A Signorina Eats

25 of the Best Chinese Restaurants in Milan

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Chinese might not be the first cuisine to spring to mind when one thinks of Milan, but the Lombard capital plays host to several excellent Chinese restaurants. Milan’s Chinatown, which is centered around Via Paolo Sarpi and Via Canonica in the northwest part of the city center, is the oldest Chinese neighborhood in Italy and the city houses a large Chinese population (43,000). In fact, the latest episode of my podcast The Milano Files, discussed Milan’s Chinatown and the history of the city’s Chinese community — you can tune in here or find it on all major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple.

Needless to say, Chinese New Year is a big deal here in Milan. As the Year of the Snake kicks off on Wednesday, January 29, I thought I’d update my list of the best Chinese restaurants in Milan in honor of the occasion. Here, in no particular order, are 25 of the best Chinese restaurants in Milan. Some are in Chinatown, while others lie beyond the confines of the neighborhood.

This was updated on January 27, 2025, to include some new spots, places I visited for the first time and/or establishments that might have fallen victim to an oversight the first time. As I mentioned, the list is in no particular order—I added the new additions to the top of the list.

1. Giardino di Giada

Admittedly, I was rather late to Giardino di Giada, and I’m kind of mortified by it. Carmen Chin opened the historic restaurant in 1980, and today her son Gigi oversees the establishment. The restaurant is exquisite—quality cooing and ingredients, In fact, warm staff, and all-around good vibes. Plus most of the food comes with a story behind it, which I always appreciate!! Also, fun fact: Giardino di Giada is popular among Chinese travelers seeking Chinese food when they’re in town. Via Palazzo Reale, 5; +39 02 805 3891; Open Tuesday – Sunday for lunch and dinner, closed Monday; website

2. Chifa

The fourth restaurant of the beloved Mao group, Chifa opened in 2021. Instead of serving the Hunan cuisine for which the group is known, the restaurant specializes in the cuisine of the Yunnan region in southwest China. You can indeed expect the spicy dishes for which Mao is known. Viale Montello, 5; +39 389 881 9412; Open Thursday – Tuesday, closed Wednesday; website

 

3. Ba Hot Pot Certosa

Located in northwest Milan in the Certosa neighborhood, Ba Hot Pot is one of the best spaces in town to have the huoguo tradition. They offer a few broth options to cook your meal à la fondue Plus, there are an array of seasonings and sauces to which patrons can help themselves. This is the second outpost, the first is near Citta Studi/Loreto on northeast side of town. Viale Certosa, 32; +39 02 9780 7365; Monday – Friday, dinner only; Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner; website

 

4. Gong

This upscale restaurant serves ambitious Chinese cuisine that’s undercut with Italian influences, such as the Raviolo d’Oro, dumplings with a saffron dough filled with ossobuco and served alongside a risotto alla milanese cream. Inspiration from Japan also appears in several dishes. Also, the elegant dining room is complete with various of its titular percussion. Corso Concordia, 8; +39 02 7602 3873; Open Tuesday for dinner only and Wednesday – Sunday (lunch and dinner), closed Monday; website

 

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5. Jin Yong

The second Chinese restaurant I ever visited in Milan and still one of my faves! I ate here for the first time in 2013, and it has never left me disappointed. In fact, for ages, Jin Yong was my first choice if I was dining out on Paolo Sarpi. If on offer, the mantis shrimp and razor clams are a must. Also, the smoked bamboo is insanely delicious.The owners moved to a new location earlier this year, and are no longer associated with the original Paolo Sarpi outpost — the new owners kept the old name.  Porta Ticinese, 6 (Colonne di San Lorenzo); open Tuesday- Sunday; website

 

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6. Mao’s Hunan

Delightfully incendiary Szechuan eats with hipster vibes—anything and everything is a dream, especially the unforgettable, melt-in-your-mouth pancetta di Mao. The proprietors also own Maoji Street Food (next door) and Mini Maoji (Navigli). Via Porpora, 5 (Loreto); open seven days; website

7. MU dimsum

I’m obsessed with this place! If you’re curious as to why, you can click here. From bao to dumplings galore (including soup dumplings!) to piquant chicken feet, everything at Suili Zhou’s fantastic Chinese restaurant delights, and it has Bib Gourmand distinction from the Michelin Guide to boot. BTW, the entire MU family includes MU Fish, Mu Corso Como, MU Bao, MU Paolo Sarpi and I adore them all just as much. Via Caretto, 3 (Centrale/Gioia); open seven days; website 

 

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8. Hua Cheng

Love this spot. I’d argue it’s the most casalinga (homestyle) of all of the spots on here. It has cozy trattoria vibes and the food is always spot-on. There’s plenty to pick from—I have never not treated myself to a spring roll, hot and sour soup, and the pasta fresca saltata alla piastra con carne piccante (fresh noodles sauteed on a grilled with spicy meat). BTW, Hua Cheng also happens to be my delivery go-to (though the noodles don’t hold up as well, so I only order them in the restaurant.) Via Giordano Bruno, 13 (Chinatown); open seven days; website

9. Il Gusto della Nebbia

This is not a “ramen” joint, as many inaccurately call it. At Il Gusto della Nebbia, it’s all about the Xiao Mian, or Chinese noodles from Chong Qing, where owner Wu Jun Xin comes from. The noodles come in several delightful brothy and saucy options. The volcano tofu is also insanely delightful. Via Nino Bonnet, 11 (Garibaldi); website 

10. Le Nove Scodelle

Owner Hujian Zhoualso serves up homestyle Szechuan fare in a cozy contemporary ambiance. The only ingredient sourced from China is the Szechuan pepper—the rest are all Italian. He sources meat from the historic Macelleria Sirtori butcher shop on Via Paolo Sarpi, chicken from San Bartolomeo, and flour from Cascine Orsine. Le Nove Scodelle earned a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide. Viale Monza, 4 (Loreto); open seven days, website

11. La Ravoliera Sarpi

The above-mentioned Hujian Zhoualso also owns this beloved street food joint. Having quickly become a must-visit for in-the-know out-of-towners, La Ravoliera Sarpi specializes in dumplings and Jian Bing, a Chinese breakfast crepe (available all day long here). Beef, pork, and veggie dumplings are always on offer alongside some specials. Dumplings are also sold uncooked to prepare at home. The owner has a separate food joint a few doors down as well as a Ravoliera outpost at Mercato Milano Centrale, which opened in September 2021. Via Paolo Sarpi, 27 (Chinatown); open seven days; website

12. Lon Fon

The very first Chinese restaurant in Milan I’ve ever visited! For ages, I didn’t get to this Cantonese mainstay as often as I would liked, but now that I live closer to it, I have amended that. Honestly, I’ve never had a bad meal here. Having opened in 1978, Lon Fon is one of Milan’s most beloved spots. As can be expected, there’s plenty of deliciousness, and the quattro colori ravioli (four-color dumplings) are a must. It’s overseen by Pui, the daughter of the owner Rita, who makes the ravioli. Piu’s grandparents, who founded Lon Fon, were also the owners of Mandarin 1, a beloved local Chinese restaurant.  Via Lazzaretto, 10 (Porta Venezia/Buenos Aires/Repubblica); closed Tuesday; website

13. Bon Wei

This upscale Chinese restaurant has a thoughtfully crafted menu that showcases a few signature dishes from each of China’s eight regions and then some. Overall, the food is just as dazzling on the palate as it is easy on the eyes. Sweet and sour sea bass in pine nuts; pollo freddo piccante (cold spicy chicken); any fried rice, and plenty of dumplings are always a good idea. Via Castelvetro, 16/18 (Gerusalemme); closed Monday; website 

14. Bokok

This charmer, whose name means “the room of treasures,” specializes in the cuisines of both Cantonese and Hong Kong. I always make sure to get the spicy fried chicken and go big on the dumplings—the latter abound, and I have never not ordered the spicy Szechuan ones. The Cantonese duck, one of the signatures, is also a must. Via Paolo Sarpi, 25 (Chinatown); open seven days; website

15. Wang Jiao

This classic Chinese restaurant now has four locations in Milan and one in Torino. The food is always excellent and they’re most famous for the spicy scodello a fuoco, pots that are presented over a flame—I love the chicken one. Via Padova, 3 (Loreto), closed Tuesday; Via Lomazzo 16 (Chinatown), closed Monday; Via Felice Casati 7 (Porta Venezia), closed Monday, Viale Col di Lana, 14 (Ticinese), closed Monday; website

16. The Little Lamb Hot Pot & BBQ

All the food is great, but the real reason to visit the Little Lamb is for the hot pot, a steaming, boiling pot of broth in which diners tip meat, tofu, vegetables, or fish. Choose the broth and what you want to eat, then cook the food in the broth on the table, and voila—dinner! Via Paolo Sarpi 8 (Chinatown); open seven days; website 

17. Dalle Otto

Lampo Wu, the owner of Il Gusto della Nebbia, opened this nifty Chinese breakfast joint in November, and it quickly became one of my favorite spots. You’re greeted with a shot of a hot, fresh house-made soy milk spremuta–you can order a full-size version for your meal. Yóutiáo, or fried dough, is one of the specialties, which you can get with varied condiments. The rice with shitake mushrooms and pork ragu and the fiery, pudding-like cervellata di tofu with peanuts and dried pork are rather tasty. Viale Pasubio, 6 (Garibaldi/Chinatown); open seven days and closes at 6pm; website

18. Chateau Dufan

This modern eatery on the corner of Paolo Sarpi and Piazzale Biamonte adds a contemporary flair to traditional Chinese dishes. The Peking duck is great as is the dim sum: cuttlefish ink dumplings, golden black bao filled with caramelized pork, shrimp shumai, and more. Piazzale Baiamonti 1, Via Paolo Sarpi, 2 (Chinatown); open seven days; website

19. Fan Wu

This restaurant in Porta Venezia has a rather trim menu when compared to its counterparts, but the offerings will never disappoint. The menu changes, but the kung pao chicken and mapo tofu are both surefire bets. If the beef with leeks is on offer, don’t skip it. Fun fact: Fan Wu has actually become my local Chinese delivery go-to. Viale Tunisia, 30 (Porta Venezia); website

 

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20. Ta Hua

As it’s popular among celebrities, a glance at Ta Hua’s Instagram might lead you to believe it’s all about the scene – but it’s not. The food’s great. This restaurant, which opened in 1979, specializes in Hong Kong-style cuisine and is currently in the hands of the second generation. Among the standout dishes is the gnocchi di riso in a spicy sauce with bak choy. Via Gustavo Fara, 15 (Gioa); open seven days; website

 

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21. Ba

Ba is definitely more of a high-end option, specializing in a contemporary riff on centuries-old Chinese traditions. If you’re a dumpling-a-holic like I am, don’t skip the five-dumpling sampler. Warning: those five delights are so dreamy that you just might be tempted to order more. Otherwise, the tasting menus are a wise way to go: the 10-course Signature (135€) or the 8-course Tradition menu (100€).  Via Raffaello Sanzio, 22; open seven days; website

22. Guishu

This is definitely a spot the Italians would call sincera or honest: simple menu, no-frills ambiance, and plenty of bang for your buck. The small, unchanging menu specializes in what some of my food friends describe as the least “Italinized” Chinese cuisine in Milan. Via Giuseppe Broggi, 12; Tuesday-Sunday, closed Money; website

23.Ravioli di Lu Pecchino

This blink and you’ll miss it dumpling joint in Loreto proffers some of the finest dumplings in town – you can either enjoy them onsite or cook them at home. There just over a dozen options to pick from, plus noodles and other simple dishes. Also, the dumpling portions are ample: eight to an order! Viale Brianza, 15; Tuesday – Sunday, closed Monday; website

24. Hekfan

Hekfan’s prime real estate in the Brera, one of Milan’s most tourist-trodden districts, might seem like a red flag, but it’s not. Expect elegant Hong Kong style fare. It should go without saying that you can savor dumplings galore here, but don’t skip the Don Po pork with white rice or the fried noodles. Its sibling spots are Hekfan Chai, its less formal (though no less delicious) counterpart with three locations around the city, and an excellent bakery on Via Paolo Sarpi. Via Marco Formentini, 2; website https://www.hekfanchai.it/

25. Oren

This restaurant has a super singular backstory. Owner Alessandro Cheung is the great-grandson of the founder of Milan’s first ever Chinese restaurant: La Pagoda, which opened in 1962. Oren opened in 2010, though the family has been in the business since the opening of La Pagoda. You’ll also find some Japanese dishes on the menu, and there are two tastings: one Chinese, the other Japanese. V.le Berengario, 1;Tuesday – Sunday, closed Monday; website
https://www.oren.it/

 

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