Chinese Food

Submitted by Embarrassed_Tip_721 t3_10c26xr in ColumbiaMD

Just moved to the area, moved down the street from the Columbia Mall. What’s the best Chinese food in the area, that won’t break the bank??

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arfycat t1_j4e02ih wrote

You want real Chinese?

Pepper House for their noodle dishes and the dry pot.

Nan Xiang Express for their world class xiao long bao. Their other items are great too by HoCo standards. Unfortunately the xiao long bao can be inconsistent and suffers from the way it is served in takeout containers rather than directly from the steamer like in the full restaurant in Flushing (and really every other restaurant where you can eat there).

Jumbo Jumbo is Taiwanese and has an excellent beef noodle soup. Their fried chicken is also amazingly good and reliably consistent.

Tea Top also has a limited menu like Jumbo Jumbo. Personally I prefer Jumbo.

There's also a variety of hot pot restaurants, all of which are at least decent. Urban Hot Pot is actually in Columbia by the mall.

Zen Garden has a huge menu including real Chinese dishes that actually taste good and aren't full of garbage ingredients.

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dashinny t1_j4e6mgn wrote

Zen garden is definitely the most authentic sichuan I’ve had in forever. Braised pork belly is so good there

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iluvsweatshirtz t1_j4euz1s wrote

agree on Pepper House!! actual chinese food. if you don't mind driving like 20 minutes, check out Grace Garden in Odenton ! the food there is amazing

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nahxela t1_j4eyekz wrote

Jumbo Jumbo salt and pepper chicken my beloved

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TheTsar1 t1_j4y1mtb wrote

Pepper House is really good! I usually get the dumplings in chili oil and it always hits the spot

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regulate213 t1_j531ssy wrote

You seem like you have a clue - where can I find Three Cups Chicken (San Bei Ji / 三杯鸡 )? My go-to was lost in the explosion a few years ago.

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arfycat t1_j537wxi wrote

I can't recall seeing it anywhere in HoCo lately, though it's something we, we being my wife 😅, make at home so generally we're not looking out for it. I think Jumbo Jumbo down in Rockville might have it though.

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regulate213 t1_j57uzzy wrote

Thanks - I checked their menu and didn't see it, but I'll give them a visit and try for off-menu.

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bwelsh822 t1_j4ekbb2 wrote

If you’re talking like American Chinese food - like the kind of place that has $11.99 lunch specials and a rude woman working the front but the food is AMAZING every time… Mayflower VI off of Hickory Ridge.

I love authentic too so everyone else’s suggestions are very good… but sometimes you just need the greasy beef and broccoli with some crab rangoon and a can of sprite

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ligsj t1_j4dgqm2 wrote

Hunan Legend in Dorsey shopping center is amazing. Technically Ellicott City, but still Columbia area

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littledeebee1 t1_j4dme84 wrote

I second Hunan Legend! Their kung pao chicken is amazing! Order it extra spicy though as it needs a little more heat to it.

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mysteryweapon t1_j4f3lw7 wrote

Backing up /u/ligsj

Hunan Legend in Dorsey has been there for 30+ years and their stuff is unparalleled

I took my friend there that had traveled the world for various deployments

He was like "omg, this is the best Chinese food I've ever tasted"

Everything on the menu is good, veg friendly options, delivery, outstanding service

Literally never had a bad meal here.

Every restaurant usually has a bad day once in a while.

I've been a patron for all of the existence of this place, and I've never had a bad meal

I can't think of another restaurant I've been patronizing this long that has been consistently this good

This is my go to take out treat myself and my family experience

Hunan Legend, IMO the professionalism and the food speak for themselves, but Imma still back it up

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Exciting-Rub-6006 t1_j4dc38c wrote

Lucky Inn … only place

Chinese food in Columbia sucks

We got amazing food places but Chinese ain’t one

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fancat1939 t1_j4fv8lf wrote

Jesse Wong's Asean Bistro. Lots of vegetarian options as well!

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lizziebirdie t1_j4ehmjg wrote

More than just Chinese food, but Asian Palace has always been our go to - super friendly, fantastic food, and always quick for delivery.

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mynamesafad t1_j4fyj3z wrote

Peter Chang just opened this weekend in the Merriweather district

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Flying-Bulldog t1_j4dnod4 wrote

Hunan manor is good. I like Hunan diamond a little better though

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shebang_bin_bash t1_j4dzmk2 wrote

Hunan Express in Elkridge is a favorite of mine. Very tasty.

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Wx_Justin t1_j4f2t1q wrote

Pepper House is all you need. Haven't had anything else I've liked

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J_Shar t1_j4g320l wrote

Welcome to the area! If you're looking for more food suggestions/discussion, there is a sub called HoCoFood that has local food info, and if you're on Facebook there's a group called Howard County Eats that's full of suggestions as well.

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Embarrassed_Tip_721 OP t1_j4dcz49 wrote

What places do you recommend besides fast food that would be great? I know about Simmies, but I’m Good on that.

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brch01 t1_j4dm2jc wrote

May want to be more specific

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S4mm1 t1_j4ei16j wrote

I haven't seen it mentioned, but for American Chinese Hunan Diamond is our favorite. The only down side is they don't deliver

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Embarrassed_Tip_721 OP t1_j4ipqoh wrote

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THIS!!! I'll be trying most of these places out in the future!

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AntcuFaalb t1_j4duuwg wrote

Hunan Family in the Wilde Lake Village Center

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J72PF14 t1_j4dik70 wrote

akira ramen

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Pgie t1_j4dotbp wrote

PF Changs. ;-]

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Sure_Comparison6978 t1_j4fxhtr wrote

Lol. I actually don’t mind them and food is decent, but the service at the one in Columbia is especially bad.

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