Finding great Chinese food in Bristol can mean a few different things. It can mean settling for the familiar takeout box, the one you order when the craving hits but inspiration has left the building. It can mean chasing that perfect bite of General Tso’s through a dozen mediocre spots. But it can also mean something glorious: discovering those rare gems where the dumplings are plump, the sauces sing, and every dish feels like a celebration.
Yes, exceptional Chinese cuisine is here if you know where to look.
Asian bistro
$ | (860) 583-2800 | WEBSITE
Asian bistro is a Chinese spot with super delicious and clean food that feels like it belongs smack in the middle of Bristol – just with less grease and MSG going on. They also happen to have the best boneless spare ribs in the area. You want to fight us on that one? Back off.
Sakura kitchen
$ | (860) 582-7575 | WEBSITE
Sometimes, a plate of pork dumplings with boneless spare ribs is a necessary week-ender – and Sakura Kitchen is where you want to get this. The hibachi meals are available at lunch, as are the steamed dishes and the rice topped with savory sauces (technically a thing you could eat for dinner, so we say it counts). Order a side of the plentiful lunch specials, or live with your mistake.
China Kitchen
$ | (860) 582-0300 | WEBSITE
China Kitchen is not the place for delicate dim sum with truffle oil and edible gold leaf. It’s the place for picking up your order, glancing at the efficient staff who probably just timed your delivery perfectly, and eating General Tso’s chicken with fried rice, egg rolls, and maybe even a couple of crab rangoon. If you’re not looking for anything fancy, it’s a great stop.
Sun Fat
$ | (860) 583-8889 | WEBSITE
Sun Fat is a solid option for a satisfying Chinese meal when you want something familiar and filling, or a family-friendly dinner with plenty of choices. But one of the best things about this spot is that you can get their popular dishes – like Steak Teriyaki, Boneless Spare Ribs, and Crab Rangoon with generous portions of rice – at any time. Well, almost any time. They have limited lunch hours. So you can get them for a late lunch or early dinner.
Lee PO Chinese Kitchen
$ | (860) 589-1011 | WEBSITE
There’s a time and place for heavy, greasy takeout, but there’s also a time and place for light Chinese food that doesn’t leave you feeling weighed down. The time is now, and the place is Lee PO. Their seafood and vegetable soup has a clean, savory broth that tastes delicious with bean sprouts instead of noodles. And if you’re looking for something satisfying, invest in their house special with a side of free rice and chips.
Chopsticks Kitchen
$ | (860) 589-0466 | WEBSITE
Chopsticks Kitchen’s the kind of Chinese spot where you’ll find crispy fried chicken wings and shrimp fried rice with egg rolls and French fries. It’s also the kind of place that serves that traditional New Haven style cooking, and that’s what you should be getting for delivery. Add a splash of soy sauce to the rice, stir, and the meal will really come together for you.
China Chef
$ | (860) 940-6288 | WEBSITE
Sure, we love grabbing quick takeout from the usual spots around town. But China Chef also has a particularly great General Tso Chicken: crispy fried chicken tossed in that perfect sweet-spicy sauce, served steaming hot over fluffy white rice. Add some chicken and broccoli on the side and you’ll be in business. The Chinese food-eating business. Which we’re pretty sure is a real business, and they’re running it right.