Whether you’re craving hand-pulled noodles after exploring Riverfront Park’s falls, or the Spokane River Centennial Trail has left you dreaming of crispy Peking duck, eventually you’ll find yourself hungry in the Lilac City. When that moment hits, you’ll want authentic flavors—not mall food court fare. Seek out fiery Szechuan peppercorns or delicate soup dumplings? Find both, and every regional treasure in between, on our definitive list.
Chinese Gardens
$$ | (509) 534-8491 | WEBSITE
Chinese Gardens is the antithesis of those trendy fusion spots. It’s tucked away in a quiet Spokane neighborhood, and the odds of encountering someone here who hasn’t been coming for years are refreshingly low. The well-established restaurant has pretty superb chow mein, but they also have flavorful fried prawns, and spicy options showered with attention.
Come by yourself for a generous bowl of egg flower soup, or bring the family for dinner, where they’ll feel like they’re experiencing real Chinese-American dining at a table covered with pleasant decor.
Cathay Inn
$$ | (509) 326-2226 | WEBSITE
If you’re tired of waiting in line at those trendy downtown spots, head over to Cathay Inn instead. This neighborhood Chinese restaurant in Spokane serves reliable food, and you’ll likely spend about $12 on a meal. Our go-tos are the fried almond chicken and the homemade fresh dumplings, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try the Kung-Pow Chicken, which runs about $14 and comes loaded with flavor and customizable spice levels.
Grab your takeout and drive a few minutes to Riverfront Park to enjoy your Chinese food with a scenic view.
P.F. Chang’s
$$ | (509) 456-2166 | WEBSITE
Whichever Chinese restaurant you try in Spokane, make sure to include P.F. Chang’s in your rotation. They offer fresh, gluten-free choices with fantastic entrees, like their highly recommended dumplings and crispy green beans. Even their standard dishes are better than most versions, with flavors that go well with their fairly priced, well-made drinks during happy hour. P.F.
Chang’s also provides a warm and inviting atmosphere, which might just be the excuse you need to enjoy a fun, welcoming meal any time of day.
Three Sisters Food To Go
$ | (509) 241-3159 | WEBSITE
Three Sisters Food To Go serves a $12 pho with beef brisket and meatballs in a casual family-owned spot that’s dominated by regulars who are already on their third bahn mi. It’s right in the heart of Spokane, and so welcoming that you can see families with kids coming in from the entrance. But once you actually taste this food—in a simple takeout box—and figure out how good it is—through quick and friendly service—you could frankly be anywhere.
(That’s a good thing.) Bring the family, and start with some crunchy egg rolls at the counter up front before you head to a table and eat some slippery salad rolls brushed with peanut sauce.
Hong Kong Express And Poke Express
$ | (509) 960-8165 | WEBSITE
Hong Kong Express And Poke Express is predictably Chinese and, less predictably, serves poke. It’s tucked into a strip mall on a busy Spokane thoroughfare. You won’t see it from the main road, but you will spot a bright, bilingual sign that says, “Hong Kong Express And Poke Express” in bold lettering. The dim sum sometimes sells out, so go on the earlier side. If you don’t make it for dim sum time, don’t despair.
The Szechuan Beef at the counter is spicy and savory, and the menu is usually stocked with something fun to eat later, like a generous portion of Almond Chicken.
Red Dragon Northside
$ | (509) 483-6700 | WEBSITE
A couple of standout dishes really shine at Red Dragon Northside, a comfortable Chinese spot with easy weeknight dinner vibes and welcoming front windows. Start with a bowl of egg drop soup—it comes steaming hot and gets a rich, savory depth from the broth and silky egg ribbons. We also love the Szechuan chicken, especially when we’re craving something with a kick.
The vegetarian and vegan options here are pretty good across the board, but the one thing you absolutely must try is the Szechuan chicken with its bold, numbing heat and tender pieces. They also offer delivery service for those nights when parking can be tricky.
Happiness Chinese Restaurant
$ | (509) 534-2525 | WEBSITE
This Chinese spot in Spokane is perfect for groups who need a lot of food, in a clean, not-too-busy space that makes it feel a little like a family kitchen. Try the crab rangoons, the beef lo mein, and a few of the huge portions like the fried rice and chicken lo mein with soft egg noodles.
The General Tso’s chicken is dangerously crispy and saucy and therefore undeniably good, but we find that it’s best utilized as leftovers for days—which brings us to our next point: this restaurant prioritizes in-person customers, so be prepared for wait times on busy nights.
Chef Lu’s Asian Bistro
$ | (509) 443-3871 | WEBSITE
Spokane has plenty of Chinese restaurants, but Chef Lu’s is the only one with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. And in a city that values its open spaces, that’s got to mean something. The gluten-free friendly spot isn’t discussed as much as some of the more traditional places across town, but it’s a solid choice if you’re tired of the usual spots.
The General Tso’s Chicken here leans more toward authentic preparation than Americanized versions, so bring a friend here if you’ve already introduced them to the standard takeout joints.
Chan’s Dragon Inn
$ | (509) 747-1121 | WEBSITE
Yes, this place is technically in a less desirable part of downtown. But no one really talks about that area, and all these neighborhoods were just named by city planners anyway. So, yeah, we’re throwing Chan’s Dragon Inn on this list. A classic Spokane restaurant (and great dinner choice), this place is where you go for the Dinner for 2 option, Almond Chicken, and maybe the most satisfying S&S Chicken you’ll ever have.
If it’s a fun night out, come here around showtime and join in for the live music.
Vien Dong Restaurant
$ | (509) 536-6073 | WEBSITE
The only way Vien Dong could be more authentic is if it were in Hanoi. It’s best if you can get a seat near the kitchen, where you can watch the fresh ingredients being prepared. Despite the whole family-owned schtick, the restaurant is oddly not so hard to walk into last-minute. If you have a craving you forgot to plan and like Vietnamese food, their spring rolls, lemongrass chicken vermicelli bowl, and beef pho get the job done.
Ming Wah Restaurant
$ | (509) 455-9474 | WEBSITE
Unless you live in Spokane, you may never have heard of Ming Wah Restaurant. This place doesn’t have indoor dining, and it’s located in a spot where you mostly just find regulars. But you really need to eat here. A rarity for takeout spots, Ming Wah is a family-owned, under-hyped American-Chinese restaurant that serves great food and isn’t especially hard to order from.
(It’s takeout only.) The interior is charming and old-school, with a cozy feel that makes waiting for your order pleasant, and the orange chicken is a wonderful dish to have with a generous serving of fried rice.
Panda Express
$ | (509) 606-6778 | WEBSITE
Panda Express has been serving Chinese-American classics for decades, but this Spokane location opened more recently. The chain’s fast-casual roots go back to 1983, when Andrew Cherng opened the first Panda Express in California. People still compare it to traditional Chinese restaurants, but we appreciate what it offers. The food here is consistently prepared, with white rice that balances out the savory shrimp dishes.
They don’t do extensive customization, so grab a tray in the dining area, where you can watch staff prepare order after order at the counter. On busy days, you might find a line of people waiting, mostly looking for a quick meal. The Beyond Orange Chicken is rarely available, which is disappointing for those seeking plant-based options. The decor is clean and modern, with bright lighting that makes the space feel welcoming.
Prices are reasonable for fast-casual dining, with most entrees around $8-10. However, the extra charge for bags and occasional lack of utensils can make the experience feel less convenient than it should be.
Mr. Wok Restaurant
$ | (509) 468-1922 | WEBSITE
Like many spots in Spokane, this Chinese restaurant is one to remember if you find yourself downtown feeling overwhelmed by all the dining options. Escape to Mr. Wok, and eat some crispy, golden egg rolls by soft lighting. That, or the standout of the menu: a rich, savory almond chicken with quality ingredients. Like everything here, it’s surprisingly fresh, and as delicious in Washington winter as it would be in summer. Whatever you order, take advantage of Mr.
Wok’s generous portions so you can try a bunch of flavorful dishes from their menu. (We especially like the satisfying, hearty Special Chow Mein.)
Red Dragon Spokane
$ | (509) 838-6688 | WEBSITE
Nothing will measure up to sipping homemade strawberry lemonade on the patio at the original Red Dragon Spokane. So, no, their blues bar in the back isn’t quite as magical as the main dining room. (For starters, there’s no natural light, no patio seating, and no family-friendly servers who chat with your kids while you enjoy a drip-down-your-chin lemonade on a hot summer day.) Still, the Chinese food is just as incredible.
Get Red Dragon’s famed authentic dishes, with amazing flavors that customers can’t get enough of, and remind your visitor that the best entertainment in Spokane isn’t the underside of a bridge—it’s an intimate blues venue with great people, service, and sound quality, followed by delicious leftovers the next day.
QQ Sushi & Kitchen
$$ | (509) 279-2721 | WEBSITE
Spokane has plenty of crowded sushi joints serving $25 mediocre rolls, but QQ Sushi & Kitchen is different. The family-friendly Chinese restaurant on a quiet stretch is generally bustling and full of local regulars enjoying the Avocado Boat appetizer. Though sometimes a few well-informed foodies find it too, and order the entire Pretty Women roll because they can. Lucky them.