New Chinese spots in Flushing can be exciting, but there’s something special about dining at a classic. That’s why we made this list of our all-time favorites—ones we find ourselves returning to over and again. They’re the standbys that make this neighborhood what it is. If you live here, you should be eating at all of them. If you’re visiting, go to as many as you can.
Taipei Hong
$ | (718) 813-9107 | WEBSITE
Taipei Hong is an impressive Taiwanese eatery disguised as a humble food court stall. Complete with a cozy handful of simple tables, bustling takeout counters, and extremely friendly staff, there are flavorful dishes like pork chop rice boxes and popcorn chicken served with careful attention to detail.
This place feels like what would happen if you stumbled upon a night market stall in Taipei, but instead of finding just quick street snacks, there’s authentic home-style cooking inside offering incredible value.
GAN-HOO BBQ
$$$ | (929) 384-8888 | WEBSITE
No, we’re not sending you to some generic chain where you watch a cook flip shrimp on a distant grill. GAN-HOO BBQ is a vibrant spot in Flushing where you grill your own food, specializing in seafood and meat. The space feels like a bustling Asian market stall decided to open a restaurant, with an authentic, welcoming vibe and an impressive barbecue setup at every table.
The grilling theme extends into the menu—our favorite is the marinated beef, tender and cooked to perfection right in front of you. And if you must drink here, get the plum juice pitcher, absolutely delicious with the grilled beef. Parking is available nearby at a facility just a few minutes away.
Ditan Er BBQ House
$$ | (929) 300-7288 | WEBSITE
Between unbeatable stinky tofu, waiters who greet you with genuine warmth, and dishes with bold flavors like the sweet-sour-spicy mixed cauliflower, feeling like family is inevitable here. You’ll enter through a clean space that opens up onto a comfortable dining area. Staff serve generous portions to the rhythm of casual conversation, while customers enjoy lamb and scorpion hot pot and snack on tender stir-fried lettuce.
Come here for those family dinners when you can put that appetite (and takeout containers) to good use.
JiBeiChuan Noodles(Flushing)季北川花胶汤米粉 (法拉盛店)
$ | (347) 732-9798 | WEBSITE
This Flushing noodle shop is part of the JiBeiChuan chain, and while it seems logical to grab a quick bowl here when you’re in a hurry, we encourage you to settle in. JiBeiChuan’s space is effortlessly cozy, decorated with warm lighting, a lot of happy green plants, and handwritten specials on the walls. Grab a seat and get acquainted with a steaming bowl of Fish Maw Soup Rice Noodles from the huge menu selection of broths. Or if you’re not into the fish maw, go with the bone soup with beef.
The portions are massive and perfectly satisfying, especially on a chilly day, and the friendly, family-like service makes you want to stick around.
Haidilao Huoguo Flushing
$$$ | (917) 231-8888 | WEBSITE
Haidilao Hot Pot Flushing’s dining room, a.k.a. the noodle theater, feels like a vibrant culinary mashup of Cirque du Soleil, Iron Chef, and a family reunion in the best way possible. There are $28 dancing noodle performances served with theatrical flair alongside bubbling broths, fresh seafood platters, and dipping sauces that taste like homemade perfection.
You’ll also find exceptional hot pot staples like tender beef slices, crisp vegetables, and a lively birthday celebration atmosphere that can do no wrong. Very much like the secret codes for complimentary treats.
Deng Ji Yunnan Guoqiao Mixian
$$ | (718) 799-0077 | WEBSITE
You could come to this Flushing spot just to eat outstanding Yunnan rice noodles, but there’s also some nifty sh*t happening with the broth. Broths are flavor-forward, often blending multiple herbs together, though there’s a wonderful balance between richness and lightness. Use it for a low-stakes lunch or casual dinner when you want the noodles (and the L7 beef stew soup with its tender beef and crispy fried toppings) to do most of the impressing.
TAI ER SICHUAN CUISINE 太二酸菜鱼 (FLUSHING)
$$ | (929) 209-2222 | WEBSITE
This bustling Sichuan spot in Flushing serves excellent regional specialties—we wouldn’t expect less from a restaurant dedicated to authentic cuisine. There’s a wonderful lineup of vibrant dishes, as well as generous portions that showcase the essence of Sichuan flavors. Stop in for a satisfying meal, but don’t be surprised if you fill up on things like the Signature Sauerkraut Fish or Mouth Watering Chicken.
And if you’re looking for a comfortable dining experience, do not pass up (we repeat, do not pass up) the clean, tidy environment that makes this such a pleasant spot.
Xi Top BBQ 西塔烧烤
$$ | (917) 285-2790 | WEBSITE
If your typical American barbecue joint is a straightforward backyard cookout, Xi Top BBQ is your adventurous friend’s authentic culinary journey. It’s a Chinese northern-style BBQ spot in Flushing, complete with charcoal grills and an expanded dining space where you’ll find us permanently stationed during dinner hours. Everyone should be able to find something to eat here—from thinly sliced crispy pot buns to marinated short ribs that are a personal favorite.
The sesame dipping sauce is also terrific, especially with meat pairings courtesy of the attentive staff who provide hot tea and complimentary side dishes.
Bien Private Kitchen
To dine here, you have to arrive during their early dinner hours, enter through the spacious and well-ventilated dining room, and grab a seat before the place fills up. After you do that, the friendly staff will guide you through their wide-ranging menu, and finally, you can order something terrific like the flavorful Kung Pao Chicken or the delightful Chinese Pancake.
There’s no need for reservations, but trust the authentic Chinese cuisine to satisfy your cravings with the dishes of your choice. A bonus is that it’s also easy to get a table on a weekday evening.
Hainan
$ | (917) 563-7223 | WEBSITE
While most Chinese restaurants in Flushing can be overwhelming, Hainan won’t let you down. Unlike the typical crowded spots, there are no chaotic atmospheres or heavy greasy smells. Instead, you’ll find authentic Korean-style Chinese dishes like jjangmyeon and shrimp with cream sauce, all reasonably priced. Flushing’s full of options, but we can guarantee you’ll have the best meal in the neighborhood enjoying their fresh ingredients and professional service here.
Peking Duck Sandwich Stall
$ | (718) 886-9728 | WEBSITE
While everyone at Flushing’s newest food court is grabbing typical fast food under harsh fluorescent lighting, there’s a take-out window where you should head post-shopping. We love every last one of their buns, from the Peking Duck Bao featuring tender duck, soft bread, and sweet sauce to our current favorite snack in Queens: the crispy duck sandwich, a bite-sized burger that pairs perfectly with the fragrant meat.
Though the buns are great, it would be a shame to come here and not also grab extra items like soup wontons, rolls, or the burnt chilly spicy condiment complete with added flavor for dipping.
Alley 41
$$ | (718) 353-3608 | WEBSITE
This spacious Szechuan spot in Flushing has comfy tables, vibrant weekend crowds, a Michelin-recommended menu, and an aroma that hints at the delicious food to come. While they always have a solid lineup of spicy options available (don’t worry, they serve the insane smoked duck), Alley 41 also makes an excellent Squirrel Fish. If you’re hungry after all of those spices, you’re in luck—the Flounder Filet with Spicy Garlic Sauce here is the best in town.
Peking BBQ
$ | (718) 672-1414 | WEBSITE
Peking BBQ is the Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory of Chinese barbecue. The straightforward menu has dish upon dish of classic barbecue items and standout ones with simple enhancements like green sauce, fried yucca, and/or rotisserie chicken that’s praised for its juiciness. Plus, everything is served in generous portions that make it a yummy and affordable Woodside staple. The space is also unpretentious, with simple counter service so basic that you need cash to pay for everything.
All these qualities are what make Peking BBQ a recommended establishment. Just prepare to deal with the occasional salty chicken.
XinJiang Noodles
Sticky rice shumai, spicy beef noodle soup, and fried sticky rice wrapped in tofu skin—what more could this Flushing food court spot have to make it even better? Oh wait, they also serve some of the best sesame oil in the neighborhood. Despite all the appeal, it’s never so busy in here that you can’t find a clean table. And if you’re in a rush, note that the parking attendants help you snag a spot in the active lot.
Tian-Jin
$ | (718) 813-7940 | WEBSITE
The popular smoked chicken here gets a lot of hype—but don’t just grab that tender delicacy and run. Pull up a stool and stay awhile inside this hidden Flushing gem. They’ve got simple tables, a friendly owner who greets everyone warmly, and braised meats under $15, which is a culinary bargain in New York. Tian-Jin makes for a great solo lunch, particularly when you arrive early to beat the rush that often clears out their signature dishes.
Chongqing Lao Zao 重慶老灶
$$$ | (917) 563-7171 | WEBSITE
Hot pot is the perfect thing to eat while craving something warm and communal. So it makes sense that you can get the best hot pot in Flushing at one of the most atmospheric spots in town, too. Chongqing Lao Zao feels a little bit like a 6th century Tang Dynasty palace and a little bit like a cozy neighborhood haunt—they have mind-blowing spicy sauce, exceptional stir-fry rice, and their signature Tai Chi Double Pepper Beef wrapped with two kinds of millet pepper. What more could you want?
The attentive staff checks in to refresh water and plates, the broths are flavorful whether you choose spicy or mild, and the whole experience comes at reasonable prices. The only catch is the wait, but having someone arrive early to secure a spot makes it all worthwhile.
Xi’an Famous Foods 西安名吃
$ | (212) 786-2068 | WEBSITE
Xi’an Famous Foods is the best place to eat Western Chinese food in Flushing. It feels like your favorite hole-in-the-wall spot that’s filled with communal tables, steam-filled windows, a bustling counter, and a ton of reasonably-priced noodle bowls for sale. Anything they serve is flavorful, satisfying, and comes with a quick explanation from the friendly staff.
If you’re tired of eating the same Americanized Chinese food and want to dig into a bowl of something spicy, tingly, or both, make this your new go-to. Especially if you bring in a stewed pork burger from their own counter to pair with those hand-pulled noodles from Xi’an.
Mojoilla Fresh
$ | (646) 339-0514 | WEBSITE
For authentic Chinese street food and quick service, there’s always this bustling food court spot, where the savory pancakes are cooking nearly every day. You might catch a taste of the jian bing, which is a regular favorite, while the next visit the takoyaki could surprise you. Or, you can just grab the #4 savory crepe during one of the busy lunch rushes.
There’s no one way to enjoy Mojoilla Fresh, but when you’re hungry, be sure to seek out the warm atmosphere where you can order the exceptional pancakes and takoyaki.
Fried Dumpling Shan Tong
$ | (718) 939-3489 | WEBSITE
Between the phenomenal dumplings, friendly staff once you’re a regular, and palpable quick-bite energy, we’ve never met a takeout spot that we wanted to make ‘our spot’ more than Fried Dumpling Shan Tong in Flushing. On a Saturday afternoon, the single-table space is a cramped but cheerful dumpling-devouring party. On an otherwise-quiet Tuesday, that lone table gets claimed fast.
Come for textbook versions of pan-fried dumplings and buns, a perfectly seasoned tea egg, or just a quick, affordable meal. That’s their main offering—but it’s what you wanted with that speedy service anyway.
Old Captain’s Dumpling
$ | (718) 886-2428 | WEBSITE
If your favorite hole-in-the-wall dumpling spot got a serious upgrade but kept its soul, you’d get Old Captain’s Dumpling—a straightforward storefront in Flushing. This place is ideal for a quick, satisfying meal with bright fluorescent lighting, steaming baskets of dumplings, simple wooden tables, and bottles of soy sauce and chili oil for customizing. They even have a clear window where you can watch the staff expertly fold each dumpling by hand.