Ever find yourself craving Chinese food and thinking, “I’d settle for anything decent”? Of course not. Whether you’re a Chesapeake native or just passing through, you deserve the absolute best General Tso’s, dumplings, and Peking duck our city has to offer. That’s precisely why we’ve scoured every corner to bring you this definitive list.
Panda King
$ | (757) 543-9800 | WEBSITE
Sometimes, we’re wrong. It’s rare, but it happens. Our initial take on Panda King, for example, was pretty lukewarm. But that was back in 2020, a confusing time when sourdough starters were the project du jour and grocery delivery slots were impossible to get. With its perfect mix of casual, welcoming atmosphere and impressive, unfussy food, this Chesapeake restaurant has grown on us immensely over the years.
It’s one of our favorite Chinese spots in the area, slightly edging out the latest trendy fusion places, so swing by for some world-class General Tso chicken and a generous, flavorful pancit. Just be sure to order online. Panda King is essentially takeout-focused, with limited dine-in seating, and we aren’t the only ones who love this place.
Chinese Gourmet Express
$ | (757) 465-8888 | WEBSITE
This walk-in-only mall restaurant is going to wow you, but not with fine china, truffles, or elegant dining rooms. There’s none of that here. Only Chinese classics piled generously onto plates that are handed over the counter by staff in casual uniforms. Open for years in Chesapeake Square Mall, Chinese Gourmet Express is the best at what it does: affordable comfort food you crave the moment you leave the parking lot.
You’ll particularly remember the savory bourbon chicken, fried rice soaked in sauce, and cream cheese Rangoon fried fresh upon order. In the food-court-like space where shoppers eat under fluorescent lights like they’re grabbing a quick bite between errands, everything is a highlight.
Golden China
$ | (757) 487-8300 | WEBSITE
A single bite of the shrimp egg roll and you know there’s something special going on in this strip mall spot in Chesapeake. Golden China’s signature dish is what might happen if a classic egg roll and a perfectly fried spring roll had a delicious baby: a crispy, golden-brown wrapper bursting with plump shrimp and fresh vegetables. But the rest of the menu is full of reliable favorites. The general tso’s chicken, with its balanced sweet-and-spicy sauce, is one of our go-to comfort dishes.
The beef with broccoli is another solid choice, with tender meat and crisp florets in a savory brown sauce. This no-frills-but-satisfying restaurant could use some cosmetic updates, but we’ll keep coming back for the convenient takeout.
Fortune Inn Chinese Restaurant
$ | (757) 547-0008 | WEBSITE
This Chesapeake Chinese spot has been serving the community for years, and is—despite its casual take-out focus—way more delicious than that makes it sound. This place always had the makings of a satisfying, no-fuss meal: clean dining area, friendly owners, and food that arrives hot and prepared to order. Now, it also has the flavors.
You’ll have some tough decisions to make between things like crunchy fried meat wontons with that nice fried flavor, pork fried rice with good wok-char, and Filipino rice noodles with pork packed with umami soy sauce goodness. You can’t really go wrong, though you’ll appreciate the staff’s pleasant assistance with customizing spice levels. Fortune Inn is the first place we’d recommend for a convenient, extra-satisfying take-out night—or even better, a family order, so you can try more things.
Always start your meal with the textbook hot and sour soup.
China Sun
$ | (757) 482-6980 | WEBSITE
China Sun calls itself a Chinese restaurant, and true to form, you’ll find General Tso’s chicken, beef and broccoli, and honey chicken here. But the place is less formal dining room, more efficient takeout counter—like a New York Chinatown spot packed its bags and settled down in Chesapeake’s Great Bridge area.
The reliable, well-seasoned, customer-favorite dishes stay consistent, but their three staples should always be in your order: those crunchy General Tso’s chicken pieces, the best boneless spare ribs around, and a dish called simply “Lo Mein.” It’s a container full of fresh noodles, seasoned vegetables, and your choice of protein, all tossed in a sauce that tastes like soy and sesame oil. Don’t even get us started on the scalding-hot beef and broccoli, or the exceptional quick service.
New China
$ | (757) 578-4778 | WEBSITE
New China in Chesapeake is so spacious, and so accessible, that you could easily navigate the ample parking lot without worrying about bumping another car. The number of regulars filling the dining room, comfortably enjoying their meals, is a testament to the consistent flavors coming out of New China’s reliable kitchen. Virtually everything is elevated with excellent sauce, like the beef and broccoli with perfect veggies, or the tasty egg rolls with crisp wrappers.
There’s a magnetic pull to these satisfying dishes, and the reasonable pricing just adds to the appeal of every return visit. At New China, the friendly staff serves what they’re known for, how they’re known for—and everyone, us included, wants to be part of their local favorite status.
Number One Chinese Restaurant
$ | (757) 638-2526 | WEBSITE
Number One Chinese Restaurant has a magnetic quality that draws in families, regulars, and anyone craving Chinese food so authentic it feels like a homecoming. At this beloved Chesapeake spot, the parking is ample, the service is genuinely friendly, and the shrimp chow mein is rich with savory depth and perfectly cooked noodles. Order it with the spring rolls, which are everything you want them to be, or try the curry shrimp for a few dollars more.
Meals here rarely exceed $15, and yet, even if you’re a repeat visitor, they consistently deliver satisfaction that keeps you coming back for more.
China Ocean
$ | (757) 545-7200 | WEBSITE
Like a bustling Chinatown kitchen transported to the heart of Chesapeake, China Ocean glows with warm lighting and red lanterns, plays smooth instrumental tunes, and serves the most satisfying Chinese food we’ve tasted in the 757, ever. You’ll have just as much fun digging into the generous portions as you will appreciating all the menu’s nods to authentic classics, from perfectly cooked sweet-and-sour chicken to fantastic pork fried rice.
You’ll even find a standout in the eggrolls that customers call the ‘best.’ We’re especially fond of the lunch and dinner specials, served with steaming white rice—an invitation to create your own feast. China Ocean is one of the most popular spots in town, but for a restaurant that feels like a genuine taste of Chinese cuisine, it’s well worth it. Ask about the daily specials.
GOLDEN STAR
$ | (757) 549-0888 | WEBSITE
The new quintessential Chesapeake Chinese takeout is neither gourmet nor made by someone who was born in China. Golden Star’s kitchen, run by local staff, prepares their dishes with standard American-Chinese techniques, resulting in food that’s familiar, quick, and straightforward enough to support staples like sesame chicken and crab rangoons.
Whether you visit for pickup or opt for delivery—which tends to be reliably fast—there’s going to be some inconsistency, but the service will remain friendly. Place your order by phone or online, then wait as they assemble your hot meal with standard sauces and basic garnishes. Every single dish they offer is typical, but start your journey with the chicken lo mein, paired with shrimp and broccoli. Always get the wonton soup as well. Like its entrée counterparts, it’s served with standard broth.
HotPot 757 Chesapeake
$$ | (757) 917-5299 | WEBSITE
Settling into a booth at HotPot 757 Chesapeake, you quickly become immersed in the interactive feast before you. Like the experience itself, the Chinese hot pot and Korean barbecue here are straightforward yet deeply satisfying—from the tender meats you cook tableside to the perfectly ripe fruits on the salad bar. Savory, smoky aromas mingle with the bubbling broths, juicy brisket, and marinated short ribs.
Little bowls of different dipping sauces, though sometimes disorganized, help customize each flavorful bite. Visit with friends—the communal dining encourages sharing. On busy nights, you can watch the open kitchen, grilling and dipping your way through platters of beef and pork, and another with assorted vegetables.
On quieter evenings, sit surrounded by the cheerful chatter of other tables and the steaming warmth of a hot pot brimming with noodles and greens, or a broth that’s rich with mushrooms and tofu.
Jade Garden
$ | (757) 436-1010 | WEBSITE
We could go on and on about Jade Garden’s General Tsao chicken and the shrimp egg rolls, both crispy, golden brown, and so flavorful they could dance right off your plate. The food at Jade Garden delivers something to you, and it’s also wonderfully satisfying. You’ll appreciate what you’re eating, and you’ll notice all of the fresh and savory, hearty little touches. But more than anything, Jade Garden is a restaurant with straightforward appeal.
Tables are arranged like this isn’t a rushed takeout joint. Fluorescent lights glow without any fuss. While waiting for your order you’ll notice a simple, clean dining area ready for a casual meal. It’s a restaurant with reliability.
China 1 Chinese Restaurant
$ | (757) 312-0007 | WEBSITE
Between the bustling Chinese buffets and the sleek modern fusion spots, China 1 Chinese Restaurant has carved out a niche that feels both familiar and special. We’ve tried plenty of Chinese restaurants in Chesapeake, but this is the one we keep returning to. This restaurant serves classic Chinese-American favorites made with care and consistency, and they do so in a clean, welcoming space with quintessential family-friendly charm.
Highlights include the crispy shrimp egg rolls and a hot and sour soup that can be customized with additions like snow peas for extra crunch. No meal at China 1 would be quite right, however, without trying some of the generous dishes that are perfect for sharing. Go for the teriyaki chicken sticks, and don’t miss the shrimp fried rice. If you want to go big, request extra spicy with their black bean garlic paste—it’ll wake up any dish that might otherwise lack punch.
Peking
$ | (757) 547-0101 | WEBSITE
Peking entered the Chesapeake Chinese food scene fully formed, but don’t call it just another takeout spot (though they do have excellent delivery service). The food at this Cedar Road restaurant is exceptional—from the moment we tasted the well-seasoned House Special Pancit, we were on board. The menu is extensive, but full of reliable favorites, like generous Chicken with broccoli served with yellow rice, or combination plates that are actually big enough to share.
Watch from your seat at their many tables and booths as friendly staff serve food promptly and hot, handle orders with respect, and greet regulars with kindness. In keeping with Peking’s convenient, workday lunch spirit, all seating is self-service after ordering, so the earlier you arrive during the lunch rush, the better.
Urban Hot Pot
$$ | (757) 410-2079 | WEBSITE
There’s always a line inside Urban Hot Pot (and sometimes outside too), crowded with people who come to this Chesapeake spot regularly: for the all-you-can-eat option with different levels of spiciness, or the fresh ingredients with a good mix of flavors and textures that satisfy the taste buds, or the fun features like a cute little robot and conveyor belt that delivers dishes.
The staff work well together, taking care of each guest, and stopping only to inquire if you’d like your hot pot broth extra spicy, or to alert the kitchen that the window seatings are filling up. Expect to exit in about an hour—leftovers clutched in one hand, and the enticing aromas of the lively atmosphere lingering in your clothes. All you’ll need to do next is locate the nearest comfortable chair, and let the chill vibes settle.
New City Chinese Restaurant
$ | (757) 366-8898 | WEBSITE
The outside of New City Chinese Restaurant glows like a takeout beacon, with neon Chesapeake light hitting its simple storefront and counter of steaming containers. The space doesn’t offer seating but provides excellent Door Dash service, and servers move through the kitchen doors holding classic Chinese concoctions we thought were only possible with the help of late-night cravings after a long shift.
Most importantly, every section on New City Chinese Restaurant’s menu has undeniable “solid option” energy, from appetizers through main courses. Order the boneless spare ribs with their perfect glaze, and avoid the orange chicken whose unexpected flavor would lose Top Chef. We’ve enjoyed Chinese takeout over the years, but we can’t help but think of New City Chinese Restaurant as the spot traditional takeout always aspired to be.
Great China
$ | (757) 545-5088 | WEBSITE
People like to say that certain restaurants feel like they’ve been there forever. But unless those people are talking about Great China—a long-standing Chinese takeout spot in Chesapeake—we don’t really believe them. Inside this unassuming storefront, people from all over the area wait for some of the city’s best crab Rangoon, served by staff who will make you feel welcome before you even try their dumplings.
Bring a group, get a generous portion of General Tso’s Chicken, and then move on to the fantastic Bourbon Chicken with Lo Mein, crispy spring rolls, and flavorful White Rice with Gravy and Onions. On your way out, the friendly staff might thank you for coming, and you won’t hesitate to say you’ll be right back.
