I’m not sure if there’s a Chinese restaurant in New Jersey that will beat anything in Chinatown. It’s too much of a schlep to hit Chinatown more than 3 or 4 times a year when you live in Ocean County.
When I do go to New York City’s Chinatown, it’s almost always a trip to Wo Hop on Mott Street, there are a couple of others I like, but Wo Hop is number one on my list. When it comes to Dim Sum, we gotta hit Nom Wah Tea Parlor on Doyers.
Here in New Jersey, I judge a good Chinese restaurant on their spare ribs, dumplings, and wontons. If you get a good meaty spare rib that is not overly sweet or too salty, I’m going to be a customer for life. The same goes for the wontons and the dumplings. A meaty flavorful wonton with a tasty broth that isn’t loaded with salt is my kind of soup. If the dumpling filling is full of flavor and the dumpling isn’t too doughy or over-steamed, I’ll be one of your best customers.
I asked a bunch of hardcore Jersey foodies where they get the best Chinese food in the Garden State, and they came out in droves to let me know where their favorites are located.
***UPDATED*** 12/8/22 – I forgot to include a WRAT favorite for the last 25 years. My deepest apologies to our hometown takeout place, Triple Green on Main St in Belmar.
Golden Dragon Kitchen - 215 NJ-37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755
This is my neighborhood go to. It’s down the road and it’s right next to the Miracle Bar. Plus the spare ribs are fantastic, as are the dumplings and the wontons. Jenn Dah agrees. I turned her on to the place and that’s all she can talk about on our food pages.
DimSum Seafood Restaurant - 1021 US-1, Avenel, NJ 07001
Christine from Cranford suggests heading to this place. In her opinion, it’s the best place outside of Chinatown. She mentioned Dim Sum, and I said, Where are my car keys.” I looked at the menu and fell in love. Christine also recommends the salt baked pork chops, calamari, chow fun, and scrambled eggs with shrimp.
Pan Asia - 416 S Main St, Forked River, NJ 08731
Pam D from the Wednesday Warriors Food Tour FB page let us know that this is HER place. I’ve actually eaten here before and it was delicious. The Peking duck rocks!
Golden Gate Express - 1851 NJ-35, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
One of their best dishes is the Singapore Mai Fun! I’ve been told the spare ribs are terrific!
