Recommended Chinese food

Over the years, the Seattle area's Chinese food scene has been gradually expanding from the predominantly Cantonese fare found primarily in the International District to more diverse offerings that are particularly strong on the Eastside. While we're not yet able to give a ringing endorsement to any restaurant for dim sum service, there's good quality to be found in the way of hot pots, Sichuanese and Taiwanese cuisine, and Shanghai-style dumplings. We've traveled the area, downing dumplings and "suffering" through the spiciest of chili-laced dishes to bring you these 13 recommended Chinese restaurants.

See any vital omissions? Hit up the comments.

1 Boiling Point 沸點

This California-based chain is growing, with locations in both Seattle and Bellevue. Here you choose from ten individualized hot pots that have a variety of broths of ingredients. The “Taiwanese Spicy” is great for extreme heat-seekers, but for something unique, give the “Stinky Tofu” hot pot a try. You’ll smell the tofu whether you order it or not!

Jay Friedman

610 5th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104

(888) 383-8325

2 Din Tai Fung Dumpling House 鼎泰豐

The Seattle area became only the second city in North America to have the xiao long bao palace known as Din Tai Fung, and now we have two locations. The delicate soup dumplings are there, but even better are the shrimp and pork shao mai. This Taiwanese import is a great place to explore a diverse menu of dumpling, noodle, and rice dishes.

Jay Friedman

700 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 698-1095

3 Dough Zone Dumpling House

Dough Zone is such a darling of the area that there are now two of them in Bellevue. This is your place for noodles, dumplings, buns, and more. The soup dumplings give legendary Din Tai Fung a run for the money, with a fried version (sheng jian bao, here called jian buns) an added bonus. Small portions at reasonable prices make this a popular place.

15920 NE 8th St #3
Bellevue, WA 98008

(425) 641-8000

4 Facing East

Bellevue’s Facing East is at once sophisticated and sweet—as Taiwanese food can be. The restaurant and its parking lot are often quite crowded, as young people especially come here to enjoy dishes like Taiwanese beef noodle soup, silky tofu with aged duck egg, and Facing East’s popular “pork burgers.” Fresh fruit shaved ice is also a favorite.

1075 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004

(425) 688-2986

5 Gourmet Noodle Bowl

At times, it seems like everyone in this International District restaurant is enjoying hot pot. As it’s all-you-can-eat, that’s understandable. But don’t overlook the variety of noodle bowls on the menu, as well as the pork belly bun with its sprinkling of peanuts. The laksa curry noodle soup is delicious with its Malaysian influences.

Jay Friedman

707 8th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 264-8899

6 La Bu La

Sichuan is the regional cuisine of China done best in Seattle, and Bellevue’s La Bu La (formerly Bamboo Garden) is the best of the bunch. The “Walk on the Wild Side” menu contains their most interesting and adventurous dishes, including “Swimming Fire Fish” and “The Other Parts of a Pig.” Order a watermelon juice if you need to cool your mouth from the heat. [Photo courtesy of La Bu La]