Where to Get Chinese Food in Durham, NC

As a Chinese American who loves eating, I’d like to think that I have somewhat of an authority when it comes to good Chinese food. When I first moved here in 2018, I remember the Triangle (and Durham specifically) being a bit lacking in that category.

Luckily, now in 2026, we’ve seen a great influx of Chinese restaurants opening in Durham, and I’ve had 8 years of experience sifting through the selections to find the best of the best. Of course, Chinese cuisine is a broad category, so here’s a breakdown of my top restaurants depending on your specific craving:

For dumplings: Sister Liu’s Kitchen

5504 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd #103, Durham, NC 27707 (they also have a food truck with a more limited menu that frequents events around the Triangle); website

Sister Liu’s Kitchen is one of those gems that feels authentic, un-gentrified, and just plain good food. The dumplings are handmade and cooked Northern Chinese style, with slightly thicker and bouncy skins. Each one is incredibly juicy and flavorful. There are also vegetarian options.

While their dumplings are my favorite, their noodles and “Chinese burgers” (rou jia mo for those in the know) are also definitely worth a try.

For noodles: Wheat 麦茶

810 9th St Suite 130, Durham, NC 27705; website

I came here with a friend’s parents once. They were visiting straight from Nanjing, and his dad said, and I quote: “This is more authentic than what you can get in Nanjing nowadays.”

Their general rice dishes feature a great variety, but the noodles are the star for me. They’re some of the best Chinese noodles you can get in Durham, whether you’re getting a mixed noodle (great for hotter days or for convenience) or a soup noodle (great for those colder days when you just want something comforting).

If you’re really stuck on what to order, get their house noodle pork belly special soup noodle and thank me later.

For hot pot: Szechuan Mansion

746 9th St, Durham, NC 27705, also has locations in Cary and Charlotte; website

Originating in Cary, this place is the #1 for hot pot in the Triangle for me with little to no contest. While not AYCE or as trendy/viral as places like So Hot or KPOT, if you’re looking for somewhere more authentic, Szechuan Mansion takes it. Not only do they have hot pot, but they have classic Chinese appetizers like smashed cucumber and lamb skewers to cut through everything else.

As any good hot pot restaurant needs, their sauce bar and dish selections are very robust, probably the most of any hot pot restaurant here in the Triangle. Their portions are also decent.

I’d recommend coming to this place with a group so you can try different kinds of dishes in the hot pot—it’ll still be delicious alone, but you’ll probably fill up on just a few orders.

For dim sum: Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant

3003 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705; website

Dim sum is a Southern Chinese and Hong Kong specialty, so naturally, the top dim sum you can get is here at Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant. This is also the only place I know of in the Triangle that does the traditional cart-style dim sum, where the servers will bring carts around with the metal dishes, and you can pick what you want right off of the cart. Note that this only happens on Sundays—most of the time you order dishes a la carte.

I find the selection here delicious, with the dim sum options from radish cakes to shu mai to chicken feet all satisfying any craving I’ve had for the genre. One of my best memories was running my first race and coming here afterwards for a VERY satisfying dim sum brunch.

Don’t miss their congee and doujiang (fresh soy milk) too! With a fresh youtiao (fried dough stick), these will make it feel just like you’re having breakfast in Hong Kong.

For casual and authentic: Li Ming’s hot bar

3400 Westgate Dr, Durham, NC 27707

Hear me out: when asked where to go when you just have a craving for authentic Chinese food, I always point people to the hot bar at Li Ming’s Global Mart. Don’t sleep on it just because it’s in a grocery store. This place is the real deal, filled with dishes my mom used to make. I love going here whenever I want a taste of home.

It’s also pretty cheap! I would recommend paying in cash if you can here. You can pay with card, but you have to pay at the checkout aisle and bring your food ticket. You can pick 2-3 dishes and rice, or they have noodles and other selections. If you’re not in the mood for rice, their zhajiangmian is top notch and one of my favorite meals in the Triangle.

I’m using my Chinese American card here to give you my recommendations. If you have other places that you love, feel free to comment and let me know! I’m always on the hunt for good Chinese food, and as the city develops, we’re seeing a lot more good Asian food pop up right here in the Bull City. 

The next time you’re craving Chinese food, try these places out, and let me know what you think!

Did you know you can sort the Durham deals list by cuisine? If you’re into Chinese food, try sorting for it in the Triangle food and drink deals page!