Chinese Food Near Me

Famous all over the world, Chinese food offers broad appeal to individuals looking to both indulge and eat healthy. Dubbed the most “popular” cuisine on earth, finding Chinese food in your neighborhood should be easy as 1…2…3. Simply browse the map to easily locate “Chinese near me.” You’ll be chowing down on this popular dish in no time at all!

Chinese food may seem pretty standard, but different regions in China have very distinct styles of cooking. The ingredients used in each dish are based on the natural and agricultural products of each region. In the US, the most popular kind of Chinese cuisine tends to be Northern style which boasts meat heavy dishes along with dumplings and rice or noodles.

While American Chinese food shares some characteristics with its traditional counterpart, many of the dishes you’ll find on your local Chinese menu have been tailored to fit American tastes and sensibilities. Of course, if it’s authentic Chinese you’re looking for, a little searching will find you plenty of that as well. Search “Chinese food near me” and discover your new favorite restaurant today!

Chinese Food Near Me – Find it on the Map

Chinese Food Near Me – Chinese Food Trivia

True or False: In traditional Chinese food, ingredients will include anything that moves.

True! In your quest to locate “Chinese near me” you may find a few purists who still cook Chinese in the traditional way. Many standard Chinese dishes have made westerners feel a bit squeamish by including everything from insects and scorpions to intestines and boiled blood. Luckily, the Chinese prepared in the US is far from traditional and tends to favor Western ideals. Don’t sweat it, you won’t find any pig’s ears in your sesame chicken.

True or false: China uses over 45 billion pairs of chopsticks per year.

True! While most American’s aren’t comfortable using chopsticks, the average Chinese citizen goes through 2 or 3 pairs a month. Because of this, the government has actually imposed a disposable chopstick tax in order to reduce usage. Most disposable chopsticks are composed of softwood or bamboo. That’s 100 square miles or the entire area of the borough of Queens, New York. If you’re lucky enough to stumble upon a Chinatown while browsing “Chinese near me” you’re in for a delicious treat!

Where did Western style Chinese food originate?

What the average American would identify as Chinese food began in the mid-1800s when a huge influx of Chinese immigrants came to California during the Gold Rush. They mostly came from the Canton region, now known as Guangzhou. When the newcomers arrived they started opening restaurants and eventually moved elsewhere due to railroad expansion. This is how Chinatowns came to be in so many big American cities including Los Angeles and eventually New York City.

Who is credited with the Americanization of Chinese food?

Hipsters are known for being on the forefront of what’s cool and in this case it’s true! In the 1920’s Chinese food started to catch on among bohemians (also known as hipsters). They enjoyed eating the food fiery hot, often sustaining burns on the roofs of their mouths. It wasn’t until after World War II that Chinese food started to become more mainstream in the US, when GI’s returned with varied tastes and a newfound love of adventurous eating.

Chinese Food Near Me – Chinese Food Facts

Americanized Chinese Uses Veggies Not Found in China

When searching “Chinese near me” you’ll likely find menus full of dishes including veggies such as broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, and yellow onions. While these ingredients are common in Western style Chinese, traditional Chinese restaurants don’t implement any of these ingredients, as these ingredients are not native to China. Chinese cuisine typically implements green onions and a more bitter form of broccoli that American eaters just couldn’t stomach.

Regional Variations in the US

Like any American food, there are regional variations of Chinese cuisine. While searching “Chinese near me” you’ll likely find this more often than you don’t. In Massachusetts and much of the New England states you can find chop suey and chow mein sandwiches (something you’d never dream of having in California). In Missouri Chinese restaurants even offer the St. Paul sandwich, which is an egg foo young patty on white bread. In the Northeast you can also get the deep fried pu pu platter. What’s more American than that?

Top Chinese Restaurants in the US:

While browsing “Chinese near me” you’ll likely be met with an onslaught of amazing options. Given the prevalence of Chinese restaurants in the US, finding a new favorite shouldn’t be hard. However, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the vicinity of any of the three restaurants below, you’ve truly won the restaurant lottery!

1. Din Tai Fung Dumpling House, Los Angeles, CA

This popular Taiwan based chain of dumpling shops got its start in 1958. Today there are locations throughout Asia and six in the United States. Three of these locations are in the Los Angeles, CA area

2. Koi Palace, Daly City, CA

There’s a reason why this Hong Kong style restaurant is always insanely busy (even during off hours). Koi Palace offers world class dim sum and authentically prepared seafood plates. Staff at Koi Palace is even sent to Asia once a year to receive proper training on Chinese food preparation and technique.

3. Lao Sze Chuan, Chicago, IL

Located Chicago’s popular Chinatown section, this local staple is the best of the best. Folks line up en masse every night just to step foot in the door. Offering world class dishes including award winning Szechuan fare, any foodie would easily find a new favorite on this flavorful menu. If searching “Chinese near me” puts you near Lao Sze Chuan, by all means go!