Lakeland—known for its historic charm, tranquil lakes, and vibrant downtown—has become one of Central Florida’s best under-the-radar food towns.
Its Chinese restaurants are woven into the city’s everyday fabric: gathering spots for retirees, students at Florida Southern, and families looking for something beyond barbecue or Cuban.
Lakeland’s Chinese scene offers everything from old-school takeout windows to expansive, family-run dining rooms serving dim sum, platters of seafood, and practically legendary fried rice.
1. Hao Wah Chinese Restaurant
A pillar of Lakeland’s Chinese food for decades, Hao Wah is famous for its banquet-sized menu and bottomless pot of jasmine tea.
The deep velvet booths and pagoda lamps signal that you’re in a local institution. Regulars swear by the sweet and sour pork, Szechuan tofu, and honey walnut shrimp.
On weekends, large multigenerational families flood the dining room, sharing platters of General Tso’s, brown sauce beef, lo mein, and fresh steamed veggies.
The kitchen is happy to adapt recipes for gluten-free or vegan diets, and longtime servers greet regulars by name.
2. Tian Tian Chinese Restaurant
A go-to for both dine-in and takeout, Tian Tian hits the sweet spot with generous, well-spiced Szechuan dishes—spicy eggplant, pepper steak, and kung pao chicken.
The lunch specials are a huge draw, with main dish, soup, rice, and an eggroll for a wallet-friendly price.
Regulars laud the roast pork fried rice for its savory, smoky flavor, and the always-consistent orange chicken as a must for newcomers. Delivery service is swift and food always arrives hot.
3. China 1
China 1’s bright, bustling counter is the default pick for fast, reliable, and crave-worthy takeout.
The staff turns out classic egg foo young, spicy garlic chicken, and one of Lakeland’s best hot and sour soups, all in portions big enough for tomorrow’s lunch.
This spot is beloved by students and office workers alike, and the kitchen is always up for extra spice, extra rice, or special requests—and there’s always a little handful of fortune cookies on the way out.
4. Eastern Dragon
Tucked into a lively shopping plaza, Eastern Dragon is cozy and welcoming, with koi artwork and soft music.
Families flock here for the long menu of family-style classics—shrimp with mixed veggies, Mongolian beef, moo goo gai pan, and a surprisingly broad vegetarian selection.
Seniors praise the attentive staff who will remember allergies and favorite sauces after just a few visits.
The restaurant is famous for its annual Lunar New Year specials, when the kitchen goes all out with festive decorations and off-menu delicacies.
5. Panda Express
Lakeland’s Panda stays busy from lunch through dinner, serving up signature orange chicken, Beijing beef, veggie spring rolls, and plenty of healthy steamed options.
The fast, friendly counter crew keeps the line moving, always happy to offer customization, refills, or a laugh with the regulars after a long day on the lake.
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