For every San Antonian who craves authentic Chinese food, there are ten more who ‘just can’t wait to try it!’ Blame the sizzling woks, blame the hand-pulled noodles, or blame the countless foodies raving about San Antonio’s hidden culinary gems—but whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’re about to discover where to find the real deal.
Kim Tran Restaurant
$ | (210) 824-4660 | WEBSITE
Kim Tran Restaurant is compact, with a single dining area, a modest storefront, and seating for maybe 40 people. And even then, there’s often a line out the door. It’s charmingly authentic in the way that non-locals imagine a family-run spot (think: simple wooden tables and soft overhead lighting) and your friends will probably be raving about the fragrant jasmine tea and the legendary egg rolls—a perfect crunch of wrapper around seasoned pork and veggies—for the rest of the week.
Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine
$ | (210) 691-0602 | WEBSITE
San Antonio has Tex-Mex and Dallas can have barbecue—San Antonio has Chinese takeout. There’s no better place to get it than at Royal Inn Oriental Cuisine. This popular spot serves the medical center area, where in addition to lunch specials, you can order off a menu of dishes made fresh with no MSG. Grab a plate of sesame chicken to start, paired with hot sour soup. Show up for a quick meal and you’ll be in the perfect position to enjoy authentic flavors without breaking the bank.
J.B Mon Thai & Asian Cuisine
$ | (210) 400-8606 | WEBSITE
Reliable yet always exciting, J.B Mon Thai & Asian Cuisine remains at the top of our list for dinners with visiting friends. Your guests will be delighted by the generous portions but even more delighted by the exceptional quality of pad thai and authentic curries available right here in San Antonio. The Michelin-level flavors probably help, too.
Regent Hunan
$ | (210) 690-8499 | WEBSITE
Stepping into Regent Hunan feels like walking into a clean, welcoming space where food allergies are treated with genuine care. Except instead of feeling like a medical accommodation, you’ll want to settle in and order everything on the menu. Regent Hunan is a Chinese restaurant, through and through.
But their service seems to have gotten an extra memo, which means that in addition to delicious dishes, you’ll also experience lightning-fast delivery, piping hot food, and portion sizes that will probably haunt your refrigerator for days. Show up hungry to try their sesame chicken—some say it’s the best they’ve ever had.
Sizzling wok Restaurant
$ | (210) 495-3888 | WEBSITE
Sizzling Wok has all the makings of a comforting neighborhood slam dunk: a reliable takeout operation, a family-run kitchen that’s been serving the community for years, and the excellent taro smoothie that’s become a local favorite. It’s a great starting point for a wholesome, healthy meal during those tough times when you need something familiar and satisfying.
Shangrila
$ | (210) 337-7168 | WEBSITE
Shangrila is located in a modest storefront in San Antonio with a small takeout counter and a cozy waiting area. It’s also home to some of the best Chinese food in the city, without the need to wait in a long line like at fancier sit-down spots, leaving you more time for enjoying your meal.
You’ll have access to all the classic dishes a hungry diner might want—including some excellent fried rice and Rangoon’s—plus a few standout specials, like the lunch lemon chicken and the generously portioned house special fried rice.
Panda Inn
$ | (210) 824-1582 | WEBSITE
Locals love a good deal. Particularly generous portions where they can feel like they’re getting their money’s worth. This Chinese spot is known for its consistent, well-seasoned dishes and has a roasted chicken and chicken lo mein that are particularly recommended, which will further convince your family that you’ve chosen a reliable spot. If you and/or your group hate waiting, order for take-out or get here before 2 p.m.—they close at 2:30 p.m., and after 2 p.m., only take-out is available.
Happy Guy Chinese Cuisine
$ | (210) 520-1728 | WEBSITE
The notion that all Chinese food in America is greasy takeout is happily outdated, but you might want to prove to your crew that you can, indeed, find a genuine spot. Happy Guy Chinese Cuisine is the ideal blend of classic (generous family dinners, consistently delicious Kung Pao) and not classic (the peaceful atmosphere feels welcoming, the service comes with huge smiles).
And its reputation for years of repeat visits since 2005 means you have no reason not to stop by for at least one savory bite while exploring San Antonio’s best.
Mencius’ Gourmet Hunan Restaurant
$ | (210) 615-1288 | WEBSITE
Mencius’ Gourmet Hunan Restaurant is right there in San Antonio, and it’s a great place to grab a quick lunch or spend a relaxed evening with take-out. There are lunch specials that come with an egg roll or soup and iced tea, friendly and attentive staff, and recent upgrades to the lighting and restrooms that make the atmosphere more welcoming.
Get the Triple Delight or the General Tso Chicken (food is available for both dine-in and take-out), or show up for the lunch specials when Mencius’ busts out the reasonably priced dishes at $11–$13.
Sichuan Garden
$ | (210) 265-5750 | WEBSITE
If you can walk past Sichuan Garden’s unassuming exterior without letting out a semi-audible “wow” that would make any food lover proud, we can only imagine you grew up in a Sichuan province kitchen or are immune to culinary delight. It’s one of the most surprisingly cozy dining spots in San Antonio and part of what makes Sichuan Garden such a local institution.
Well, that and the fact that they serve authentic Sichuan cuisine that expands your palate with excellent food quality and generous family-style servings. The cumin lamb, Chengdu dumplings, sizzling fish, beef hotpot, and green beans are some of the best in the city, but there aren’t a lot of wrong answers on the menu here.
New Asia Restaurant
$ | (210) 520-2796 | WEBSITE
No spot is more committed to the idea of “authentic” than New Asia Restaurant in San Antonio. This place does things the traditional, time-honored way. That means egg drop soup that’s the best I’ve had in years, classic dishes like General Chicken and Mongolian beef on the menu, and generous portions of everything, from soup to entrees to fried rice. Take your friends here for a true “taste of China.” And don’t worry—there’s no concern about leaving hungry here.
Nacho’s Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant
$ | (210) 437-4013 | WEBSITE
We take generous portions and consistent flavors for granted here in San Antonio—just ask your friends in Houston or Dallas. And the dining room at Nacho’s Red Dragon is one of the coziest in town. Bring your out-of-town friends here to catch up over hot and sour soup, General Tsao’s chicken, and maybe even some combination fried rice.
Gin Chinese Restaurant
$ | (210) 684-7008 | WEBSITE
There are many spots in San Antonio where you can take your family for Chinese food, but none are more cherished than Gin Chinese Restaurant. Impress your family with this hidden gem (in business for over 25 years), where on most visits you’ll find standout dishes like orange chicken and green bean beef and a welcoming staff who make you feel at home. Just don’t expect anything fancy with the service. This is more of a reasonable-prices type of place anyway.