There are a lot of wonderful Christmas traditions out there: trimming the tree, singing carols, watching A Christmas Story 12 times in a row on TBS and of course, enjoying a hearty Christmas dinner with family and friends. Jews and other individuals who don’t celebrate Christmas have a tradition, too—grabbing Chinese food and seeing a movie.
Although PA Eats team can’t tell you which blockbuster to catch, we do know something about your restaurant options. Here’s our guide to the best Chinese restaurants in Philadelphia to check out over the holidays, or any other time of the year:
Tom’s Dim Sum
Tom’s Dim Sum may be located in a rather depressing stretch of underpass near the Convention Center, but don’t let the unassuming location fool you. Tom’s Dim Sum serves up the best xiaolongbao this side of Shanghai. What’s a xiaolongbao, you may ask? It’s a soup dumpling—literally, rich pork broth encased in a steamed dumpling. They’re a little tricky to eat, but once you master them (hint: the secret is to bite off the top and suck out the liquid before popping the remainder in your mouth), we guarantee you’ll crave them every time life conspires to send you to the Market East vicinity. 59 N. 11th St., (215) 923-8880
Han Dynasty
Like the Imperial regime it’s named after, the Han Dynasty restaurant empire is spread far and wide, with locations everywhere from Manayunk to Manhattan. The Old City outpost, housed in the glamorous former Corn Exchange building, is our recommendation for a luxe Christmas dinner. The Szechuan cuisine Han Dynasty serves up is rated on a 1–10 spiciness scale, so you can adjust your choices accordingly based on your heat tolerance. For those who can handle the higher end of the scale, we highly recommend the Dan Dan Noodles and the chilled cucumber appetizer. For the heat-averse, the Three Cup Chicken is lovely and even a little sweet. 123 Chestnut St., (215) 922-1888
Sang Kee Peking Duck House
Duck is a traditional Christmas roast option, so why not embrace that custom and order a hunk of crispy duck at Sang Kee? Peking duck orders, served in half-duck or whole-duck portions, come with thin pancakes, hoisin sauce and scallions, so you can make yourself a delicious wrap (or five). Pro tip: If you can’t make it to the sit-down restaurant, hit up the take-out location in Reading Terminal Market. Tastes great, less sitting. 238 N. 9th St., (215) 925-7532
Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House
As the name suggests, Nan Zhou prides itself on its hand drawn noodles. The noodles are best featured in an array of lovingly prepared soups ranging from brisket to shrimp and—for more adventurous eaters—tripe and ox stomach. You can also order stir-fried noodles or switch to a totally different variety of carb and feast on a selection of rice dishes. Be sure to stop at an ATM before you go, as Nan Zhou is cash only. 1022 Race St., (215) 923-1550
David’s Mai Lai Wah
Sop up a long night’s wassail at this old-school Chinatown favorite, which is open until 3 a.m. most nights, and 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The salt and pepper fried chicken wings are a house specialty, as are the pork dumplings with ginger scallion sauce. Want to continue the party even as you nosh on post-party snacks? No problem! David’s has a liquor license. 1001 Race St., (215) 627-2610
Bing Bing Dim Sum
For a modern American spin on dim sum, check out Bing Bing on East Passyunk Avenue. Brought to you by the owners of the similarly offbeat Cheu Noodle Bar, Bing Bing specialties include roast pork bao buns that, like the classic Philly sandwich, include sharp provolone and long hots and scarlet dumplings with red beet and tofu. Worth noting: Bing Bing has a great happy hour deal that includes weekends, so you can while away Christmas afternoon with $5 snacks and $6 bartender’s-choice cocktails. 1648 E. Passyunk Ave., (215) 279-7702
- Photos, top to bottom: Jordyn Kimelheim, Ed Williams, Jordyn Kimelheim, Bing Bing Dim Sum
