Gone are the days in Boston when Chinese food conjured only images of soggy egg rolls and MSG-laden noodles. Bolstered by a vibrant Chinatown and strong Cantonese population, the city’s options for Asian cuisine have significantly diversified to include refined and region-specific offerings. Those craving an alternative to supping family style will be will pleased with the growing number of restaurants featuring cook-as-you-go hotpot and point-and-eat dim sum options. And while most menus still include old-school dishes and pupu platters, Boston diners are increasingly drawn to more authentic concoctions that incorporate exotic vegetables and seafood fresh from the harbor.
China Pearl Restaurant 9 Tyler Street Boston, MA 02111-1947 617-426-4338
Hours: (Daily) 8:30am-11pm
Don’t let the modest outdoor sign and second-floor location fool you: China Pearl is the center of the universe that is Boston Chinatown. Reliable “American” Chinese menu items (kung pao shrimp, general gau’s chicken) are overshadowed by the more scrumptious dim sum. Adventurous eaters should try the fun jeow (chicken feet), while the rest of us load up on shrimp dumplings, barbequed pork buns, and egg custard tarts. Expect long waits Saturday and Sunday when the two large ballrooms fill up with multi-generational Chinese families, East Asian Studies majors, and slightly confused tourists.
Average cost per person: $10-15
East Ocean City 25-21 Beach Street Boston, MA 02111 617-542-2504
East Ocean City gives “fresh” a whole new meaning by scooping crab, lobster, and eel right out of its foyer’s tanks and onto your plate (with a little work in the kitchen in between). The overwhelming menu prompts indecision for first-time patrons; take a clue from the regulars crowded in the basement dining room and order multiple family-style dishes. Pan-fried sole, shrimp with cashews, and poached sea conch with ginger and scallions display careful preparation and elegant presentation. More exotic seasonal and daily specials include sea raven and soft-shell crabs.
Average cost per person: $12-15
Peach Farm 4 Tyler St Boston, MA 02111 617-482-1116
Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11am-3am
No peaches here but rather reliable, authentic Chinese food. Upstairs dining room is unofficially reserved for Chinese patrons; bring a native speaker and you’ll get the special and occasionally cheaper menu. Spicy salted beef, clams in black bean sauce, and deep fried flounder all draw raves. East meets West in the breakfast-style shrimp with scrambled eggs and scallops with egg whites. Beef curry is an off-shoot of Indian varieties. Order a side of stir-fried watercress, peapod stems, or spicy green beans to meet your daily vegetable quota. Late closing time allows for indulging in peking duck and won-ton soup after late-night theater.
Average cost per person: $8-12
Chef Chow’s House 230 Harvard Street Brookline, MA 02446 617-739-2469
With this chow you’ll never go hungry. This Brookline restaurant delivers Chinatown quality fare for reasonable prices. Early-bird diners feast quietly on scallion pancakes, lo mein, and hot-and-sour soup while the evening brings chatty families and couples hungry for moo-shu pork and empress chicken. “Old Time Favorites” like chop suey and egg foo young seem less greasy than you remembered thanks to Chef's Chow pledge to use only vegetable oil. Call ahead to arrange an elaborate multi-course “banquet” dinner guaranteed to leave you stuffed and laden with doggie bags.
Average cost per person: ($8-14)
KAZE 1 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 021111 617-338-8238 Hours: (Sun-Thurs) 11am-1am, (Fri-Sat) 11am-3am www.kazeshabushabu.com
One of Boston’s only “hot pot” restaurants impresses visitors with fresh, interesting ingredients and friendly servers. Before cooking your main course, savor some fried pearl oysters and stir-fried veal tongue with a glass of red or white from the well-priced wine list. Two-part pots allow shabu-shabu fans to try two different soups bases at the same time: plain old meat bouillon is free and more exotic varieties (Malaysian satay and Chinese cilantro with preserved egg) are just a few dollars more. Entrée ingredients range from the mundane (beef, chicken, vegetables) to the flamboyant (squid, rib-eye, lamb). Check out the website tutorial ahead of time for detailed cooking instructions.
Average cost per person: $12-16
Billy Tse’s Restaurant 240 Commercial St Boston, MA 02109 617-227-9990
http://billytserestaurant.com/
Hours: (Mon-Su) 11:30am-11pm
Sunshine walls and soft lights greet the North End residents and downtown executives who eat in and take out Billy Tse’s quality pan-asian dishes. Two can share the sushi boats filled with fresh hand and maki rolls, though you may want to keep that seafood avocado salad all to yourself. “Dragon and Phoenix Family Plate” (lobster with spicy chicken) and “Ocean Three Treasures” (prawns, scallops, mussels) are among the more whimsical signature dishes. Noontime draws crowd clamoring for the popular luncheon specials, which include either vegetable fried rice or lo mein or miso soup and salad.
Average cost per person: $14-18.
Anise 1 Kendall Sq, Bldg 300 Cambridge, MA 02139 617-577-8668
Artful, elegant Szechuan fare is a welcome change of pace from same-old sesame chicken. Pensive Cambridge intellectuals and upper-crust Asian foodies lounge on patterned banquettes in the red minimalist dining room. Inventive cold appetizers (wild fern salad with bamboo shoots and country-style pig ears) pair nicely with simple but well-prepared lo mein and moo shi dishes. You won’t find entrees like the braised rabbit with tangerine peels or duck tongues with soy bean paste anywhere else in town. Indecisive? The Chef’s Tasting Menu includes five courses hand-picked from the menu. Ginger and green tea ice cream is the perfect smooth, sweet finish.
Average cost per person: $15-30.
Grand Chau Chow Restaurant 45 Beach Street Boston, MA 02111 617-292-5166
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 10am-3am, (Fri-Sat) 10am-4am
Although Grand Chau Chow is frequently referred to as the “other place” in discussions on Boston’s dim sum options, don’t assume it resides in China Pearl’s shadow. This cavernous, bustling restaurant is a favorite for noisy families and large parties (despite the fact that they don’t accept reservations). Meatball congee and beef noodle soup defrost your chilled soul on chilly winter afternoons. Seasonal fish dishes like sweet and sour bass, steamed scallops with garlic sauce, and abalone appeal to pescetarians. The frenzied jovial atmosphere remains even after midnight when clubbers and night owls stumble in for pan-fried shrimp, peking raviolis, and scallion pancakes.
Average cost per person: $7-$15
Golden Temple 1651 Beacon Street Brookline, MA 02445 617-277-9722
Hours: (Sun-Thu) 11am-1am, (Fri-Sat) 11am-2am
www.healthyfreshfood.com
Golden Temple’s stylin’ interior and commitment to fresh produce and lean meats makes it popular with the twenty-something yuppies but Chinese food snobs also vouch for the food. Grilled lamb chops and salt-and-pepper lobster are among the more unconventional but tasty appetizers. Take advantage of the dual portion sizes (medium & full) to pair entrees like char sue din (pork tenderloin with almonds) or with ho yu gai poo (chicken with shiitake mushrooms in oyster sauce) with tastes of Shanghai bok choy or tofu vegetable tempura. Western desserts (crème brûlée and chocolate crunch cake) go nicely with the sophisticated loose tea selection.
Average cost per person: $14-$20
Changsho 1712 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02138-1804 617-547-6565
Upscale menu attracts well-to-do mainland expats plus beaming Harvard graduating seniors and their gushing parents. All-you-can-eat Sunday brunch featuring sushi, dim sum dainties and hot and cold entrees is a local favorite (re: get there early). Changsho Sampler for Two gives a taste of nearly all the appetizers: vegetable spring rolls, chicken fingers, crab rangoon, teriyaki beef, and chicken wings. Delicate orange black pepper crusted scallops and plum boneless duck complement the elegant, modern atmosphere. Vegetarians appreciate the steamed vegetable “ravioli,” spinach fried rice, and bean curd with exotic mushrooms. Free on-street parking means you can skip the T.
The Top List of Best Chinese Restaurants - Boston, MA