The soul of Lincoln is equal parts Midwest warmth and global ambition, echoed in its food.
The city’s Chinese restaurants are testaments to family legacies, immigrant entrepreneurship, and a university-driven curiosity that embraces both the spicy and the familiar.
From longstanding buffets to inventive noodle houses, here’s where Lincoln keeps its chopstick skills sharp and its bellies happy.
1. Yia Yia’s Chinese Kitchen
For almost 40 years, Yia Yia’s has been where Lincoln’s milestones are celebrated—graduations, retirements, first birthdays, even post-football feasts.
The space is cozy and always full of warmth, with owners greeting longtime regulars and curious newcomers with equal enthusiasm.
Highlights include pork potstickers, beef stir fry with local vegetables, and thick, savory egg drop soup perfect on chilly nights.
The kitchen is famous for taking requests—spicy, less sweet, always hot—and the service team knows the needs of every family that walks through the door.
They also host a renowned Chinese New Year party, decking the dining room in red lanterns for a night of pageantry, food, and community.
2. Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace is both a go-to for faculty lunch crowds and a hub for multigenerational families, famed for its reliable lunch platters and banquet-style dinners.
Start with fluffy steamed dumplings, move on to Mongolian beef or Cantonese-style steamed fish, and always grab a side of fried rice.
Their weekend dim sum draws people from around Nebraska—steamed buns, shrimp dumplings, flaky egg custard tarts, and more.
The vibe is clean and welcoming, and the owners pride themselves on honesty and attention, explaining unfamiliar dishes or recommending a new special every week.
3. China Buffet
The China Buffet occupies a special place in Lincoln’s social landscape—birthdays, work functions, and big family reunions all gravitate toward its heaping buffet counters, mountain of crab legs, sushi rolls, and hot trays of lo mein and stir fry vegetables.
Kids race for dessert, adults chat over heaped plates, and staff always keep drinks filled with a smile.
The sheer variety makes it a weekly routine for many, and the value is unbeatable: all you can eat, all you love, no judgment if you come back for thirds.
4. Golden China
Golden China stands out for its reliably quick service—absolutely crucial during lunch hour rushes—and surprisingly complex flavors.
You’ll find office workers devouring General Tso’s, students on solo study lunches tucking into coconut shrimp or wonton noodle soup, and regulars raving about the kitchen’s ability to accommodate allergies and preferences.
Their hot and sour soup is a Lincoln legend, and the portions are big enough to carry you through to your next class or meeting.
5. Blue Orchid
Blue Orchid is known for revolutionizing Lincoln’s Asian food scene, blending Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese flair into a contemporary, bright dining space.
Popular for special occasions, its Chinese menu delivers: Szechuan beef, dry wok tofu, Peking duck, and nuanced, visually beautiful vegetable plates.
Blue Orchid is also drank-friendly, with a smart cocktail program and an array of teas.
The kitchen is adventurous but always attentive to classic needs, balancing innovation and tradition in every bite.
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