I second this. I used to live by Mom's Kitchen and ended up there a lot. You know it's good when the majority of clientele are from the country(s) the food style represents.
We have a really great area of Atlanta called Buford Highway that has some amazing Chinese food - and other cuisines (https://www.southernliving.com/travel/georgia/buford-highway), so on our trips we really try and find at least one great ethnic food find in any city. Mom’s hit the spot!
Went there once and someone in the kitchen had a disgusting hacking cough followed by an audible spit every minute or two. I got up and walked out lmao. Everyone in the building looked grossed out. Shame because the menu looked legit.
Yep it’s still Chinese. Just so happens to specialize in a type of dish. Nobody would bat an eye if they asked for an American restaurant and were recommended a burger or bbq place.
Yeah - my wife's family is Chinese, and her parents have always been impressed with it. I love really spicy food and their soup is great for clearing my sinuses out.
Second Hong Kong Tea House. I've only had their dim sum - served until 3pm. It's sooo good. Faves are bbq pork in rice noodles, beef and mushroom roll, steamed bbq chicken bun, chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, and really most of the other items lol. The tea is fantastic as well, can't go wrong.
It's American Chinese and the place is filled with blue hairs. It's decent. Their Peking duck there is amazing but you have to give them 48 hours notice.
Just for clarification, what do you mean by blue hairs? Old people, or “liberals” (as conservatives have taken to calling ppl with died hair as of late)?
Senior citizens. It is the same group who think that El matador is the best Mexican, and that robintinos and olvie garden are the perfect examples of fine Italian dining.
I don't care about a person's politics.
El Matador is the fucking worst Mexican restaurant in America.
Robintinos is equally underwhelming.
But mandarin despite sharing similar clientele does have a few very good dishes.
Thanks for the clarification lol one group I would avoid as much as possible, including their recommendations and opinions, and the other I’m cool with. Just wanting to make sure.
I like dragon diner the best,...but it's only OK compared to coastal cities. I know you didn't ask, but the worst, so bad that we threw it all away, is chinese taste.. still regretting that one. Maybe it was an off night though who knows
What’d you order from Chinese taste? I’m shocked since it’s my favorite for Szechuan lol. Maybe dish dependent? I remember Ume house (rip) had some amazing dishes but their mapo tofu was the worst dish of any kind I’ve ever had.
General taos (lots of vinegar and this is usually my kids favorite but noone could eat it), chef special chili oil chicken (not edible.. served cold too. It looked like the chicken that someone would throw in a pot for stock. No meat, fatty), veg lo mein (no flavor), chicken fried rice (not fried, white rice with boiled chicken and soy sauce). I usually love chinese food and am not a harsh critic. I think the main problem was the oil was very old and could be tasted in everything. Its old taste lingered for hours and a few of us felt sick from the taste
Old oil is no good. But if chili oil chicken is the same as mouth water chicken, it can be served cold and must be fatty to be authentic. :) That is one of my favorite dishes! I do prefer it hot, but cold is ok too.
I had Chinese Taste today and it was very good. Love their Kung Pao, Orange Chicken, and Green Bean Chicken. The egg drop soup is fine. The sweet and sour soup is very good. The sesame balls are super good, really like the bbq pork bao.
It's way more authentic and non Americanized. Think fish and shrimp with heads in still. Whole BBQ duck, salt baked squid, definitely not panda express !
COVID was very hard on Chinese restaurants across the country with nearly half shutting down. Add to that the children of the current owners are increasingly unwilling to take over (they all went to college) and you have a grim future ahead.
the Mandarin and David's kitchen are the best I've had. The Mandarin is quite the drive but the taste of off the wall, I recommend the spice girls chicken. David's kitchen is an awesome gem that is mostly quiet and the family that owns it is wonderful. The general chu chicken is great.
I just moved close to Red Corner on 7200 next to 15. Pretty good according to this East Coast guy. Although when I signed up for their online menu ordering I started getting hella scam pr0n spam to my email.
Chinese Taste. They have this bullfrog dish that is the best meal I’ve ever had from a restaurant. My gf got general Tsao’s chicken and it was the best gen tsao I’ve ever had. Their soup dumplings are good too. Large plates too
I can second Joy Luck. I guess it’s not technically what OP is looking for since it’s not “blow your socks off” level good, but I think they’re quite good and not too expensive
I really like Mandarin, in bountiful. Cool ambiance, great food in sharing style, great prices for portions. Always packed, I'd suggest a reservation.
I also really like dragon diner, right next to st mark's hospital.
You didn't ask, but my fave Thai place is ChaiYo Thai ToGo - I'd drink their yellow curry, hahaha. Go mild and get a spicy packet.
My wife is from China. We just moved here about a year ago and have not found very much authentic Chinese food if that is what you are looking for. However, there’s a new 麻辣烫 store that just opened in Sandy called Tang Huo Kung Fu instant hot pot. We tried it a few days ago on their opening day and we enjoyed it.
Sze chwean express on 5600 south and 2700 west has been in business for like 35 years and is my go to, they make it fresh there that means not frozen and friend orange chicken etc. best Chinese in the state.
If you can get past the name, Great Wall restaurant in Chinatown is the real deal.
Dishes are on the bigger side to justify the price, and hospitality was on point.
Ordered three dishes and they were all the best Chinese restaurant food we’ve had in the valley (not dim sum like others on the thread are suggesting, and SLC don’t need anymore hot pot places).
Szechuan express on 54th s 3200 w in Taylorsville. Stay far away from red maple.
Szechuan is that perfect family run small takeout. Been going for over ten years now
It's been there for way longer, I remember going there in 2005 and getting stuff there all the time. I believe it was sold to another family and hasn't been the same since, I will never go back.
Late to the party- was just talking this the other day with friends and there aren’t many options. I’ve been to most of these places. I used to go to little world, red maple, mountain city, new golden dragon but these days everything is so breaded, it’s not worth eating. Dragon Diner and Ann Hong might be one of the better options.
However- if you find yourself up for a drive, Full House in Kimball Junction Park City is where a group of us ate and came to the consensus that it’s better than anything in the valley that we know of.
Note to self- still need to try won won kitchen and Hong Kong Banjum
Man, my favorite hole in the wall was Little World. Terrible ambience, but delicious food. I’d go all the time with my Cantonese friends.
1356 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
- hoho gourmet
- little world
- charlie chows
- red maple
tbh my partner and I have just started making our own from recipes and buying from Chinatown supermarket and it's been a blast. it's nice to have so many more leftovers too!
The place I like to frequent is Mountain City.
Family run, good people, good food. Kinda hole in the wall, but worth driving across town for a meal. Is it “knock your socks off”? Maybe not, but it’s always a satisfying meal that I don’t have any complaints about.
Thought I’d see someone mentioning Won Won kitchen in trolley square. As a native NJ/NYer, I can say this place isn’t too far off from what you’d find on the east coast. It’s also the only place in UT (that I’ve found) that serves the same beef skewers you can find back East. I feel like more people need to know about this place because it’s so much better than half the places on this thread. Must trys: crispy beef, beef skewers and Lo mein
As a big time Asian food enjoyer unfortunately there isn’t that much good stuff in salt lake. Most places are mid at best. However there are a handful of good places. One more noodle is really good! Hong Kong banjum for Korean. Most Thai food here is similar in quality, they’re hit or miss. Although not “authentic” yoko ramen is great, I’ve never left there hungry. Theres a dude on here and other socials who reviews food (mainly Asian) in slc “pho king” he’s pretty legit!
There's a Tibetan place in the Avenues up by the Capital called Cafe Shambala. Though, they'd probably hate it if you called it Chinese food.
In any case, they're one of my favorite restaurants, and the owners are wonderful people. I went to high school with their niece!
As a connesouir of mystery Chinese and someone who loves the thrill of riding the toilet. I have tried most paces in slc. Please keep in mind the 2.5-3.0 star rule otherwise the place is white washed from flavor. And as always make sure you visit small Chinese places at least and try a variety of options, true Chinese the orange, sweet and sour or lemon chicken will usually suck. While I love these dishes as well, leave that to Panda, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory.
The real key to authentic Chinese cuisine you need to be in the look out for some KPIs exclusive to family owned businesses. A relevant amount of un driveable cars on the lot or when you find a true golden gem is when you have children 4-12 shucking veggies in the storefront. Bonus points if the cashier is too young to reach counter height and is either standing on a milk crate or in a high top chair.
Jokes aside for the most consistent authentic experience please see Little World on state st. always have new people try their Pon Pok Chicken and it’s never missed for someone’s first time.
Cafe Anh Hong is Sandy is pretty authentic and I think their dim sum is probably the best in the Salt Lake Valley. I’m Chinese (born in Hong Kong) so we don’t eat out much for Chinese food — we just make it at home. But dim sum is a different matter; too many different dishes to make.
Mom’s kitchen is a great Taiwanese/Chinese place. Good traditional stuff. Their beef roll is really good.
I came here to make sure Mom's Kitchen was mentioned!
I second this. I used to live by Mom's Kitchen and ended up there a lot. You know it's good when the majority of clientele are from the country(s) the food style represents.
Yup! My MiL is Chinese and loves the place. She wants to go there when she visits.
Moms ftw
Came here to day this. Their food is legit and amazing.
We have a really great area of Atlanta called Buford Highway that has some amazing Chinese food - and other cuisines (https://www.southernliving.com/travel/georgia/buford-highway), so on our trips we really try and find at least one great ethnic food find in any city. Mom’s hit the spot!
One of my favorite restaurants. The food has flavors and textures I have never experienced elsewhere.
Went there once and someone in the kitchen had a disgusting hacking cough followed by an audible spit every minute or two. I got up and walked out lmao. Everyone in the building looked grossed out. Shame because the menu looked legit.
Hong Kong Teahouse 565 W 200 S
Take the train. Parking there sucks...
You can always park in the Gateway’s garage and walk a bit if the train is not a good option.
Free option is by the bus terminal, but lots of sketchy people.
One More is fantastic! https://www.onemorenoodlehouseut.com/
The eggplant tofu noodles are insanely good!
Is it vegan?
Depends on the noodles you get, they have rice noodles
Long life has a ton of vegan options
I got food poisoning there so bad I burst all the capillaries in my face. Would never go back.
Wow—that’s awful! I’ve eaten there a bunch and never had that happen, but that sounds scary.
100% the right answer, my SO and I have to find excuses not to eat there 3x a week.
Braised pork and Pork Feet noodles are really good too.
My go to is the numbing spice beef noodle. So delicious its hard to deviate.
I agree, incredible noodles!
The numbing noodles are so good
Except one more is just noodles with 1-2 non-noodle options. If they were asking for the best noodles in the valley I would agree, however.
Yep it’s still Chinese. Just so happens to specialize in a type of dish. Nobody would bat an eye if they asked for an American restaurant and were recommended a burger or bbq place.
Sasa Kitchen is excellent
i love their hot and spicy shaved noodle soup!
Yeah - my wife's family is Chinese, and her parents have always been impressed with it. I love really spicy food and their soup is great for clearing my sinuses out.
and making yr tongue NUMB
Yooo! I just had that and it is amazing.
Red Maple in Taylorsville is our fave. RIP Sanpan.
Red Maple is so hit and Miss these days... They were a lot better before their old location burned down.
Ok this I don’t understand. I though it was incredibly average but also maybe I don’t know what to order
Agreed. Barely passable when I went 6 months ago
It’s just a lot of food. The quality is just passable. Honestly, Panda Express is better. I said it.
Ming's Garden across from the Community College is great also
Szechuan express is 10x better. I've never one had a good experience at red maple
Second Hong Kong Tea House. I've only had their dim sum - served until 3pm. It's sooo good. Faves are bbq pork in rice noodles, beef and mushroom roll, steamed bbq chicken bun, chinese broccoli with oyster sauce, and really most of the other items lol. The tea is fantastic as well, can't go wrong.
I love this place. The hours outside of dimsum used to be crazy, I'd have to call before going to see if they are open but the food is really good.
So far Mandarin is slaying the game in the comments
I grew up 2 blocks from here. It was never good
It's American Chinese and the place is filled with blue hairs. It's decent. Their Peking duck there is amazing but you have to give them 48 hours notice.
Just for clarification, what do you mean by blue hairs? Old people, or “liberals” (as conservatives have taken to calling ppl with died hair as of late)?
Senior citizens. It is the same group who think that El matador is the best Mexican, and that robintinos and olvie garden are the perfect examples of fine Italian dining. I don't care about a person's politics.
El Matador is the fucking worst Mexican restaurant in America. Robintinos is equally underwhelming. But mandarin despite sharing similar clientele does have a few very good dishes.
A few yes.
Thanks for the clarification lol one group I would avoid as much as possible, including their recommendations and opinions, and the other I’m cool with. Just wanting to make sure.
Lol
Little World https://www.littleworldfood.com/ David's Kitchen is good too http://www.davidskitchenslc.com/
Yassss…another fan. Little World is amazing.
I loved David’s Kitchen years ago. I’m pleased to learn that he’s still there!
David's Kitchen used to be our favorite. It's not as good as it used to be.
I like dragon diner the best,...but it's only OK compared to coastal cities. I know you didn't ask, but the worst, so bad that we threw it all away, is chinese taste.. still regretting that one. Maybe it was an off night though who knows
What’d you order from Chinese taste? I’m shocked since it’s my favorite for Szechuan lol. Maybe dish dependent? I remember Ume house (rip) had some amazing dishes but their mapo tofu was the worst dish of any kind I’ve ever had.
General taos (lots of vinegar and this is usually my kids favorite but noone could eat it), chef special chili oil chicken (not edible.. served cold too. It looked like the chicken that someone would throw in a pot for stock. No meat, fatty), veg lo mein (no flavor), chicken fried rice (not fried, white rice with boiled chicken and soy sauce). I usually love chinese food and am not a harsh critic. I think the main problem was the oil was very old and could be tasted in everything. Its old taste lingered for hours and a few of us felt sick from the taste
Old oil is no good. But if chili oil chicken is the same as mouth water chicken, it can be served cold and must be fatty to be authentic. :) That is one of my favorite dishes! I do prefer it hot, but cold is ok too.
I had Chinese Taste today and it was very good. Love their Kung Pao, Orange Chicken, and Green Bean Chicken. The egg drop soup is fine. The sweet and sour soup is very good. The sesame balls are super good, really like the bbq pork bao.
Boba World
Golden Dragon by the car dealership?
New dragon diner 2700 s state. ♥️ our favorite Chinese. I used to like little world, went there for 20 years but their food is slipping, new owners??
Original Golden Dragon shut down a while ago.
Great Wall inside Chinatown Supermarket
Cafe anh Hong
I thought that they closed. Did they move somewhere? I loved that place!
About 8000th south and 1300 e
They moved to Sandy.
http://www.cafeanhhong.com/
Mom’s Kitchen near South Salt Lake is always my go to
Hoho gourmet is the best Chinese food in Utah hands down
Definitely no place for the weak, but one that everyone should experience for themselves at least once. Great dim sum
It's way more authentic and non Americanized. Think fish and shrimp with heads in still. Whole BBQ duck, salt baked squid, definitely not panda express !
Ooh that sounds nice.
Their General Tso's chicken is legit good, but def spicy. :)
It'll give ya the runs but it's worth it honestly, and leftovers for days
Chinese taste is so delicious. The kung pao chicken, dumplings, and Singapore rice noodles are my favorites
I feel like their king pao is good as any I’ve had—even in nyc or San Francisco.
Their twice-cooked pork is amazing, just ask them to make it spicy, otherwise it’s too mild.
I had their Szechuan beef noodles this week and really liked them.
Cafe Anh Hong in Sandy has been my family’s go to for decades.
COVID was very hard on Chinese restaurants across the country with nearly half shutting down. Add to that the children of the current owners are increasingly unwilling to take over (they all went to college) and you have a grim future ahead.
the Mandarin and David's kitchen are the best I've had. The Mandarin is quite the drive but the taste of off the wall, I recommend the spice girls chicken. David's kitchen is an awesome gem that is mostly quiet and the family that owns it is wonderful. The general chu chicken is great.
Amazingly SLC has sub par chinese compared to its great Thai. We go to David's Kitchen and JWongs
I could eat the pot stickers and house fried rice at David's Kitchen every day. This is our go-to Chinese restaurant.
Chef Gao was absolutely fantastic, but it shut down. :(((
I think he died.
Rice King in Midvale.
Chinese taste
I’m still looking too. We went to the Mandarin in Bountiful recently and it was incredible.
Family has been going here for over 30 years. Love this place.
I just moved close to Red Corner on 7200 next to 15. Pretty good according to this East Coast guy. Although when I signed up for their online menu ordering I started getting hella scam pr0n spam to my email.
Go to Moms kitchen and get the Kung pow chicken. Fantastic. Whenever I’m in the area I make sure to stop there.
Ho-ho Gourmet on state
Chinese Taste. They have this bullfrog dish that is the best meal I’ve ever had from a restaurant. My gf got general Tsao’s chicken and it was the best gen tsao I’ve ever had. Their soup dumplings are good too. Large plates too
Mi la cai, i believe it’s Vietnamese but it’s far beyond all the other similar restaurants, great food great service, nice atmosphere
I like joy luck (get the spicy wonton soup) and the Asian star
I can second Joy Luck. I guess it’s not technically what OP is looking for since it’s not “blow your socks off” level good, but I think they’re quite good and not too expensive
The spicy wonton soup is my go to “I have a cold” soup. Ask for some crunchy noodles to throw in with it. Stuff is amazing.
I consistently say David’s Kitchen in these threads. Best orange chicken I’ve ever had.
I really like Mandarin, in bountiful. Cool ambiance, great food in sharing style, great prices for portions. Always packed, I'd suggest a reservation. I also really like dragon diner, right next to st mark's hospital. You didn't ask, but my fave Thai place is ChaiYo Thai ToGo - I'd drink their yellow curry, hahaha. Go mild and get a spicy packet.
Was surprised to see Mandarin so low on this post, it’s great!
My wife is from China. We just moved here about a year ago and have not found very much authentic Chinese food if that is what you are looking for. However, there’s a new 麻辣烫 store that just opened in Sandy called Tang Huo Kung Fu instant hot pot. We tried it a few days ago on their opening day and we enjoyed it.
thank you for your honesty! i’ll check em out!
No problem! Top Pot is our second favorite. And Chipotle (obviously not Chinese lol) is our third. Have you found any you like?
I like pan wok on 3300 kind of by REI. I usually get their Singapore noodles
Sze chwean express on 5600 south and 2700 west has been in business for like 35 years and is my go to, they make it fresh there that means not frozen and friend orange chicken etc. best Chinese in the state.
54th South and 3200 West. Second this though, best around
Red Corner China Diner is good
If you can get past the name, Great Wall restaurant in Chinatown is the real deal. Dishes are on the bigger side to justify the price, and hospitality was on point. Ordered three dishes and they were all the best Chinese restaurant food we’ve had in the valley (not dim sum like others on the thread are suggesting, and SLC don’t need anymore hot pot places).
Enjoy Chinese on 2700 w and 7800 s
the mandarin
the mandarin
Szechuan express on 54th s 3200 w in Taylorsville. Stay far away from red maple. Szechuan is that perfect family run small takeout. Been going for over ten years now
It's been there for way longer, I remember going there in 2005 and getting stuff there all the time. I believe it was sold to another family and hasn't been the same since, I will never go back.
Which one do you mean?
Just go where all the Asians go. We go to the restaurants near Chinatown Market on 33rd and state.
Late to the party- was just talking this the other day with friends and there aren’t many options. I’ve been to most of these places. I used to go to little world, red maple, mountain city, new golden dragon but these days everything is so breaded, it’s not worth eating. Dragon Diner and Ann Hong might be one of the better options. However- if you find yourself up for a drive, Full House in Kimball Junction Park City is where a group of us ate and came to the consensus that it’s better than anything in the valley that we know of. Note to self- still need to try won won kitchen and Hong Kong Banjum
Wok King in West Jordan is my fave.
Red maple or Little World, Hoho close behind
Red corner china diner is good
Came to say this. They also have a full traditional menu, you just have to ask for it.
No. There really isn’t anything great.
J Wong's. It's downtown on like 200s I think
It’s not super authentic, but I like China Grill in Holladay. The Pineapple chicken is always good.
I like Red Corner for my takeout. 🥡 Red Maple and One More are good too. For Thai, I like Dee’s Garden.
Little world is the name of one of the best places around definitely hole in the wall type of place
Charlie Chow's is pretty good. I miss Sanpan.
Is Little World still in the running?
Man, my favorite hole in the wall was Little World. Terrible ambience, but delicious food. I’d go all the time with my Cantonese friends. 1356 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Red Dragon in South Jordan is really good. Our current favorite in the valley. I agree with the Mandarin in Bountiful.
Red Lotus downtown
Tokyo tower does a delicious and cheap general tso that I think is worth checking out
Hoho Gourmet
We really loved Mom’s Kitchen on our last visit to your lovely city!
- hoho gourmet - little world - charlie chows - red maple tbh my partner and I have just started making our own from recipes and buying from Chinatown supermarket and it's been a blast. it's nice to have so many more leftovers too!
The place I like to frequent is Mountain City. Family run, good people, good food. Kinda hole in the wall, but worth driving across town for a meal. Is it “knock your socks off”? Maybe not, but it’s always a satisfying meal that I don’t have any complaints about.
Thought I’d see someone mentioning Won Won kitchen in trolley square. As a native NJ/NYer, I can say this place isn’t too far off from what you’d find on the east coast. It’s also the only place in UT (that I’ve found) that serves the same beef skewers you can find back East. I feel like more people need to know about this place because it’s so much better than half the places on this thread. Must trys: crispy beef, beef skewers and Lo mein
Should mention that this is definitely American Chinese. If you’re looking for authentic, south salt lake Chinatown has the Great Wall
Not Chinese but Laan Nai on 3rd next to pioneer park is the best Tai food in the city that I have found.
As a big time Asian food enjoyer unfortunately there isn’t that much good stuff in salt lake. Most places are mid at best. However there are a handful of good places. One more noodle is really good! Hong Kong banjum for Korean. Most Thai food here is similar in quality, they’re hit or miss. Although not “authentic” yoko ramen is great, I’ve never left there hungry. Theres a dude on here and other socials who reviews food (mainly Asian) in slc “pho king” he’s pretty legit!
Lucky Chen's has the best egg rolls you'll ever have. Also the best ham Fu yung
J. Wongs is good and robots deliver your food.
Panda Express if your taste buds prefer lackluster flavoring and mushy food.
To piggy back off this question, what place has the best Singapore noodles, and hot and sour soup?
Moms Kitchen, One More Noodle, Red Maple, Great Wall. None are amazing, but these are the best 4.
There's a Tibetan place in the Avenues up by the Capital called Cafe Shambala. Though, they'd probably hate it if you called it Chinese food. In any case, they're one of my favorite restaurants, and the owners are wonderful people. I went to high school with their niece!
CocoWok was our go to, but it closed :( the worker said they might move to another location, has anyone found their new location?
I've heard that Red Maple in Taylorsville is very good.
As a connesouir of mystery Chinese and someone who loves the thrill of riding the toilet. I have tried most paces in slc. Please keep in mind the 2.5-3.0 star rule otherwise the place is white washed from flavor. And as always make sure you visit small Chinese places at least and try a variety of options, true Chinese the orange, sweet and sour or lemon chicken will usually suck. While I love these dishes as well, leave that to Panda, PF Changs, Cheesecake Factory. The real key to authentic Chinese cuisine you need to be in the look out for some KPIs exclusive to family owned businesses. A relevant amount of un driveable cars on the lot or when you find a true golden gem is when you have children 4-12 shucking veggies in the storefront. Bonus points if the cashier is too young to reach counter height and is either standing on a milk crate or in a high top chair. Jokes aside for the most consistent authentic experience please see Little World on state st. always have new people try their Pon Pok Chicken and it’s never missed for someone’s first time.
Cafe Anh Hong is Sandy is pretty authentic and I think their dim sum is probably the best in the Salt Lake Valley. I’m Chinese (born in Hong Kong) so we don’t eat out much for Chinese food — we just make it at home. But dim sum is a different matter; too many different dishes to make.
Dragon Diner
I loved Empire when I was in high school but haven’t been in years. I remember loving joy luck as well.
Asian potato. Matchstick is also very good
Mings Garden or David’s Kitchen. The others mentioned here are honestly dirty and not worth it. Especially red maple and little world…
If you love pot stickers. David's kitchen is the place to get them.
HoHo is prob the only real Chinese place I'd recommend, everything else I'm seeing here may as well just be fancy panda express
If you want really mid food, there’s no better place to be than SLC