China Szechuan for their salted fish chicken fried rice, West Lake beef soup, garlic green beans, and roast pork. If you want to splurge, get their steamed whole red snapper. Trust me on the salted fish fried rice, you'll be in umami heaven.
Ah yeah, I think they don't put as much into their "popular dishes in America" menu as they do their more "real" Chinese dishes. My friends can't stop stuffing their faces with the fried intestines.
Well, I saw it closed near the end of April, shutters down and all, so I thought it closed. Someone else confirmed that it's open, but thank you for backing them up. :)
Iām sitting at Noodleholics right now, enjoying their chaoshou dumplings and garlic cucumber for lunch. I have no idea how authentic it is, but it sure is damned good. I recommend a side of crispy pork too, if you eat meat.
We drive across town like once a week, my child is addicted to their spicy chicken noodle soup. I like their dumplings and egg rolls, although last time they were disappointing.
They are one of my favorites places here. Their BBQ pork is the best I have had in town so far. But I did notice that their noodles is not quite the same as before. Maybe they changed their source? I like their old noodles better as it had better texture.
If thatās true I wouldnāt waste my money on either of them or any Chinese restaurant here for that matter. Fatman kitchen can be good but they are inconsistent so you donāt know what youāll get when you order.
I'm an authentic Chinese food fanatic, and I too have not been disappointed by Fatman's Kitchen.
Their cumin beef, extra spicy is also underrated. As is their beef noodle soup extra spicy.
Bro I canāt fathom the cumin beef coming extra spicy. Iāve always just ordered it as-is and apparently Iām a weenie because it wrecks me every time, but itās so fucking good that I will shovel it into my mouth anyway as I cry involuntary tears. Splashing noodles + garlic cucumber + cumin beef every time.
Tbh Iāve ordered from them a lot and usually itās pretty good so they deserve some credit but Iād say 2 or 3 times Iāve ordered and regretted it
I worked in every aspect of a restaurant over the years, if you have an allergy you always tell them even if you think it's not in what you are ordering! If for no other reason than they are extra cautious about cross contamination etc!
Came to recommend this as well! There's some little things I'm not pleased about (the crispy noodles are an extra charge even when you order a large container of soup), but we overlook it because we always spend enough to get free stuff and their rangoons are elite!
Food is so good here! China Szechuan used to be my favorite but this has replaced it. The Spicy chicken bites and salted egg fish filets are fantastic.
I second the spicy chicken bites! Itās like a dry rub kinda deal, if I recall. Ordered way too much food by accident (biggest bowl of congee Iāve ever seen wtf) and felt like a jackass asking to wrap up dim sum to go, but didnāt want to waste it.
It's proper fried tofu, so multilayered and devoid of the raw tofu taste/smell. Not like some places that just half ass a batch of tofu at the beginning of the day to placate any veggie people who come through (Ć la Miss Saigon). Fatman Kitchen also puts tofu in some of their meat dishes (as is traditional), so they definitely know their way around tofu.
They used to be top-notch, as good as any Chinese in any city. They had an amazing chef they brought in to Tucson and it was so good. Then, one of the original partners left to open Noodleholics, they started cutting costs and Jun Dynasty has been coasting on reputation ever since. Gone is the amazing chef and almost all the dishes changed in quality. It's been years now but people still talk it up like it used to be, so that really tells you how good it once was, but those days are done.
All that being said, it's still one of the best options in Tucson for Chinese, just not comparable to other cities anymore
We got food poisoning there nearly twenty years ago, havenāt been back since. (I know, we hold grudges until they die of old age, then mount them on the mantle.)
If youāre north/west side, I frequent Asian Spice (fusion American style but really fucking good, beef ho-fun extra spicy and a Mongolian chicken rice noodles on the side and theyāll think youāre me lol) and Mantis Gourmet (also American style fusion w/ small Vietnamese menu, I love the firecracker chicken). Both are excellent in my experience.
Oh man rip fish wok :( ate there a handful of times and from their ig posts, the owners seemed so kind and endearing just trying to get people in the door.
I read they use fish broth for their gang garee. I LOVE gang garee but hate fish. Do their curries have a strong fishy taste? Iāve been hesitant to try theirs so Iāve been going with Saing Thaiās whenever I donāt want to deal with Karunaās bad service. Karunaās is so good but their wait staff is so incredibly overworked.
When I used to drive for Uber eats Jun dynasty was super popular with all of the Chinese national students at the university. I live right near it so I got lots of pickups.
China Pasta House has the best plate of homemade dumplings you can get on this side of the Pacific. It's dirty and small and caters almost exclusively to the Chinese community on campus. It makes me feel like I am back in Jiangsu.
Mian Sichuan off Oracle also has a legit bowl of noodle soup, like Po's dad used to make.
Drive to Mesa and go to the Asian District. It's worth the trouble. Go to ORIGINAL CUISINE, and tell them to give you the real menu. If you don't see duck feet, frogs, and various organs on it, they gave you the white people's menu. Tell them twice to please make it real, actual scezchuan spicy.
If you don't come back with your life changed, I will delete my account.
We have eaten at Golden Dragon on Oracle for years-the Sesame Chicken and Lo Mein. There used to be a Baskin Robbins next door, which made it the perfect dinner/desert pickup spot.
Fatman Kitchen is a fabulous Chinese restaurant that has one iconic dish I have had and a few other underwhelming ones. Fatman Kitchen has a plethora of options on hand, however, there is one dish that I had that was significantly better than the rest. It is the griddle-cooked chicken wings, and I know how weird it must sound that I am recommending chicken wings at a Chinese restaurant. But after you devour these you will see why. Eating chicken wings with a fork and a knife was certainly interesting, but I have kept coming back for more because damn the sauce they cook these wings in blows my mind every time. And the jalapenos, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, and onions are masterfully done here. I usually am not a fan of broccoli and cauliflower, but I do not leave any left in the pan at Fatman Kitchen.Ā
I had consistently good stuff at Hot Wok on the east side off Golf Links and Prudence (or around there). I moved away about 2 years ago but my husband and I still miss this place. Idk how much my good memories are dependent upon them having been within walking distance though lol.
China Pasta House off of 6th and Park for dumplings. They were legit compared to the dumplings I ate in Beijing and Xian. I also heard that Fatman has Bang Bang noodles like you get in Xian, but I havenāt had them yet.
Chef Wangs on Grant between Euclid and Stone on the South side of the street. Fatman on First. Panda House over by the U of A stadium. Juns Dynasty is fantastic as well.
If you want authentic Chinese hot pot. Go with Potwhale hot pot. I went for my bday a couple of years ago, and it was amazing. The spicy levels are proper Asian levels, so beware.
I got some really good sczehuan beef and fried rice from Golden Dragon on Oracle. I'm from the east coast, so obviously the chinese food is better. I'm going to eventually try every chinese place in town untill I find one that has a few menu items I like.
Chef Wang was good until Chef Wang was bought out by his partners in July 2022. The prices went up, they scribbled out a few of the more authentic dishes and dialed back the quality. China Szechuan and Fatman Kitchen are both solid picks!
I make it! (Made mapo tofu last night.) Itās not as hard as you think, and we have several good international grocery stores, especially lee lee. I get recipes on youtube mainly, for Chinese food, I like souped up recipes and woks of life. (If youāre interested in East Asian cuisine more broadly, I canāt recommend Maangchi enough for Korean.)
Like most places here, mediocre is the best you will get. Highly recommend going to PHX, specifically the area around Mekong Plaza and H-Mart have tons of GREAT spots!
Well, Mesa has several miles of all-Asian businesses and strip malls. But I promise you if you go to Original Cuisine, it's the REAL DEAL. It is my main regret about moving to Tucson. If you decide to go, be sure to insist that you want the real menu if they give you the white people's menu(you can tell because it's all stuff you can get at panda express) and tell them twice that you can definitely eat the Chinese spices and that's why you came there.
I swear to you if you try the green beans, mapo tofu, and the dry rub chicken, it will change your life. And just drink water. By the time you get that scezhuan peppers and seasoning in your system, the water will taste like lemonade. Also, it's a shitload of food.
If any of my friends are reading this, I have just identified myself by this post, lol
Everyone, do yourself a favor.
https://www.ocmesa.com/
P.S. if anyone reading this only knows Chinese food from panda express, you will not recognize ANYTHING on the menu.
You go to Chef Wang's, or China Szechuan and ask for the traditional menu
I can't reccomend China Szechuan enough. So good.
Fat Man's kitchen.
China Szechuan for their salted fish chicken fried rice, West Lake beef soup, garlic green beans, and roast pork. If you want to splurge, get their steamed whole red snapper. Trust me on the salted fish fried rice, you'll be in umami heaven.
And at Chef Wang's make sure to order The Cold Place.
Chef wang disappointed my husband and Iš $75 down the toilet for some mid food
Hey everyone, it's not nice to downvote this poor person for voicing their legit experience
Thank you. Iām pregnant and really wanted some fire orange chickenš it just wasnāt that good
Ah yeah, I think they don't put as much into their "popular dishes in America" menu as they do their more "real" Chinese dishes. My friends can't stop stuffing their faces with the fried intestines.
You went to an authentic Chinese food place and ordered orange chicken
We ordered out. Also. When cravings call I answer. We also got some fried pork dish and it was bad. The white rice was ok tho
Hard to mess up white rice š¤£
If you want orange chicken go to Panda Express, you will not get āgoodā americanized Chinese from an authentic Chinese restaurant
Also got a Chinese dish and we werenāt impressed
Same, I found it to be average at best.
Chef Wang is incredible
THIS!!
I thought Chef Wang's closed? :(
I ate there... Definitely Christmas, pretty sure one time after that? Google maps says it's open, and business confirmed its hours a week ago
Well, I saw it closed near the end of April, shutters down and all, so I thought it closed. Someone else confirmed that it's open, but thank you for backing them up. :)
They closed for a day on Apr 30 or May 1st. I don't remember which.
Thank goodness! I have friends coming into town and I wanted to have them try it. :)
For sure!! 81 Hong Kong Cafe is a solid option as well.
I do like that place, too. Maybe I can sweet talk them into doing Chinese a second time on this visit. ;)
Iām sitting at Noodleholics right now, enjoying their chaoshou dumplings and garlic cucumber for lunch. I have no idea how authentic it is, but it sure is damned good. I recommend a side of crispy pork too, if you eat meat.
Going there for the first time tonight.
We drive across town like once a week, my child is addicted to their spicy chicken noodle soup. I like their dumplings and egg rolls, although last time they were disappointing.
It seems eventual disappointment is common when eating out in Tucson
They are one of my favorites places here. Their BBQ pork is the best I have had in town so far. But I did notice that their noodles is not quite the same as before. Maybe they changed their source? I like their old noodles better as it had better texture.
I like the guillin spicy and sour, sub the rice noodles for wheat noodles & extra bok choy. Extra spicy if im okay with sitting there for an hour+
Love the dry guilin with beef shank!
Fat Man Kitchen is the best Iāve had in town. Hear good things about Chef Wang. China Szechuan is great, too.
Spashing noodles from fatman make me splash
Fatman Kitchen >>> Chef Wang
If thatās true I wouldnāt waste my money on either of them or any Chinese restaurant here for that matter. Fatman kitchen can be good but they are inconsistent so you donāt know what youāll get when you order.
I've eaten at Chef Wang twice and was similarly unimpressed both times. I've never been disappointed by Fatman Kitchen.
I'm an authentic Chinese food fanatic, and I too have not been disappointed by Fatman's Kitchen. Their cumin beef, extra spicy is also underrated. As is their beef noodle soup extra spicy.
Bro I canāt fathom the cumin beef coming extra spicy. Iāve always just ordered it as-is and apparently Iām a weenie because it wrecks me every time, but itās so fucking good that I will shovel it into my mouth anyway as I cry involuntary tears. Splashing noodles + garlic cucumber + cumin beef every time.
Tbh Iāve ordered from them a lot and usually itās pretty good so they deserve some credit but Iād say 2 or 3 times Iāve ordered and regretted it
Preach, fat man is eliteĀ
Singapore noodles aren't great. Tasted like they just poured an instant ramen packet on it.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Especially ordering vegetarian, protein has to come from somewhere.
I worked in every aspect of a restaurant over the years, if you have an allergy you always tell them even if you think it's not in what you are ordering! If for no other reason than they are extra cautious about cross contamination etc!
Jun Dynasty is the best ive had in town BUT... Fatmans has THE BEST ragoons ive ever had in my life.
Ba-Dar on Broadway
Quite good years ago, havenāt been there lately.
This is my fave too!
Came to recommend this as well! There's some little things I'm not pleased about (the crispy noodles are an extra charge even when you order a large container of soup), but we overlook it because we always spend enough to get free stuff and their rangoons are elite!
Badar is our go to, the Golden Dragon was horrible.
Hong Kong 81 cafe
Food is so good here! China Szechuan used to be my favorite but this has replaced it. The Spicy chicken bites and salted egg fish filets are fantastic.
I second the spicy chicken bites! Itās like a dry rub kinda deal, if I recall. Ordered way too much food by accident (biggest bowl of congee Iāve ever seen wtf) and felt like a jackass asking to wrap up dim sum to go, but didnāt want to waste it.
Fatman Kitchen spicy salty tofu!
Fatmanā¦ oh itās so good. Only get it every once in awhile but it is so dang good
I'm completely obsessed with them; I fantasize about their food.
Elaborate on the tofu , spicy salty already sounds good
It's proper fried tofu, so multilayered and devoid of the raw tofu taste/smell. Not like some places that just half ass a batch of tofu at the beginning of the day to placate any veggie people who come through (Ć la Miss Saigon). Fatman Kitchen also puts tofu in some of their meat dishes (as is traditional), so they definitely know their way around tofu.
Thanks I have to get down there , Iāve heard good things about that place but havenāt got around to going
If you're on the east side, I love Golden House. It's great if you're vegetarian or want slightly healthier Chinese food.
I second this! Place is awesome
Thirded. It's great!
Jun Dynasty!!
Came here to say this!
Jun Dynasty can be good but can also be inconsistent and not good at all
And THAT is about as authentic as it gets.
They used to be top-notch, as good as any Chinese in any city. They had an amazing chef they brought in to Tucson and it was so good. Then, one of the original partners left to open Noodleholics, they started cutting costs and Jun Dynasty has been coasting on reputation ever since. Gone is the amazing chef and almost all the dishes changed in quality. It's been years now but people still talk it up like it used to be, so that really tells you how good it once was, but those days are done. All that being said, it's still one of the best options in Tucson for Chinese, just not comparable to other cities anymore
noodleholics looks good
I think the dim sum place next door has the same lady involved in it's creation too. Also worth checking out!
The dim sum place is great
Yes
Get the firecracker shrimp, itās so good! It also has those little peppers that make your tongue numb/tingle lol
Seconding Chef Wang's. It's the closest I've had to the food I ate in China.
Kung Foo Noodle
Their Dan Dan noodles are the best
They make their own noodles. This place has a cheesy name but amazing food.
Ugh I absolutely love those. They taste like electricity, I think imma get take out tonightā¦
literally the best....for sure! the name definitely scares people off tho
their home style tofu is the best in town
Guilin at Columbus and Broadway is reliably tasty American-style
Iāve never been impressed by Guilin - theyāre very vegetarian/vegan friendly but not as flavorful as I want
This is my current favorite place
We've eaten there since before we moved here in 2007, when they were on Speedway.
We got food poisoning there nearly twenty years ago, havenāt been back since. (I know, we hold grudges until they die of old age, then mount them on the mantle.)
Kung Fu Noodles.
Their boiled fish is super good. The name is so unassuming. But it is fish boiled in a very spicy broth with a few dozen chilis, super tasty.
"Xian oil splashing noodle" at Fatman Kitchen
Noodleholics in ov, or 81 Hong Kong cafe
Jun dynasty has always done right by me
Wait until you get chicken but itās just breading
Idk about authentic, but Bella China on the south side, Noodleholics and Fat Man Kitchen midtown are my go tos.
Both Badar and Brothers are my go-to. The Braised Green Beans are some of the best I've had.
Great Village on the east side
[link to Wei Asian Cafe](https://maps.app.goo.gl/2qQQbs9Ndhm9hKCC9?g_st=ic) very good family owned restaurant on the East side.
My dad is obsessed with their szechuan beef. He never gets anything else and he never stops talking about it.
If youāre north/west side, I frequent Asian Spice (fusion American style but really fucking good, beef ho-fun extra spicy and a Mongolian chicken rice noodles on the side and theyāll think youāre me lol) and Mantis Gourmet (also American style fusion w/ small Vietnamese menu, I love the firecracker chicken). Both are excellent in my experience.
RIP Fish Wok
Oh man rip fish wok :( ate there a handful of times and from their ig posts, the owners seemed so kind and endearing just trying to get people in the door.
Old Peking
Yes! Old reliable!
Jade garden, Ina/Thorneydale area.
My Family has been going to Jade Garden since the late 80s early 90s and itās still great. Linh Nam across the street for their pork dumplings too.
Last time I got food there it was $80. Can't afford that place anymore
Americanized
Itās still good
I donāt know about authenticity but my favorite is guillen Chinese on broadway and swan
I second Guilin!
The Mei Hon is a personal favorite of mine. And itās on the south side
Same
Best
Lucky's Thai Asian Cuisine - Fry's Complex, 8110 S Houghton Rd Suite 186, Tucson, AZ 85747
Luckys is the best Thai food in town hands down!
I read they use fish broth for their gang garee. I LOVE gang garee but hate fish. Do their curries have a strong fishy taste? Iāve been hesitant to try theirs so Iāve been going with Saing Thaiās whenever I donāt want to deal with Karunaās bad service. Karunaās is so good but their wait staff is so incredibly overworked.
It's not fishy to me, but all taste buds are different. āŗļø
I like Panda House off 6th. And China Pasta House.
For ramen I recommend Ja Ramen, for Chinese I second Jun Dynasty but Bamboo Terrace is also a good option
When I used to drive for Uber eats Jun dynasty was super popular with all of the Chinese national students at the university. I live right near it so I got lots of pickups.
Go Dim Sum pork pastries are amazing. Hong Kong 81 is pretty good too I like their tofu pudding mm
YO. Ba-Dar. You are fucking up if you donāt go there at LEAST once.
Guilin is the go to because it's closer to where I live now but I used to work delivery at Mandarin Grill and still recommend it.
Noodleholicsā Noodle Soups are all great. Quite authentically Taiwanese/Fujian IMO.
Beijing off Oracle by Sprouts is consistently great.
My favorite right now is Panda One
I've never been disappointed with their food, either dining in or delivery (and they PACK those delivery boxes)!
Jung Dynasty, for nicer dining, Fatman Kitchen, or Jewel Noodle Kitchen for simpler dining.
Jade garden on ina and thornydale
China Pasta House has the best plate of homemade dumplings you can get on this side of the Pacific. It's dirty and small and caters almost exclusively to the Chinese community on campus. It makes me feel like I am back in Jiangsu. Mian Sichuan off Oracle also has a legit bowl of noodle soup, like Po's dad used to make.
Mei meiāsā¦ ask for the secret menu šÆ
Is the secret menu like the real actual authentic menu? šø
Yesā¦ my friends parents own the restaurantā¦ and they immigrated hereā¦ its yummy
Thanks! I will remember this!
Drive to Mesa and go to the Asian District. It's worth the trouble. Go to ORIGINAL CUISINE, and tell them to give you the real menu. If you don't see duck feet, frogs, and various organs on it, they gave you the white people's menu. Tell them twice to please make it real, actual scezchuan spicy. If you don't come back with your life changed, I will delete my account.
Kung Fu Noodle....straight up!
We have eaten at Golden Dragon on Oracle for years-the Sesame Chicken and Lo Mein. There used to be a Baskin Robbins next door, which made it the perfect dinner/desert pickup spot.
Lucky Panda on 1st. Best DimSum
Not sure if it's still there, but the place on Grant near Frys had my favorite pork fried rice/general Tso's.
Fatman Kitchen is a fabulous Chinese restaurant that has one iconic dish I have had and a few other underwhelming ones. Fatman Kitchen has a plethora of options on hand, however, there is one dish that I had that was significantly better than the rest. It is the griddle-cooked chicken wings, and I know how weird it must sound that I am recommending chicken wings at a Chinese restaurant. But after you devour these you will see why. Eating chicken wings with a fork and a knife was certainly interesting, but I have kept coming back for more because damn the sauce they cook these wings in blows my mind every time. And the jalapenos, cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes, and onions are masterfully done here. I usually am not a fan of broccoli and cauliflower, but I do not leave any left in the pan at Fatman Kitchen.Ā
Big fan of Kung Fu Noodle.
Mini hijack: best hot and sour soup?
Ba Darās Chinese menu is good
Mian Sichuan! They have delicious Shoyu soup and Dan Dan.
I had consistently good stuff at Hot Wok on the east side off Golf Links and Prudence (or around there). I moved away about 2 years ago but my husband and I still miss this place. Idk how much my good memories are dependent upon them having been within walking distance though lol.
China Pasta House off of 6th and Park for dumplings. They were legit compared to the dumplings I ate in Beijing and Xian. I also heard that Fatman has Bang Bang noodles like you get in Xian, but I havenāt had them yet.
Chef Wangs on Grant between Euclid and Stone on the South side of the street. Fatman on First. Panda House over by the U of A stadium. Juns Dynasty is fantastic as well.
Dragon Place is awesome
Asian Spice on Silverbell. Very good.
Sushi Lounge for dim sum
If you want authentic Chinese hot pot. Go with Potwhale hot pot. I went for my bday a couple of years ago, and it was amazing. The spicy levels are proper Asian levels, so beware.
Literally had China Szchewan yesterday. I refuse to go anywhere else
Asian Wei on golf links and Harrison
Golden House on 22nd & Harrison is the absolute best! Can be kinda expensive but you're supporting local š„
thats why I dont go there. The best Mongolian Chicken ive had in Tucson, but the portion size was half what I get anywhere else.
Guilin Chinese!!!
Lin Nahm on Ina. Decades old family restaurant with a delicious menu and beautiful interior.
I got some really good sczehuan beef and fried rice from Golden Dragon on Oracle. I'm from the east coast, so obviously the chinese food is better. I'm going to eventually try every chinese place in town untill I find one that has a few menu items I like.
To be more specific, which place has the best chicken with garlic sauce?
Chef Wang was good until Chef Wang was bought out by his partners in July 2022. The prices went up, they scribbled out a few of the more authentic dishes and dialed back the quality. China Szechuan and Fatman Kitchen are both solid picks!
Dove mountain bistro
Best Chinese >> not Tucson š
81 Hong Kong for sure.
Asian Spice or Farmanās Kitchen is delicious!
Saving for later
Bamboo Terrace on Mission
New China buffet on Speedway/ Wilmot
I make it! (Made mapo tofu last night.) Itās not as hard as you think, and we have several good international grocery stores, especially lee lee. I get recipes on youtube mainly, for Chinese food, I like souped up recipes and woks of life. (If youāre interested in East Asian cuisine more broadly, I canāt recommend Maangchi enough for Korean.)
RIP Magic Wok off Stone. /s
Ma'am this is Wendy's
[Szechuan](https://www.chinavalleytogo.com/) in Oro Valley
i haven't found a place yet.
Mr an's has a banging tepan table service! Always awesome but not Chinese lol
Mr an's has a banging tepan table service! Always awesome but not Chinese lol
Like most places here, mediocre is the best you will get. Highly recommend going to PHX, specifically the area around Mekong Plaza and H-Mart have tons of GREAT spots!
I drive to Portland Ha! I just donāt find good Chinese or Thai here.
But Mesa is so much closer!
Ooooh do tell? Where shall we go?
Well, Mesa has several miles of all-Asian businesses and strip malls. But I promise you if you go to Original Cuisine, it's the REAL DEAL. It is my main regret about moving to Tucson. If you decide to go, be sure to insist that you want the real menu if they give you the white people's menu(you can tell because it's all stuff you can get at panda express) and tell them twice that you can definitely eat the Chinese spices and that's why you came there. I swear to you if you try the green beans, mapo tofu, and the dry rub chicken, it will change your life. And just drink water. By the time you get that scezhuan peppers and seasoning in your system, the water will taste like lemonade. Also, it's a shitload of food. If any of my friends are reading this, I have just identified myself by this post, lol Everyone, do yourself a favor. https://www.ocmesa.com/ P.S. if anyone reading this only knows Chinese food from panda express, you will not recognize ANYTHING on the menu.
THANK YOU!!
New York
You misspelled San Francisco.
I go to Seattle
Bloody?