We had been to Chinatown on multiple occasions and somehow had never known about this place before. Yes, it is underground in what looks like an abandoned mall. But the food was great. Everything we had was amazing. A few of the stations have touchscreen ordering, which makes it easy.We will definitely be going back.
Meanole M.
So Chinatown was amazing and fun. There is a newer section and older section. We explored both. I really wanted to go into one of the old school Chinese restaurants and sit down to a full course meal, but my wife told us about Richland Center over in the newer section. We had to get directions because it's basically an unmarked building, down a set of stairs, into what locks like a basement. We found a paradise of any kind of Chinese food you could ask for. There were about a dozen walk-up restaurants in Richland Center. We all headed off in different directions. I headed over to the dumplings. The little walk-up was called Gourmet Duck. I ordered the beef and onion dumplings. I watched a wonderful lady prepare the dough, stretch the dough, and cut my dumplings precisely, all by hand. I'd never seen fresh dumplings prepared right in front of me. She then heated up her wok to about 1000 degrees in a couple of minutes. I had 2 orders, 30 dumplings freshly made, in 5 minutes. All for 14.00. I shared with my family. I love dumplings, and these were some of the best I have ever eaten. The experience alone was worth 14.00.! I only wish I'd taken more pictures. If you like real deal Chinese food, this is the place to go. I will go out of my way to visit here again.
Candice Hopkins
It is downstairs. There is karaoke upstairs. Each vendor has a different selection of items so you're not getting the same thing at each place. The convenience store was great. I needed a snack and a drink while waiting on food and friends to arrive.
Eunice T.
3.5 stars +Yes it's downstairs in a semi abandoned mall. Yes the bathrooms are creepy--you need a key and to get a key you have to surrender ID or a CC to whatever vendor you buy from as collateral. And yes, the food is delicious, authentic, and CHEAP. I tried the last stall in the left and ordered the pan fried beef bao (8 to an order) & a beef stick. The baos were fluffy & so airy. The filling was well seasoned. The auntie was disgusted that I didn't speak Chinese, but hey, so long as the food is good.
Liberty Astorga
It was delicious the matcha taro boba was so good along with my pork celery dumplings
Shermaine T.
This place has the best variety of street Chinese food. And I truly appreciate the touch screen for ordering. This really helps for the language barrier between the customers and vendors. I appreciate the variety of foods. However, entering in, there were two questionable homeless people and smell of urine before you enter the basement. The fans were filled dust and there was lack of napkins. I don't mean this in a bad way. Growing up, our Chinatown were similar. Merely stating as a precaution for non-Asian tourists visiting the place. With that said, this place is very authentic with amazing food selection. I ordered a beef scallion pancake, which was handmade fresh by a married couple. They had condiments of soy sauce, black vinegar and chili oil.
Dayanara Ocampo
Hainam Chicken Place was good
Donna y
The food is kind of pricey. I rather go to a regular sit-down restaurant.
Donna
The food is kind of pricey. I rather go to a regular sit-down restaurant.
Best place in Chinatown to get food (besides the renowned places like MCCB or Hing Kee)!!!! This is always my first choice if I want delicious food at a cheaper price.
J P
Stay away from this restaurant! The owner will rip you off.
Jay P
Stay away from this restaurant! The owner will rip you off.
Meghan W
best veggie dumplings in the last stall on the left
ajooni
I cannot believe I have lived in/around Chicago most of my life and today was my first time going here. I can't imagine going anywhere else for food when I'm in the area for a good bit. The scallion pancake booth at the back is true home cooking and the pork green onion pancake was nothing like what I expected or anything I'd ever had before and was completely and utterly delicious. The Elite Boba milk tea with Oreo "cheese" was the best boba or beverage I've ever had. And there are so many more things to try. I can't wait to go back
Variety and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had been to Chinatown on multiple occasions and somehow had never known about this place before. Yes, it is underground in what looks like an abandoned mall. But the food was great. Everything we had was amazing. A few of the stations have touchscreen ordering, which makes it easy.We will definitely be going back.
So Chinatown was amazing and fun. There is a newer section and older section. We explored both. I really wanted to go into one of the old school Chinese restaurants and sit down to a full course meal, but my wife told us about Richland Center over in the newer section. We had to get directions because it's basically an unmarked building, down a set of stairs, into what locks like a basement. We found a paradise of any kind of Chinese food you could ask for. There were about a dozen walk-up restaurants in Richland Center. We all headed off in different directions. I headed over to the dumplings. The little walk-up was called Gourmet Duck. I ordered the beef and onion dumplings. I watched a wonderful lady prepare the dough, stretch the dough, and cut my dumplings precisely, all by hand. I'd never seen fresh dumplings prepared right in front of me. She then heated up her wok to about 1000 degrees in a couple of minutes. I had 2 orders, 30 dumplings freshly made, in 5 minutes. All for 14.00. I shared with my family. I love dumplings, and these were some of the best I have ever eaten. The experience alone was worth 14.00.! I only wish I'd taken more pictures. If you like real deal Chinese food, this is the place to go. I will go out of my way to visit here again.
It is downstairs. There is karaoke upstairs. Each vendor has a different selection of items so you're not getting the same thing at each place. The convenience store was great. I needed a snack and a drink while waiting on food and friends to arrive.
3.5 stars +Yes it's downstairs in a semi abandoned mall. Yes the bathrooms are creepy--you need a key and to get a key you have to surrender ID or a CC to whatever vendor you buy from as collateral. And yes, the food is delicious, authentic, and CHEAP. I tried the last stall in the left and ordered the pan fried beef bao (8 to an order) & a beef stick. The baos were fluffy & so airy. The filling was well seasoned. The auntie was disgusted that I didn't speak Chinese, but hey, so long as the food is good.
It was delicious the matcha taro boba was so good along with my pork celery dumplings
This place has the best variety of street Chinese food. And I truly appreciate the touch screen for ordering. This really helps for the language barrier between the customers and vendors. I appreciate the variety of foods. However, entering in, there were two questionable homeless people and smell of urine before you enter the basement. The fans were filled dust and there was lack of napkins. I don't mean this in a bad way. Growing up, our Chinatown were similar. Merely stating as a precaution for non-Asian tourists visiting the place. With that said, this place is very authentic with amazing food selection. I ordered a beef scallion pancake, which was handmade fresh by a married couple. They had condiments of soy sauce, black vinegar and chili oil.
Hainam Chicken Place was good
The food is kind of pricey. I rather go to a regular sit-down restaurant.
The food is kind of pricey. I rather go to a regular sit-down restaurant.
Restaurantji Recommends
Best place in Chinatown to get food (besides the renowned places like MCCB or Hing Kee)!!!! This is always my first choice if I want delicious food at a cheaper price.
Stay away from this restaurant! The owner will rip you off.
Stay away from this restaurant! The owner will rip you off.
best veggie dumplings in the last stall on the left
I cannot believe I have lived in/around Chicago most of my life and today was my first time going here. I can't imagine going anywhere else for food when I'm in the area for a good bit. The scallion pancake booth at the back is true home cooking and the pork green onion pancake was nothing like what I expected or anything I'd ever had before and was completely and utterly delicious. The Elite Boba milk tea with Oreo "cheese" was the best boba or beverage I've ever had. And there are so many more things to try. I can't wait to go back