India is home to countless cuisines but aside from Punjabi and Mughlai, the next quintessential fare has got to be Chinese food. Or rather, Indian-Chinese (think chili paneer, gobhi Manchurian, Hakka noodles, chicken lollipop) is the go-to comfort food for many.
From upscale options to old-school spots that have been around for a while there’s a Chinese restaurant out there for everyone. To the point that there might be an overwhelming amount of possibilities.
This list of the best Chinese restaurants in India has both upmarket restaurants fronted by expat Chinese chefs and neighbourhood hangouts that do greasy Hakka noodles and spicy Manchurians with aplomb.
MUMBAI
Foo
Foo debuted in 2018 and has drawn crowds since, showcasing Asian comfort foods with delicious cocktails. The menu consists of sushi rolls, dim-sum baskets, tempuras, grills, stir-fries, classic Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei dishes and a lot more. Special dishes such as the Jade Togarashi Roll, Longwei Dumpling, Dragon Glazed Butterfly Prawns, steamed John Dory infused with chilies, ginger and fresh coriander and Fortune Rice have been introduced to ring in the Chinese new year. There’s traditional lion dance every afternoon and a cherry blossom tree to hang your wishes on! When you leave, the restaurant manager is likely to approach you and affably thank you for coming.
Price for two: Rs 3,000.
Address: Across Foo Outlets in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
Hakkasan, Bandra
This place is known for its delicious Cantonese cuisine in an exquisite setting. Dainty, colourful dim sums, stir-fry tiger prawns with schezwan peppercorns and hakka hand pulled noodles remain all time favourites. For Chinese new year the restaurant has collaborated with fashion designer Kunal Rawal who has added his midas touch to the interiors with bespoke bespoke table mats and stunning wall decor inspired by the mythical dragon. Even the menu has some of Rawal’s favourites from Hakkasan’s international outposts. These include a refreshing Avocado and Passion Fruit Salad, citrusy Deep-Fried Prawn, Edamame Fried Rice and the aromatic Soba Noodle and Tofu Pot. The gorgeous looking raspberry and chocolate mousse makes for the perfect finale to the meal.
Meal for two: Rs 3,000
Address: 206 Krystal, Waterfield Road, Bandra West, Mumbai. Tel: +91 8355877777.
Lings’s Pavilion, Colaba
Located in one of the by-lanes of Colaba, Ling’s Pavilion is an inseparable part of South Mumbai’s culture and heritage. Owners and brothers Baba, Nini and Titi Ling have been manning tables since the establishment opened in 1991, accepting orders for steaming pomfret, Mongolian beef and Mandarin chicken. Popular dishes over the years include salt and pepper prawns, roast pork, salt and pepper crabs, char siu bao, mushroom steamed pot rice and pan-fried noodles with vegetables. Try the popular desserts choco-mocha brownies or honey noodles with ice cream for a delicious finish.
Meal for two: Rs 2500
Address: Mahakavi Bhushan Marg, near Regal Cinema, Colaba
Tel: 9892112034
Royal China, Fort
This legendary Chinese restaurant in Fort is best known for its light and flavourful dim sums. Try the Prawn and Chive Dumplings, Fried Chicken Wontons, Peking Duck Dumplings, Cottage Cheese Dumplings, Seafood Dumplings with Chilli Oil, and Crystal Dumplings. The cheung fun is a recent addition and worth indulging in. Among the mains try the kung pao prawns, baby potatoes in honey chilli sauce, Peking duck, Hong Kong street style noodles and then wrap it all up with chocolate dome for dessert. They have a nice selection of wines too.
Meal for two: Rs 3000
Address: Victoria Terminus, Behind Sterling Cinema Building, Fort, Mumbai. Tel: 022 22072492
Gypsy Chinese, Dadar
One of the earliest Chinese restaurants (started with six tables in 1982) in Mumbai, Gypsy has been synonymous with spicy, delectable chindian fare. The red dragon chilli chicken, American chop suey and chicken lollipop is still the things to order but the chicken red pepper, sparrow nest wantons and Chinese style omelettes are also well worth contemplating. Don’t miss the freshly steamed mantou breads. The place gets busy with large groups and families but the food never disappoints.
Price for two: Rs 2,000
Address: 121 Maryland Corner, Keluskar Marg, Dadar Shivaji Park, Mumbai. Tel: 022 24455965/65006855
PF Chang’s, Lower Parel
This magnificent recent addition to the cluster of Chinese restaurants in Mumbai is all about wok cooking (a 2,000-year-old method that uses a 700-degree flame to preserve nutritional value and flavours). Notable dishes to try include Singapore street noodles, spicy kimchi fried rice and Mongolian tenderloin. Lots of vegetarian options along with a separate Jain menu. The famous Chang’s lettuce wraps assembled tableside and dynamite shrimp also features in the Indian menu.
Price for two: Rs 4,500.
Address: One Lodha Place, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai. Tel: +918655833294.
BENGALURU
Canton
This Cantonese restaurant on Lavelle Road is best known for its shaokao barbecue, crab and fresh seafood made with hot sauces and quirky cocktails — all in a setting reminiscent of a cosy Shanghai bar. The Spicy Beef & Coriander Guotie, lamb balls and Chow Mein Noodles are also good bets. Highly recommend the Cantonese steamed cheesecake, a spongy cake with a dollop of ice cream and mulberry.
Meal for two: Rs 3,000
Address: Opoosite Harley Davidson, 25 /4 Lavelle Road, Bengaluru. Tel: 08048669269/ 08048669267
Yauatcha, MG Road
Every table at Yauatcha will likely have a few steaming baskets of dim sums — they are that good. Notable ones include the Truffle Edamame Dumplings, Poached Peking Dumplings, Chicken and Prawn Shui Mai, Har Gau and Chicken and Coriander Dumplings. Beyond the bite-sized parcels there are stellar versions of classics like turnip cake, cheung fun and Hong-Kong style rice noodles. Beautifully done mousse and macaroons make up for sweet endings.
Price for two: Rs 4,000
Address: 1 MG, Lido Mall, MG Road. Tel: 92222 22800
Bangalore Mandarin, Indiranagar
If you are looking for some old school chindian then head straight to Mandarin. Start with a sinus-clearing bowl of spicy manchow soup and then launch into the bacon wrapped prawns, chicken lollipop and delectable honey sesame prawns. Looking for something milder? Order a basket of dumplings. Red wall, Chinese lantern and instrumental Chinese music will keep you company.
Price for two: Rs 2,500
Address: 2nd floor, Paramahansa Yogananda Rd, Bengaluru,
DELHI
Dolma Restaurant, Majnu ka Tila
Though a Tibetan restaurant known for its legendary jhol momos, Chindian lovers probably have this place on speed dial, for its spicy chilli chicken, vegetarian balls on a stick with Schezwan sauce and chow mein. Expect no fills and lots of crowd.
Price for two: Rs 1,000
Address: H-No 1, Block No 10, New Aruna Nagar, Majnu Ka Tilla, Delhi. Tel: 9958821519
Shang Place, Shangri-La
One of Delhi's most popular Chinese restaurants, Shang Palace has developed quite a cult following in Delhi. Expect excellent peking duck, prawn har gau, steamed chicken sui mai, Cantonese pork bibs and home made tofu in five spice. Don’t miss the cute ‘Hom Sui Gok’ pork stuffed in glutinous rice balls. The tropical pana cotta is to die for.
Price for two: Rs 4,000
Address: Shangri-La Eros, Connaught Place, New Delhi. Tel: +91 11 4119 1040
House of Ming, Taj Mahal
This premier Chinese restaurant situated inside the iconic Taj Mahal Hotel enjoys the patronage of the hauté and happening of the city. Classic Cantonese and Sichuan fare dominates the menu here. Some of their must-haves are Jumbo Prawns, Diced Chicken with Cashew Nuts and for dessert their Toffee Banana.
Meal for two: Rs 5,500
Address: Taj Mahal, Man Singh Rd, Man Singh Road Area, New Delhi. Tel: 6656 6162
Berco’s
If you're a fan of Indo-Chinese dishes, then you've probably heard of Berco's one of the oldest chain of Chinese restaurants in the country. The restaurant covers all the bases when it comes to noodle and rice dishes from China. Choose from delightful stir-fried veggies to chicken in spicy sauces and noodles in a combination of proteins. Berco's veg Manchurian and a chilled fruit beer is a staple order here. The service is always gracious and the food never disappoints. What else can you ask for?
Price for two: Rs 3,000
Tel: 9560040271
CHENNAI
Rangi’s Nungambakkam
Known for their flavourful Indo-Chinese comfort food served in humungous portions, Rangi’s is probably one of the most popular Chinese restaurants in the city. Golden fried prawns, Rangis fried rice, chilli garlic noodles, crispy pork and crab in black pepper sauce have remained crowd favourites for years. But do try their Cantonese beef vegetable and fish in black pepper sauce. The service here is always courteous and quick. They also give you a free brownie if the bill crosses over Rs 500.
Price for two: Rs 800
Address: 42, Uttamar Gandhi Salai, High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai. Tel: 044 4214 4933
China Town
This charming old-school institution has a devoted following for its chicken lollipop, dragon chicken, chicken dim sum, prawns dim sum and fried chicken wontons. China Town prepares each plate to order, unlike some of the busy restaurants that dominate Chennai’s Chinese scene. For those seeking a unique experience, try the red snapper, ma po tofu and steam boat. And don’t leave without trying the ice kachang a wacky dessert of ice cream, jelly, pineapple and lots of shaved ice.
Price for two: Rs 2,000
Address: 3rd floor, Cathedral road, Gopalapuram, Chennai. Tel: 063749 99505
Liu's Waldorf
This no-frills restaurant decked up with red gingham table mats, Chinese lanterns and laughing buddha has been delighting Chennaiites for the last 48 years. The signature dishes include fried wonton, mushroom Manchurian, Waldorf egg fried noodles and Waldorf chili chicken. But perhaps the best dish on the menu is the signature sweet corn chicken soup and the chili beef. Wang the owner has a penchant for fresh ingredients and spices. Over the years the prices of Liu’s has stayed reasonable and the service, quick and excellent.
Meal for two: Rs 1,500
Address: 14, Sardar Patel Rd, Sriram Nagar, Tharamani, Chennai. Tel: 044 2235 0499
KOLKATA
Beijing, China Town
While there are plenty of restaurants with stellar Chinese food in the Tangra neighbourhood of China Town, Beijing is still the oldest and the most popular for flavourful Indo-Chinese food. The ambience is minimalistic (think red table cloth, Chinese posters, etc.) but the food is top notch. Go for their famous golden fried prawns, crispy fish, chili garlic pepper chicken, spring rolls and Cantonese noodles. The house made green chili sauce and the honey chili sauce here are addictive. Portions are hearty and you might leave with a big bag of leftovers. Founder Monica Liu is always around to chat up her guests.
Price for two: Rs 2,000
Address: 77/1, Christopher Road, Kolkata. Tel: 033 2328 1011
Flavours of China, Park Street
This popular restaurant on Park Street serves up old school, Indian-Chinese. The moist and veggie loaded fried rice along with a portion of Kung Pao Chicken are the most ordered dishes here followed by the double fried pork, chilli chicken and fried wontons. The chicken lollipop here can be a meal in itself. Leave room for the darsaan cake (honey noodles served with ice cream). This place also has a separate section for Indian food, especially biryanis and kebabs.
Meal for two: Rs 1,500
Address: Govt. Colony, 65, Naktala Rd, Sahid Nagar Colony, Garia, Kolkata. Tel: 062891 06326.
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