We Ranked The 9 Best Old-School Chinese Restaurants In Ohio And Here’s Who Made The Cut
One Ohio Chinese restaurant got its start inside a converted filling station back in 1956. The gas pumps are long gone.
The egg rolls, somehow, have kept rolling for seven decades.
I love that kind of backstory. It means a kitchen has outlasted food fads, all-you-can-eat buffets, and more delivery apps than anyone can count.
That takes stubborn devotion to a recipe.
Across Ohio, a small group of family-run dining rooms still serve the plates many of us grew up ordering on Friday nights. We’re talking crispy Wor Sue Gai under a ladle of gravy, steaming wonton soup, and crab rangoon worth fighting a sibling over.
A few spread out white tablecloths. One serves dim sum at lunch.
So which old-school spots earned a place on the list, and which one would you drive across the state for first?
1. Ding Ho Restaurant
Few Chinese kitchens in Ohio can say they’ve been frying egg rolls since 1956. Ding Ho can, and the menu still leans proudly on Cantonese favorites and American comfort plates.
Start with the Wor Sue Gai, the crispy chicken dish that’s practically a Columbus tradition. Pair it with the house gravy, which shows up on the menu as its own item for good reason.
Want a little of everything? The Pu Pu Platter handles that job, and crab rangoon, sesame chicken, and sweet and sour chicken round out the classics.
Families have followed this restaurant for decades, including back when it sat on Broad Street. Today you’ll find it on Phillipi Road on the west side, close to I-270 and I-70.
Parents get a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a changing table. Picky eaters can stick with an egg roll and pork fried rice and still leave happy.
Sunday hours run shorter, closing around 6:30 PM, so plan early. Hours can change, and Friday evenings tend to get busy.
Address: 120 Phillipi Rd, Columbus, OH 43228
2. Wing’s | Chinese
A restaurant called Wing’s had better deliver on wings, and the salt and pepper version does exactly that. The rest of the menu mixes classic Chinese dishes with casual American plates.
Over on East Main Street near Bexley, this longtime spot has fed some diners for 40 years or more. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident.
Wor Sue Gai makes an appearance here too, so you can run your own Columbus taste test. Egg rolls, crab rangoon, and sesame chicken cover the comfort side of the table.
Craving something lighter? Vegetable subgum and a full vegetarian menu give non-meat eaters real choices, not just a sad side of rice.
The dining room runs on the darker, low-key side, which feels pleasantly retro. Kids are welcome, and high chairs and a kids’ menu make family dinners easier.
Garlic shrimp and wonton soup are worth a look if you’re feeling adventurous. Wednesday through Saturday evenings can fill up, so an earlier dinner may be calmer.
Address: 2801 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209
3. Blue Gibbon Chinese Restaurant
Here’s a Chinese menu where a cheeseburger sits comfortably next to sweet and sour chicken. Blue Gibbon has mixed those worlds in Cincinnati since the mid-1980s.
That combination makes it a smart pick for families who can’t agree on dinner. One kid gets a sandwich, the adults get beef with shrimp, and nobody sulks.
The Chinese side covers plenty of ground. Hot and sour soup, combination dishes, and CK James’ Thai Fried Rice all show up as menu highlights.
Lunch specials make midday visits easy on the wallet. Family-sized entrees work well if you’re feeding a crowd at home.
You’ll find it on Tennessee Avenue in the Bond Hill area, a short hop from I-75 and the Norwood Lateral. On-site parking usually has open spaces.
Vegetarian and vegan eaters get full menus of their own. A private dining room is also available for bigger gatherings.
Keep the schedule in mind, since the restaurant closes on Mondays. Weekend evenings and Sunday dinner can get busy, and hours may shift.
Address: 1231 Tennessee Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229
4. King Wah | Chinese
Shrimp egg foo young still gets its due on the west side of Cleveland. King Wah in Rocky River keeps the classics front and center, pulling favorites from several Chinese regions.
Soup lovers should zero in on the imperial wonton soup. Mu shu pork and the house King Wah fried rice also earn plenty of attention.
The menu feels like a greatest hits album. General Tso’s chicken, Mongolian beef, lemon chicken, pot stickers, and crab rangoon all make the lineup.
Crispy egg rolls are an easy win for kids. High chairs are available, and the dining room stays fairly quiet for a relaxed family meal.
It sits along Center Ridge Road, just minutes from I-90 and the Westgate area. A free lot usually has room, which saves you from circling the block.
Free Wi-Fi is a nice bonus if you’re waiting on a takeout order. Delivery isn’t offered, so plan to pick up or dine in.
Saturday evenings tend to be the busiest stretch. Weekday lunches are often calmer, though hours can change.
Address: 20668 Center Ridge Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116
5. Oriental Wok
White tablecloths and Chinese takeout rarely share a sentence, but Oriental Wok pulls it off. This Hyde Park dining room has been family owned and operated for nearly 50 years.
Mike and Helen Wong opened it in 1977 to share their Cantonese cooking. The colorful room still feels like a special-occasion spot without being stuffy.
Sesame chicken and Hong Kong chicken lead the menu highlights. Egg rolls cover the crunchy side of things for younger diners.
Save room for the mango custard. It’s a fun, fruity finish that kids often enjoy as much as adults.
You’ll find it off Madison Road near Hyde Park Square, an easy drive from I-71. A free lot usually has space, and curbside pickup is available.
Kids get high chairs and their own menu. Dogs are allowed outside, which helps if the family pup tagged along.
The restaurant closes Mondays, and Sundays start at 4 PM. Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, so reservations are a smart move.
Address: 2444 Madison Rd Unit 104, Cincinnati, OH 45208
6. Li Wah
Sticky rice wrapped in a lotus leaf is a pretty good sign you’re somewhere special. Li Wah serves it as part of a dim sum lineup at lunch in Cleveland’s AsiaTown.
The setting leans traditional, with white tablecloths and a big dining room. It’s the kind of place that recalls Chinese restaurants from before buffets took over.
Dim sum is the star, but dinner holds its own. Peking duck, ma po tofu, kung pao chicken, and pot stickers all appear on the menu.
Picky eaters aren’t left out. Orange chicken, sesame chicken, and sweet and sour chicken keep things familiar.
Weekend doors open at 10 AM, which makes a late-morning dim sum outing easy to plan. Sunday afternoons are typically the busiest, so arriving early helps.
The restaurant sits in a plaza on Payne Avenue, just east of downtown and close to I-90. Free on-site parking is a real perk in this part of the city.
A kids’ menu and high chairs are available. Tea fans will also find a solid selection to sip between dumplings.
Address: 2999 Payne Ave #102, Cleveland, OH 44114
7. Jing Chuan, Inc. – Toledo, OH
Sizzling rice soup makes a little noise, and that’s half the fun. Jing Chuan in Toledo serves it alongside a menu built around Hunan, Sichuan, and Mandarin cooking.
The family-run restaurant has been part of the city’s dining scene since 1985. Its decor nods to earlier decades, which suits an old-school list just fine.
Soup gets serious attention here. Hot and sour, egg drop, and wonton soup all hold spots among the highlights.
Main dishes cover both bold and familiar flavors. Mongolian beef, orange beef, walnut chicken, and General Tso chicken give everyone something to grab.
You’ll find it on Secor Road near the Westgate area, a quick drive from I-475. A parking lot usually has plenty of room.
Watch the schedule closely, because it’s a little unusual. Tuesday through Thursday include a midafternoon break, Saturday opens at 4:30 PM, and Mondays are closed.
High chairs make it easy to bring little ones along. Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest, and hours can change.
Address: 4424 Secor Rd, Toledo, OH 43623
8. China Cottage
Jasmine tea poured at the table sets the tone at China Cottage. This Dayton-area fixture dates to the 1980s and keeps the full-service style alive.
The menu runs long, so take your time. Peking duck, garlic chicken, beef skewers, and dumplings are all worth considering.
Crab rangoon is a popular pick and comes in generous portions. Sesame chicken and chicken fried rice keep younger diners covered.
Soup fans have two strong options. Hot and sour and egg drop both show up among the menu highlights.
The space feels relaxed yet stylish, a nice step up from a quick takeout counter. Still, counter service and takeout are both available when you’re in a hurry.
You’ll find it on Far Hills Avenue, also known as State Route 48, south of Dayton near Centerville. A free lot usually has space.
Friday and Saturday hours stretch to 10 PM, handy after a late game or movie. Weekend evenings get busy, and delivery isn’t offered, so plan accordingly.
Address: 6290 Far Hills Ave, Dayton, OH 45459
9. Chin’s Place
Weekend cravings won’t help you here, since Chin’s Place closes Saturdays and Sundays. Plan a weekday visit, and the reward is family-made Chinese food in Akron.
The family behind it has built a strong local following in Summit County. The casual setting keeps things simple and friendly.
Chinese standards fill the menu, from chow mein to stir-fry to sweet and sour. Orange chicken is the headline favorite.
Noodle lovers have choices too. Lo mein, Singapore noodles, chicken in ginger sauce, and Cantonese chicken all show up.
Dumplings come fried or steamed, so you can pick your crunch level. Lunch specials make it an easy midday stop.
Summer brings a nice bonus, with a garden that adds charm to the visit. It’s worth timing a trip for warmer months if you can.
You’ll find it on West Market Street, close to downtown Akron and minutes from Route 59. Parking is usually easy, and Friday afternoons can get busy.
Address: 474 W Market St, Akron, OH 44303