5 Best Chinese Restaurants in Minneapolis to Try Today

Minneapolis offers a surprisingly robust Chinese food scene from authentic regional specialties to Nordic-influenced fusion.

Here’s where locals get their dumpling fix in 2025.

1. Tea House

This University Avenue institution serves legitimately authentic Sichuan cuisine that doesn’t hold back on those numbing peppercorns and chili heat.

Their mapo tofu delivers that perfect balance of spicy, numbing, and savory flavors, while their twice-cooked pork showcases proper wok technique.

2. Rainbow Chinese

This Eat Street favorite has been serving exceptional Chinese food to generations of Minneapolis locals, evolving with the city’s changing tastes while maintaining beloved classics.

Chef Tammy Wong’s menu balances perfectly executed American-Chinese comfort foods with more authentic specialties, creating something for everyone.

3. Grand Szechuan

This suburban Bloomington gem serves some of the most authentic regional Chinese specialties in the Midwest, drawing dedicated fans from throughout the Twin Cities.

Their dry-fried string beans achieve that perfect wok-charred exterior while maintaining interior crispness, while their cumin lamb delivers complex spicing beyond just heat.

4. Peking Garden

This St. Paul institution delivers exceptional Cantonese cuisine that’s earned loyal customers from throughout the metro area.

Their Peking duck with perfectly lacquered skin has achieved legendary status, while their seafood specialties showcase traditional techniques rarely found in Minnesota.

5. Nordic Dragon

This innovative Northeast concept combines traditional Chinese techniques with Scandinavian influences in a fusion approach that celebrates Minneapolis’s distinctive heritage.

Their dumplings incorporate unexpected Nordic ingredients like lingonberries and dill, while their “Mississippi River” specialties feature local freshwater fish prepared with Chinese techniques.