In Cedar Rapids, where the downtown murals tell stories of hardiness and hope, and the Cedar River cuts through the heart of neighborhoods, Chinese restaurants have become anchors for multi-generational families, newcomers, and students from nearby universities.
From first-generation immigrant kitchens to bold newcomers, the city’s top Chinese spots evoke home, warmth, and the kind of comfort that’s always in season.
1. Pei’s Mandarin
If there’s a holiday, important date, or family homecoming, all roads in Cedar Rapids lead to Pei’s Mandarin.
Their expansive dining room thrums with laughter and glasses raised, red lanterns and murals evoking Chinese heritage as servers bustle, arms full of family-style platters.
From the legendary eggrolls (crisp, golden, and bursting with pork and cabbage), to classic Beijing roast duck, creamy Mongolian beef, and sizzling seafood hotpots, Pei’s does vast and varied Chinese cuisine with skill and consistency.
Their weekend buffet draws churchgoers, reunions, and prom groups, and the staff almost always recognize returning guests—bringing extra dipping sauces or a festive dessert for birthdays without upcharge.
2. Chopstix Chinese Restaurant
Chopstix is small and unpretentious, but every booth and counter seat is fiercely fought for come lunchtime.
This is because of the menu’s mastery: each plate of pork fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, or General Tso’s is impossibly fresh, nicely portioned, and, most importantly, consistent year after year.
Regulars know the daily specials—often influenced by the harvest and season—are worth a detour, especially their Szechuan tofu and spicy sautéed green beans.
It’s the kind of spot that welcomes both solitary book readers and rowdy soccer teams with equal cheer, delivering food fast and with a genuine smile.
3. Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Great Wall embodies Cedar Rapids hospitality: big tables, generous servings, wallet-friendly lunch deals, and staff who treat every guest like one of their own.
The kitchen pays attention to preferences—chili oil on the side, less oil in the lo mein, no MSG on request—ensuring everyone feels comfortable.
Parents praise the crispy egg rolls and surprisingly rich hot and sour soup, while kids inevitably fall for the chicken fingers and pineapple fried rice. During winter, the takeout window never stops, ensuring that even blizzard nights can end with warm, flavorful comfort.
4. Long Xing
Long Xing keeps its menu classic—with pork with garlic sauce, veggie fried rice, and orange beef headlining a list built for loyalists.
Delivery is reliable and speedy, with containers always tightly packed and still hot on arrival.
The dining room, though small, sees steady business from local office workers and retirees who value efficiency, fair pricing, and zero pretense.
5. Panda Express
Sometimes you just need something quick after work, before a concert downtown, or to feed a car full of hungry kids.
Cedar Rapids’ Panda Express excels here: orange chicken that never fails, super-fast lines, and cheerful staff who’ll add fortune cookies for the whole group and hand out water cups “just because.”
It’s a fixture in the lunch hour routine and a go-to for busy families who trust that their favorites taste right every single time.
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