This spring, we nearly relocated to Towson just to be steps from our latest Szechuan obsession. And that fiery dish was merely one highlight in a year where Chinese cuisine here has blossomed—from humble storefronts evolving into destinations to chefs honoring regional traditions. Through every meal, one truth emerged: Towson’s best Chinese spots celebrate specific provinces, whether through delicate Cantonese dim sum, bold Hunan flavors, or Xi’an-style hand-pulled noodles.
PannTea
$$ | (410) 825-3770 | WEBSITE
It’s easy to forget you’re in Towson when you step through the doors at PannTea, a Chinese restaurant that feels plucked out of a cozy neighborhood spot where everyone knows your name. Prioritize the main dishes—the chicken Pad Thai and sushi swimming in delightful flavors will make you forget takeout ever exists. Well, at least until your leftovers arrive and force you to choose between satisfaction today and tomorrow.
It’s friendly yet accommodating—the kind of place where you’ll feel like you can finally relax without being rushed, even if you’re just there for a quick bite. And the service is good enough to make even a random weeknight dinner feel like you’re being treated to something special.
Oriental Wok
$$ | (410) 321-7796 | WEBSITE
While Towson has plenty of Chinese options, it’s absolutely worth making the trip to Oriental Wok for their authentic carry-out classics. The food here is consistently excellent, like the shrimp with mixed veggies that’s always perfectly crisp, or the crab ragoon with that light, crispy breading and sweet filling that’ll make you rethink your usual takeout order.
The pork fried rice is unforgettable, the kind that leaves your kitchen smelling like savory goodness for hours, and you’ll wish you’d ordered more. If you’re wondering where to find the best Chinese food in Towson right now, this is the place.
Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro
$$ | (410) 832-7333 | WEBSITE
Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro is like stepping into a bustling Chinese home kitchen (and speaking as someone who loves home cooking, we really love that feeling). It’s basically a cozy neighborhood spot, with vibrant art on the walls, and a surprisingly fast-paced service that makes you feel taken care of. When you order the poached fish fillets in chili sauce, the aroma will hit you before the dish arrives, steam rising from the bowl as your server brings it over, a friendly smile accompanying them.
Food-wise, you need to get the garlic eggplant and the chicken with Sichuan peppers, which come with generous portions and that comforting, home-style flavor. It’s easy to forget you’re actually at a restaurant in Towson, Maryland. Bring your appetite to fit in, because this is the quickest way to experience authentic Sichuan cuisine without ever leaving town.
Wok A Holic
$ | (443) 707-0790 | WEBSITE
You should check out Wok A Holic for the generous and well-priced portions alone. Stylistically, it’s fast-food and flavorful at the same time (just like its countless sibling Chinese takeout spots), with clean tables, very friendly staff, and bright fluorescent lighting.
But mainly we’re here for the food that applies the ‘fresh-and-spicy-well-seasoned-fast-but-delicious dining’ approach to Towson, with popular bourbon chicken, extra bourbon sauce for the rice, and super simple dishes that are better than any Chinese food you could make at home, unless you know the secret handshake with the chef that seasons their sauces.
China Wok
$ | (410) 321-8614 | WEBSITE
China Wok brings an entirely new standard of Chinese takeout to Towson, and maybe the county? The restaurant specializes in classic American-Chinese dishes with fresh and organic ingredients, which looks like top-tier pork fried rice and amazing crab ragoons with generous crab filling.
The General Tao’s, on the other hand, is about as perfect as it gets—consistently tasty, with awesome sauce—but still gets a little bit of distinctive China Wok-treatment after it takes a quick preparation within 10-15 minutes. The restaurant is located at 714 York Rd, so you can get some excellent hot and sour soup to pair with it all.
New Generation Hot Pot
$$ | (667) 308-2998 | WEBSITE
There aren’t a lot of things that motivate us to make the drive from Baltimore to Towson, which is what puts a meal at New Generation Hot Pot and a Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium in very unique company. This is hot pot at its best—nearly every component is impressively fresh and ordered separately—with individual pots composed beautifully enough to make even the hot pot emoji jealous. And grumble as we may about the drive, we’re still out here making it.
There are a lot of flavor combinations here, so whether you’re doing a mushroom tasting tour of Towson or just in the mood for a delicate seafood-and-broth experience with incredible sauce bar options, you have a reason to make the trip, too.
Chen’s Kitchen
$ | (410) 339-3818 | WEBSITE
We’ve never really thought about ranking all the Chinese takeout spots in Towson (well, except for the lo mein), but if we ever did, we have to imagine that the monk’s menu at Chen’s Kitchen would be one of the final bosses near the top. The crispy eggplant/vegetable sushi roll combo is a flavor pairing that most Chinese restaurants can only aspire to—if Chen’s built a restaurant around these dishes, we’d be first in line. Or at least we’d try to be.
Because the steady stream of pickup orders means we’re probably not the only ones seeking out their tasty, well-presented lo mein. But once you finally do get that brown paper bag in your hands, it feels like you just sweet-talked your way past the counter into Towson’s most reliable takeout joint.
Towson Best
$ | (410) 825-3770 | WEBSITE
There aren’t a ton of experiences in Towson that feel quite as welcoming as the moment you step into this clean, organized spot and are greeted by the friendly, lively staff. But if you’re paying around $25–$30 for a generous main dish, we’re going to guess you want a little more than just a warm hello, or you’d just be chatting with a neighbor over the fence. Towson Best serves up Chinese classics that will likely end in a three-way tie for your favorite dish of the night.
Even when portions get generous, you’ll never end up with leftovers that feel like an afterthought. The food is ultimately the star of the show here, as it should be—from the Peking Duck with its crispy skin and juicy meat to the tender Hunan Lamb, each dish delivers on flavor and leaves you happily packed with satisfying take-home boxes.