For Chinese fans with vegetarian preferences, Shanghai Cafe is the best place in Salt Lake City. And though eating vegetarian in many other establishments means you'll find yourself ordering tofu or strictly vegetables, Shanghai Cafe offers well-liked, vegetarian imitations of meat. Even non-vegetarians find themselves ordering the chicken in favor of chicken. Especially popular are the vegetarian chicken dishes, including lemon chicken, moo shu chicken, curry chicken, and cashew chicken. Shanghai Cafe utilizes fresh ingredients and light, but flavorful, sauces to make each dish as healthy and enjoyable as possible. In addition to the Chinese food, you'll find a few other selections hailing from Vietnam.
Local Expert tip: Though this is heralded as the best vegetarian Chinese in Salt Lake, Shanghai Cafe also serves meat dishes.
Situated along 700 East Street, Sampan enjoys an extremely central location. Whether you live in Sugarhouse or are staying downtown, you'll find that it takes no more than 10 minutes to reach this restaurant. But if you don't feel like leaving home (and if you plan to order at least $12 worth of food), Sampan will deliver your meal to you. Offering a huge selection of Chinese dishes, Sampan has numerous categories for entrees, including lo mein, moo shu, specialty noodles, soup, chef's suggestions, chicken, beef, pork, shrimp, tofu, and vegetagble. Sampan also offers dozens of combo options in six categories; these include an appetizer, soup, and entree. A minimum of $12 is required for delivery.
Local Expert tip: Given the reliably high quality of its food and very affordable prices, Sampan has become an extremely popular choice for those ordering take-out.
Few restaurants downtown offer better values for the buck than this casual eatery, whose tempting aroma calls out to passersby day and night. Step in, and you'll notice immediately that Ho Ho does not try to dazzle patrons with kicky decorations and elaborate tables; instead, they place stock in their fabulously-prepared food, and for good reason. The menu features the likes of hot and sour veggies, steamed spareribs smothered in black bean sauce, General Tso's chicken, and broccoli with fresh seafood. Vegetarian options are also available.
Local Expert tip: Dim sum is served daily at Ho Ho Gourmet.
In a sea of generic-seeming, hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants, P.F. Chang's stands out. Operating more than 200 branches worldwide, this high-end restaurant offers a level of quality available at few other eateries in the same genre. Serving high-quality, somewhat eclectic cuisine in a contemporary environment, P.F. Chang's raises no doubts about the freshness of its food, or cleanliness of its kitchen. Where it lacks in local ownership, it makes up with consistent excellence. For large groups, P.F. Chang's is one of the best options in Salt Lake. This huge restaurant, adorned with a professional staff, can accommodate a group of almost any size - given advanced notice. Check online before your visit; P.F. Chang's offers numerous weekly and seasonal specials.
Local Expert tip: P.F. Chang's offers three sets of happy hours throughout the week; check online for specifics.
Located about 20 minutes south of downtown Salt Lake City, but very near the mouths of Big and Little Cottonwood canyons, Asian Star is one of the valley's most modern and popular Chinese and Asian fusion restaurants. Offering a variety Chinese dishes in an attractive and stylish dining room, this restaurant's menu includes the gentle Mandarin and Cantonese cuisines, as well as robust and spicy Szechuan and Hunan dishes. In addition to its Chinese classics, Asian Star serves Japanese plates and sushi. Those with special dietary preferences or needs will find the Asian Star to be an excellent choice; here you will find many vegan selections and a gluten-free menu.
Local Expert tip: Parking is rather limited; arrive early to avoid a hassle. If you can't find a parking spot, valet parking is available for $3.
The Szechuan Garden is owned and operated by Master Chef Chang. Originally from China, Chang has been cooking Szechuan cuisine for more than 35 years in elite restaurants around the world. Not only has this restaurant earned the Best Chinese Cuisine award from Salt Lake City Magazine, but it is also part of the Top 100 Chinese restaurants in the nation according to a competition hosted by Chinese Restaurant News. Originating in western China's Sichuan Province, Szechuan cuisine is characterized by spiciness and bold flavors created by the generous use of chili peppers, garlic, sesame paste, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorn. Here these dishes are masterfully assembled, with harmonious flavors and out of the ordinary presentation.
Local Expert tip: Come prepared to think outside of the box, and don't be afraid to try a new dish.
Hong Kong Tea House is tucked into the western end of downtown Salt Lake City. Serving exclusively Chinese food, it offers a selection of entrees as well as well an extremely tantalizing dim sum menu. This Chinese equivalent of tapas features small plates and bite-sized items like dumplings, noodle rolls, meat balls, rolls, and pot-stickers served a la carte from steamer baskets. Hong Kong Tea House offers roughly 50 choices on its dim sum menu alone. However, if you prefer an entree, you'll be able to choose from chef's specials like steamed seabass with ginger or other classic seafood, pork, beef, poultry, noodle, rice, and vegetable dishes. You must phone ahead if you want to order the braised abalone.
Local Expert tip: Dim sum service stops at 3pm; arrive well ahead of this if you're craving dim sum.
Located just ten miles north of Salt Lake City in Bountiful, this restaurant has been named one of the top 25 Chinese restaurants in the USA by a leading travel publication and has won numerous Best of State and Best Chinese in Salt Lake City awards from leading local and state-wide publications. The motto, which is followed to the letter, is "Chinese food with a passion." Everything is excellent, particularly General Tsao's Chicken, and the Peking Duck (which must be ordered 48 hours in advance). Open since 1978, Mandarin employs chefs from Hong Kong and San Francisco. The menu contains over 100 items.
Local Expert tip: Mandarin has a gluten- and wheat-free menu with more than two dozen options, including desserts.