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CinCin
The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia is home to one of the most vibrant and restaurant-packed Chinatowns of any major city.
by Genevieve Wheeler
Philadelphia is home to one of the most vibrant and restaurant-packed Chinatowns of any major city. Some of the best Cantonese cuisine in the world can be found in the span of a few Philly blocks. Great Chinese restaurants are not limited to that neighborhood, though. From upscale Chestnut Hill to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex area to trendy Old City, this city boasts an astounding array of high-quality Chinese chow.
CHARLES PLAZA
234 North 10th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 829-4383
Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-10 pm, (Fri) 11:30 am-12 am, (Sat) 2 pm-12 am, (Sun) 2 pm-10:30 pm
As soon as you walk in the door of Charles Plaza, owner Charles Chen offers a preview of the warm, friendly service you can expect in his restaurant. Chen and his staff make this spacious, warmly lit vegetarian haven on the edge of Chinatown feel like home. Focusing on creating healthy cuisine, Chen uses only the freshest ingredients, from the "mock meat" made from seitan and wheat gluten (among other things) to the real seafood and chicken to the organic vegetables he uses. First-timers must try the House Special Wonton Soup. Most lunch specials, including Chicken with Chili & Bean Sauce, cost only $5.95.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$9-$17
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving - Closed, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day -Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
CIN CIN
7838 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 242-8800
Hours: (Sun) 3 pm-10 pm, (Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-10 pm, (Fri-Sat) 11:30 am-11 pm
With its refined, sophisticated-yet-casual decor and menu, Cin Cin fits in well in the stylish, upscale neighborhood of Chestnut Hill. The restaurant offers one of the most innovative Chinese menus in the city, though purists may decry the cuisine's pan-Asian and French influences. Despite this twist, there are many classic Chinese favorites available, such as Peking Duck with pancakes and hoisen sauce, Szechwan Beef, and General Tso's chicken. Diners with daring taste buds may want to try the fusion menu items, including Merlot Veal Escallops or Mongolian Lamb in Black Bean Sauce. Given a few guidelines, the chef will prepare a custom-made "Chef's Surprise" dinner for your party.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$20-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Closed, Thanksgiving - Closed, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
HAPPY DRAGON CHINESE RESTAURANT
330 West Oregon Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 271-0552
Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-10 pm, (Fri-Sat) 11:30 am-11 pm, (Sun) 2 pm-10 pm
Happy Dragon is located in deep in South Philadelphia, making it the perfect spot to grab a filling and inexpensive meal before or after a game at any of the nearby sports stadiums. It has the look, feel, and menu of any typical Chinese take-out joint, but the food is fresh and non-greasy. Seating is limited in the intimate dining area of this hidden BYOB. Recommended menu items include Barbecue Spare Ribs with garlic, Pork Chop Suey, and Scallop Imperial. Family value meals can feed four people for under $15 and are perfect for a day of tailgating at the Sports Complex.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$9-$14
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Open,New Year's Eve - Open
LEE HOW FOOK
219 North 11th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-7266
Hours: (Tue-Sun) 11:30 am-10 pm, (Mon) CLOSED
The name of this family-run and -owned BYOB translates to "good food for the mouth," and they definitely make good on the promise. As in many Chinatown eateries, the cozy, relaxed atmosphere offers sparse decoration, allowing the diner to focus on the authentic Cantonese menu. Lee How Fook boasts some of the best soups in Chinatown, available in varieties such as Roast Duck with Bean Curd and Subgum Winter Melon. Another specialty is the hotpot, which can be filled with duck feet, fish, beef brisket, and more. Some favorite entrees include Sweet and Sour Sea Bass Filet and Conch Hong Kong Style.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$7-$19
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Closed, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
MUSTARD GREENS
622 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 627-0833
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 5 pm-10 pm, (Fri-Sat) 5pm- 11pm
Just off the trendy shopping and bar scene of South Street, Mustard Greens serves slightly upscale "contemporary Chinese" cuisine that tastes lighter and fresher than a typical Chinese restaurant. The food, from the made-daily dumplings to the Chef's Duck special to the stir fried squid with curry sauce, is surprisingly un-greasy and made from extremely fresh ingredients. Mustard Greens' atmosphere mirrors it's menu's light, simple, and modern style. Teapots and Chinese art are displayed on the walls of the bright, clean dining room. The refined, pure flavors are carried through dessert, which consists of a free plate of sliced fresh fruit.
Estimated cost per person for dinner=$17-$27
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day -Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
OCEAN CITY RESTAURANT
234 North 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 829-0688
Hours: Daily 11 am-12 am
As its name implies, Ocean City specializes in seafood. The restaurant's Hong Kong-style menu ranges from reasonably priced appetizers to a full 12 course meal that can cost up to $100 per person. Diners can gaze at one of Chinatown's most impressive fish tanks, which is home to fish crabs, shrimp and other sea creatures, while they snack on cold jellyfish or Shark's Fin Soup with crab meat. Entrees include lobster sautéed with mince meat, crispy fried flounder, and spicy clams with sausage. Ocean City also offers one of
the best traditional Dim Sum lunches in Philadelphia.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$13-$26
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Open, New Year's Eve - Open
OCEAN HARBOR
1023 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 574-1398
Hours: Daily 11 am-12 am
Travel to Chinatown at lunchtime on any day of the week, and you will see Ocean Harbor's doorway bursting with customers craving authentic and varied Dim Sum. The restaurant is perfect for large groups of adventurous diners willing to try octopus, chicken feet, abalone, conch, salt-baked shrimp, and many other savory dishes on the many Dim Sum carts roving the large dining room. Entrees are also available in the elegant, if busy, ballroom. Generous portions of clams with black bean sauce, Moo Shu pork, and jellyfish served with squid, scallops, and conch are sure to please any lover of Chinese cuisine.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$15-$22
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Open, New Year's Eve - Open
PAGODA NOODLE CAFE
125 Sansom Walkway
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 928-2320
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11:30 am-10:30 pm, (Fri-Sat) 11:30 am-11:30 pm
Pagoda Noodle Cafe has something for everyone. Diners can choose to sit in the stylish bar area, in the larger open dining room, or outside in warmer months. Seafood-lovers, vegetarians, and carnivores, as well as noodle enthusiasts, can all enjoy the inclusive menu. Hot, steaming bowls of noodle soup are served with your choice of meats or vegetables added, while Hong Kong stir-fried noodles are available in many varieties. But noodles are not Pagoda's only specialty. Appetizers include Chicken Potato Cake and Salt-Baked Squid in Five Spice Flavor. Reasonably-priced entrees range in complexity, with dishes such as Sweet and Sour Chicken and Roasted Duck served with Garlic Plum Sauce.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$10-$25
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Closed, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
SANG KEE PEKING DUCK HOUSE
238 North 9th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 925-7532
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11 am-11 pm, (Fri-Sat) 11 am-12 am
With it's modest, no frills appearance, Sang Kee Peking Duck House could easily be overlooked as just another Chinatown restaurant. But true Chinese food lovers would kick themselves for missing out on this gem. Open since 1980, Sang Kee's has perfected its recipes and developed a large number of devotees in Philadelphia. The special, of course, is Peking Duck served in two courses with moo-shu pancakes, Chinese scallions, and a sweet hoisen sauce. Other favorites include Sang Kee's Wonton Noodle and Hot and Sour soups, as well as Four Seasons in Black Bean Sauce (which features chicken, shrimp, beef and roast pork) and Sea Dragon (crispy sea bass).
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$14-$20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
SHIAO LAN KUNG
930 Race St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 928-0282
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 4 pm-3 am, (Fri-Sat) 4 pm-4 am
Shiao Lan Kung is open until at least 3 a.m. every night, making it a popular hangout for students, restaurant workers, and displaced bar/club patrons. There's more to this Chinatown favorite than late hours, though. Their extensive menu offers many choices, and their portions are large. The list of soups may be the longest in Chinatown, with options such as Bean Curd with Seaweed and Pork and Fish Head with Mustard Greens. The dining room is rather small, and becomes crowded at dinnertime. Arrive early to secure a seat and enjoy entrees like Steamed Sea Bass, Lychee Barbecued Duck, and Honey Walnut Shrimp.
Estimated cost per person for dinner=$16-$20
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Open, New Year's Eve - Open
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