6 best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham serving sizzling dishes

Chinese cuisine is woven into the very fabric of Birmingham. 'The Magic City' is peppered with quality Chinese restaurants serving varied bites from tongue-tingling Szechuan spices to Dezhou braised chicken - i.e. ‘the miracle of all dishes’ - it’s a cosmopolitan hub that's going from strength to strength. The problem, then, is finding one that suits you. Whatever you’re craving, we’ve rounded up the best Chinese restaurants in Birmingham, from modern and Instagrammable to classic and authentic.

Without doubt, Chinese food is one of the nation’s favourite cuisines. It’s not hard to figure out why. The five pillars of Chinese gastronomy - salty, sweet, spicy, sour, and bitter - are a culinary sensation that has influenced modern cookery more than any other. Balance is the keyword here. It’s the balance that makes chow mein, sweet and sour, and kung pao chicken so very irresistible. Mercifully, there is no great wall impeding our access to great Chinese food. 

Sure, you could just order a takeaway and eat it in the comfort of your own home, but sometimes it’s nice to go and experience a slice of Chinese culture in the UK. There are plenty of options well worth leaving your sofa for. Its popularity in Birmingham began in the historic Chinese quarter, a district populated by Hong Kong workers bringing with them the dishes that eventually merged into canonical British-Chinese favourites, and inspired the diversity we see today.

What makes a Birmingham Chinese restaurant truly great differs from place to place. Some are top-tier because of unusual twists on traditional plates, others for their standing in the neighbourhood, and the rest for their commitment to authenticity and precision. Whether it's a place suitable for a photo-worthy celebration, a karaoke buffet free-for-all, or a quiet cafe lunch while your boss is out of the office, we have all the bases covered.

Tattu

What: The ultimate modern Chinese dining experience, Tattu has paired lush cherry blossom interiors with a menu that reinvents the classic favourites; think braised red belly pork with baby leeks and smoked crackling. The cocktail menu is similarly inventive. The Tiger Lily - a joyful sloe gin, blueberry, and coconut blend is just as sumptuous as the setting in which it should be enjoyed. Located inside the former Birmingham Grand Hotel, every room is unbelievably Instagrammable. Great food and great pics, it's a win-win.
Where: 17 Barwick Street, B3 2NT
Book now: Tattu Birmingham

Lulu Wild

What: Blending traditional Chinese cuisine and the excitement of experiential dining, Lulu Wild prepares the freshest produce in magical interiors. Dim sum is Lulu Wild’s specialty, whether you prefer steamed or pan-fried dumplings you can expect a range of fillings like scallop shui mai, Shanghai pork, and seared prawn. But it doesn’t end there, choose from Mongolian lamb or stir-fry tofu to take your meal to the next level. The cocktails are just as inventive with options inspired by the Silk Road and the wealth of Chinese history.
Where: Unit 7 & 8, The Waters Edge, B1 2HP
Book Now: Lulu Wild

Henry Wong Harborne

What: From the outside, this restaurant may seem like any other mid-range modern European restaurant, but Henry Wong is a bastion of Cantonese cuisine. Making use of the freshest ingredients, it’s a restaurant that provides more than just a meal. Henry Wong offers a broad range of dishes from spicy Szechuan lamb to won ton and crispy chicken wings all delivered with exceptional service and warm hospitality. Simply load up your lazy Susan with chicken truffle dim sum, char siu pork, and soft-shell crab and you’ll be in for a treat.
Where: 283 High Street, B17 9QH
Book now: Henry Wong Harborne 

Ming Moon

What: There is something about buffet restaurants that sends people into a frenzy - all-you-can-eat food brings out a different side of people (and not always a good one). However, if you can restrain yourself around endless amounts of Chinese and Pan Asian food mixed in with the occasional push or shove from a 12-year-old child, Ming Moon’s buffet is the place to go. No one will judge you for eating ten plates of sweet and sour chicken or crispy duck here, and that in itself may be the main reason it is worth giving it a visit. They have a karaoke bar too, so if you haven’t lulled yourself into a food coma, head downstairs to sing your heart out.
Where: 16 Hurst Street, B5 4BN
Book now: Ming Moon

Wok Chi

What: Focusing on high-quality ingredients, this family-owned Chinese restaurant serves up food like you might make it at home - if you were a really good cook with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine. With an all-star lineup of veggie spring rolls, king prawns and scallops in XO sauce, plus a classic chow mein this is the ideal spot for a quick and tasty food sourced and prepared with integrity and authenticity.
Where: 135 High Street, B17 9NP
Book now: Wok Chi

Café Soya

What: Located in the Arcadian Centre within the Chinese Quarter of Birmingham, Cafe Soya offers Chinese and Vietnamese fusion dishes that cater to a variety of dietary requirements. As the name suggests, there is a dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu alongside traditional Cantonese meat dishes like sizzling duck and beef with Cantonese sauce. The fresh steaming bowls of soup are always a hit. But don’t just take it from us, at peak times expect queues of hungry hopefuls at the traditional shop front - that's the true sign of a great eatery.
Where: Unit B106, Arcadian Centre, B5 4TD
Book now: Cafe Soya

Searching for the perfect restaurant background to breathe a little life into your Instagram profile? Take a look at the most Instagram-worthy restaurants in Birmingham.