Tasting Table released a list of the best Chinese restaurants in every state, and Arizona's spot might come as a surprise. Or, it might not.
The best Chinese restaurant in Arizona according to Tasting Table is Old Town Taste in Tempe. The article praised the spicy chicken and the Szechuan-style stir fry.
Old Town Taste also earned a stamp of approval from former Valentine chef Donald Hawk, who told The Republic in 2025 that the Chinese restaurant was his personal go-to on his days off.
"This restaurant offers something different in a saturated Chinese food market in Arizona," wrote Tasting Table's Elettra Pauletto.
The restaurants that made the list were chosen based on a combination of professional and amateur reviews.
Old Town Taste is open from
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, closed for a staff break and then open from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Details: 1845 E. Broadway Road, Tempe. 480-702-7101, oldtowntaste.com.
Other great Chinese restaurants in metro Phoenix
As the Tasting Table article mentioned, metro Phoenix has a considerable Chinese food scene. As such, it's difficult to call one spot the absolute best. But there are a few that stood out as some of The Republic staff's essential Chinese restaurants in the Valley.
Great Wall Cuisine
Great Wall Cuisine was one of the first Valley restaurants to specialize in dim sum. The daughter of the couple who have run it since 1992 described it to The Republic as “the Grand Central station of the Asian community.” Menu highlights include egg noodles, Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce and shrimp shu mai.
Details: 3446 W. Camelback Road, Suite 155, Phoenix. 602-973-1112, greatwallcuisineaz.com.
Mekong Palace
Mekong Palace is the heartbeat of Mesa's iconic Mekong Plaza, which opened over 15 years ago inside a former Target and is now known as a bustling hub for Asian food. Mekong Palace offers dim sum service as well as an all day menu which includes Chinese specialties like sizzling plates, live seafood and a whole roast suckling pig.
Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 120, Mesa. 480-962-0493, mekongpalace.com.
Shaanxi Garden
Shaanxi Garden specializes in the cuisine of northwestern China, known for dishes made with noodles, lamb and spices. But perhaps the most notable menu item is the malatang, which is already a rare find in the Valley, even more so at Shaanxi Garden's quality level.
Details: 67 N. Dobson Road, Suite 109, Mesa. 480-733-8888. @shaanxigarden on Instagram.
Reach the reporter at eddie.fontanez@azcentral.com. Follow @ERFontanez on Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Longtime restaurant named best Chinese food in Arizona. Do you agree?
