For many Chinese restaurants, Christmas is the busiest day of the year. Many of the following metro Detroit Chinese restaurants have been operating for 10 years or more, demonstrating that their consistency is their gift year-round to local diners. Make sure to call ahead to confirm hours and ensure availability of dishes because nothing puts a damper on the holiday season than coming up empty handed.
East Lake Chinese Restaurant
This Troy restaurant offers everything from orange chicken and sweet and sour pork to sautéed pig intestines and duck’s blood and beef tripe, ensuring optimal harmony among your group of diners with wide-ranging tastes. But the real draw is the dim sum, with can’t-miss dishes like egg tarts, shumai, turnip cakes, and more. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. East Lake Chinese Restaurant, 5087 Rochester Road, Troy; 248-740-9522
Empress Gardens
Serving Southfield for an impressive 40-plus years, Empress Garden has been feeding generations of loyal customers who remember going there as a kid and coming back with their own families. The house special Hong Kong Steak is perfect for your holiday repast. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for carryout only. Empress Gardens, 21734 W. 11 Mile Road, Southfield; 248-356-4750; enjoyempressgarden.com
Golden Harvest
This Warren mainstay has been dishing up traditional Chinese and American Chinese fare as well as dim sum for more than 30 years. The dim sum menu is vast, offering the requisite dishes like dumplings and pork buns as well as dishes that are less common like beef tripe with ginger and green onion and steamed chicken feet. Seafood lovers will not want to miss the spicy squid and walnut shrimp. Golden Harvest, 6880 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren; 586-751-5288
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Hong Hua
With specials like the Peking Duck — young duckling prepared two ways: crispy honey-glazed skin with Chinese crepes and boneless breast stir-fried with Chinese vegetables — walleye filet flamed tableside, fresh lobsters, and more, the white-tablecloth restaurant Hong Hua offers a high-end feast for when you’re looking for something beyond takeout. Hong Hua, 27925 Orchard Lake Rd., Farmington Hills; 248-489-2280; honghuafinedining.com
Jeff’s Kitchen
This Walled Lake institution specializes in authentic Shanghainese fare. The soup dumplings are a must and are some of the finest to be found on this side of the world. As always, the restaurant only takes reservations — i.e., no walk-ins to get carryout — so if you have your sights set on Jeff’s Kitchen for Christmas make sure to get that reservation in sooner rather than later. Jeff’s Kitchen, 1130 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake; 248-669-8896
Leong’s 23 Chinese Restaurant
This beloved Macomb County staple has been a go-to in the area for decades, building a solid rep for friendly service and favorites like almond boneless chicken. It has special holiday hours, open 2-8 p.m. on Christmas Day. Leong’s 23 Chinese Restaurant, 30546 23 Mile Road, Chesterfield
Shangri La
Owner Cholada Chan, who was born in Thailand to Chinese parents, got tired of going to Windsor for dim sum so she founded Shangri-La more than 15 years ago. Today it specializes in authentic Cantonese cuisine and all-day dim sum. Check out the restaurant’s website and Facebook page for a holiday menu, but in the past, Shangri La has offered dishes like deep-fried Cantonese-style crispy chicken, various hot pots (grouper, lamb, and the special Shangri-La hot pot), and more. Its sister location in Detroit’s Midtown will be closed. Hours will be 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. on Christmas Day. 6407 Orchard Lake Road., West Bloomfield; 248-626-8585; dineshangrila.com
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Kung Fu Noodle House
Kung Fu Noodle House is an option if you’re looking to mix up your Chinese carryout routine. This Madison Heights hot spot offers a little bit of everything, from Chinese hand-pulled noodles and hearty beef soups to seafood boils. Kung Fu Noodle House, 31151 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights; 248-268-2171; thekungfunoodlehouse.com
Trizest
This Sterling Heights staple is renowned not only for its authentic Szechuan fare but also its vast options for vegetarians; many dishes from General Tso’s to sweet and sour can be made plant-based with soy bean, rice, and wheat protein. Not to be missed are the Yibin flame noodles, squirrel-shaped fish, and stir-fried lamb with cumin. Trizest, 33170 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; 586-268-1450; trizest.com
Zhang BBQ
Be the hero of your holiday party with a carnivore lover’s spread from this Madison Heights destination. Specializing in Guangzhou barbecue dishes, Zhang BBQ draws people near and far for its flavorful honey BBQ pork, roast pig, and Peking duck. Cash only. Holiday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Zhang BBQ, 31682 John R Road, Madison Heights; 248-588-7007
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