Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Check out our guide to top Chinese spots all over Birmingham
Reading time: 9 minutes

Without noticing, summer can become incredibly busy. You don’t always have the time to cook. Whether takeout or dine in, Chinese food brings culture, tradition and a warm, nostalgic joy whenever I’m needing it most. Check out our guide to some of our favorite local restaurants that serve Chinese food in Birmingham.
Red Pearl Restaurant | Homewood

One of our favorite spots to get Chinese food in Birmingham! Red Pearl has it all, including an Asian market that serves up fresh, authentic Asian ingredients. The chicken fried rice absolutely slaps, so be sure to count on Red Pearl if you’re craving Chinese food on Valley Ave.
- Where: 243 W Valley Ave, Homewood
- Hours: 10AM-9PM
- Website | Phone
Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking | Homewood + Hoover
You can’t think about Birmingham Chinese food without thinking of Mr. Chen’s. There’s something special and authentic about it. So popular, Mr. Chen’s has two locations: one in Homewood and one in Hoover. They’re known for their variety in taste and their fresh ingredients. Try out their dumplings.
- Where: 808 Green Springs Hwy #140, Homewood
- Hours: 11AM-9PM
- Website | Phone
- Where: 1917 Hoover Ct, Hoover
- Hoover Hours: Mon,Wed-Sun: 11AM-9PM | Tues: Closed
- Website | Phone
Magic Wok | Five Points

Magic Wok lies in the heart of the bustling UAB Hospital campus. It’s a fan favorite during lunch rush, and it has all of the classic comfort choices UAB employees rely on for their busy schedules (Magic Wok’s sesame chicken is our go-to).
- Where: 401 19th St S, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 10:30AM-7:30PM | Closed Sun
- Website | Phone
China Master Express | Five Points

In need of a quick lunch break but don’t want to leave downtown? China Master Express is the place for you. Or, if you like your dinner a little later than the rest, China Master is open until 8:30PM. Their combo platters are some of our favorites. They heat up nicely for the next day’s lunch as well. Pro tip: park in the parking deck—street parking is tight.
- Where: 1801 4th Ave S, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:30AM-8:30PM | Sat: 11-8:30PM | Sun: Closed
- Website | Phone
New China Town | Five Points

If you’re like me, I love a late-night bite. New China Town is open when everything else is closed. Their selection of hot soups hits the spot when you’re needing to decompress. If you’re thinking about staying out, New China Town is the place to start or end your evening.
- Where: 1020 20th St S, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11AM-10PM | Fri-Sat: 11AM-11PM | Sun: Closed
- Website | Phone
Chen Express | Crestline + Cahaba Heights

Chen Express offers two locations, in Mountain Brook and Cahaba Heights, and both are reliable go-tos. Chen Express is also a Bham Now staff favorite! We enjoy the Szechuan chicken and chicken sizzling rice. Give either location a try tonight—you’ll love it.
- Where: 221 Country Clb Pk, Mountain Brook
- Hours: 11AM-9PM
- Website | Phone
- Where: 3161 Green Valley Rd, Vestavia Hills
- Hours: 11AM-8:30PM
- Website | Phone
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant | Glen Iris

Great Wall Chinese is nestled on Valley Avenue between Green Springs and Vulcan. With daily lunch specials so big, you should grab a to-go box on your way out. Great Wall Chinese also has a few items you can’t catch at your typical Chinese, like the rice cakes and clay pot entrees.
- Where: 706 Valley Ave, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 11AM-3PM, 4:30-9:30PM | Sun: Closed
- Website | Phone
Ming’s Cuisine | Inverness
Birmingham loves Ming’s Cuisine. It’s been around for years and still has the classic decor to prove it. They’re also known for their helpfulness, efficient service and just overall great vibe. Try their kung pao dishes and their egg rolls when you go. 10/10 for us!
- Where: 514 Cahaba Park Cir, Birmingham
- Hours: Sun-Tues: 11AM-2:30PM, 4:30-9:30PM | Mon: Closed
- Website | Phone
China Way Restaurant | Irondale

You can’t miss China Way with their bright red roof, located right where Irondale and Crestwood meet. Their crab fried rice makes this spot worth a visit. What’s also unique about China Way is their drive-through, which adds convenience for a quick pick-up.
- Where: 5220 Oporto Madrid Blvd, Birmingham
- Hours: Sun,Tues-Thurs: 10AM-9PM | Fri-Sat: 10AM-10PM | Mon: Closed
- Website | Phone
Black Pearl Asian Cuisine | The Colonnade
If you head down 280, you’ll find a little shop in The Colonnade filled with top-rated Asian cuisine that will satisfy every craving. Meet Black Pearl—your new date night spot. Their customers’ go-to picks? Salted shrimp, sesame beef and drunken noodles. We also love that they expand to other types of Asian cuisine beyond Chinese, such as Thai noodles + curries—plus an extensive “spa” menu with lighter choices.
- Where: 3439 Colonnade Pkwy, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 11AM-2:30PM, 4PM-9PM
- Website | Phone
Wok n Roll | Inverness
Head a little further down 280 and you’ll hit Inverness. Get ready to ‘Wok n Roll’ with this local spot. Big portions, friendly customer service and top notch food are what’s on the menu. Customers’ picks? General Tso’s and chicken fried rice.
- Where: 175 Inverness Plaza, Birmingham
- Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11AM-9PM | Fri-Sat: 11AM-9:30PM
- Website | Phone
Golden Dragon | Bessemer
Golden Dragon is one of Bessemer’s best kept secrets. Located on Bessemer Road, this place is known for some of the best Chinese food in Birmingham. Want to try the fan favorites? Mongolian Beef and the egg drop soup. We’ll make the drive, for sure.
- Where: 2227 Bessemer Rd, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 10:30AM-9PM | Sat: 11AM-9:30PM
- Facebook | Phone
Hunan Cuisine | Greystone

It’s no secret that customers have been going to Hunan Cuisine for years and have grown up with the menu. They’re located in Greystone right off Highway 280. Hunan Cuisine is known for their Kkanpunggi—a spicy, Korean-style take on sweet and sour chicken.
- Where: 5510 US-280, Birmingham
- Hours: Tues-Sun: 11AM-2:15PM, 4PM-8PM | Mon: Closed
- Website | Phone
Wok Express | Mountain Brook
Wok Express on Overton Road is Mountain Brook’s go-to. With an extensive menu, this place is great for classics like hot and sour soup and has egg rolls that will impress. Check them out today.
- Where: 3150 Overton Rd #105, Mountain Brook
- Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11AM-9:15PM | Fri-Sat: 11AM-10PM | Sun: 11AM-19:15PM
- Website | Phone
Yoe Xpress | Homewood

Yoe Xpress is downtown Homewood’s spot. Located where Highway 31 meets the Red Mountain Expressway, this place was still poppin’ with lunch fans at 3 PM. It’s known for its quick service and great quality—two things we admire. Orange chicken and fried rice seem to be the most popular picks here.
- Where: Merchant’s Walk, 1919 28th Ave S, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Sat: 11AM-8:30PM | Sun: Closed
- Website | Phone
Happy Wok | Trussville

One of the newest places to grab Chinese food in Trussville is Happy Wok Asian Cuisine. Boasting a 4.5 star rating on Google—it’s going to be one that I have to try. They’re known for their large portions and fantastic service. From menu items like roasted duck to chicken and broccoli, you know you won’t leave hungry.
- Where: 1423 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham
- Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11AM-9PM | Fri-Sat: 11AM-9:30PM
- Website | Phone
China Bistro | Vestavia
China Bistro is serving up the classics in Vestavia Hills. Although you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu, they serve gluten-free options, which are a game changer for those with dietary restrictions. Check it out seven days a week to see what the hype is all about.
- Where: 3378 Morgan Dr, Vestavia Hills
- Hours: 11AM-9PM
- Website | Phone
Moon Star | Homewood
Let’s be real: Valley Ave. has some of the best finds for Chinese food (and more!), and Moon Star is no exception. This spot also has a devoted following with one Google review stating that they’ve been customers since 1999. What?! Some of the chef’s specialties include curry chicken and shrimp with garlic sauce—yum!
- Where: 191 W Valley Ave, Homewood
- Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11AM-9:30PM | Fri-Sat: 11AM-10:30PM | Sun: Closed
- Website | Phone
Chengdu Cuisine | Hoover
Chengdu Cuisine, located in Hoover near the conjunction of Hwy 31 + I-65S, is the spot for your lunch specials. For just $13 or less, you can grab sesame chicken paired with rice and an egg roll. Don’t forget about Chengdu’s specialty teas. For more adventurous eaters, they offer more unique proteins like tripe, pork intestine and bullfrog.
- Where: 1550 Montgomery Hwy STE O, Hoover
- Hours: 10:30AM-9PM
- Website | Phone
Peking Wok
Right by Highway 459, Peking Wok offers an all-you-can-eat buffet and vegan options. The restaurant is located in Hoover off of Shades Crest Road. Peking Wok makes their dumplings homemade, so you’ll be able to taste the love and care, too!
- Where: 3421 S Shades Crest Rd #101, Hoover
- Hours: Tues-Sun: 11AM-8:30PM | Mon: Closed
- Website | Phone
Happy China | Indian Springs
Happy China is an Indian Springs favorite. Conveniently located on Southlake Parkway, you’ll find affordable lunch specials, fresh ingredients and traditional favorites. Sweets lovers won’t want to miss the Chinese donuts to close out their meals.
- Where: 4524 Southlake Pkwy, Birmingham
- Hours: Mon-Fri: 11AM-8:30PM | Sat-Sun: 4PM-8:30PM
- Website | Phone
Looking for the best Chinese food spots in Huntsville? Check them out here.
Movin’ in Mobile? Check out our Mobile Chinese Food Guide.
Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know what you want to see on our Instagram + Facebook—we love all things small biz.