Most restaurants in Chinatown are Cantonese, since most Chinese in Chicago have always come from the region of Guangdong and city of Canton. Still, cooking styles are varied beyond imagination, combining different regional styles and complicated by ads (in English) that promote Szechwan dishes in a restaurant that actually excels in something else.
Here is a list of Chinatown restaurants, with all-too-short descriptions
(phone numbers are in the 312 area code):
August Moon, 225 W. 26th St., 842-2951. Known mostly for Cantonese dishes, including chop suey with bean sprouts, bamboo shoots and other staples of Chinese-American cooking.
Cantonese Chef, 2342 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-3232. Known among other things for a large buffet at weekday lunch and many Chinese-American dishes.
Cantonesia Restaurant, 204 W. Cermak Rd., 225-0100. Menu features dishes and ingredients of the islands south of China. Menu includes a dish called Singapore noodles (not from Singapore) with rice noodles, shrimp, onions, carrots and hot pepper, all tossed lightly with oil in a wok.
Chee King, 216 W. 22nd Pl., 842-7777. Chinese characters in its name read ”Casserole Casserole Good Tavern,” pointing to a menu of Cantonese clay pot dishes. One of these combines fried tofu, eggplant and green peppers stuffed with shrimp ball, all in black bean sauce.
Chiam Restaurant, 2323 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-6336. One of the larger, older restaurants in Chinatown, Chiam is suitable for banquets. Lemon chicken, Hong Kong grilled steak and many other familiar dishes are on the menu.
China Restaurant, 2253 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-2600. Known mostly for Cantonese with American touches, meaning chop suey, eggs rolls, etc.
Chinatown Chop Suey, 207 W. Cermak Rd., 326-2265. A place mostly for carryouts-fried rice and chop suey dishes.
Chinatown Cafe, 2604 S. Wentworth Ave., 791-0366. Mostly Cantonese, with spicy chicken, spicy beef, chop sueys and other staples.
Chinatown Snack Shop, 2306 S. Wentworth Ave., 791-9085. Casual place with things such as black beans and ribs over rice, at economical prices.
Dynasty Restaurant, 2228 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-7573. Cantonese-style restaurant has seafood and selection of foods from other regions.
Emperor`s Choice, 2238 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-8800. This is Chinatown`s reigning favorite, according to many Chinese and non-Chinese. Poached shrimp in a light but spicy sauce is one favorite on a menu that features many fresh seafoods.
Evergreen Restaurant, 2411 S. Wentworth, 225-8898. This large, handsome room attracts many Chinese families for large meals. Known for seafood and rich sauces.
Friendship Restaurant, 215 W. Cermak Rd., 791-1125. Cantonese fare includes sweet and sour dishes, along with fried rice, chop suey, egg foo yung and others.
Golden Bull, 242 W. Cermak Rd., 808-1668. Chef reportedly came from a famous Hong Kong restaurant. Eclectic menu features Shanghai, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and other styles.
Golden Gate, 2212 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-5242. Chinese coffee shop. Decor has the enchantment of a Sam Spade movie.
Good World Restaurant, 239 W. Cermak Rd., 567-9660. Well-regarded among those who know Chinatown, this small ”family-style” restaurant has a variety of authentic Cantonese dishes listed on slips of paper on the wall.
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Haylemon, 2201 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-0891. Cantonese dishes include dim sum lunch, which many Chinese now say is the best in Chinatown.
House of Fortune Restaurant, 2407 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-0880. Cantonese seafoods include fresh Dungeness crab (steamed, stir-fried or baked with ginger and scallion glaze). Also Szechwan-style pike with bean sauce and spices.
Hong Min, 211 W. Cermak Rd., 842-5026. Considered one of the more authentic Cantonese restaurants, with a steamed pike and excellent dim sum.
Jade East, 218 W. Cermak Rd., 326-4224. Cantonese with beef, crabs, snail, lobster, shrimp, oysters, squid and octopus-some fresh, some frozen.
Jade Garden, 2243 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-7023. Known for its massive Hong Kong steak and a delicate shrimp in cream and butter. Ambience is casual, but menu has touches of a lavish Hong Kong restaurant.
The Junk Restaurant, 2143 S. Archer Ave., 326-3311. ”All your basic Chinese dishes” is how they describe the menu. Clientele is mostly non-Chinese.
Kai Kai, 2218 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-1952. Coffee shop known for the best coffee in Chinatown and pork dumpling that many have for breakfast.
King Wah Restaurant, 2225 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-1404. Has a fine facility for banquets with nicely prepared Mandarin, Szechwan and Cantonese dishes.
Lucky Coffee Shop, 2221 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-9153. Chop suey, egg foo yung, fried rice and other old favorites are served in a casual environment.
Mandar-Inn Restaurant, 2249 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-4014. Small, polished restaurant has a manageable selection of Cantonese, Szechwan and Mandarin dishes.
Moon Palace Restaurant, 2206 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-4081. Known throughout Chinatown as an authentic Shanghai restaurant, which means it offers eel and other out-of-the-ordinary seafood dishes. Specialties also include a distinctive wide, soft wheat noodle, either pan-fried or in soup.
New Lung Fung Restaurant, 2200 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-5050. Corner spot is good for a quick lunch of chop suey or egg foo yung.
Pearl City Restaurant, 211 W. 22nd Pl., 808-0072. Chinese seafood is a specialty here. They also have some nicely sauteed vegetable dishes.
Royal Pacific Restaurant, 2217 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-4444. ”Old-fashioned” Cantonese means chop-suey dishes, fried rice and lavish tropical potions like the Mai Tai and the Singapore Sling.
Saigon Restaurant, 232 W. Cermak Rd., 808-1318. As more Vietnamese-Chinese come to Chinatown, so do dishes that use lemon grass, cilantro and other fresh herbs that are used in the Southeast Asian kitchen.
Seven Treasures, 2312 S. Wentworth Ave., 225-2668. Noodles, rice porridge and ”charcuterie” such as roast duck and sour-simmered pigs` feet are among dishes prepared in the open kitchen of this clean, well-lighted place.
Sixty Five Restaurant, 2409 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-6500. Well-regarded for Cantonese dishes; Chinese go for king crabs, baby clams and other seafood dishes. Also has extensive dim sum.
Three Happiness No. 1, 209 W. Cermak Rd., 842-1964, Three Happiness No. 2, 2130 S. Wentworth Ave., 791-1228. No. 1 is a small storefront; No. 2 is large and bustling. They are Cantonese in character, and the larger has a full complement of regional dishes. Both are well-known for dim sum.
Tin Yen, 2242 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-7156. A Cantonese spot for locals and others is friendly, and has soups, fine casseroles (one with seafood-stuffed bean curd) and a memorable ginger beef.
Wing Wah, 208 W. Cermak Rd., 225-4611. Chow foon (pan-fried rice noodles with various meats and vegetables) is a Cantonese dish worth going for.
Tai Wu Seafood Restaurant, 216 W. Cermak Rd., 326-3633. Bass and lobster are swimming live in tanks. Steamed fish with black beans and scallions is excellent.
Won Kow Restaurant, 2237 S. Wentworth Ave., 842-7500. Cantonese and Mandarin specialties include many seafood dishes. The new chef is from Hong Kong; others working in the kitchen are from Shanghai.
Yee Heung Restaurant, 225 W. Cermak Rd., 326-3171. One of Chinatown`s late-late-night restaurants, it thrives on its carryout business.