Check out our guide to top Chinese spots all over Birmingham

Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher

Reading time: 9 minutes

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Chinese food in Birmingham
This plate of sesame chicken is incredible. (Cecilia Wood / Bham Now)

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

Chinese food in Birmingham
Chinese beer? Count us in. (Cecilia Wood / Bham Now)

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.

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.

Magic Wok | Five Points

Chinese food in Birmingham
Magic Wok in downtown Birmingham. (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

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).

China Master Express | Five Points

Chinese food in Birmingham
A seat at China Master Express is waiting for you! (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

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.

New China Town | Five Points

Chinese food in Birmingham
A Five Points classic, New China Town. (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

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.

Chen Express | Crestline + Cahaba Heights

crestline
Crestline Village (Bham Now)

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.

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant | Glen Iris

Chinese food in Birmingham
Have a seat at Great Wall Chinese. (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

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.

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!

China Way Restaurant | Irondale

Chinese food in Birmingham
Check out China Way in all its glory. (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hunan Cuisine | Greystone

Hunan Cuisine Korean Chinese dish Lunar New Year in Birmingham
Kkanpunggi—a Korean-style sweet, spicy and sour fried chicken. (Cheyenne Trujillo / Bham Now)

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.

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.

Yoe Xpress | Homewood

Chinese food in Birmingham
Yoe Xpress in downtown Homewood (Olivia Moses / Bham Now)

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.

Happy Wok | Trussville

Birmingham, Happy Wok, Trussville, asian cuisine
Happy Wok in Trussville. (Patience Itson / Bham Now)

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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Ally Engleman
Ally Engleman
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