5 Best Chinese Restaurants in Columbia, Missouri to Try

Columbia has quietly become a refuge for excellent global eats, and Chinese cuisine is no exception.

Thanks to returning students, international parents, and a steady crowd of curious locals, this college town now boasts everything from spicy Sichuan hotspots to home-style dumpling counters.

Here’s where the locals (and hungry Mizzou students) flock for Chinese food in 2025.

1. House of Chow

This stylish, welcoming bistro has been a Columbia go-to for years.

With clever Chinese lantern décor and a broad menu that swings between classic American-Chinese and more adventurous Cantonese and Sichuan flavors, House of Chow always offers something for everyone.

Daytime crowds crave the reasonably priced—and generously portioned—lunch specials: sesame tofu, lo mein bursting with veggies, and their hot & sour soup that’s legendary for beating cold season.

2. Bamboo Terrace

If you’re after hot, fresh, all-you-can-eat goodness, Bamboo Terrace is your fix. This spot is most famous for its lunch buffet—rows of classic favorites like Mongolian beef, garlic green beans, and fried wontons, always piping hot and replenished.

On evenings and weekends, Bamboo Terrace shines with a la carte dishes full of color and flavor.

The spicy Sichuan chicken will put your heat tolerance to the test, while their beef broccoli is the gold standard for UM students looking for comfort food.

3. Jina Yoo’s Asian Bistro

For a modern, creative twist, locals turn to Jina Yoo’s—part pan-Asian, part inventive sushi bar, but boasting a Chinese segment that many swear by.

The Peking duck lettuce wraps and hoisin-glazed ribs are favorites on the appetizer list, and their Korean-Chinese fusion dishes, like spicy noodle bowls, appeal especially to adventurous eaters.

4. Lucky House

This neighborhood standby is all about delivering familiar American-Chinese classics—generous, reliably tasty, and easy on the wallet.

Lucky House is beloved by students and families alike for its loaded fried-rice bowls, light and crispy orange chicken, and always-piping-hot egg drop soup. Don’t forget the fortune cookies—here, they’re surprisingly fresh!

5. House of Dragon

House of Dragon has been serving up big flavors in Columbia for decades, and while the no-frills décor hasn’t changed, the kitchen is as reliable as ever.

Known for their spicy hunan chicken and custom “combo plates” that cover all the comfort classics, locals appreciate the solid portions and lightning-fast service.

It’s a favorite for Friday-night takeout runs when you want food that tastes just like you remember.