This year, we’ve slurped more noodles and savored more dumplings than we can count. But a few Chinese spots in Dana Point truly stood out—like hand-pulled biang biang noodles with chili oil that dances on your tongue, and Peking duck so crisp it sings. Of the dozens we tried, these 10 are our absolute favorites. Make it your mission to experience each one before 2026 arrives.
Pick Up Stix Fresh Asian Flavors
$ | (949) 643-0779 | WEBSITE
This popular Chinese spot in Dana Point doesn’t shy away from bold flavors—just try their customizable vegetarian bowls or kid-friendly meals with incredible depth. But the real standout at Pick Up Stix is Ignacio’s cooking. Prepared with skilled precision, then delivered with highly rated service from phone order to pick-up, the dishes arrive glistening like polished jade.
There’s comfortable atmosphere and convenient parking throughout, but the food is so exceptionally delicious it’s almost the whole story. Like everything here, it’s an eager-to-return experience made to feel effortlessly comfortable.
Peony Chinese Kitchen
$$ | (949) 715-8120 | WEBSITE
Just when we thought we were immune to the charms of Chinese takeout, the hot and sour soup at Peony Chinese Kitchen won us over. This starter is exceptional. A rich, tangy broth holds tender tofu and mushrooms, and a drizzle of homemade chili oil adds a slow-building heat that lingers. It’s comforting and satisfying, kind of like Peony’s as a whole. While this Laguna Beach spot has been around for a while, we overlooked them last season and didn’t want to keep this bowl to ourselves any longer.
Kaleyard
$$ | (949) 493-8586 | WEBSITE
We’re big fans of cozy neighborhood spots, but cozy spots with food you’d circle the block three times for parking just to taste? Count us in. This charming Dana Point eatery is a wonderful place to enjoy a relaxed meal, but it’s the food that made us instant devotees—especially the scallion pancakes. A generous drizzle of ginger sauce is something we’ve rarely seen paired with scallion pancakes before, but Kaleyard shows it’s a brilliant combination with the crispy, savory layers.
Add in the warm, attentive service from Helen and her team, the reasonable prices that make you feel like you’re getting away with something, and the surprisingly fun ping pong table for those occasional short waits—and you’ve got yourself a flavorful, comforting treasure.
LOC Noodle& Dumpling Bar
$$ | (949) 503-3155 | WEBSITE
The arrival of LOC Noodle & Dumpling Bar in Ladera has been one of the year’s most welcome additions to the local dining scene. And while we appreciate the clean tables and the cool, efficient vibe—with quick ordering through a mobile app and consistently great service—the thing that keeps us coming back is the pork wonton soup.
Filled with homemade wontons in a rich, savory broth, this comforting bowl is a standout example of the restaurant’s fresh, well-prepared approach and proof that sometimes the simplest dishes are the most satisfying.
Golden Dragon Chinese Food
$ | (949) 362-4739 | WEBSITE
The General Tso’s Chicken is the standout dish at Golden Dragon Chinese Food, a quick-service Chinese spot in Dana Point, but you should consider it essential. This $16 entree offers a rare moment of satisfaction in which we feel like we finally found something perfect. Each tender piece of chicken is coated in a sweet-spicy sauce until glazed, then flash-fried and served with crisp broccoli. The result is a crispy exterior that’s so crunchy, we thought it was double-fried.
It’s remained on the permanent menu at Golden Dragon since day one, and we hope that it never comes off.
New Mandarin Garden
$ | (949) 492-7432 | WEBSITE
It seems like every Chinese restaurant has a honey walnut shrimp dish these days, and most of the time, they’re nothing special. But the honey walnut shrimp at New Mandarin Garden is a major exception. It’s crispy like perfect tempura, not too sweet, and packs a savory crunch that will have you picking up the last pieces with your chopsticks once the rice runs out.
On the side, creamy mayonnaise sauce and candied walnuts add a burst of richness and cut through all that crispiness with surgical precision. Of all the generous, classic Chinese dishes at New Mandarin Garden, this is one we nearly ordered a second round of before we even finished the first.
Diho Siam
$ | (949) 365-8777 | WEBSITE
Of all the dishes at Diho Siam in Dana Point, this Thai Basil Chicken is the clear standout. Technically it’s not a new dish—it’s been on the menu for years as the restaurant has maintained its high standards—but we imagine the demand to keep it on is even louder than the sizzle from the wok. At the center of the plate sit tender chicken pieces, which get coated in a vibrant basil sauce and a spicy kick that lingers like a pleasant memory. Those generous portions?
They’re actually family-sized servings, plated with care. We didn’t think a casual Thai spot would have us extolling the pleasures of such consistent quality, but hey, here we are.
Mandarin King
$ | (949) 494-8992 | WEBSITE
With places like Panda Express, P.F. Chang’s, and Din Tai Fung, Southern California has plenty of options for Chinese food across different styles. We think it’s time to add Mandarin King to that must-try list. This well-established spot in Laguna Beach serves the kind of meal you have on a quiet Tuesday, think about all week, and then bring friends to on Saturday because you can’t keep the secret any longer.
The cozy, clean dining room feels warm and inviting, and classic dishes like Mongolian beef and house lo mein deliver intense, authentic flavors. The attentive, friendly staff—who greet regulars by name—ties it all together, making every visit feel like coming home.
China Bros
$ | (949) 312-2955 | WEBSITE
Getting a table at China Bros in Dana Point requires some planning and persistence—two qualities that often escape us when hunger strikes. But once you settle into your seat here, don’t overthink the extensive menu: just go for the chicken chop suey. The ingredients in this savory, perfectly textured dish are like a well-choreographed culinary performance: there’s a lot happening, but it all comes together in one satisfying, harmonious bite.
There’s a satisfying crunch from the fresh vegetables, a savory depth from the tender chicken, a wonderful aroma from the seasonings, and a delightful freshness from the vegetable egg rolls that nearly steal the show.
Big Chopsticks
$ | (949) 446-9688 | WEBSITE
The late-night craving for orange chicken, the satisfaction of finding a 24-hour spot, and that first spoonful of wonton soup with pork noodle wontons and shrimp—these are some of my fondest memories of discovering Big Chopsticks. Another instant highlight was when the efficient staff at this casual, clean spot presented the house fried rice to our table.
Packed into a generous, steaming container, it felt like being handed a magical solution with the power to solve our most pressing issue (being hungry and on a budget). The kind service eventually revealed a meal filled with fresh, crisp, and flavorful ingredients that solved that issue for about $16, enough for two. The affordable price tag is a steal, and even if you split it with someone else, you’ll definitely have leftovers.