Loved for its quick service and generous portions, Asian Chao started small in Orlando's Florida Mall in 1991, but it can now be found in over 40 locations across the USA. The fast casual chain is a familiar face in food courts, offering customers favorite dishes like orange chicken, spicy garlic tofu, and beef and broccoli. The standout dish, though, is the bourbon chicken, which is exactly as it sounds: to make it, chicken is glazed with a secret bourbon sauce. 

One of the smaller chains on our list, Oriental Wok gets rave reviews from diners in Kentucky and Ohio. Established in 1977, the family-run brand offers a range of old-school Chinese dishes cooked to perfection, such as pepper steak, sesame shrimp, and the founder’s signature orange chicken with snow peas, onions, peppers, and mushrooms. Oriental Wok also sells its own sauces based on family recipes, including sesame stir fry, hot Chinese mustard, and bourbon chicken, so you can recreate your favorite dishes at home. The crab Rangoon dip (pictured) is also a fan favorite.

Dumpling lovers are truly spoiled in California's San Gabriel Valley, where there are four locations of beloved regional chain Mama Lu’s Dumpling House. The cozy spot is lauded for its juicy xiao long bao soup dumplings – especially the bestselling crab and pork variety. Customers also love the brand’s crispy green onion pancakes, spicy wontons, and signature beef roll. Fans can even buy frozen dumplings to recreate the Mama Lu experience at home.

In 1973, the founder of Mark Pi’s arrived in the USA with just $50 in his pocket – and these days, his old-school restaurant chain has a number of locations across Ohio and Indiana. The holder of a third-degree black belt in taekwondo, Mark Pi is a pretty impressive guy – not least for winning the Guinness World Record for 'fastest human noodle maker' for several years running. If you find yourself at one of his restaurants, be sure to try a classic dish like boneless almond chicken or sweet and sour pork. 

Based in Southern California, with several locations across the Golden State and Washington, Boiling Point is a much-loved chain that specializes in Taiwanese-style hot pot soup. While most hot pot joints ask guests to cook their own ingredients at the table, Boiling Point offers a point of difference: its hot pots arrive at the table ready to eat, filled with cooked ingredients. Favorite dishes include the House Special Hot Soup, which features a bold, umami-packed broth, fermented tofu, pork, quail eggs, and a mix of seafood. 

Probably the most iconic American Chinese chain of all, Panda Express has taken the world by storm since it was founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng in 1983, with over 2,000 locations around the globe. Its iconic orange chicken – crispy and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness – is a fan favorite (the dish is so popular that it’s ordered by around a third of Panda Express customers), as are the chow mein, Beijing beef, and honey walnut shrimp. Panda Express isn’t exactly the place to go for authentic Chinese cuisine, but diners adore the speedy service and fresh, comforting flavors here.

Founded in 1989 in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, by a former farm worker with big dreams, the memorably named Pick Up Stix now has 50 locations across the Golden State. The chain cooks everything to order, and its signature dish is the house special chicken, which mixes caramelized chicken pieces with white wine, garlic, and soy sauce. Other popular choices are the orange peel chicken, the Mongolian beef, and the handmade cream cheese wontons. 

Small but mighty, 101 Noodle Express gets rave reviews from diners, who praise its traditional Chinese home cooking. With two locations in California, the restaurant offers tasty hand-stretched noodles, yummy dumplings, and some very generous beef rolls – scallion pancakes filled with onions, cilantro, and beef. 

Started by award-winning chef Peter Chang, who once worked in the kitchens of the Chinese Embassy in Washington DC, there are a number of Peter Chang restaurants across Virginia and Maryland – all of which specialize in delicious Sichuan cuisine. The flagship location, Q by Peter Chang, is a sprawling 8,000-square-foot restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland. Customers adore the Peking duck, as well as seasonal specials like black pepper wild scallops, and soy-braised lamb shank.

Calling all vegans: Chinese food is for you, too! Specializing in vegan Sichuan cuisine, Spicy Moon has four New York locations, where diners can try some of the most famous Chinese dishes – but with a plant-based twist. Choose from spicy dan dan noodles with vegan beef, crabless Rangoon, and vegan chicken and broccoli. The chain always has something fun going on too, such as comedy nights and drag brunches. 

Yang Chow was founded in 1977 by a family of five brothers, and it now offers tasty Mandarin and Sichuan dishes across three Southern California locations. The brand’s signature dish, slippery shrimp, is an enduring favorite; a 1980s article published in the LA Times helped to spread the word about its tastiness to a new audience. Customers also love the sweet and sour chicken, the house special lo mein, and the deep-fried pork chops. 

If you’re really hungry, book a table at 99 Favor Taste – a Chinese hot pot and Korean barbecue restaurant that's famous for its hefty portions. Customers love the hot pot concept: you simply choose from one of six tasty broths to use as a soup base for 31 different kinds of meats and vegetables. There are locations in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New York’s Lower East Side. Don’t forget your ID if it’s your birthday, as you’ll get a free meal (and the staff will sing to you, too).

The history of this nostalgic chain dates all the way back to the 1960s, when its founder, Philip Chiang, helped out at his family's restaurant. By 1993 he had opened his own joint in Scottsdale, Arizona, and now P.F. Chang’s has over 300 restaurants in more than 20 countries. While its cuisine was initially inspired by modern versions of Chiang’s family recipes, the menu now draws inspiration from wider Asian cuisine, offering dishes from Japan, Korea, Thailand, and more. The place is known for its upscale, contemporary design and signature dishes such as Chang's lettuce wraps, crab wontons, Peking duck, and shrimp dumplings. 

With several locations in New York City, Dim Sum Palace (as its name suggests) is a fantastic place to try authentic Cantonese dim sum. The menu is varied and bountiful, with signature dishes including pineapple fried rice with crabmeat, jumbo shrimp with a honey walnut sauce, and Cantonese-style stir-fried lobster. Regulars praise the affordable prices and generous portions.

Chin Chin was born in style, first opening in 1983 on Los Angeles’ iconic Sunset Boulevard. Its chefs use an extremely hot wok to sear and stir-fry fresh vegetables and meats to keep them moist and tender. One of Chin Chin's most famous dishes is its Chinese chicken salad (shredded chicken, crispy wontons, lettuce, and a signature sesame dressing), which helped popularize the dish nationwide. Other must-orders include the garlic chili crisp wontons, the spring rolls, and the Mongolian beef.

For delicious, fresh and authentic Chinese food served in a cool, minimalist setting, head to either of Three Fold’s two locations in Little Rock, Arkansas. The menu is smaller here than at many other establishments on our list, but it certainly packs a punch in the flavor stakes. Choose from beef noodle soup, dumpling bowls, potstickers, steamed buns, and sesame balls – fans say you'll be blown away, whatever you order.

Founded in 2000 in Arizona, Pei Wei Asian Diner has boomed in popularity, and it now boasts 116 locations across the USA. The service is fast, but the quality is high, and there's a huge selection of Chinese dishes to pick from. Highlights include firecracker chicken, kung pao shrimp, and the chain's signature chicken lettuce wraps. Dishes from other parts of the world are on offer too, such as poke bowls and Thai wonton soup. 

For an eye-wateringly spicy Sichuan-style meal, don’t miss Chengdu Taste, which has locations in California and Washington. The small chain has received acclaim for the incredible taste and quality of its food, with the Michelin guide stating: “Some Sichuan kitchens temper their heat levels depending on what they think the customer can handle. Not this one… Expect nothing less than the full-throttle Sichuan experience.” 

Fans of tasty bao buns will already know about the Chinese comfort food chain Steam Boys, which has a number of locations across Alabama and Tennessee. The chain is known for its deliciously fluffy bao buns stuffed with a variety of fillings, including juicy pork, slow-cooked beef shank, and crispy chicken. Alongside these, you'll find creative rice bowls, boiled or pan-seared dumplings, and yummy noodles. Regulars also rave about the sensational soup dumplings, saying they're some of the best you'll ever eat.

Established in 1998 in Chicago by celebrity chef Tony Hu, Lao Sze Chuan can now be found in nine different locations across the USA, including Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Known for its tasty traditional Sichuan cuisine, the chain has garnered numerous plaudits in the press. The signature dry chili chicken and the oven-roasted Peking duck always get rave reviews, as do the buzzy atmosphere and welcoming staff.

Mr Chow may have been founded in London in 1968, but it’s an American icon through and through – with restaurants in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, and Las Vegas. The first (and arguably the most famous) location is the Beverly Hills one, which opened in 1974 and quickly became a celebrity hotspot. Known for its artistic interiors, theatrical tableside service, and signature dishes like Beijing duck and hand-pulled noodles, the chain’s fusion of fine dining, art, and fashion has made it a staple of luxury eating in the USA.

Though it now has over 40 locations, Leann Chinn started humbly when its eponymous founder was running a small sewing business from home. Chinn would cook delicious traditional Chinese dishes for her customers, who said her food was so good she should open a restaurant. Encouraged by the praise, she soon opened her first place in Minneapolis – and word spread about her tasty noodles, garlicky green beans, and delicate wontons. The chain even had a famous fan in Sean Connery, who enjoyed Leann's dumplings so much that he invested in her first restaurant. 

Dumpling Daughter is a beloved family-owned chain in Massachusetts, with locations in Weston, Brookline, and South Boston. The restaurant was founded by Nadia Liu Spellman in 2014, and it draws inspiration from her family's rich culinary heritage; her parents owned the renowned Sally Ling's (Boston's first high-end Chinese restaurant), which significantly influenced her passion for authentic Chinese cuisine. Must-try dishes include pan-seared pork and napa cabbage dumplings, fried chicken–stuffed Taiwanese buns, and knife-cut noodles with chili broth.

Set up by a mother and son team, Han Dynasty first opened in 2007 and now has 10 locations across three states. Offering scrumptious and fiery Sichuan-style cuisine, its standout dish is dan dan noodles – noodles tossed with homemade chili oil, sweet soy sauce, sesame paste, scallions, and minced pork. Those after hair-raising levels of spice will also love the beef and tripe in chili oil, adorned with cilantro, peanuts, and sesame seeds. 

A five-time Michelin Bib Gourmand award winner, MingHin Cuisine is a beloved Cantonese Chinese restaurant with multiple locations in and around Chicago. It’s famous for its perfectly made dim sum staples, including steamed shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns, and siu mai, as well as exciting seafood, tasty Peking duck, and crispy-topped Macao-style pork belly. As the joint expands, its menu keeps on growing, with more recent offerings including Japanese dishes. 

Run by a father and son team with an inspiring back story, Xi'an Famous Foods is a favorite among New York City diners, and, as you may have guessed from its name, it showcases recipes originating from China’s Xi'an province. It has 14 locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, and its classic and most-loved dish is its spicy cumin lamb noodles. The late, great celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain also commended the chain’s spicy lamb burger, saying it hit him 'right in the pleasure zone.' 

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