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 (29,000).
Needless to say, Chinese New Year is a big deal here. As the Year of the Rabbit is underway, I thought I’d compile some of my favorite Chinese restaurants in its honor. Here, in no particular order, are 16 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 21, 2023, 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 specialises 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 features 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
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, it’s my first choice if I’m dining out on Paolo Sarpi. If on offer, the mantis shrimp and razor clams are a must. Also, the smoked bamboo is insanely delicious. Porta Ticinese, 6 (Chinatown); open Tuesday- Sunday; website
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZRM_U5s-Jg/
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXMHHPeN1dZ/
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSrp7vZs6BH/
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 insane. Via Nino Bonnet, 11 (Garibaldi); website
https://www.instagram.com/p/CIsh3jMsUSg/
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; open seven days, website
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGSR8KyMyuq/
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_upXMFK6fO/
12. Lon Fon
The very first Chinese restaurant in Milan I’ve ever visited! I don’t get to this Cantonese mainstay as often as I would like, but 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-eat. Via Lazzaretto, 10 (Porta Venezia/Buenos Aires/Repubblica); closed Tuesday; website
13. Bon Wei
This upscale Chinese restaurant (which happens to be really close to home!) 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
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNmZJG_MKNo/
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 I always 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
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBqDZOmKOEz/
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKs-heh1zt/
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
https://www.instagram.com/p/COlXExlssC2/
