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Best Takeout Chinese In The North Bay

Whether you are looking for respite from a rainy day or just need some hangover food, there is no substitute for the comforts of Chinese cuisine enjoyed from your couch. From crispy egg rolls to hot and sour soup, diners can easily find a cure for whatever ails them. Next time you are looking for a taste of the remedy, here are five of the top Chinese takeout restaurants in the North Bay.

Harmony Restaurant
800 Redwood Highway, Suite 401
Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 381-5300
www.harmonyrestaurantgroup.com

Specializing in Cantonese fare, Harmony Restaurant creates innovative dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients. Its focus is on providing healthy, organic, trans-fat-free food and all of its dishes are prepared without MSG. Harmony is also happy to accommodate dietary restrictions by offering wheat-free selections and eliminating the use of peanuts while still offering a diverse menu of vegetarian options. The restaurant's specialty is hand-crafted dim sum made fresh daily. With a wide variety of options, diners can enjoy everything from savory, crispy Peking duck to sweet, lightly-fried chocolate sesame balls. Harmony's takeout store is located adjacent to the restaurant, and also includes reserved parking for customers.

Lily Kai
1881 Tiburon Blvd
Tiburon, CA 94920
(415) 789-5667
www.lilykaitiburon.com

Lily Kai has built its menu and reputation on great tasting food made with fresh ingredients. Its expansive menu includes hearty, family-style portions made with natural ingredients - this is not the greasy style Chinese that you are used to eating. Try the best of Lily Kai with the variety plate, which includes Chinese-style BBQ spare ribs, fried prawns, crab-cheese wontons, crispy spring rolls and chicken and beef shish kabobs. The fast and friendly service has built Lily Kai a solid fan base.

Related: Best Indian Food In San Francisco

Ping's Mandarin Restaurant
817 Francisco Blvd W
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 492-1638
www.pingsmandarinrestaurant.com

Known for its great service and speedy takeout, Ping's Mandarin Restaurant has been a staple in San Rafael for nearly 10 years and is considered one of the top spots in Marin County. The menu is chock-full of traditional, authentic fare that is vegetarian friendly but still well suited for the meat eater. Looking for a deal? Check out Ping's daily lunch special, which includes an entrée like Mongolian beef or cashew chicken; fried rice, steamed rice or chow mein; and the appetizer of the day. Ping's marries great flavors with a reasonable price.

Tommy's Wok
3001 Bridgeway, Suite H
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 332-5818
www.tommyswok.com

Tommy's Wok is bringing Sausalito well-executed Chinese fare made with fresh, organic ingredients sans MSG. The restaurant features fresh vegetables, organic free-range chicken and the best quality of meats and fresh seafood, making this spot more expensive than other Chinese takeout options. Start with the savory hot and sour soup, made with natural chicken breast and organic soft tofu in a thick base. The BBQ pork fried rice, which can be made with brown rice, is a nice twist on a commonly found dish. With an eye on healthier options, you can have your Chinese food and eat it too, while still feeling good.

Yet Wah
1238 4th St
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 460-9883
www.yetwahchinese.com

The Yet Wah establishment has a history that stretches back to 1969. Located in the heart of San Rafael, it was most recently named Marin County's "Best Chinese" restaurant in 2011 by Pacific Sun.com. Customers flock to this location for dishes like the Wah Wonton Soup, walnut prawns and cashew chicken. The large portions and cheap prices keep customers coming back. Yet Wah's dim sum menu makes daily appearances during the lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and includes BBQ pork buns, fried-meat dumplings and egg-custard sweet buns. With a menu that has nearly 150 options hailing from every part of China, there is no shortage of options.

Related: Eight Best Ethnic Restaurants in San Francisco

Jenna Broughton can frequently be found exploring the streets of San Francisco looking for her next adventure and gastronomic delight. She has traveled far and wide, from Paris to Savannah, GA, to satisfy her adventurous palate. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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