2018 Apr 17
Most of us are accustomed to the usual “Sri Lankan-Chinese” food that is found almost everywhere, yet from what I’ve gathered authentic Chinese cuisine tastes different to what our taste buds are used to. While some of us may not exactly be the most adventurous when it comes to trying out new cuisines, there are others who’d love to try out some new tastes every day. So here are a few authentic Chinese restaurants you can check out!
1. Tsing Tao
Where – Racecourse Promenade, Reid Avenue, Colombo 07
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm | 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact- 011 269 8989
Out of the many places in Colombo that offer Chinese, there’s only a handful that honestly do justice to its authenticity. Authentic Chinese food is much more than the mainstream; from the abundant variants of sauces to their bona fide spices and garnish, their cuisine will definitely take you by surprise. Check out our experience here!
2. Loon Tao
Where – No.43/12, College Avenue, Mount Lavinia
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm | 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact – 011 272 2723
With breathtaking views of the Mount Lavinia beach, it’s a perfect place to go on a date or just to enjoy some good company with your friends, Loon Tao is ideal if you want to enjoy a bit of Sri Lankan- Chinese as well as some good ol’ authentic Chinese food. You should definitely give the “Loon Tao” Four Season Assorted Platter! You can check out our review here.
3. Yue Chuan (The Kingsbury)
Where – No. 48, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 01
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm | 6.30 pm to 11.30 pm
Contact – 011 242 1221
Located at the popular Kingsbury Hotel, Yue Chuan is yet another great place to go if you want to take your transition from Sri Lankan-Chinese to some authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines a little easier. They have very extensive menus, so you will definitely have a good range of choices.
4. Golden Dragon (Taj Samudra)
Where – No. 25, Galle Face Centre Road, Colombo.
Open Hours – 12.30 am to 3.00 pm | 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm
Contact – 011 544 6622
One of Taj Samudra’s finer restaurants and easily one of my personal favourites, they specialize in the amazing cuisine of China’s Sichuan province. You can indulge in authentic specialties with traditional Chinese music playing in the background. Their Sweet Corn and Chicken soup is delightful and I would definitely recommend it to anyone!
5. Long Feng (Cinnamon Lakeside)
Where – No. 15, Sir C. A. Gardiner Mawatha, Colombo 02
Open hours- 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm | 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact- 011 249 1949
Cinnamon Hotels have undeniably great restaurants and Cinnamon Lakeside’s Long Feng is one of them. They serve up a traditional Chinese cuisine as well as host a Dim Sum Lunch Buffet. They are sure to give you a great fine dining experience! Check out our review here.
6. Xilaton
Where – No. 126, Havelock Road, Colombo 05
Open Hours – 10.00 am to 2.45 pm | 6.00 pm to 10.45 pm
Contact – 011 250 8887 / 011 258 6552
Located next to the frequently visited e-café, and almost always has a bus full of Chinese tourists dining there, Xilaton has been around for quite a long time. It certainly leans more towards the more authentic side of world famous Chinese cuisine. They’ve got dishes like Bean Curd with Tri-Colour Eggs, Seaweed and Cuttlefish Balls in a Clear Soup, and of course Peking Duck!
7. Shang Palace (Shangri-La Hotel)
Where – 1, Galle Face, Colombo 02
Open Hours – 12 noon – 3.00 p.m. | 6.30 p.m. – 10.30 p.m
Contact – 011 7 888 288
One of the newest authentic Chinese restaurants in town, Shang Palace has an incredible interior, delicious food, and the best view! Check out our full review here.
8. Tang Dynasty
Where – No. 75, Sir Lester James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 05
Open Hours – 11.30 am to 2.30 pm | 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm
Contact – 011 328 8800 / 077 552 2507
Tang Dynasty is yet another restaurant that most of the time seems to have a majority of Chinese visitors at their door. While serving up authentic Chinese cuisine, they also do quite a few dishes that are more suitable for the Sri Lankan palate.
9. 88 Chinese Seafood Restaurant
Where – No. 98/1, Havelock Road, Colombo 05
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm | 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact – 011 259 3017
88 Chinese Seafood Restaurant has outlets in Havelock Town and Dehiwala, and has been a long standing player in the authentic Chinese food game in LK. With the many people that seem to frequent the place, it is pretty obvious that they would make their way onto our list!
10. Grand Beijing
Where – 62/A, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 03
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 11.00 pm
Contact – 071 996 6669
Located in Kollupitiya, the Grand Beijing is a must try when it comes to delving into the authentic Chinese food scene. With exquisite dishes like Fried Phoenix Tail Prawn, Soaked Sliced Beef and Ox Tripe in chilli sauce, and Stir Fried Beef Hakka Style, it is most definitely going to enthrall your taste buds!
11. Moon River
Where – No. 140, Thimbirigasyaya Road, Colombo 05
Open Hours – 10.30 am to 3.00 pm | 5.30 pm to 11.15 pm
Contact – 077 773 9188
Moon River is also another restaurant that is frequented by the usual bus load of Chinese tourists, and is surely to have some great authentic Chinese cuisine.
12. Huang Xiang Ju (Anzu’s Restaurant)
Where – No. 37, Palmyrah Avenue, Colombo 03
Open Hours – 10.30 am to 10.30 pm
Contact – 071 117 3210
There are actually quite a few Chinese restaurants in Kollupitiya and Huang Xiang Ju is one of them. It may look a little dingy on the outside and have a couple of mixed reviews, but do not judge it until you actually give it a try.
13. Shanghai Terrace
Where – No. 811, Kotte Road, Ethul Kotte
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm | 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact – 011 287 8878
If you live in the general Sri Jayawardenepura area, this one’s for those of you who want to pay a visit to an authentic Chinese restaurant a little closer to home. With good service and food, in addition to the quaint roof top it is located on, Shanghai Terrace as a great number of dishes. Try out the Hot Butter Mushroom!
14. Tong Ni BBQ
Where – No. 59, Walukarama Road, Colombo 03
Open Hours – 10.30 am to 2.30 pm | 5.30 pm to 11.30 pm
Contact – 011 592 2120
Tong Ni BBQ is not quite the usual Chinese eating house and has dishes you may not really find elsewhere.
15. Min Han
Where – No. 14, Deanstone Place, Colombo 03
Open Hours – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm | 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact – 011 257 6533
Yet another favourite among quite a few foodies, Min Han serves up some authentic dishes like Red Oil Salad, Kimchi, and Ma Po Bean Curd.
16. Sunlight Garden
Where – No. 52, Abdul Caffoor Mawatha, Colombo 03
Open Hours – 10.30 am to 3.00 pm | 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm
Contact – 011 434 2666
It’s not one of the more popular places in Sri Lanka, Sunlight Garden stays true to the authenticity of China’s great cuisine. They are said to have great portion sizes and good food at somewhat reasonable prices. There are some dishes that you may feel like steering away from, like the Boiled Pork Ear and Tongue Mixed Rolls and Pork Stomach with Chili Sauce, but give it a chance! It may surprise you.
17. Makye Ame
Where – 4 Vajira Rd, Colombo 04
Open Hours – 10.30 pm – 3 pm | 5.30 pm – 10.30 pm
Contact – 077 553 2765
A mix of both authentic and Sri Lankanized Chinese food, Makye Ame serves up a delicious range of dishes, with a great peaceful ambience and affordable food as well.
18. Mainland China
Where – No 8, Flower Road, Colombo 07
Open Hours – 12 noon – 3.00 p.m. | 7.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.
Contact – 077 077 1122
The newest Chinese restaurant which had everyone buzzing, Mainland China serves up the most delicious Chinese cuisine, along with scrumptious dumplings which are an absolute must-try. Check out our full review here!
