Where to Eat in Chicago's Chinatown
When I was in elementary and middle school, I would come home from school, and my parents would instantly load my sisters and me into our car and drive the 33 miles from our home to the best Asian food in the area. Now I feel more at home in Chicago’s Chinatown than anywhere else in Chicago. After about 10 years of watching my parents pick out the genuinely authentic and delicious restaurants from the tourist traps, I’m glad I can say that I now feel like an amateur expert of Chinatown.
My friends who aren’t as familiar with the Chicago area or Chinatown frequently ask me about food recommendations, so this is for all of you! I’m here to get you to the good stuff and the real parts of Chinatown, so here are my top five MUST go-to restaurants in Chinatown.
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Tourists who are not prepared for roast duck in the windows, the very hole-in-the-wall aesthetic, or are trying to order things you can find at Panda Express, this restaurant is not for you. But that’s too bad because it is genuinely one of the best and most authentic and traditional BBQ Cantonese joints in Chinatown! Ignore the ambiance and power through because I promise if you’re ready to order a genuine Chinese dish, you won’t be disappointed. You might be shook at first by the workers wearing plastic trash bag aprons or the very apparent English barrier, but don’t worry because the food will shake you even more because it is SO GOOD. I would link the website, but as all og Asian restaurants are, their website is nonexistent.
What to order: Sum Bo Fun - roast duck, char siu, and soy chicken over rice (it’s not the cutest looking dish but who cares when it tastes so good?)
Picture credit: @shibadadsteve
MingHin Cuisine
This for all my people who are too scared to go into an og Asian restaurant. MingHin, a Cantonese restaurant, consistency serves up a cute aesthetic as well as some of the best dim sum in the city! If you are unaware of what dim sum is, let me welcome you into the world of small bite-sized portions of food served in small steamer baskets. It’s basically the Asian brunch and one of the best meals you can have! Best part about MingHin? The dim sum menu is basically all pictures that you check off to order so a slight English barrier can’t stop you! Also you can try so much in small portions, so bring a lot of friends! Dim sum is served best with good company. There are a couple MingHin Cuisines in the city, but the one in Chinatown is for sure the best. It can get pretty busy because it’s an iconic spot, but you should be good to go if you show up around 10 am on a Saturday or Sunday.
What to order: Shrimp dumplings, siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), deep fried crab meat and seaweed roll, and BBQ pork bun FOR SURE
Picture credit: @mightyinthemitten
Ahjoomah’s Apron Korean Restaurant
As a lover of ALL Korean food, this place is the absolute best! It has the cutest aesthetic and whenever I come home from school, I have to eat here. The menu is pretty straight forward and easy to order from! It’s consistently delicious and fast, and a place you cannot miss if you’re in need of Korean food in Chinatown!
What to order: BimbimBop, bulgogi, jopchae, and Korean pear juice
Picture credit: @ahjoomahsapron
Original Triple Crown
This place is definitely a Siew family classic, and one of the BEST restaurants ever. We’ve ordered and eaten at this place more than 100 times and it genuinely never gets old. My dad used to swing by Original Triple Crown before coming home from work, and we all knew we were going to be eating GOOD that night. So yes, this is a must go-to place to eat or order from when you’re in the city.
What to order: Salt and pepper pork chops, walnut shrimp, sizzling plate beef short ribs, and salt and pepper smelts
Picture credit: @originaltriplecrown
The Noodle Vietnamese and Thai Cuisine
Whenever it’s my mom’s turn to pick a restaurant, this is her go-to. I’ve always loved Thai food, and I’ve been a lover of Vietnamese food ever since my parents introduced me to this place. The restaurant definitely has a cute aesthetic ever since the restaurant’s renovation, and now it not only has great food but a great ambiance! Definitely hit it up if you’re ready for some Vietnamese or Thai food!
What to order: Spring roll (Vietnamese style) and pho beef noodle soup
Picture credit: @lenamirisola
Shout out to my dad for being an ultimate food lover ever since I could remember, and passing down that gene to me. I grew up with my dad knowing every waitress, waiter, and restaurant owner in Chinatown and learned the true ways of how one should eat when visiting one of the places in the city and for that, I am so thankful! The next time you visit Chinatown, hit up at least one of these places, and I can ensure you that you will be eating good food. You’re welcome!