While many diners in Denver are familiar with and love Americanized Chinese cuisine, such as the ever-popular orange chicken and crab cheese wontons, a deeper and more flavorful world of traditional Chinese food awaits discovery in the city. Many Chinese restaurants in Denver offer separate, traditional Chinese menus that unveil a more authentic culinary experience. Often, these menus are treasure troves of chef-driven specialties, reflecting regional traditions from across China and Taiwan. Whether you’re a longtime fan of General Tso’s chicken or already consider yourself an enthusiast of dishes like mapo tofu and soup dumplings, Denver’s Chinese food scene has something new and exciting for you to explore. This guide highlights 20 of the best Chinese restaurants in the Front Range where you can discover traditional dishes that will expand your palate and leave you craving more.
Exploring Denver’s Top Chinese Restaurants
Bronze Empire
Bronze Empire Hot Pot: A customizable and interactive dining experience featuring fresh ingredients.
Bronze Empire, a part of the One Concept Restaurant Group known for its sushi and poke restaurants like Makizushico and Go Fish Sushi in the Denver metro area, is a popular destination on South Colorado Boulevard. Diners frequently pack Bronze Empire to indulge in individual-style hot pot, a communal and customizable dining experience. Beyond the hot pot, however, Bronze Empire also features a concise menu of authentic Chinese specialties that are well worth exploring alongside your steaming broth.
Eat this: Begin your culinary journey with the delicate and flaky scallion pancake, a perfect appetizer to share. Follow this with the Sichuan-style cold chicken, a flavorful dish featuring tender slices of chicken coated in a vibrant sauce enriched with chile oil, black vinegar, and fragrant sesame oil. For the main event, dive into the hot pot experience by selecting from nearly a dozen diverse broths, including unique options like butter and chicken maw, alongside more familiar choices. With over 80 accompaniments available, from lotus root and chewy rice cake to premium abalone and tender lamb shoulder, the possibilities are endless. For a balanced and satisfying hot pot, consider the fresh veggie combo paired with thinly sliced ribeye. 1591 S. Colorado Blvd. 720-599-8888
Dating Yumy
Dating Yumy’s Wontons in Chile Oil: A delightful fusion of spicy and savory flavors in a comforting dish.
Aurora has become a hub for some of the best Chinese restaurants in the Denver metro area, and Dating Yumy is a prime example. Taking over from Uncle Zoe’s Chinese Kitchen in the summer of 2021, Dating Yumy has quickly established itself as a beloved local eatery. The restaurant’s comfortable and bright ambiance provides the perfect setting to enjoy their celebrated buns and dumplings, making it a must-visit for those seeking authentic Chinese flavors in Denver.
Eat this: While Dating Yumy’s pork buns are highly acclaimed and often sell out due to their popularity, don’t overlook the intriguing pork wontons in chile oil. This dish offers a delightful twist on the traditional preparation. The tender wontons are indeed generously coated in a visually striking crimson chile oil that provides a pleasant warmth without being overwhelmingly spicy. However, the surprise element is the sesame-based broth that forms the base of the dish, adding a unique nutty aroma and depth of flavor that elevates the wontons to a new level of deliciousness. 12203 E. Iliff Ave., Suite D, Aurora, 303-755-8518
Happy Cafe
Happy Cafe’s Braised Wild Pork and Duck Chins: Authentic Cantonese dishes showcasing rich flavors and unique textures.
Located just a few doors down from Lao Wang Noodle House, Happy Cafe distinguishes itself with an extensive traditional Chinese menu. This menu features a wide array of Hong Kong and Cantonese dishes, some of which are rarely found even within China itself. To make this diverse culinary offering more accessible, Happy Cafe has ingeniously covered an entire wall with photos of their prepared specialties, helping diners, especially those less familiar with Chinese cuisine, to navigate and appreciate the vast choices available.
Eat this: For the adventurous eater, the duck chins are an absolute must-order and should not be missed. While the dish might seem intimidating at first glance, consisting of large V-shaped bones with relatively little meat, it’s a true culinary experience. The skin, with its delightful chicken-wing-like texture, is infused with umami-rich Maggi sauce, making it an irresistible Chinese finger food. Pair it perfectly with a cold beer. For a more approachable yet equally satisfying option, try the braised wild pork. This dish features flavorful cubes of fatty pork, tofu skin, and onion, served bubbling hot in a clay pot, offering a comforting and delicious choice. 945 S. Federal Blvd., Suite D, 303-922-2226
Meet & Eat Bistro
Meet & Eat Bistro’s Sichuan Feast: A colorful and flavorful array of dishes including dry pot cauliflower and Sichuan boiled fish.
Situated near the border of Denver and Aurora, Meet & Eat Bistro is renowned for delivering bold and authentic flavors through its traditional Sichuan menu. Located in the space previously occupied by Mr. Hao Grill, this eatery boasts a strong selection of meat-centric dishes like the classic Sichuan boiled fish (shui zhu yu) and chile-coated sliced beef and ox tongue. However, Meet & Eat Bistro, located on Hampden Avenue, truly excels in its vegetable preparations, offering vegetarian diners and vegetable lovers a vibrant and flavorful experience of Sichuan cuisine in Denver.
Eat this: A standout vegetable dish is the dry pot (ganguo) cauliflower, a brothless rendition of Sichuan hot pot. This dish combines crispy cauliflower florets, leeks, carrots, and green bell peppers, all tossed in a savory and smoky sauce. Served piping hot over a gas flame, it maintains its warmth and flavor throughout your meal. To complement the cauliflower and keep the meal veggie-forward, order the hot and sour shredded potato. This dish features julienned potatoes sautéed with black vinegar and dried red chiles, cooked to a perfect point just shy of fully tender, retaining a delightful, delicate crunch that is characteristic of this classic Sichuan preparation. 10021 E. Hampden Ave., 303-379-9627
NBX Asian Cuisine
NBX Asian Cuisine’s Liangpi: Refreshing cold wheat noodles with sesame sauce and crisp vegetables.
NBX Asian Cuisine’s Pan-Fried Pork Buns: Crispy-bottomed buns filled with flavorful and juicy pork.
NBX Asian Cuisine offers a casual dining atmosphere with its dining room furnished with simple wooden park benches and practical waterproof tablecloths. This relaxed setting is perfect for enjoying the well-executed dishes served here. Despite the Cao family’s roots in Shandong province in eastern China, the menu at NBX Asian Cuisine features a noticeable influence of western Chinese cuisine. This is reflected in the use of red meat and distinctive spices like cumin, which are more common in the western regions of China, adding a unique dimension to their offerings in the Denver Chinese food scene.
Eat this: The pan-fried pork buns are a definite crowd-pleaser and a must-try. While soy sauce or black vinegar are available for dipping, the juicy and flavorful filling of these buns is often satisfying enough on its own. Also highly recommended are the cumin lamb, a testament to western Chinese flavors, and the liangpi. Liangpi consists of flat and wide wheat noodles served cold, accompanied by julienned cucumber and carrot, wood ear mushroom, fresh cilantro, and a rich sesame-based sauce, creating a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for any season. 9064 Forsstrom Drive, Suite B15, Lone Tree, 303-643-6464
Old Town Hot Pot
Old Town Hot Pot: A bustling and popular destination for all-you-can-eat hot pot in Denver.
Opened in 2021 in Aurora, Old Town Hot Pot occupies a large dining space that formerly housed a Chinese buffet. Despite its size, the restaurant is consistently packed, especially during weekend dinner hours, a testament to its popularity within the Denver Chinese food scene. Located on South Havana Street, a well-known dining destination, Old Town Hot Pot manages the steady flow of customers efficiently, even with a waitlist, by implementing a two-hour dining limit to accommodate everyone eager to enjoy their hot pot experience.
Eat this: The all-you-can-eat hot pot is the main draw, priced at $29 per person, offering great value and variety. Each diner gets to personalize their meal by choosing their preferred broth in an individual pot. With eight broth flavors available, ranging from the classic pork-based stock to flavorful tomato or spicy tom yum, there’s a base to suit every taste. Customers can then order a wide array of sliced meats, fresh seafood, vegetables, and various noodles for dipping and cooking in their chosen broth. It’s advised to start with smaller portions and order incrementally to minimize waste, as there is an extra charge for excessive leftover ingredients, encouraging diners to be mindful and savor every bite. 2852 S. Havana St., 303-658-0870
Pepper Asian Bistro
Pepper Asian Bistro’s Yuxiang Eggplant: Sizzling hot stone bowl of caramelized eggplant in a flavorful sauce.
Pepper Asian Bistro is a well-established and popular fixture on East Colfax, known for its consistently reliable takeout service. However, it is also highly recommended to dine in and experience the restaurant’s comfortable ambiance. This City Park eatery provides a simple yet classy setting, perfect for enjoying both American Chinese classics and more traditional dishes. It’s important to note that Pepper Asian Bistro II in LoHi, while sharing a similar name, operates under different ownership. The original Pepper Asian Bistro on Colfax remains the focus for authentic and classic Chinese food in this guide.
Eat this: To begin your meal, the crab cheese wontons are an excellent starter, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce that is enhanced with a touch of Chinese hot mustard. This addition provides a pleasant zing that cuts through the rich and creamy filling of the wontons, balancing the flavors perfectly. For a main course, the yuxiang eggplant is a standout dish. Served sizzling in a hot clay pot, it gains a unique smoky flavor that distinguishes it from typical preparations of this dish. The hot pot also creates delightful caramelized bits of eggplant that stick to the sides, adding extra texture and sweetness to each bite. 2831 E. Colfax Ave., 303-388-8377
Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles
Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles’ Pickled Pepper Mixian with Beef: A flavorful and comforting Yunnan specialty noodle soup.
Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles, originally a China-based franchise with over 750 locations, has expanded its presence to the United States in recent years, establishing outposts in cities like Philadelphia, Detroit, and Houston. The Aurora location, opened in 2019, centers its menu around mixian, the restaurant’s namesake. Mixian is a type of thin rice noodle, commonly served in soup, that is a staple in China’s Yunnan province but is relatively rare in the Denver metro area. This specialization makes Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles a unique destination for those seeking authentic and regional Chinese cuisine in Denver.
Eat this: While mixian is traditionally served hot-pot-style with a boiling pot of broth and raw ingredients, Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles shifted away from this format during the COVID-19 pandemic and has opted to continue serving noodle soups fully cooked with all the fixings incorporated. For a flavorful and authentic experience, the pickled pepper variation with beef is highly recommended, especially for those who appreciate the bold and tangy flavors of hot and sour soup. This dish perfectly showcases the unique culinary traditions of Yunnan province and is a must-try at this specialized Denver restaurant. 2000 S. Havana St., Aurora, 720-583-2839
Denver’s Long-Standing Chinese Favorites
Hong Kong Station
Hong Kong Station’s Beef Brisket and Tendon Hot Pot: A flavorful and comforting Cantonese classic.
Hong Kong Station’s Shrimp Toast: Crispy and airy shrimp toast, a perfect appetizer to start your meal.
Nestled within a strip mall off South Yosemite Street in Centennial, Hong Kong Station specializes in Cantonese-inspired dishes, drawing culinary influence from its namesake city near southern China’s Guangdong province, as well as other regions throughout China. This location offers a taste of authentic Cantonese cuisine within the Denver area, making it a go-to for those seeking traditional flavors and dishes.
Eat this: The brisket and tendon pot is a must-try dish at Hong Kong Station. This comforting and flavorful dish features morsels of incredibly tender beef in a rich and umami-packed sauce. It arrives at your table bubbling hot in a traditional clay bowl and is served with a side of steamed rice, perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce. To complement this hearty dish, consider ordering a side of tender, garlic-scented yu choy (Chinese flowering cabbage), adding a fresh and vibrant green element to your meal. Also, don’t miss the light and airy shrimp toast. These delightful triangles of bread are generously smeared with shrimp paste, fried to a perfect golden crisp, and accompanied by a classic sweet and sour sauce, making them an ideal appetizer to share. 6878 S. Yosemite St., Centennial, 720-592-0861
Hop Alley
Hop Alley’s Laziji: Spicy and flavorful Sichuan chicken thigh nuggets with scallions and peppercorns.
Chef Tommy Lee’s innovative and modern interpretations of classic Chinese dishes have firmly established Hop Alley as one of Denver’s most influential and celebrated restaurants. Following a two-month renovation at the beginning of the year, this RiNo eatery reopened in early March with a refreshed, sleeker, and more sophisticated atmosphere, and fortunately, with increased seating capacity to accommodate its ever-growing popularity. The name “Hop Alley” itself is a poignant nod to the once-thriving Chinatown in what is now LoDo, a community tragically destroyed by a racist mob attack targeting Chinese businesses in 1880. This historical connection adds depth and meaning to the dining experience at Hop Alley, making it a culturally significant destination for Chinese food in Denver.
Eat this: For a truly memorable dining experience, splurge on the whole Alamosa-raised bass. This impressive dish is grilled to a crispy perfection and topped with a refreshing slaw of fennel, jicama, and kumquat, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. The laziji is another highly recommended favorite. It features tender chicken thigh nuggets generously coated in a distinctive Sichuan peppercorn dust and diced scallions, offering a delightful combination of spice and slight numbing sensation. Lastly, the Beijing duck roll is a must-try, featuring hoisin-slicked duck confit and crisp cabbage expertly wrapped in a scallion pancake, offering a delicious and convenient way to enjoy the flavors of Peking duck. 3500 Larimer St., 720-379-8340
Huakee BBQ
Huakee BBQ’s Cantonese BBQ Combo: Featuring roasted duck, pork, and spicy pig ears.
Huakee BBQ, a small and authentic eatery in Westminster owned by Hong and GuoHua Wu, specializes in Hong Kong and Cantonese-style barbecue. Located beside H Mart, it’s a hidden gem for those seeking genuine Cantonese flavors in Denver. The couple, originally from China’s Guangdong province, meticulously prepare roasted duck, pork, and chicken, alongside Cantonese delicacies such as chicken feet with black bean sauce, spicy and crunchy sliced pig ears, and zong zi. Zong zi are bamboo-leaf-wrapped parcels of steamed glutinous rice filled with peanuts, salted egg yolks, shredded pork, and other savory fillings, offering a taste of traditional Cantonese comfort food.
Eat this: If you are a first-time visitor to Huakee BBQ, the Three Delicacy Combo is an excellent choice to sample a range of their specialties. This combo features glistening crispy-skinned roasted duck, succulent and juicy soy sauce chicken, and sweet char siu (barbecued pork), all served over a bed of steamed rice and accompanied by fresh vegetables. This combo provides a comprehensive and delicious introduction to Huakee BBQ’s Cantonese barbecue offerings, making it a perfect meal for those exploring Chinese food in Denver. 5072 W. 92nd Ave., Westminster, 80031, 720-535-8871
KP Asian Cafe
KP Asian Cafe’s Wonton Noodle Soup with Roast Duck: Handmade noodles and wontons in a flavorful broth.
While KP Asian Cafe in Aurora offers a solid menu of familiar American-Chinese takeout dishes like sesame chicken, beef broccoli, and sweet and sour pork, chef-owner Kevin Chu and his wife excel in preparing an impressive variety of exemplary regional dishes from across China. Their culinary expertise spans lesser-known specialties originating from southern (Cantonese), western (Sichuan), and northern (Shandong) China, making KP Asian Cafe a destination for diverse and authentic Chinese food experiences in Denver.
Eat this: The Hong Kong-style wonton noodle soup is a must-order at KP Asian Cafe. This comforting soup features an oil-glossed, flavorful broth filled with delicate and slippery wontons, savory pork, fresh Napa cabbage, carrots, gai lan (Chinese broccoli), and, notably, handmade egg noodles, a rarity in the Denver metro area. Enhance your soup by adding the restaurant’s juicy, roasted duck for a richer and more satisfying meal. Alternatively, explore their hot pot offerings. These clay vessels are filled with wok-fired delights such as tender pork ribs and bitter melon, or spicy braised brisket and tendon, offering hearty and flavorful options for a more communal dining experience. 12201 E. Mississippi Ave., Suite 111, Aurora, 720-456-7745
Lao Wang Noodle House
Lao Wang Noodle House’s Xiaolongbao and Wonton Soup: Must-try dumplings and comforting soup.
Lao Wang Noodle House’s Pot Stickers: Crispy and flavorful pot stickers, a perfect side dish.
Lao Wang Noodle House’s Xiaolongbao: Delicate soup dumplings filled with flavorful broth and pork.
For over 23 years, the Wang family has been serving soul-warming Taiwanese cuisine at Lao Wang Noodle House. Located in a modest, red and yellow-walled space off South Federal Boulevard in Westwood, this restaurant has become a beloved institution for authentic Taiwanese flavors in Denver. Following the passing of owner Tse-Ching Wang, his wife, Chung-Ming, and son, Danny, continue the family tradition of making all of the restaurant’s dumplings and wontons from scratch daily, ensuring the quality and authenticity that Lao Wang Noodle House is known for.
Eat this: You truly can’t go wrong with any of the dough-wrapped delights at Lao Wang Noodle House. From the plump xiaolongbao, bursting with flavorful pork and savory broth, to the perfectly crispy-bottomed pot stickers, and the comforting wontons swimming in a gently spicy soup, each dish is a testament to their handcrafted quality. Whether you’re craving soup dumplings, pot stickers, or wontons, Lao Wang Noodle House offers some of the best and most authentic versions you can find in Denver, making it a must-visit for dumpling enthusiasts. 945 S. Federal Blvd., Suite D, 303-975-2497
Meta Asian Kitchen
Meta Asian Kitchen Spread: A diverse and flavorful array of Cantonese and fusion dishes.
Chef Kenneth Wan and his wife Doris Yuen, with roots on the East Coast and Hong Kong respectively, draw inspiration from their backgrounds to create a unique menu at Meta Asian Kitchen. Their offerings blend Cantonese, American Chinese, and innovative fusion specialties, all inspired by cherished family recipes. While their original fast-casual location inside Avanti Food & Beverage is set to close at the end of April, they are currently serving their cuisine within the unique setting of Honor Farm, a haunted bar. Excitingly, the duo plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant called MAKfam at 39 West First Avenue later this year, promising a more permanent location to enjoy their distinctive Chinese food in Denver.
Eat this: The “chef’s favorite” wings are an absolute must-try at Meta Asian Kitchen. These bone-in chicken pieces are dusted in a flavorful house-made five-spice seasoning and served with a unique Thai basil ranch dipping sauce, creating a lip-smacking and unforgettable appetizer. For those who enjoy bold flavors, indulge in the sizzling spicy noodles. These noodles are tossed with a generous amount of chile oil and Sichuan peppercorn, so much so that the menu itself advises to “order at your own discretion,” highlighting the intense and authentic Sichuan spice level that Meta Asian Kitchen is known for. Avanti Food & Beverage: 3200 N. Pecos St., 303-325-5384; Honor Farm: 1526 Blake St.
Noodles Express
Noodles Express’ Chongqing Chicken and Spicy Cucumber: Bold Sichuan flavors in crispy chicken and refreshing cucumber.
Diners consistently flock to Noodles Express, a fast-casual eatery in Belcaro, seeking the mouth-numbing sensations delivered by their extra-spicy Sichuan dishes. Many of these dishes are generously seasoned with the eponymous Sichuan peppercorn, creating an authentic and intense flavor experience. Noodles Express has become a go-to destination in Denver for those who crave the fiery and numbing characteristics of genuine Sichuan cuisine.
Eat this: The dan dan mian is a highly recommended dish at Noodles Express. It features sleek noodles perfectly topped with savory minced pork, crunchy peanuts, pickled greens, fragrant chile oil, fresh cilantro, and green onions, creating a complex and satisfying flavor profile. Another excellent choice is the crispy fried Chongqing chicken, stir-fried with a generous amount of Sichuan peppercorns and dried chiles, delivering both intense flavor and satisfying crunch. To complement these spicy dishes, order the refreshing-yet-fiery cold dish of sliced fresh cucumber drenched in chile oil, providing a cooling and spicy counterpoint that is characteristic of Sichuan cuisine. 703 S. Colorado Blvd., 303-736-8818
Shanghai Kitchen
Shanghai Kitchen’s Braised Pork Belly and Sichuan Fish: A taste of Shanghai and Sichuan cuisine in Denver.
Shanghai Kitchen, owned by Harry and Alice Zhou, is a casual yet elegant restaurant in Greenwood Village that pays homage to their native city of Shanghai. This 23-year-old establishment, conveniently located adjacent to a King Soopers, offers a refined dining experience. Alice Zhou expertly manages the front of house, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere, while Harry, who trained as a chef in both Shanghai and the Sichuan province, skillfully helms the kitchen. This combination of Shanghainese and Sichuan culinary expertise makes Shanghai Kitchen a unique and valuable part of the Denver Chinese food scene.
Eat this: The whole steamed sea bass is a standout dish, beautifully illustrating how fish is traditionally prepared and enjoyed in many regional Chinese cuisines. You can choose to have it prepared either Shanghai style, with a delicate ginger-wine sauce, or Sichuan style, with a bold and spicy hot chile oil. Both preparations highlight the freshness of the sea bass and the distinct regional flavors. Beyond the sea bass, the eggplant with pork, tea-smoked duck with pickled vegetables, and twice-cooked pork belly are also highly recommended and worth adding to your meal to experience the breadth and depth of Shanghai Kitchen’s culinary offerings. 4940 S. Yosemite St., Suite E-8, Greenwood Village; 303-290-6666
Star Kitchen
Star Kitchen’s Dim Sum Feast: A variety of Cantonese dim sum dishes, perfect for brunch or lunch.
Star Kitchen, a 14-year-old establishment in Athmar Park, boasts a spacious dining room adorned with tanks housing live and incredibly fresh seafood, destined to be steamed or stir-fried to delicious perfection. While the fresh fish and crustaceans are particularly popular during dinnertime, thanks in part to their attractive two-for-one lobster deal, it is the Cantonese-style dim sum, served from traditional roaming carts, that truly draws midday diners for lunch and brunch. Star Kitchen is a premier destination in Denver for authentic Cantonese dim sum and seafood.
Eat this: If you’re visiting Star Kitchen for dim sum, which is served until mid-afternoon every day except Wednesday, be sure to indulge in a variety of baskets from the roaming carts. Devour fluffy buns filled with savory barbecued pork, perfectly puffy braised chicken feet, delightful fried shrimp balls wrapped around sugarcane, and steamed, subtly sweet Malay sponge cake (ask for the ma lai gao). Complement your dim sum with bowls of steaming congee (rice porridge) enriched with bits of pork and preserved eggs for a comforting and traditional Cantonese brunch. For dinner, take advantage of the fresh seafood and order the shell-on lobster caked with flavorful ginger-scallion sauce, and the crispy salt-and-pepper squid, both showcasing the restaurant’s expertise in seafood preparation. 2917 W. Mississippi Ave., 303-936-0089
Sunflower Asian Cafe
Sunflower Asian Cafe’s Pork Belly with Mai Gan Cai: Authentic Huaiyang cuisine in Denver.
Sunflower Asian Cafe, an airy and inviting restaurant located in Littleton, stands out as one of the few places in the Denver metro area where you can experience Huaiyang cuisine, a refined culinary tradition from China’s eastern region. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo Wen Hu Xue and Annie Tang, both hailing from Yangzhou, a city in the Jiangsu province, where Xue also worked as a chef, Sunflower Asian Cafe offers a unique and authentic dining experience. They specialize in subtly seasoned dishes that emphasize the freshness and natural flavors of the high-quality ingredients, making it a destination for those seeking delicate and authentic Chinese food in Denver.
Eat this: Upon arriving at Sunflower Asian Cafe, be sure to request the traditional Chinese menu to fully explore their extensive culinary offerings. While they also excel in Sichuan dishes, for a true taste of eastern Chinese fare, explore the Huaiyang specialties. Try the Yangzhou fried rice, a regional classic speckled with Chinese sausage, chicken, and shrimp, uniquely stir-fried without soy sauce to highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients. Alternatively, sample the giant, fermented-soybean-drenched lion’s head meatballs, a signature Huaiyang dish, or the slices of tender braised pork belly with meigan cai (pickled mustard greens), offering a rich and flavorful representation of this distinctive cuisine. 91 W. Mineral Ave., Suite 100, Littleton; 303-798-0700
Yum Yum Spice
Yum Yum Spice’s Customizable Dry Pot: Create your own flavorful dry pot adventure.
For a customizable and interactive dining experience, dine in at Yum Yum Spice, a casual and popular eatery near the University of Denver. Yum Yum Spice is known for its dry pot, a dish featured on its own separate menu (be sure to ask for it upon arrival, as they also offer an American-Chinese menu). Patrons have the freedom to create their personalized dry pot by selecting their preferred combination of proteins and fresh vegetables. These ingredients are then expertly wok-fried with fragrant chile oil and authentic Sichuan peppercorns, and served atop a tabletop gas burner, keeping your meal hot and flavorful throughout your dining experience.
Eat this: The beauty of Yum Yum Spice’s dry pot is its customizability, allowing you to build your dream combination. For protein options, consider tofu skin for a unique texture or savory pork ribs. Pair these with a variety of greens such as napa cabbage, delicate enoki mushrooms, crisp lotus root, and bok choy for a balanced and flavorful base. To further enhance your pot, add savory elements like shrimp, squid, or fish balls. Crucially, don’t forget to specify your desired spice level. For the full and authentic Sichuan experience, order the Sichuan flavor and specify “extra hot” if you dare, ensuring a truly bold and memorable meal. 2039 S. University Blvd., Suite 4318; 720-542-9921
Yuan Wonton
Yuan Wonton’s Signature Chili Wontons: Beautifully crafted and flavorful wontons in chili oil.
Penelope Wong, a 2023 James Beard semifinalist, is the culinary talent behind Yuan Wonton. Her exquisitely crafted dumplings, wontons, buns, and entrées are deeply influenced by her Thai-Chinese heritage. Coupled with her commitment to supporting social justice issues, Yuan Wonton’s offerings are highly sought after and worth seeking out. To experience Yuan Wonton, follow their food truck schedule on their Instagram stories and be sure to order online in advance as soon as the website allows, or be prepared for a potentially long but worthwhile wait in line. Yuan Wonton offers a unique and delicious Chinese food experience in Denver.
Eat this: The fist-sized xiaolongbao, flavorful chile wontons, and satisfying peanut sauce noodles are all cult favorites at Yuan Wonton and should not be missed. Also, be on the lookout for specials, such as the vegan Sichuan eggplant dumplings, featuring chartreuse bundles filled with wok-charred, tongue-tingling eggplant, and the sheng jian bao, pan-fried pork buns with fluffy, yeasted wrappers seared to crispy perfection. These specials showcase the creativity and culinary skill that make Yuan Wonton a standout in Denver’s Chinese food scene.
Denver’s Chinese culinary landscape is rich and diverse, offering far more than just familiar Americanized dishes. From family-run noodle houses to innovative bistros, these 20 restaurants represent the best of authentic Chinese food in Denver. Venture beyond the usual and explore the incredible flavors and regional specialties that await. Your next favorite Chinese dish is waiting to be discovered in Denver!
