Discover the Best Chinese Food in San Antonio: A Culinary Guide

San Antonio’s vibrant food scene is a testament to America’s diverse culinary landscape, offering flavors from around the globe. While often celebrated for its Tex-Mex and barbecue, San Antonio also boasts a hidden gem: a fantastic array of Chinese restaurants. Whether you’re craving authentic dim sum, savory noodles, comforting American-Chinese classics, or innovative Asian Fusion, this guide is your trusted companion to navigate the best Chinese food San Antonio has to offer. Perfect for a midweek dinner or a special weekend feast, explore these top spots that promise a delightful culinary journey.

Golden Wok

Golden Wok stands out as a San Antonio institution and a highlight in any guide to the Best Chinese Food In San Antonio. Renowned for its dedication to fresh Chinese and American Chinese favorites, Golden Wok truly excels in its dim sum offerings. Their extensive menu of bite-sized delicacies is unmatched in the city, ranging from familiar favorites like sui mai to more adventurous options such as beef tripe. A curated dim sum menu featuring around 20 choices is available during the week, while weekends bring an expanded selection with double the options and traditional cart service. Whether you’re a dim sum novice or a seasoned enthusiast, must-try items include the classic char siu bao, succulent shrimp sui mai, and flavorful fun kwok dumplings. For a sweet conclusion, the creamy lai wong bau is simply perfect.

Golden Wok

$$ Dim Sum, Cantonese

8822 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240

(210) 615-8282

Ming’s

Next on our exploration of the best Chinese restaurants in San Antonio is Ming’s, a charming, smaller eatery located just outside the Pearl district. This Asian Fusion gem is somewhat understated and easily missed if you’re not paying close attention while driving down Elmira Street. Ming’s is celebrated for its exceptional steamed buns. The buns range from traditional flavors to innovative combinations inspired by various cultures, but all are incredibly delicious. One bun makes a satisfying snack, two buns paired with a Century Egg constitute a full meal, and three buns are ideal if you’re particularly hungry. The impeccably prepared pork belly bun, topped with a refreshing cucumber carrot slaw and scallions, all nestled in a soft, freshly steamed bun, is a comforting remedy for any day. The Sloopy Bun, BBQBB Bun, and Bulgogi Bun are highly recommended, though every bun on the menu is worth trying.

Ming’s

$$ Asian Fusion, Chinese

914 E Elmira St, San Antonio, TX 78212

(210) 600-4083

Sichuan Garden

Sichuan Garden, situated in northern San Antonio, is a beloved local spot and a strong contender for the best Chinese food in San Antonio. This unassuming restaurant specializes in authentic Sichuan-style cuisine alongside high-quality Chinese-American dishes that are perfect for weeknight cravings. The twice-cooked pork belly, rich with leeks, numbing Sichuan peppercorns, and fresh peppers, delivers an exciting flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with simple rice and a sweet dessert. The crispy spicy chicken is a savory, salty, fried delight, enhanced by the aromatic spice of peppers. For those seeking familiar American Chinese dishes, the sesame chicken is a reliable choice, featuring tender pieces of chicken in the classic sesame-flavored sauce. However, venturing into their Sichuan specialties is highly recommended for a truly rewarding culinary experience.

Sichuan Garden

$$ Chinese, Noodles, Soup

2347 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231

(210) 265-5750

Wei Chow

Wei Chow, a newer addition to San Antonio’s culinary scene, brings a modern twist to the vibrant and flavorful food of Taiwan. Taiwanese cuisine holds a unique and significant place in Chinese culinary history, and Wei Chow offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the diverse and traditional dishes of this island.

Taiwanese fried chicken, bao buns, and beef noodle soup are iconic dishes found throughout Taiwan and are must-tries at Wei Chow. Their crispy, perfectly seasoned chicken, dipped in a sweet and sticky sauce, captures the best aspects of American fried chicken while introducing a distinct Chinese umami depth and texture. The pork belly is another standout dish: rich, fatty pork belly combined with hearty, sticky rice and sweet and sour pickles creates a comforting, flavorful, and satisfying meal. Enhancing the dining experience at Wei Chow are their unique and fun drink options. Taiwan is famous for its eclectic street drinks, and enjoying one here truly completes the meal. The Hokkaido milk tea and the taro crème brulee are both exceptional choices.

Wei Chow

$$ Juice Bars & Smoothies, Noodles, Taiwanese

9703 Bandera Rd suite 303A, San Antonio, TX 78250

(210) 257-8605

Kung Fu Noodle

For noodle enthusiasts seeking the best Chinese food in San Antonio, Kung Fu Noodle is an essential destination. Recently relocated to Huebner Road, Kung Fu Noodle has been a beloved San Antonio staple for years. Their hand-pulled thick noodles are perfect for a hearty slurp, while the thin noodles offer a delightful chewiness. Begin your meal with the comforting lamb noodle soup and a side of their handmade pork and chive dumplings. The flavorful pork belly is also highly recommended, along with the braised eggplant noodles with ground pork and the savory five-spiced egg. The menu is straightforward and consistently excellent. Kung Fu Noodle is enjoyable even on a hot Texas day, which speaks volumes about its appeal.

Kung Fu Noodle

$$ Chinese, Noodles

10415 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240

(210) 858-3000

Best Quality Daughter

Located in the vibrant Pearl district of San Antonio, Best Quality Daughter is a newer restaurant that masterfully blends traditional Chinese flavors and dishes with modern, innovative fusions. Set in a charming house-turned-restaurant on the southeast side of Avenue A, it offers a welcoming and homey ambiance. Embracing the traditional family-style dining experience, it’s ideal to order a variety of dishes to share and sample. Excellent choices include the refreshing smashed cucumbers, flavorful super garlicky noodles, and classic cashew chicken. Must-try items also feature the wok-charred green beans, salt-n-pepper shrimp, and unique pork belly ssam. Best Quality Daughter is the perfect spot to bring friends who enjoy sharing food and appreciate bold, exciting flavors.

Best Quality Daughter

$$ Asian Fusion

602 Avenue A, San Antonio, TX 78215

210-819-4236

Dashi

Dashi stands out as an upscale establishment offering a refined dining experience that matches its exquisite food, making it a prime choice for the best Chinese food in San Antonio for special occasions. If you’re seeking a delicious meal in an elegant setting, Dashi is the perfect destination. Their menu draws inspiration from the flavors of Sichuan and South China, incorporating subtle yet distinct Asian fusion influences.

Start your culinary journey with the jumbo Dashi wings, peanuts & pickles, and refreshing smashed cucumbers. Classic favorites that appeal to everyone include the renowned green beans, flavorful garlicky eggplant, satisfying mix-mix noodles, and savory sesame pork ribs. For those with a more adventurous palate, consider branching out with the unique cumin lollipops, signature crispy fish, smoky cauliflower, or Mama Chen’s tofu. If you’re new to Chinese hot pot, the little Mala fire pot offers an excellent introduction to the joy and communal symbolism of this traditional dining style.

DASHI Chinese Kitchen + Bar

$$ Szechuan, Asian Fusion

2895 Thousand Oaks Dr, San Antonio, TX 78232

(210) 562-3343

Lucky Noodle

Because a guide to the best Chinese restaurant in San Antonio would be incomplete without ample noodle options, Lucky Noodle is a must-mention. A staple in north central San Antonio, Lucky Noodle House is a small, quaint eatery serving a vast array of noodle combinations to satisfy any craving. Wide flat noodles offer a delightful mouthfeel and substantial bite, while the thinner pulled noodles are perfectly chewy and incredibly slurpable. Customize your bowl by choosing your base, noodle size, and spice level to create your ideal meal. For newcomers, starting with the traditional thin noodles in beef stock is recommended, while the wide noodles, though requiring a bit more chopstick skill, are definitely worth trying. Their handmade dumplings are authentically flavored and composed, and their cold, sweet and sour pickles provide a refreshing counterpoint to the hot, savory soup. Lucky Noodle is undoubtedly one of the best Chinese restaurants in San Antonio and offers the unique experience of watching the mesmerizing process of noodles being hand-pulled.

Lucky Noodle House

$$ Asian Fusion, Noodles, Chinese

8525 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX 78216

(210) 236-5244

Sichuan House

Sichuan House, discreetly located in a modest strip mall, delivers an exceptional culinary experience that captures the bold and authentic flavors of the central Sichuan region of China. While offering a few familiar Chinese American dishes for those less adventurous, the majority of the menu at Sichuan House showcases a remarkable selection of Sichuan favorites, representing the most authentic Chinese flavors found in San Antonio. Starting with the smashed cucumbers and cold garlic noodles is highly recommended to embark on this flavorful journey. Adding the Sichuan green beans and crispy spicy savory tofu (or your choice of protein) creates a fantastic meal for two. Bringing a larger group is ideal to fully explore the menu and include dishes like the Dong Po Underbelly Pork and the surprisingly delicious garlic eggplant. Even for those who typically dislike eggplant, this dish is likely to be a revelation. For an authentic taste of a meal in central China, Sichuan House is unequivocally the best Chinese restaurant in San Antonio to provide the closest culinary experience.

Sichuan House