San Mateo’s Chinese restaurant landscape is shaped by its deep-rooted Chinese community, Silicon Valley professionals, foodie diaspora, and newcomers from around the world.
Here, from elegant banquets on El Camino to modern cafes and age-old dumpling houses, the city’s kitchens are always alive with new stories, flavors, and friendships made over lazy Susans.
1. Little Shanghai
Little Shanghai has anchored San Mateo’s Chinese scene for more than a generation.
The interior is cozy but bustling, its weekends packed with large round tables, steaming baskets of xiao long bao, and servers balancing trays of Peking duck, hand-shaved noodles, and scallion pancakes.
The sweet-and-sour fish, sesame-studded green beans, and house special fried shrimp never leave the menu.
Families return here for every milestone, and from Lunar New Year to graduation weekends, this is where the city gathers for tradition, laughter, and overflowing plates.
2. Hot Wok Bistro
Modern, casual, and approachable, Hot Wok Bistro attracts both quick lunch warriors and sliding-into-Friday-night regulars.
The signature honey walnut prawns and spicy garlic eggplant are top sellers, but the real secret is the build-your-own bowl options, perfect for picky eaters or groups with dietary needs.
The place buzzes with young professionals and families alike, many sticking around for house-crafted tea drinks and boba.
3. Joy Luck Place
In a city blessed with dim sum, Joy Luck’s weekend cart service is a San Mateo ritual.
Steamed pork buns, turnip cakes, glistening har gow, and golden custard tarts make their way to every table, and no one leaves hungry.
The kitchen excels at savory seafood dishes—don’t miss the salt-and-pepper crab or ginger-scallion lobster, ideal for sharing.
Regulars recommend going early to beat the dim sum rush and to grab the best seats for a parade of rolling delicacies.
4. Cooking Papa
Created by expats who missed the bracing flavors of Hong Kong street food, Cooking Papa brings a unique, vibrant energy to San Mateo.
The menu is huge and written half in English, half in Chinese—perfect for adventurous eaters.
Try the steamed rice rolls, fish ball soup, and roast duck for maximum authenticity.
Walls of Polaroids chronicle years of happy customers, and solo diners, couples, and entire extended families all feel welcome.
5. King Chuan
King Chuan is a little more under-the-radar but earns rave reviews for its deft fusion of Taiwanese snacks and classic Chinese-American takes: three-cup chicken, beef noodle soup, and sweet-and-spicy tofu bowls.
The room is always lively, the service quick, and the regulars a mix of techies, recent arrivals, and college kids hungry for a taste of home.
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