Home to thriving tech corridors, universities, and a truly global population, Fairfax has built one of the Washington D.C. area’s most impressive Chinese food scenes.
In this suburban mosaic, restaurants run the gamut from humble, family-run dumpling shops bustling with homesick students to elegant dining rooms perfect for banquets and business gatherings.
If you want a taste of contemporary China—from spicy street foods to classical Cantonese feasts—Fairfax’s best kitchens await with steaming pots, piles of noodles, and a hospitality that feels both timely and timeless.
1. Bob’s Shanghai 66
Step inside on a crisp Northern Virginia afternoon and the relentless hum of conversation signals you’re in the right place.
Bob’s Shanghai 66 is locally and nationally beloved for soup dumplings (xiao long bao) that burst with gingered broth; their delicate skin and perfectly balanced flavor draw regulars from DC, Maryland, and beyond.
The hand-pulled noodles and pan-fried buns are staples, but off-menu specials like spicy beef tendon, cold mung bean noodles, and piquant Szechuan cucumbers make every trip new.
2. Duck Chang’s Restaurant
Duck Chang’s is woven into Northern Virginia’s dining history—the first restaurant in America to serve boneless Peking duck, carving the bird tableside in a ritual that’s drawn families for weddings, birthdays, and holidays for more than 40 years.
The caramelized duck skin, pillowy steamed buns, and fresh scallions are a must, but the menu sticks every landing: Szechuan lamb with cumin, crispy whole fish, and savory turnip cakes, all backed by a team who treat newcomers like regulars.
3. Hong Kong Palace
Hong Kong Palace captures the heart of Cantonese comfort in a sleek, modern dining hall that throws some of the region’s best dim sum weekends.
Imagine sunlight catching clouds of steam as carts roll table to table: har gow, shiu mai, steamed BBQ pork buns, and crispy taro dumplings, all crafted with delicacy and pride.
Weeknight dinner crowds come for crispy salt-and-pepper squid, luscious soft tofu with shrimp, and wok-fried crab, served with an attention to detail many busy kitchens forget.
4. East Wind Restaurant
For people seeking a hybrid of Southeast Asian and classic Chinese, East Wind stands apart.
The menu ranges from pillowy pho and larb salad to beautifully plated Szechuan chicken and black bean beef.
Their General Tso’s is a best-seller—extra-crispy, sauce not too sweet—and the salt and pepper shrimp comes head-on, fried, and loaded with scallions and peppers.
5. Asian Bistro
Asian Bistro’s youthful energy, stylish cocktail bar, and broad menu make it a favorite among George Mason students and tech workers unwinding after hours.
The kitchen turns out velvety eggplant in garlic sauce, fiery dan dan noodles, beef chow fun, and inventive vegan options—think spicy cucumber salad or tofu hot pot—with an eye on freshness and contemporary taste.
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