Best Chinese Restaurants In Minnesota
Some of us have never tasted mock duck or had a bite of cream cheese wonton. But these culinary entrants are staples at many Chinese restaurants. The latest twist to traditional Chinese cuisine are Latin American, Indian and other ethnic infusions. But you needn't be a gastro adventurer to enjoy what these restaurants serve up.
Rainbow Chinese Restaurant & Bar
2739 Nicollet Ave., S.
Minneapolis, MN 55418
(612) 870-7084
www.rainbowrestaurant.com
One of the go-to dining places in Twin Cities, Rainbow Chinese Bar & Restaurant has a simple but award-winning menu of standard Chinese dishes splashed with flavorful and textural touches. Eggs, onions and bean sprouts are stir-fried into all fried rice dishes. Wontons come with a meat and cheese filling or with cream cheese and a dash of peanut. You can build up a big bowl of noodle soup with additional seafood, meat, eggs and fresh green vegetables. For a dessert treat or as an appetizer, sample a fried turnip, taro or basic rice flour cake, pan fried with eggs and scallion. The takeout menu is more extensive and elaborate than the dining menu. Roast duck, a traditional favorite, is not on the main menu but a mock duck dish can be a satisfying substitute. But if fresh roast duck makes you salivate, you can order a fresh half roast as a takeout. The restaurant has an efficient delivery and online ordering service and a happy hour with cocktails, wine, sake and beer. You can down your wine with six appetizers.
Great Hunan Chinese Restaurant
2919 Highway 29 S.
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-6288
www.greathunan.net
This no-frills restaurant gets rave reviews. Its succulent BBQ spare ribs, served in a group of five as an appetizer, are a true soul food at $5.95. An extra rib comes with a Pu Pu platter for two, a meal in itself for $12.95. For $2, you can tuck into a platter of 10 deep fried onion rings. The beloved comfort food, never to be taken for granted, are chop suey, chow mein, lo mein and egg foo young in seafood, vegetable and meat variations. The meat, poultry and seafood dishes are prepared with healthy ingredients. Many menu items can be ordered gluten free. The proportional family menu and children's menu will please the whole family.
Chin Dian Café
1500 East Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 676-1818
www.chindiancafe.com
This Chinese dine-in and takeout café infuses Chinese and Indian cuisine with subtle Vietnamese and Malaysian flavors. Cream cheese wontons, vegetable samosas with delicate mint sauce, hot and sour Indian soup, curried fried rice, and meat and vegetable entrees have hints of Pan Asian influences. Signature sauces accentuate meat and vegetable dishes, created from locally sourced organic produce. Customers can take home the sauces and syrups, made from the owner's recipes. This is another reason the café is a hit with diners. Customers can also request a gluten free menu.
Chino Latino
2916 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 824-7878
www.chinolatino.com
It's not dungeons and dragons when you look at the website's icons or hear the heavy gong. It's time to reserve a table. The house specialties on any evening might be marlin ceviche, Montego Bay jerked chicken, Philippine Paella and curried coconut shrimp. On the menu are gluten free options for small plates and main dishes, such as House of Wang salt and pepper shrimp; wok tossed ground duck with Thai chili, herbs and lemon grass; Saigon grilled chicken; Molcajete (volcanic rock filled with grilled short ribs, chorizo, adobo chicken, pork loin, Chihuahua cheese, spring onions, roasted jalapenos, salsas, guacamole and fresh tortillas); and other Asian/Latin/Caribbean delicacies too ample to list. All we can say is "Wow!"
Shuang Cheng Restaurant
1320 4th St., SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 378-0208
shuangchengrestaurant.com
"Shuang Cheng" means Twin Cities. Since 1990, this Cantonese restaurant has been in the neighborhood of Dinkytown. The restaurant serves familiar dishes such as lo mein, chow mein, mock duck, sweet and sour grilled meat and shrimp, and chop suey. It also has soups, noodles, hot pots and Cantonese specialties. The seafood selection is extensive and succulently stir-fried or steamed. If you love seafood, this is a restaurant you may love. If you have been combing the Great Lakes area for roast duck, go no farther than Dinkytown. Shuang Cheng serves braised or roast duck a la carte. A three-course Cantonese-style roast duck dinner comes with duck skin, pancakes and a house special sauce; duck bones and mustard greens soup; and duck meat stir fried with broccoli or mixed vegetables.
Pagoda Dinkytown
1417 4th St., SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414
(612) 378-4710
www.pagodadinkytown.com
A funky Pan Asian restaurant that serves Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and Thai food, Pagoda Dinkytown is another dining stopover. Roast duck lovers can get a full or half order of Cantonese or Peking-style roast duck. Ice cream, which comes in seven flavors, is $1.50 per scoop. Hunan specialties with funky flavors that appeal to the campus crowd are the stinky tofu ($7.95) and the beef brisket hot pot ($15.95). Pagoda has an all-day Dim Sum menu and an-all-you-can-eat hotpot menu. The restaurant's revamped interior design features flat screen monitors, Chinese karaoke and two party rooms. Pagoda is a neat and friendly place for dining, entertaining and sports watching on flat screen TVs.
Related: Best Indian Food In Minnesota
Linda Cameron has written home design, home improvement and lifestyle articles for The Boston Globe and City Shopper Magazine. She has related interests in the building industry, travel, real estate and financing. She is a contributor to Examiner, House Spot, Techsling and Behance, covering topics on career, people, businesses, education and technology.
