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Where to Find Denver's Best Chinese Food

Because the holidays are all about family and friends, and sometimes, creating warm memories over Chinese food.

by Andra Zeppelin Updated Dec 23, 2016, 9:42am MST

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by Andra Zeppelin Updated Dec 23, 2016, 9:42am MST

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One of the fourteen Chinese restaurants on this list is likely to come in handy this holiday season. Whether you and yours hold Christmas dinner at your neighborhood Chinese spot every year, or your holiday roast suffers a Griswold-esque comic tragedy, from cart service dim sum to trusty takeout, Cantonese to Taiwanese to Sichuan, there is sure to be a spot (or two) on this list to incorporate into your family traditions this year.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. China Gourmet

3970 Broadway St
Boulder, CO 80304

(303) 440-3500

Visit Website

This Boulder spot is one of the best options for Chinese food in the Front Range area, hands down. With a broad menu featuring all of the usual suspects, as well as fabulous specials like the Hong Kong crispy sole, there will be something to please all Chinese food lovers at China Gourmet. Pro tip: order the Hunan chicken off the secret menu.

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2. China Jade

12101 E Iliff Ave
Aurora, CO 80014

(303) 755-8518

China Jade may be tucked into the obscurity of an Aurora strip mall, but it also just may be one of the best spots for authentic Sichuan style Chinese in the area. Try the cumin-cinnamon beef, the spicy boiled fish, or the mapo tofu - it is hard to go wrong here. Wash it all down with a Qing Dao beer and you're in business.

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3. Emperor Palace

6700 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020

(303) 635-1688

Emperor Palace in Broomfield is the place to be for weekend dim sum. Multiple tanks house live seafood in the front of the restaurant, the contents of which come into play in many of the dishes. Service is quick and courteous and prices affordable.

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4. Hong Kong BBQ

1044 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

(303) 937-8882

This Federal Bouldvard gem is known for its siu mei glory, that is, roasted meats. The duck is fabulous, as is the twice-roasted pork. You can even pick up full roasted ducks and pigs to take home and really impress at the holiday feast. For something less meat-forward, try the heavenly congee.

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5. Hop Alley

3500 Larimer St.
Denver, CO

(720)379-8340

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One year old Hop Alley in RiNo keeps bringing in the accolades. It seems the ramen masters from Uncle can crush the Chinese food too, and have a snappy beverage program to boot. NOTE: The restaurant will be closed December 24-25.

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6. JJ Chinese Seafood Restaurant

2500 Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80219

(303) 934-8888

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Any of the live seafood, fresh from tanks in the front of the restaurant, doused in XO sauce, is what you need to order at JJ Chinese. Bonus: JJ's is open late and perfect for a nocturnal seafood feast.

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7. Lao Wang Noodle House

945 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

(303) 975-2497

For arguably the best potstickers and soup dumplings in town, get yourself to Lao Wang noodle house. Diners be warned: service can be a bit Seinfeld-esque and particular here - you must follow a strict orderings and seating policy or it will be no soup dumplings for you. Wash down dumplings and porky dan dan noodles with a Lao Wang lager, brewed by the owners' son at Caution Brewing.

Also Featured in:

Denver’s 17 Essential Chinese Restaurants

8. Peter's Chinese Cafe

2609 E 12th Ave
Denver, CO 80206

(303) 377-3218

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This friendly old staple of Congress Park neighborhood spot is great for dining in, carrying out, or delivery. Go-to's here are pork mushu and crab cheese wontons.

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9. Star Kitchen

2917 W Mississippi Ave
Denver, CO 80219

(303) 936-0089

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Star Kitchen is known best for its dim sum, of which the options are seemingly endless. The shrimp and cilantro dumplings are a great place to start, as well the legendary pork buns.

Also Featured in:

10. Super Star Asian Cuisine

2200 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80223

(303) 727-9889

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This dim sum hot spot is located in the Alameda Square shopping center - a fine collection of Asian restaurants and markets. Weekend dim sum brunch is a treat at Super Star, and traditional Cantonese dim sum from the pushcart will not disappoint.

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11. The Empress

2825 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80219

(303) 922-2822

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Another Alameda gem, The Empress tends to be less busy than its Alameda dim sum counterparts, Star Kitchen and Super Star, thus a good choice for those hoping to avoid the lines. The dim sum menu is even lengthier than the other spots, with standouts like the scallop dumplings and sweet barbecue pork croissants.

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12. Uncle Joe's Hong Kong Bistro

891 14th St
Denver, CO 80202

(720) 330-8487

Visit Website

Uncle Joe's brings in traditional Chinese dishes, as well as an exciting build-your-own hot pot feature, where guests have the choice of broth, protein, and starch. Many of the ingredients, like the dried scallops, come straight from Hong Kong.

13. Zoe Ma Ma

1625 Wynkoop St
Denver, CO 80202

(303)545-6262

Visit Website

Zoe Ma Ma's original Boulder location has been serving up noodles and dim sum bites to hungry Pearl Street Mall pedestrians for years now, and its second location at Union Station is equally as delightful for Denver diners. Cool noodles never cease to satisfy and refresh, and the freshness is a quality you can taste here.

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14. Hasu Asian Bistro & Sushi

250 Steele St #104
Denver, CO 80206

(303) 722-9968

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At pan-Asian garden level spot Hasu in Cherry Creek, there is a two-China policy when it comes to the menus. Be bold and order from the authentic Chinese menu where the Shui Zhu beef pot will make you return.

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15. Imperial Chinese

431 S Broadway
Denver, CO 80209

(303) 698-2800

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Over three decades old, this South Broadway staple still prides itself in quick and very competent service and staple, albeit American dishes, like sesame chicken, which may be found here in its best rendition around.

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1. China Gourmet

3970 Broadway St, Boulder, CO 80304

This Boulder spot is one of the best options for Chinese food in the Front Range area, hands down. With a broad menu featuring all of the usual suspects, as well as fabulous specials like the Hong Kong crispy sole, there will be something to please all Chinese food lovers at China Gourmet. Pro tip: order the Hunan chicken off the secret menu.

3970 Broadway St
Boulder, CO 80304

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

2. China Jade

12101 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80014

China Jade may be tucked into the obscurity of an Aurora strip mall, but it also just may be one of the best spots for authentic Sichuan style Chinese in the area. Try the cumin-cinnamon beef, the spicy boiled fish, or the mapo tofu - it is hard to go wrong here. Wash it all down with a Qing Dao beer and you're in business.

12101 E Iliff Ave
Aurora, CO 80014

Open in Google Maps

3. Emperor Palace

6700 W 120th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80020

Emperor Palace in Broomfield is the place to be for weekend dim sum. Multiple tanks house live seafood in the front of the restaurant, the contents of which come into play in many of the dishes. Service is quick and courteous and prices affordable.

6700 W 120th Ave
Broomfield, CO 80020

Open in Google Maps

4. Hong Kong BBQ

1044 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219

This Federal Bouldvard gem is known for its siu mei glory, that is, roasted meats. The duck is fabulous, as is the twice-roasted pork. You can even pick up full roasted ducks and pigs to take home and really impress at the holiday feast. For something less meat-forward, try the heavenly congee.

1044 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

Open in Google Maps

5. Hop Alley

3500 Larimer St., Denver, CO

One year old Hop Alley in RiNo keeps bringing in the accolades. It seems the ramen masters from Uncle can crush the Chinese food too, and have a snappy beverage program to boot. NOTE: The restaurant will be closed December 24-25.

3500 Larimer St.
Denver, CO

Visit Website

6. JJ Chinese Seafood Restaurant

2500 Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80219

Any of the live seafood, fresh from tanks in the front of the restaurant, doused in XO sauce, is what you need to order at JJ Chinese. Bonus: JJ's is open late and perfect for a nocturnal seafood feast.

2500 Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80219

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

7. Lao Wang Noodle House

945 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO 80219

For arguably the best potstickers and soup dumplings in town, get yourself to Lao Wang noodle house. Diners be warned: service can be a bit Seinfeld-esque and particular here - you must follow a strict orderings and seating policy or it will be no soup dumplings for you. Wash down dumplings and porky dan dan noodles with a Lao Wang lager, brewed by the owners' son at Caution Brewing.

945 S Federal Blvd
Denver, CO 80219

8. Peter's Chinese Cafe

2609 E 12th Ave, Denver, CO 80206

This friendly old staple of Congress Park neighborhood spot is great for dining in, carrying out, or delivery. Go-to's here are pork mushu and crab cheese wontons.

2609 E 12th Ave
Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

9. Star Kitchen

2917 W Mississippi Ave, Denver, CO 80219

Star Kitchen is known best for its dim sum, of which the options are seemingly endless. The shrimp and cilantro dumplings are a great place to start, as well the legendary pork buns.

2917 W Mississippi Ave
Denver, CO 80219

Visit Website

10. Super Star Asian Cuisine

2200 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80223

This dim sum hot spot is located in the Alameda Square shopping center - a fine collection of Asian restaurants and markets. Weekend dim sum brunch is a treat at Super Star, and traditional Cantonese dim sum from the pushcart will not disappoint.

2200 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80223

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

11. The Empress

2825 W Alameda Ave, Denver, CO 80219

Another Alameda gem, The Empress tends to be less busy than its Alameda dim sum counterparts, Star Kitchen and Super Star, thus a good choice for those hoping to avoid the lines. The dim sum menu is even lengthier than the other spots, with standouts like the scallop dumplings and sweet barbecue pork croissants.

2825 W Alameda Ave
Denver, CO 80219

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

12. Uncle Joe's Hong Kong Bistro

891 14th St, Denver, CO 80202

Uncle Joe's brings in traditional Chinese dishes, as well as an exciting build-your-own hot pot feature, where guests have the choice of broth, protein, and starch. Many of the ingredients, like the dried scallops, come straight from Hong Kong.

891 14th St
Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

13. Zoe Ma Ma

1625 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

Zoe Ma Ma's original Boulder location has been serving up noodles and dim sum bites to hungry Pearl Street Mall pedestrians for years now, and its second location at Union Station is equally as delightful for Denver diners. Cool noodles never cease to satisfy and refresh, and the freshness is a quality you can taste here.

1625 Wynkoop St
Denver, CO 80202

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

14. Hasu Asian Bistro & Sushi

250 Steele St #104, Denver, CO 80206

At pan-Asian garden level spot Hasu in Cherry Creek, there is a two-China policy when it comes to the menus. Be bold and order from the authentic Chinese menu where the Shui Zhu beef pot will make you return.

250 Steele St #104
Denver, CO 80206

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

15. Imperial Chinese

431 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209

Over three decades old, this South Broadway staple still prides itself in quick and very competent service and staple, albeit American dishes, like sesame chicken, which may be found here in its best rendition around.

431 S Broadway
Denver, CO 80209

Visit Website

Open in Google Maps

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