RFK Editorial · The Worldwide Chinese Authority
Top 50 Chinese Restaurants Outside China
Published · Updated
From A Wong London (2-Michelin) to Hakkasan worldwide, Yauatcha sister concepts, Park Chinois, Mott 32 Dubai, the Hutong group, Mr Wong Sydney, Imperial Treasure Singapore (1-Michelin), Hwa Yuan Szechuan NYC (1967), Din Tai Fung, Bao Taiwanese, Mr Chow Miami, plus the global diaspora outposts across 22 cities. Excludes Hong Kong and Macau (Special Administrative Regions of PRC).
Methodology
We assess every Chinese restaurant on this list against six structural variables: regional Chinese origin (Cantonese, Sichuan, Shanghainese, Beijing-Northern, Hunan, Yunnan, Hakka, Taiwanese, Chinese-American, Indian-Chinese, Chinese-Peruvian Chifa, Cambodian-Chinese), the technique (wok hei, dim sum craft, soup-dumpling 18-fold pinch, Peking duck roasting, hand-pulled noodles), the signature dish, the dim sum program depth, the chef training lineage, and the consistency of the room over time.
No restaurant on this list is located in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau. Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China and are treated as inside China for the purpose of this ranking. The list covers the global Chinese culinary diaspora: London Mayfair, NYC Chinatown, San Francisco Chinatown, Dubai DIFC, Singapore Orchard, Sydney CBD, Chicago Chinatown, Los Angeles San Gabriel Valley, plus the smaller-market Chinese institutions across Africa, the Indian Ocean, and Eastern Europe.
Michelin stars are noted but do not determine ranking. Andrew Wong's A Wong London (two Michelin) tops the ranking. Hakkasan Mayfair, Imperial Treasure Singapore, Li Bai Cantonese Singapore, and Lom Wong Phoenix all hold one Michelin star. The Hakkasan group is treated as a single Alan Yau lineage cluster; the Yauatcha group is treated as the dim-sum sister cluster. Hutong group, Bao Taiwanese, Din Tai Fung, and the Mott 32 / Mr Chow / Mr Wong / Park Chinois Cantonese-Beijing-Shanghainese groups are each flagged as separate institutional traditions.
Michelin-Decorated and Hakkasan Group Worldwide
Eleven Chinese restaurants worldwide hold Michelin stars or anchor the Hakkasan group's twelve-city institutional empire. Andrew Wong at A Wong Pimlico is the only two-Michelin Chinese restaurant in the United Kingdom. Hakkasan Mayfair (Alan Yau, since 2003) holds one Michelin star and defined the modern Cantonese fine-dining template now transferred worldwide. Six Hakkasan locations (Las Vegas, Mumbai, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bodrum) carry the same blue-glass jewel-box register. Three Yauatcha sister concepts (Houston, Mumbai, Riyadh) carry the modern dim-sum register from Yauatcha London (one Michelin since 2005).
Cities: Abu Dhabi · Bodrum · Doha · Dubai · Houston · Las Vegas · London · Mumbai · Riyadh
A Wong
Pimlico, London · Modern Chinese · $$$$
Andrew Wong's Pimlico flagship is the only two-Michelin Chinese restaurant in the United Kingdom (since 2021). The fifteen-region Chinese tasting menu walks through the entire culinary geography of China; the dim-sum craft and the Beijing-style imperial dishes anchor the institutional fine-dining register.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese (pan-regional 15-region tour)
Technique: Tasting menu, dim sum craft, regional Chinese
Signature dish: Fifteen-region Chinese tasting menu, Taipei beef noodle, Yunnan goat
Dim sum program: Refined dim sum craft as part of the tasting menu
Chef lineage: Andrew Wong: only Chinese chef with two Michelin stars in the UK
Award lineage: Two Michelin Stars 2021; first British Chinese chef with two Michelin
Hakkasan Mayfair
Mayfair, London · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
Alan Yau's Hakkasan Mayfair (the second Hakkasan after the original Hanway Place which opened in 2001). One Michelin star and the most-photographed modern Cantonese dining room in London. The blue-glass jewel-box dining room defined the modern Chinese fine-dining template that Hakkasan group has since transferred to twelve cities worldwide.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck with Royal Beluga caviar, jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu
Dim sum program: Refined dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group; Tong Chee Hwee Cantonese training
Award lineage: One Michelin Star since 2003 (original Hanway Place); Mayfair flagship
Hakkasan Las Vegas
MGM Grand, Las Vegas · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's MGM Grand Las Vegas flagship. The same blue-glass jewel-box aesthetic, the same modern Cantonese register transferred from Mayfair to the Strip. Las Vegas has the largest Hakkasan square footage of any location worldwide.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck, jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu
Dim sum program: Dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group worldwide
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Vegas flagship
Hakkasan Mumbai
Bandra Kurla, Mumbai · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's Bandra Kurla Mumbai flagship. The most consistently photographed modern Cantonese dining room in India; the same blue-glass register transferred from Mayfair to BKC.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck, dim sum platters
Dim sum program: Dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group worldwide
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Mumbai flagship
Hakkasan Dubai
DIFC, Dubai · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's Jumeirah Emirates Towers Dubai flagship. The first Hakkasan in the Gulf and the most consistently photographed modern Cantonese dining room in the Middle East.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck, jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu
Dim sum program: Dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group worldwide
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Dubai flagship
Hakkasan Doha
West Bay, Doha · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's St. Regis Doha flagship. The same modern Cantonese register transferred from Mayfair to West Bay.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck, dim sum platters
Dim sum program: Dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group worldwide
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Doha flagship
Hakkasan Abu Dhabi
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi flagship. The same modern Cantonese register at the most architecturally institutional Abu Dhabi luxury hotel.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck, dim sum platters
Dim sum program: Dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group worldwide
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Abu Dhabi flagship
Hakkasan Bodrum
Bodrum, Bodrum · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's Mandarin Oriental Bodrum summer flagship. The seasonal Aegean coast Hakkasan; the same modern Cantonese register on the Turkish Riviera.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Crispy duck salad, Peking duck, dim sum platters
Dim sum program: Dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau group worldwide
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Bodrum summer flagship
Yauatcha Houston
Galleria, Houston · Modern Dim Sum and Cantonese · $$$
The Yauatcha group's Houston flagship. The Hakkasan group's modern dim-sum sister concept (the original Yauatcha London on Broadwick Street holds 1 Michelin); the Houston outpost is the only US Yauatcha and the most consistently photographed modern Cantonese-dim-sum room in Texas.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese-dim-sum
Technique: Steamed dim sum, baked dim sum, modern dim sum
Signature dish: Crystal dumpling, har gow, charcoal puffs, the dim-sum tasting
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum (Hakkasan group's dim sum sister concept)
Chef lineage: Alan Yau Yauatcha group; Hakkasan dim sum sister
Award lineage: Yauatcha group; Hakkasan group dim-sum flagship lineage
Yauatcha Mumbai
Bandra Kurla, Mumbai · Modern Dim Sum and Cantonese · $$$
The Yauatcha group's Bandra Kurla Mumbai flagship. The most consistently photographed modern dim-sum dining room in India; the same Yauatcha London register transferred to BKC.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese-dim-sum
Technique: Steamed dim sum, baked dim sum, modern dim sum
Signature dish: Crystal dumpling, har gow, charcoal puffs
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: Alan Yau Yauatcha group; Hakkasan group sister
Award lineage: Yauatcha group Mumbai flagship
Yauatcha Riyadh
Olaya, Riyadh · Modern Dim Sum and Cantonese · $$$$
The Yauatcha group's Riyadh flagship at the Al-Faisaliah Hotel. The first Yauatcha in Saudi Arabia and the most consistently photographed modern dim-sum dining room in the Gulf.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese-dim-sum
Technique: Steamed dim sum, baked dim sum, modern dim sum
Signature dish: Crystal dumpling, har gow, charcoal puffs
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: Alan Yau Yauatcha group
Award lineage: Yauatcha group Saudi Arabia flagship
London's Modern Chinese Establishment
Two London modern Chinese rooms anchor the Mayfair establishment. Alan Yau's third Chinese concept Park Chinois (Berkeley Street, 2015) carries the 1920s Shanghai supper-club register. Mott 32 Dubai brings the Hong Kong original's apple-wood Peking duck to the Address Beach Resort.
Cities: Dubai · London
Park Chinois
Mayfair, London · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
Alan Yau's third London Cantonese concept after Hakkasan and Yauatcha. The 1920s Shanghai-supper-club aesthetic, the live-music dance floor, and the modern Cantonese fine-dining register anchor the institutional Berkeley Street experience.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese (1920s Shanghai supper-club)
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Peking duck, dim sum, jasmine tea-smoked Wagyu
Dim sum program: Refined dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Alan Yau (third London Chinese concept)
Award lineage: Alan Yau third London concept
Mott 32 Dubai
JBR, Dubai · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
Maximal Concepts's Dubai flagship at The Address Beach Resort. The Hong Kong Mott 32 register transferred to JBR; the modern Cantonese fine-dining tradition with the apple-wood roasted Peking duck and the dim sum tasting.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, apple-wood Peking duck
Signature dish: Apple-wood roasted Peking duck (24-hour pre-order), dim sum tasting
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: Maximal Concepts; Mott 32 Hong Kong original
Award lineage: Maximal Concepts Mott 32 Dubai flagship
The Aqua Group's Hutong Worldwide
The Aqua Restaurant Group's Northern Chinese Hutong concept transferred from Hong Kong to three global cities. Hutong The Shard London (Level 33 of the Shard, since 2013) is the most architecturally cinematic Chinese dining room in the UK. Hutong NYC on Lexington Avenue and Hutong Dubai in DIFC complete the institutional Beijing-Sichuan circle.
Cities: Dubai · London · New York
Hutong The Shard
London Bridge, London · Northern Chinese · $$$$
Aqua Restaurant Group's Shard flagship. Northern Chinese (Beijing-Sichuan focus) at level 33 of the Shard. The most architecturally cinematic Chinese dining room in London; the floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlook the City and the Thames.
Regional origin: Northern Chinese (Beijing-Sichuan)
Technique: Tandoor, dum, modern Northern Chinese
Signature dish: Crispy duck Hutong-style, dragon fish, Sichuan red lantern fish
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Northern Chinese mains focus
Chef lineage: Aqua Restaurant Group; Hong Kong Hutong original
Award lineage: Aqua group London flagship
Hutong NYC
Midtown East, New York · Northern Chinese · $$$$
Aqua Restaurant Group's Midtown East flagship. The Hong Kong Hutong register transferred to Lexington Avenue; the modern Northern Chinese tradition with the dragon fish, the Beijing-style crispy duck, and the Sichuan-Beijing fine-dining register.
Regional origin: Northern Chinese (Beijing-Sichuan)
Technique: Modern Northern Chinese fine-dining
Signature dish: Crispy duck Hutong-style, dragon fish, Sichuan red lantern fish
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Northern Chinese mains focus
Chef lineage: Aqua Restaurant Group; Hong Kong Hutong original
Award lineage: Aqua group NYC flagship
Hutong Dubai
DIFC, Dubai · Northern Chinese · $$$$
Aqua Restaurant Group's DIFC Dubai flagship. The Hong Kong Hutong register transferred to the Dubai banking district; the modern Northern Chinese tradition with the floor-to-ceiling DIFC view.
Regional origin: Northern Chinese (Beijing-Sichuan)
Technique: Modern Northern Chinese fine-dining
Signature dish: Crispy duck Hutong-style, dragon fish, Sichuan red lantern fish
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Northern Chinese mains focus
Chef lineage: Aqua Restaurant Group worldwide
Award lineage: Aqua group Dubai flagship
Singapore Chinese Establishment
Three Singapore Chinese rooms anchor the institutional Cantonese fine-dining register. Imperial Treasure Singapore (one Michelin) at Ion Orchard. Li Bai Cantonese at Sheraton Towers (since 1986, Chung Yiu Ming flagship). Jade Restaurant at the Fullerton Hotel (Marina Bay, since 2002).
Cities: Singapore
Imperial Treasure Singapore
Orchard, Singapore · Refined Cantonese · $$$$
The Imperial Treasure group's Orchard Singapore flagship. One Michelin star and the most institutionally Cantonese fine-dining restaurant in Singapore. The double-boiled soup program and the Peking duck anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Refined Cantonese
Technique: Double-boiled soups, Peking duck, dim sum
Signature dish: Imperial Treasure Peking duck, double-boiled superior shark fin soup
Dim sum program: Refined Cantonese dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Imperial Treasure group; Singapore Chinese institution
Award lineage: One Michelin Star
Li Bai Cantonese
Orchard, Singapore · Refined Cantonese · $$$$
Chung Yiu Ming's Sheraton Towers Singapore flagship. The most institutionally Cantonese fine-dining restaurant in Singapore (since 1986); the double-boiled soups, the Peking duck, and the refined Cantonese tradition anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Refined Cantonese
Technique: Double-boiled soups, Peking duck, dim sum
Signature dish: Li Bai Peking duck, double-boiled superior shark fin soup
Dim sum program: Refined Cantonese dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Chung Yiu Ming Sheraton Singapore institution since 1986
Award lineage: Sheraton Singapore flagship since 1986
Jade Restaurant Singapore
Marina Bay, Singapore · Refined Cantonese · $$$$
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore's Cantonese flagship. The most architecturally institutional Cantonese dining room in colonial-era Marina Bay; the double-boiled soups and the Peking duck anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Refined Cantonese
Technique: Double-boiled soups, Peking duck, dim sum
Signature dish: Jade Peking duck, double-boiled herbal soup
Dim sum program: Refined Cantonese dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Leong Chee Yeng; Fullerton Hotel institution
Award lineage: Fullerton Hotel Singapore flagship
New York's Chinese Institution Circle
Five Chinese rooms anchor the New York Chinatown institutional circle. Hwa Yuan Szechuan (since 1967, the Yuan family Sichuan original that pioneered cold sesame noodles in America). Chinese Tuxedo on Doyers Street (modern Cantonese 2016). Joe's Shanghai on Pell Street (since 1995, the famous soup dumplings). Danny Bowien's James-Beard-nominated Mission Chinese Food. Great NY Noodletown (since 1981, the Bowery roast-meat institution open until 4 AM).
Cities: New York
Hwa Yuan Szechuan
Chinatown, New York · Sichuan · $$$
The Yuan family's NYC Chinatown institution since 1967. The most consistently family-run Sichuan restaurant in Manhattan; the original location pioneered cold sesame noodles in America before reopening in 2017 under the same family.
Regional origin: Sichuan
Technique: Wok hei, ma la spice tradition
Signature dish: Cold sesame noodles, Sichuan dan dan noodles, ma po tofu
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Sichuan mains focus
Chef lineage: Yuan family; NYC Chinatown Sichuan institution since 1967
Award lineage: NYC Chinatown institution since 1967 (reopened 2017)
Chinese Tuxedo NYC
Chinatown, New York · Modern Cantonese · $$$
Chinatown Doyers Street's modern Cantonese flagship. The most architecturally photographed modern Chinese dining room in downtown Manhattan; the historic Doyers Street setting and the modern Cantonese register anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, modern Cantonese fine-dining
Signature dish: Hand-pulled noodles, Peking duck, jasmine tea-smoked salmon
Dim sum program: Limited dim sum; modern Cantonese mains focus
Chef lineage: Modern Chinese flagship; Doyers Street institution
Award lineage: Manhattan Chinatown modern flagship
Joe's Shanghai NYC
Chinatown, New York · Shanghainese · $$
Joe Si family's Pell Street Chinatown institution since 1995. The most institutionally Shanghainese restaurant in New York; the famous soup dumplings (xiao long bao) and the Shanghainese family-style menu anchor the institutional Pell Street experience.
Regional origin: Shanghainese
Technique: Soup dumpling craft, Shanghainese braising
Signature dish: Crab and pork soup dumplings, Shanghainese braised pork belly
Dim sum program: No formal dim sum; soup dumplings focus
Chef lineage: Joe Si family Shanghainese tradition since 1995
Award lineage: NYC Shanghainese institution since 1995
Mission Chinese Food
Chinatown, New York · Modern Sichuan-Cantonese fusion · $$$
Danny Bowien's NYC modern Chinese flagship. The most consistently James-Beard-nominated modern Chinese restaurant; the Bowien Sichuan-Cantonese fusion menu and the institutional Lower East Side dining room define the modern Chinese-American register.
Regional origin: Modern Sichuan-Cantonese fusion
Technique: Wok hei, modern American Chinese
Signature dish: Thrice-cooked bacon, Sichuan thrice-cooked bacon, Mongolian long bone
Dim sum program: Limited dim sum; modern Chinese mains
Chef lineage: Danny Bowien; James Beard nominee
Award lineage: James Beard nominee; modern Chinese-American flagship
Great NY Noodletown
Chinatown, New York · Cantonese roast meats · $$
The Bowery Chinatown institution since 1981. The most consistently family-run Cantonese roast-meats restaurant in Manhattan; the salt-baked seafood, the duck noodle soup, and the open hours until 4 AM define the institutional Bowery experience.
Regional origin: Cantonese roast meats
Technique: Cantonese BBQ, salt-baked seafood
Signature dish: Salt-baked seafood, duck noodle soup, roast pork over rice
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Cantonese roast meats focus
Chef lineage: NYC Chinatown Cantonese institution since 1981
Award lineage: NYC Chinatown institution since 1981; James Beard America's Classics nominee
West Coast Chinese: California
Four California Chinese rooms anchor the West Coast institutional circle. George Chen's China Live San Francisco Chinatown (30,000-square-foot food hall plus Eight tasting-menu room). Great China Berkeley (since 1986, the East Bay institution). Din Tai Fung Anaheim Disneyland and Din Tai Fung Arcadia LA (the original US Din Tai Fung since 2000).
Cities: Anaheim · Berkeley · Los Angeles · San Francisco
China Live San Francisco
Chinatown, San Francisco · Modern Chinese (multi-region) · $$$
George Chen's San Francisco Chinatown flagship. The 30,000-square-foot modern Chinese food hall, the upstairs Eight tasting-menu restaurant (1-Michelin former), and the Chinatown street-level Cantonese-Sichuan-Shanghainese tasting all anchor the institutional China Live experience.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese (multi-region)
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: China Live Peking duck, dim sum, hand-pulled noodles
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: George Chen; James Beard nominee
Award lineage: James Beard nominee; modern Chinese flagship
Great China Berkeley
Downtown Berkeley, Berkeley · Modern Chinese (multi-region) · $$$
Berkeley's Chinese family flagship since 1986. The most consistently family-run Chinese restaurant in the East Bay; the Beijing-Sichuan-Shanghainese tasting and the institutional Bancroft Way dining room anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese (multi-region)
Technique: Wok hei, modern Chinese
Signature dish: Beijing-style duck, Sichuan dan dan noodles, Shanghainese braised pork
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum lunch
Chef lineage: Berkeley Chinese institution since 1986
Award lineage: Berkeley institution since 1986
Din Tai Fung Anaheim
Disneyland, Anaheim · Taiwanese-Shanghainese · $$$
The Din Tai Fung group's Anaheim Disneyland flagship. The Taiwanese soup-dumpling institution (Michelin-starred at the Taipei flagship) brings its 18-fold xiao long bao to Disneyland Resort.
Regional origin: Taiwanese-Shanghainese (soup dumpling)
Technique: Soup dumpling craft (18 folds), Taiwanese-Shanghainese
Signature dish: 18-fold xiao long bao, truffle xiao long bao, beef noodle soup
Dim sum program: No formal dim sum; soup dumplings focus
Chef lineage: Din Tai Fung group Taipei (Michelin-starred)
Award lineage: Din Tai Fung group US flagship
Din Tai Fung Arcadia
Arcadia, Los Angeles · Taiwanese-Shanghainese · $$$
The Din Tai Fung group's Arcadia Los Angeles flagship since 2000. The first Din Tai Fung in the United States; the Taiwanese-Shanghainese soup-dumpling institution that launched the US Din Tai Fung wave.
Regional origin: Taiwanese-Shanghainese (soup dumpling)
Technique: Soup dumpling craft (18 folds)
Signature dish: 18-fold xiao long bao, truffle xiao long bao, beef noodle soup
Dim sum program: No formal dim sum; soup dumplings focus
Chef lineage: Din Tai Fung group; first US location since 2000
Award lineage: Din Tai Fung group US original
Australia Chinese: Sydney Establishment
Two Sydney Chinese rooms anchor the Australian institutional circle. Justin Hemmes's Merivale group flagship Mr Wong on Bridge Lane (Eric Koh, since 2012). Frank Shek's harbor-front China Doll on Cowper Wharf Roadway (since 2004).
Cities: Sydney
Mr Wong Sydney
Sydney CBD, Sydney · Modern Cantonese · $$$$
Justin Hemmes's Merivale group Cantonese flagship. The most consistently photographed modern Cantonese dining room in Australia; the basement-level Bridge Lane setting, the Peking duck, and the modern dim sum anchor the institutional Sydney experience.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Peking duck, hand-pulled noodles, dim sum tasting
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum lunch
Chef lineage: Eric Koh; Merivale group
Award lineage: Merivale group flagship; Australia institution
China Doll Sydney
Woolloomooloo, Sydney · Modern Asian (Chinese-led) · $$$$
Frank Shek's Woolloomooloo wharf flagship since 2004. The most architecturally photographed harbor-side Chinese-Asian dining room in Sydney; the Peking duck, the modern Asian fusion tasting, and the harbor-front terrace anchor the institutional experience.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese-Asian
Technique: Wok hei, modern Chinese-Asian fusion
Signature dish: Peking duck, Sichuan crispy chicken, modern Chinese-Asian tasting
Dim sum program: Limited dim sum; modern Chinese-Asian mains focus
Chef lineage: Frank Shek; Sydney harbor institution since 2004
Award lineage: Sydney harbor establishment since 2004
London Bao Taiwanese
Two Bao locations anchor the London Taiwanese institutional circle. Erchen Chang and Wai Ting's Bao Soho (Lexington Street, 2015) revived the Taiwanese bao tradition for London. Bao Fitzrovia (Windmill Street, 2017) is the slightly larger Fitzrovia second.
Cities: London
Bao Soho
Soho, London · Taiwanese · $$
Erchen Chang and Wai Ting's Soho Taiwanese flagship. The most consistently photographed Taiwanese bao restaurant in London; the classic-pork bao, the Taiwanese fried chicken, and the institutional Soho queue anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Taiwanese
Technique: Bao craft, Taiwanese small plates
Signature dish: Classic pork bao, Taiwanese fried chicken, peanut milk bao
Dim sum program: No formal dim sum; bao focus
Chef lineage: Erchen Chang Taiwanese tradition; Sethi family group
Award lineage: Sethi family Taiwanese flagship
Bao Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia, London · Taiwanese · $$
Bao's Fitzrovia second location. The same Taiwanese register transferred from Soho with a slightly larger format; the same classic-pork bao, the same Taiwanese fried chicken, and the Fitzrovia institutional dining room.
Regional origin: Taiwanese
Technique: Bao craft, Taiwanese small plates
Signature dish: Classic pork bao, Taiwanese fried chicken, peanut milk bao
Dim sum program: No formal dim sum; bao focus
Chef lineage: Erchen Chang Taiwanese tradition
Award lineage: Bao group Fitzrovia second
Dubai Chinese Luxury
Three Dubai Chinese luxury rooms complete the Hakkasan-Mott-Hutong group's Dubai circle. Maiden Shanghai at the Faena Hotel Palm Jumeirah (1920s Shanghai-glamour register). Shanghai Me at DIFC (Art Deco modern Chinese). Ling Ling at One Za'abeel (Hakkasan group's modern Pan-Asian Chinese-led concept, 2023).
Cities: Dubai
Maiden Shanghai Dubai
Palm Jumeirah, Dubai · Modern Shanghainese · $$$$
The Faena Hotel Dubai's Shanghainese flagship. The 1920s Shanghai-glamour aesthetic, the modern Shanghainese fine-dining register, and the Palm Jumeirah beach-front setting anchor the institutional dining room.
Regional origin: Modern Shanghainese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Shanghainese braising
Signature dish: Shanghai braised pork belly, dim sum tasting, Peking duck
Dim sum program: Refined modern Shanghainese dim sum
Chef lineage: Faena Hotel Dubai flagship
Award lineage: Faena Hotel Dubai flagship
Shanghai Me Dubai
DIFC, Dubai · Modern Chinese (1930s Shanghai) · $$$$
Dubai's 1930s Shanghai concept restaurant. The most architecturally cinematic Chinese dining room in DIFC; the Art Deco aesthetic, the modern Cantonese-Shanghainese register, and the dim sum program anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese (1930s Shanghai)
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Cantonese-Shanghainese
Signature dish: Peking duck, dim sum platters, hand-pulled noodles
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: Modern Chinese Dubai flagship
Award lineage: Modern Chinese DIFC flagship
Ling Ling Dubai
DIFC, Dubai · Modern Pan-Asian (Chinese-led) · $$$$
The Hakkasan group's modern Pan-Asian Chinese-led concept at One Za'abeel Dubai. The most architecturally cinematic Chinese-Asian fusion dining room in the Gulf; the modern Cantonese-Japanese fusion menu and the live-DJ register define the experience.
Regional origin: Modern Pan-Asian (Chinese-led)
Technique: Wok hei, modern Asian fusion
Signature dish: Peking duck, modern Cantonese-Japanese fusion
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: Hakkasan group; modern Pan-Asian concept
Award lineage: Hakkasan group Pan-Asian Dubai flagship
Texas, Chicago, Phoenix, Miami: Modern American Chinese
Six modern American Chinese rooms complete the US institutional circle. Wu Chow Austin (downtown multi-region Chinese flagship). Lin Asian Bar Dim Sum Austin (South Congress dim sum cart service). Tony Hu's Lao Sze Chuan Chicago Chinatown Sichuan since 1998. MingHin Cuisine Chicago (modern Cantonese-Hong-Kong-style cart service). Yotopong and Vong Saekow's one-Michelin Cambodian-Chinese Lom Wong Phoenix. Michael Chow's W South Beach Mr Chow Miami flagship.
Cities: Austin · Chicago · Miami · Phoenix
Wu Chow
Downtown Austin, Austin · Modern Chinese (multi-region) · $$$
Austin's modern Chinese flagship. The most consistently family-run multi-region Chinese restaurant in Texas; the Sichuan-Cantonese-Shanghainese tasting and the dim sum program anchor the institutional Austin experience.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese (Sichuan-Cantonese-Shanghainese)
Technique: Wok hei, modern Chinese, dim sum
Signature dish: Peking duck, Sichuan dan dan noodles, dim sum tasting
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Austin Chinese institution
Award lineage: Austin modern Chinese flagship
Lin Asian Bar Dim Sum
South Congress, Austin · Dim Sum and Cantonese · $$$
Austin's dim-sum flagship. The most consistently family-run dim-sum restaurant in Texas; the Lin family's South Congress dining room and the all-day dim sum cart service anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Dim Sum and Cantonese
Technique: Steamed dim sum, Cantonese roast meats
Signature dish: Crystal dumpling, har gow, char siu bao, Peking duck
Dim sum program: All-day dim sum cart service
Chef lineage: Lin family; Austin dim sum institution
Award lineage: Austin dim sum flagship
Lao Sze Chuan
Chinatown, Chicago · Sichuan · $$
Tony Hu's Chicago Chinatown Sichuan institution since 1998. The most consistently family-run Sichuan restaurant in the Midwest; the Chairman Mao's red-braised pork belly, the Sichuan dan dan noodles, and the ma po tofu anchor the institutional Archer Avenue experience.
Regional origin: Sichuan
Technique: Wok hei, ma la spice tradition
Signature dish: Chairman Mao red-braised pork belly, Sichuan dan dan noodles, ma po tofu
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Sichuan mains focus
Chef lineage: Tony Hu; Chicago Chinatown Sichuan institution since 1998
Award lineage: Chicago Chinatown institution since 1998
Minghin Cuisine
Chinatown, Chicago · Modern Cantonese-Hong Kong style · $$$
Chicago's modern Cantonese-Hong-Kong-style flagship. The most architecturally photographed dim-sum dining room in the Midwest; the all-day dim sum cart service and the modern Cantonese fine-dining register anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese-Hong Kong style
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum cart, Cantonese roast meats
Signature dish: Crystal dumpling, har gow, Peking duck, char siu bao
Dim sum program: All-day dim sum cart service
Chef lineage: Chicago Chinatown modern Cantonese institution
Award lineage: Chicago Chinatown modern flagship
Lom Wong Phoenix
Heritage Square, Phoenix · Cambodian-Chinese · $$$
Yotopong and Vong Saekow's Phoenix Cambodian-Chinese flagship. One Michelin star and the most institutionally Cambodian-Chinese dining room in the United States; the family Cambodian-Chinese tradition with the institutional Phoenix dining room.
Regional origin: Cambodian-Chinese
Technique: Wok hei, Cambodian-Chinese fusion
Signature dish: Cambodian-Chinese tasting menu, dumplings, noodles
Dim sum program: Limited dim sum; Cambodian-Chinese mains focus
Chef lineage: Saekow family Cambodian-Chinese tradition
Award lineage: One Michelin Star 2024
Mr Chow Miami
South Beach, Miami · Beijing-style Chinese · $$$$
Michael Chow's W South Beach flagship. The Mr Chow group's most architecturally cinematic Beijing-style Chinese dining room; the green prawns, the Beijing duck, and the institutional Mr Chow celebrity-clientele tradition anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Beijing-style Chinese
Technique: Wok hei, Beijing-style fine-dining
Signature dish: Green prawns, Beijing duck, Peking ravioli
Dim sum program: Limited dim sum; Beijing-style mains focus
Chef lineage: Michael Chow Mr Chow group; London 1968 original
Award lineage: Mr Chow group Miami flagship
Bangkok, Latin America Chifa, Eastern Europe
Three Chinese rooms complete the international diaspora circle. China House at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. Jose Andres's Chinese-Peruvian Chifa flagship China Chilcano in Penn Quarter Washington DC (honoring the 19th-century Cantonese-to-Peru immigration tradition). Bao Modern Chinese in Pechersk Kyiv.
Cities: Bangkok · Kyiv · Washington DC
China House Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Riverside, Bangkok · Refined Cantonese · $$$$
The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok's Cantonese flagship. The 1920s colonial-era dining room on the Chao Phraya River; the most architecturally institutional Cantonese fine-dining restaurant in Bangkok.
Regional origin: Refined Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Peking duck, dim sum, double-boiled soups
Dim sum program: Refined Cantonese dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok institution
Award lineage: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok flagship
China Chilcano
Penn Quarter, Washington DC · Chinese-Peruvian (Chifa) · $$$
Jose Andres's Penn Quarter Chinese-Peruvian (Chifa) flagship. The most consistently institutional Chifa restaurant in the United States; the Cantonese-Peruvian fusion menu honors the Chinese-Peruvian Chifa tradition that emerged from 19th-century Cantonese immigration to Peru.
Regional origin: Chinese-Peruvian (Chifa)
Technique: Wok hei, Chinese-Peruvian fusion
Signature dish: Chifa lomo saltado, Chifa dim sum, Peruvian-Cantonese tasting
Dim sum program: Cantonese-Peruvian dim sum
Chef lineage: Jose Andres ThinkFoodGroup; Chifa tradition
Award lineage: James Beard Outstanding Chef (Andres)
Bao Modern Chinese
Pechersk, Kyiv · Modern Cantonese · $$$
Kyiv's modern Chinese flagship. The most consistently photographed modern Cantonese dining room in Ukraine; the institutional Pechersk dining room and the modern Cantonese register anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, modern Cantonese
Signature dish: Peking duck, dim sum, hand-pulled noodles
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum
Chef lineage: Kyiv modern Chinese institution
Award lineage: Kyiv modern Chinese flagship
India and Africa, Indian Ocean and Smaller-Market Chinese
Six Chinese rooms complete the Africa, India, Indian Ocean and smaller-market Chinese circle. China House Mumbai (Grand Hyatt BKC). Mauritius's Hakka-Chinese diaspora institution Chinese Garden Grand Baie. Jade Restaurant Medan (North Sumatra Indonesian-Chinese). Chinese Room Amritsar (Indian-Chinese Hakka). Nana's Dim Sum Colorado Springs (family dim-sum cart). Dragon Alley Huntsville Alabama (Cantonese-Sichuan flagship).
Cities: Amritsar · Colorado Springs · Grand Baie · Huntsville · Medan · Mumbai
China House Mumbai
Bandra Kurla, Mumbai · Refined Cantonese · $$$$
The Grand Hyatt Mumbai's Cantonese flagship. The most architecturally institutional Cantonese fine-dining restaurant in BKC; the modern dim sum and Peking duck anchor the institutional Hyatt dining room experience.
Regional origin: Refined Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Peking duck, dim sum, double-boiled soups
Dim sum program: Refined Cantonese dim sum lunch program
Chef lineage: Grand Hyatt Mumbai institution
Award lineage: Grand Hyatt Mumbai flagship
Chinese Garden Grand Baie
Grand Baie, Grand Baie · Mauritian-Chinese (Hakka) · $$$
The Grand Baie family-run Chinese restaurant since 1998. Mauritius has the largest Hakka-Chinese diaspora in the Indian Ocean; the institutional Mauritian-Chinese fusion tradition anchors the menu.
Regional origin: Mauritian-Chinese (Hakka)
Technique: Wok hei, Mauritian-Chinese fusion
Signature dish: Hakka noodles, Mauritian-Cantonese duck, fried rice
Dim sum program: No primary dim sum; Mauritian-Chinese mains focus
Chef lineage: Mauritian Hakka-Chinese diaspora tradition
Award lineage: Mauritius Grand Baie institution since 1998
Jade Restaurant Medan
Medan, Medan · Modern Cantonese · $$$
Medan's modern Cantonese flagship. The most consistently family-run Cantonese restaurant in North Sumatra; the institutional Cantonese-Indonesian fusion register and the dim sum program anchor the experience.
Regional origin: Modern Cantonese
Technique: Wok hei, dim sum, Peking duck
Signature dish: Peking duck, dim sum, double-boiled soups
Dim sum program: Refined modern Cantonese dim sum
Chef lineage: Medan Cantonese-Indonesian institution
Award lineage: Medan Cantonese flagship
Chinese Room Amritsar
Amritsar, Amritsar · Indian-Chinese (Hakka) · $$
Amritsar's Indian-Chinese flagship. The Hakka-Chinese-Indian fusion tradition that defines the Indian-Chinese cuisine; the institutional Amritsar dining room and the dragon-roll, gobi manchurian, and chilli chicken anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Indian-Chinese (Hakka)
Technique: Wok hei, Indian-Chinese Hakka fusion
Signature dish: Gobi manchurian, chilli chicken, dragon roll
Dim sum program: Limited dim sum; Indian-Chinese mains focus
Chef lineage: Indian Hakka-Chinese diaspora tradition
Award lineage: Amritsar Indian-Chinese institution
Nana's Dim Sum
Downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs · Dim Sum and Cantonese · $$
Colorado Springs's family-run dim-sum flagship since 2014. The most consistently family-run dim-sum restaurant in southern Colorado; the cart-service Cantonese tradition and the institutional Colorado Springs experience.
Regional origin: Dim Sum and Cantonese
Technique: Steamed dim sum, Cantonese roast meats
Signature dish: Crystal dumpling, har gow, char siu bao
Dim sum program: Cart-service Cantonese dim sum
Chef lineage: Colorado Springs Cantonese institution
Award lineage: Colorado Springs Cantonese flagship
Dragon Alley Huntsville
Huntsville, Huntsville · Modern Chinese (multi-region) · $$
Huntsville Alabama's modern Chinese flagship. The most consistently family-run Chinese restaurant in northern Alabama; the institutional Cantonese-Sichuan tasting and the dim sum cart anchor the menu.
Regional origin: Modern Chinese (Cantonese-Sichuan)
Technique: Wok hei, modern Chinese, dim sum
Signature dish: Peking duck, Sichuan dan dan noodles, dim sum
Dim sum program: Refined modern dim sum lunch
Chef lineage: Huntsville Chinese institution
Award lineage: Huntsville modern Chinese flagship
How to Order Chinese Like a Pro
Order the regional signature. At A Wong the fifteen-region Chinese tasting menu. At Hakkasan the crispy duck salad. At Yauatcha the crystal dumpling tasting. At Mott 32 the apple-wood roasted Peking duck (24-hour pre-order). At Hutong the Hutong-style crispy duck and dragon fish. At Mr Chow the green prawns. At Mr Wong the Peking duck. At Imperial Treasure Singapore the double-boiled superior shark fin soup. At Hwa Yuan Szechuan the cold sesame noodles. At Joe's Shanghai the crab and pork soup dumplings. At Din Tai Fung the 18-fold xiao long bao. At Bao the classic-pork bao. The signature dish is the meal; the kitchen built its reputation on it.
Order in regional sequence. Cantonese: start with dim sum (har gow, siu mai, char siu bao, crystal dumpling), then Peking duck, then a clay-pot, then a wok-hei stir-fry, finish with mango pancakes. Sichuan: start with cold dishes (sliced beef in chili oil, bang bang chicken), move to ma la mains (ma po tofu, dan dan noodles, twice-cooked pork). Shanghainese: start with soup dumplings (xiao long bao), then braised pork belly. Northern Chinese (Beijing): Peking duck served with thin pancakes, scallion, hoisin sauce, and cucumber. Taiwanese: bao, fried chicken, beef noodle soup. Indian-Chinese (Hakka): gobi manchurian, chilli chicken, dragon roll.
Drink Chinese tea, Chinese beer, or French wine. The most institutional Chinese restaurants worldwide pair with Chinese tea (jasmine, oolong, pu-erh) for traditional Cantonese dim sum lunch service; Chinese beer (Tsingtao, Yanjing) for casual Cantonese dinner; and French Bordeaux or Burgundy for Cantonese fine dining (the Cantonese fine-dining tradition has historically paired with French red wine since the British colonial Hong Kong era). Avoid Chardonnay with ma la Sichuan; the dish heat overwhelms it.
Reserve where you must. A Wong London: 12 to 16 weeks ahead. Hakkasan Mayfair: 10 to 14 weeks. Park Chinois: 8 to 12 weeks. Imperial Treasure Singapore: 8 to 12 weeks. Mr Wong Sydney: 6 to 10 weeks. The walk-in Chinatown institutions (Joe's Shanghai NYC, Great NY Noodletown, Lao Sze Chuan Chicago, Hwa Yuan Szechuan NYC, Lin Asian Bar Austin, Nana's Dim Sum Colorado Springs) accept no reservations; arrive at opening for the shortest queue.
FAQ
What is the only two-Michelin Chinese restaurant outside China?
Andrew Wong's A Wong on Wilton Road in Pimlico London is the only two-Michelin Chinese restaurant in the United Kingdom (since 2021) and one of very few two-Michelin Chinese restaurants outside mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. The fifteen-region Chinese tasting menu walks through the entire culinary geography of China.
What is the Hakkasan group?
Alan Yau opened the original Hakkasan on Hanway Place London in 2001 (it won one Michelin star in 2003). The Hakkasan group now operates twelve locations worldwide. The modern Cantonese register, the blue-glass jewel-box dining room, and the dim sum program have defined the modern Chinese fine-dining template for the past two decades.
What is Din Tai Fung?
The Taiwanese soup-dumpling institution founded in Taipei in 1958. The Taipei flagship holds one Michelin star. The Din Tai Fung group operates over 170 locations worldwide; the Arcadia California location (since 2000) was the first US Din Tai Fung. The signature 18-fold xiao long bao anchors every menu.
What is Indian-Chinese cuisine?
Indian-Chinese is the Hakka-Chinese-Indian fusion tradition that emerged from the 19th-century Hakka-Chinese immigration to Calcutta and the Indian subcontinent. Gobi manchurian, chilli chicken, dragon roll, and Hakka noodles are all institutionally Indian-Chinese. The Chinese Room Amritsar carries this tradition.