rice. The kitchen also offers a great tea selection to sip alongside your food.

Planning a family gathering? There’s a private dining room, and the restaurant accepts reservations. Catering is also available if you’d rather bring the feast home.

Street parking nearby can be tricky, so give yourself a few extra minutes. Note that the restaurant is closed on Mondays. LoveFood once named it the Best Chinese in Wisconsin. After decades of chocolate fortune cookies, that honor seems well earned.

Address: 1010 E Brady St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

2. DanDan

Two chefs named Dan opened a restaurant and called it DanDan. Honestly, that’s the kind of naming logic we can all respect.

Chefs Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite launched the Historic Third Ward spot in July 2016. Their goal was refined Chinese-American cooking with a Midwestern sensibility. The result earned multiple James Beard nominations. Yet the menu still feels playful and fun instead of stiff.

Start with Crab Rangoon, because you’re only human. Then move on to the namesake Dandan Noodles, which are vegetarian.

General Tso’s Cauliflower is a vegan twist that steals attention from the chicken version. Walnut Shrimp and Schmaltz Fried Rice show off the kitchen’s creative side.

Feeling bold? Short rib and foie gras potstickers bring a fancy edge to dumpling night. Rice cakes with pork belly and Taiwanese Beef Noodles are also strong choices.

The dining room hums with energy, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Dinner reservations are recommended, so plan ahead before your stomach starts growling.

Friday is the only day with a lunch window, so mark your calendar if you want a midday dumpling break. Outdoor seating is also available when Wisconsin weather plays nice.

Families are welcome here, and high chairs are on hand. The space also offers full vegan and vegetarian menus.

Address: 360 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

3. Momo Mee Asian Cuisine

Soup dumplings are tiny engineering projects, and this kitchen takes them seriously. Each xiao long bao is handcrafted, made fresh daily, and never frozen.

Momo Mee sits on Greenfield Avenue near Walker’s Point and the Harbor District. Its menu leans Pan-Asian, but handmade Chinese dumplings and noodles lead the way. A quick tip for your first soup dumpling: let it cool for a moment. That hot broth inside means business.

Beyond dumplings, you’ll find Cantonese and Szechuan-style clay pots. Mongolian Beef, Crispy Orange Beef, and salt and pepper shrimp also have plenty of fans.

Want heat? Spicy Wontons are vegan and come with a kick. Fresh Spring Rolls and Singapore Noodles give non-meat eaters more to explore. Ramen lovers can grab Tonkotsu Ramen, too. That variety makes this a smart choice for groups who can’t agree on dinner.

The place earned Best Chinese Restaurant in the Best of Milwaukee 2023. It also picked up Best Korean Restaurant that same year, which is quite the double win. Expect a busy room and, often, a wait. Dinner reservations are recommended if you hate standing around hungry.

On nice days, the patio is a pleasant bonus. Lychee drinks add a refreshing, fruity touch to your meal. Free parking is usually easy to find, so you can save your energy for the dumplings.

Address: 110 E Greenfield Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204

4. Jing’s

Shanghai cooking doesn’t always get the spotlight in the Midwest. In downtown Milwaukee, this calm little dining room changes that.

Jing’s operates on the first floor of the Marshall Building in the Historic Third Ward. The space feels contemporary and elegant, with a clean, relaxed mood.

The chef trained in Shanghai, and the menu shows it. Soup dumplings, dan dan noodles, and pork lo mein follow Shanghai preparation methods.

Curious about seafood? Ginger sole is one of the standout Shanghainese dishes. Shanghai-style duck is another reason to skip your usual order. Of course, the familiar favorites are here as well. General Tso’s Chicken and Orange Chicken keep picky eaters happy.

Plant-based diners have options, too. There’s a full vegetarian menu, and the vegan Dumplings 6 make a good starting point. Prices stay fairly gentle for downtown dining. That makes Jing’s a solid pick when you want something special without a splurge.

Timing matters here, so plan ahead. The restaurant opens in the late afternoon from Tuesday through Sunday and stays closed Mondays. Kids are welcome, and high chairs are available. Delivery and takeout work well if your couch is calling louder than downtown.

Street parking is usually easy to find nearby. That’s a nice bonus in a neighborhood famous for its busy weekends.

Address: 207 E Buffalo St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

5. China Gourmet

Taiwanese escargot in spicy Szechwan sauce isn’t something you spot on many menus. Downtown Milwaukee has it right on East Wells Street. China Gourmet has served the city since 1996. The kitchen proudly skips MSG, which matters to plenty of diners.

Location is a big perk here. You’re close to the Riverside Theatre and Milwaukee City Hall, so a pre-show dinner works perfectly.

Lunch crowds have a reason to smile, too. The restaurant offers a wide selection of Chinese favorites, with both lunch and dinner service available during the week.

Prefer ordering from the menu? Kung Pao Chicken, Spring Rolls, and Crab Rangoon cover the comfort side. Chef Chow Fun and Orange Chicken are popular picks as well.

Peking Duck is a house specialty worth planning around. It’s a fun way to turn a regular weeknight into a mini celebration. Vegetarians can lean on the Singapore Noodle and a full vegetarian menu. Kids are welcome, and high chairs are available.

The room is low-key, quiet, and charming in its own way. Service is quick, which helps when your lunch break is short.

Hours are split between lunch and dinner on weekdays, with Saturday dinner only. It’s closed on Sundays. For a downtown spot, prices stay friendly. That combination keeps it in heavy rotation for office workers and showgoers alike.

Address: 117 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202

6. Huan Xi Chinese Restaurant

A secret menu always makes a meal feel like a mission. On Murray Avenue, Huan Xi keeps one for more traditional Chinese dishes.

The name Huan Xi means happiness or joy in Chinese. Fitting, right, for a place serving two menus at once? One side covers Chinese-American classics. Think General Tso’s Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Crab Rangoon, and lo mein.

The other side gets bolder. Cumin lamb, twice-cooked pork, and hand-pulled noodles bring serious flavor to the table. Vegans can grab MA PO Tofu or Vegetable Bean Curd Soup. Triple Delight is a vegetarian dish worth a look as well.

Inside, the modern space has hot pot tables and private dining rooms. Hot pot turns dinner into a group activity, which is great for friends who like to linger.

The East Side location draws college students and families alike. Free parking is usually easy to find, a rare treat in this part of town. Takeout here has a strong reputation for fresh, flavorful food. Delivery is available when you can’t leave the house.

Watch the schedule before heading over. The restaurant closes on Tuesdays, and lunch hours only happen Friday through Sunday. Catering is also offered for bigger gatherings. Your next party could swap pizza for cumin lamb and noodles.

Address: 2428 N Murray Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211

7. Asian Fusion

Night owls, this one’s for you. On Fridays and Saturdays, Asian Fusion stays open until 2 AM. That late schedule makes it a lifeline on Milwaukee’s East Side. College students and families both find their way to this North Avenue spot.

The menu is big, and the food is cooked to order. Orange Chicken is a crowd favorite for good reason.

Want something green? Szechuan String Beans are vegan and full of flavor. House Special Soup makes a comforting choice on a cold Wisconsin night.

Here’s a fun bonus: bubble tea. Chewy tapioca pearls with your dinner just feel right. Plant-based eaters get both full vegan and vegetarian menus. That makes group orders a lot less stressful.

The space has contemporary decor and a relaxed feel. Service is fast, and dishes come out nicely presented.

Online ordering is easy, and delivery is available. No-contact delivery also works if you’re in pajamas mode. Check the hours before you go, since it closes on Tuesdays. Most days it opens in the afternoon, while weekends start earlier.

Catering is an option for larger events, too. Free parking is usually plentiful, which helps on busy nights.

The variety makes it easy to mix familiar favorites with dishes you haven’t tried before. You could stick with Orange Chicken one night and switch to a spicy vegetable dish or a comforting bowl of soup the next.

Address: 1609 E North Ave B, Milwaukee, WI 53202

8. San Dong Express

Watching cooks work while you order is half the fun at this south side counter. The other half arrives in very large portions. San Dong Express is a Mandarin restaurant on Layton Avenue. It specializes in homemade noodles and Korean-Chinese dishes.

That combo leads to some tasty menu stars. Cha Jang Myun features noodles in a rich black bean sauce with pork and vegetables.

Craving soup? Sam Sun Cham Pong is a hearty noodle bowl featuring seafood, beef, and vegetables. Chap Chae offers glass noodles for something lighter.

The Mongolian Beef gets plenty of love. San Dong Beef, Cashew Chicken, and twice-cooked pork are also worth ordering.

Don’t skip the kimchi, which has quite a reputation. Pot Stickers and Sandong Fried Rice make easy add-ons. Service runs at the counter, and there’s no table service. Food comes out fast, so it’s great for a quick lunch.

Reservations aren’t accepted, so just show up hungry. Sunday afternoons and evenings tend to be the busiest.

Some diners order extra meals to take home for later. With portions this generous, leftovers are practically guaranteed anyway. Wisconsin road-trippers can stop by any day, since it’s open daily. Free parking is usually easy to find.

The noodle dishes are especially appealing when you want something more satisfying than a typical takeout meal. Between the savory sauces, generous servings, and variety of flavors, there’s plenty of reason to try something different on your next visit.

Address: 220 W Layton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207