The best Chinese restaurants in Rome

Here's a list of the best Chinese restaurants in Rome.

Oolong

Located in the heart of the historic center, Oolong is the realization of owner Yan Jiang's dream. Deeply rooted in the history of her dynasty, she has decided to reimagine the dishes of the ancient Chinese imperial court with a fine dining twist. Elegance and refinement are the hallmarks of this restaurant, and the menu embodies centuries of Chinese culinary history, serving both tradition and delightful reinterpretations with great skill and sophistication. We recommend trying their organic oolong tea soba with crab and caviar in xo sauce (€19), but for an authentic experience of this cuisine, don't miss the traditionally served three-course glazed duck (€30, minimum two people).

Oolong. Piazza San Paolo alla Regola 39, Rome. Tel. 06 2170 7385 Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Sinosteria

As the name suggests, this is a true Chinese osteria in the San Paolo neighborhood, where host Jun Ge showcases his China while also embracing Italian and European influences. Among the dishes, you'll find traditional dishes like Peking tripe with chili oil and coriander (€8.60), but also a fusion of gastronomic landscapes, such as veal fillets with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and Praesidium cooked must (€9.60) or, for example, Navelli saffron risotto with chicken, zucchini, and citrus zest (€11). This way of expressing the restaurant's philosophy is also clearly visible in the accompanying extensive wine list, along with their infusion menu (specialty teas and coffees).

Sinosteria. Viale Guglielmo Marconi 586, Rome. Tel. 324 6399916. Website. Instagram. Facebook.

Knife

Dim Sum, translated as "heartwarming," is a fundamental concept of Cantonese cuisine, which owner Jianguo Shu has brought to his restaurant in Montesacro. The refined, modern atmosphere showcases the establishment's two distinct identities: the restaurant, where you can enjoy traditional Cantonese dishes in a more relaxed atmosphere (such as "Dong Po" Pork, an ancient dish of braised pork belly and broccoli, €22); and the Dim Sum Bar, where the menu is more dynamic, pairing simple dishes like ravioli (€3.50 to €7) and bao zi (€3 to €3.50) with creative cocktails. Dao Chinese Bistrot, a more convivial establishment near Piazza Bologna, has also joined the Viale Jonio location.

Dao. Viale Jonio 328/330, Rome. Tel. 06 87197573. Website. Instagram. Facebook.

Hang Zhou da Sonia

Just steps from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in the heart of the Esquiline district, Hang Zhou da Sonia is undoubtedly one of the most renowned Chinese cuisine restaurants in the capital. Although Hang Zhou is the capital of Zhejiang, at Sonia you can enjoy traditional Beijing cuisine, which you can choose from on their extensive menu, featuring year-round options, seasonal specials, and a selection of daily specials. The restaurant welcomes you in a simple and informal atmosphere, and once you're seated at your table, we recommend trying their "Mu Xi" pork, a typical Beijing dish (€7.50), their traditional fried frog legs (€8.50), or their grilled and steamed ravioli (€4.00–€4.50).

Hang Zhou by Sonia. Via Principe Eugenio 82, Rome. Tel. 06 4872732. Facebook. Instagram.

One Restaurant

Lovers of spicy food and oriental flavors will surely appreciate the regional Sichuan cuisine served at One Restaurant, in the Tuscolana neighborhood. The idea for the restaurant was born from a group of Chinese students studying in Italy, who decided to showcase a different side of China by opening a restaurant that would bring the authentic flavors and aromas of Chengdu to the table. The recipes on the menu are closely tied to the traditions of this particular province, and include Beef 100°C, the tofu and pork dish "Girl's Freckles" (€9), but also the more famous Kung Pao Chicken (€12), and DanDan Spaghetti (€9.50). In the same neighborhood, the owners have also opened a second restaurant, One Noodles, entirely dedicated to the famous Chinese noodles, both stir-fried and in broth.

One Restaurant. Via Tuscolana 623, Rome. Tel. 389 950 4709. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Song

Typical Hong Kong cuisine is interpreted with a modern twist by chef Lin Sang Chu in this restaurant, which successfully blends the traditional with the contemporary, both in its dishes and in the elegant decor. This project was born from the Wu and Okazaki families, already renowned in the Roman scene for Otosan, Okasan, and the Hiromi Cake pastry shop. Many of Song's dishes are expertly composed as small bites (Dim Sum), where presentation, flavor, and texture create a unique experience. Among these, we recommend the Matcha Lobster Ravioli (crystal pastry with matcha tea, steamed and filled with lobster; €14) or the Duck Cheung Fun (hand-rolled steamed rice paper filled with duck; €12). However, the best way to fully experience the restaurant is definitely through the tasting menus, such as the "A Touch of the Heart" menu (nine bites of seven different Dim Sum, €29 per person).

Song. Via Valadier 14, Rome. Tel. 06 3215804. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

My Contemporary Chinese Cuisine

Between the Colli Albani and Furio Camillo metro stations in the Appio Latino neighborhood, Mi offers contemporary Chinese cuisine with regional influences, far removed from many of the traditional fare we're often accustomed to. The dining room is simple and minimalist, with a few oriental touches that highlight the intersection of history and modernity. The menu features a section for each main ingredient in the main course recipes, ranging from vegetables, tofu, pork, beef, chicken, and fish, alongside appetizers and first courses. Their tofu with duck yolk and shrimp (€10) is definitely worth a try, as is the braised beef with marinated Peking cabbage (€12), and, among the first courses, their iconic cold noodles (€8). You can accompany your dishes with a taste of Chinese tea.

My Contemporary Chinese Cuisine. Via Giovanni Botero 31/33, Rome. Tel. 06 89346223. Instagram.

Green T

Not far from the Pantheon, this historic teahouse in the capital offers gourmet Chinese cuisine, blending imperial and street cuisine. Green T welcomes you into an intimate and refined setting, meticulously crafted with taste and elegance. Attention to the finest ingredients is central to the restaurant's philosophy, and we find it in both the delicate Shanghai-style scallops (€18) and more elaborate dishes like the wok-cooked rice dumplings and baby octopus (€20), where the baby octopus is cooked three different ways to ensure its exquisite flavor and texture. If you're a fan of the iconic Peking duck, here it's prepared in three traditional ways: crispy skin, sautéed, and soup.

Green T. Via del Pié di Marmo 28, Rome. Tel. 06 679 8628. Website, Instagram, Facebook.

Sichuan

As its name suggests, this restaurant in the Monti area takes us on a journey through the regional specialties of Sichuan province. Intense flavors and extreme spiciness characterize virtually every dish, offering a unique and unexpected taste experience compared to the more familiar flavors of Cantonese cuisine. We recommend trying their Sichuan-style beef hot pot (€22), but the menu is extensive and full of choices to suit every palate. Another specialty that's not always easy to find elsewhere are the spicy wontons in Sichuan-style broth (€8.50), and lovers of the fifth quarter will surely appreciate the spicy chicken giblets casserole (€12).

Sichuan. Via di S. Martino ai Monti 33, Rome. Tel. 06 4814425. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Lin

Located near Buenos Aires Square, Lin introduces us to the typical cuisine of southeastern China. The dishes of this unique region are characterized by a balanced flavor that enhances the flavors of the ingredients. Seated at a table in a simple yet elegant space, we can try typical dishes from this region, such as beef cheek braised in rice wine and fermented soybeans (served with a sweet potato cake; €15), seared scallops (served with green beans and fish stock), as well as delightful reinterpretations, such as their "revisited fish roll in zucchini flower," a fried zucchini flower stuffed with shrimp and perch (€9.50).

Lin. Via Basento 70, Rome. Tel. 06 8546270. Website: Instagram.

JiaMo Lab

Among the best Chinese restaurants in Rome, we must also include JiaMo Lab, opened in 2019 near Porta Pia. A laboratory of delicious food, all strictly in keeping with Chinese culinary tradition, it takes its name from the restaurant's signature crispy bun: the jiamo, relatively unknown until a few years ago, is made with a dough made from wheat flour, yeast, eggs, water, and sesame oil, then baked and stuffed with, for example, beef or pork. The menu also includes ravioli, rice with shrimp and vegetables, and noodles.

JiaMo Lab. Via Bergamo 15, Rome. Tel. 3888348616. Instagram.

Dumpling Bar

Gianni Catani's love of China and his ongoing study of Chinese cuisine come to life at his Dumpling Bar, the first Chinese dumpling shop in Italy. Here, dumplings are naturally the centerpiece of the menu, bringing recipes that are always faithful to regional Chinese tradition. In addition to his famous shrimp Xiao Mai (€7), don't miss the shrimp and chestnut dumplings (€6.50) and the pork and mushroom baozi (€6.50). Recipes often vary based on the chef's creativity, and for dinner, the dumplings are complemented by an excellent selection of traditional first and second courses, such as various types of stir-fried udon (€7 to €8) or crispy sweet and sour pork belly (€8.50). A more express version of the restaurant has also opened inside the Testaccio Market.

Dumpling Bar. Piazza Antonio Meucci 1, Rome. Tel. 344 0658913. Website. Instagram. Facebook.

Bao Bao Dumpling

In March 2021, Jin Jie, already owner of the Chopstick brand, opened his first dumpling shop in the Prati neighborhood. It didn't take long for Bao Bao to become a household name among enthusiasts, so much so that two more locations opened near Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Istria. The key to this restaurant's success undoubtedly lies in the meticulous work put into the dough, with particular attention to the flours, and the wide variety of traditional dumpling recipes. You can start with a portion of mixed dumplings (6 euros), for a varied sampling of the offerings, then continue with one of their bao zi (from 4.50 to 6 euros), such as the Shengjian Bao (with pork, Chinese cabbage, spring onion, and shiitake mushrooms), and finish your meal with a Danta (4.50), the famous cake born in Hong Kong, served individually.

Bao Bao Dumpling. Via Paolo Emilio 9/11, Rome. Tel. 327 7890006 / Via delle Mercede 14, Rome. Tel. 06 43684 977 / Via Bisagno 18/22, Rome. Tel. 06 7076 2970. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

BabyBao

Having opened its first location in the Tuscolana area, and then expanded to the Appia and Parioli districts, BabaBao continues to enjoy great success as a traditional Chinese dumpling shop, with its unmistakable style that harks back to 1950s China. In addition to a wide selection of dumplings (from €5 to €7), among which we cannot recommend their Xiao Longbao and coriander-filled lamb dumplings, the menu also features the ever-popular bao (from €4 to €6), made with dough left to rise for 72 hours, delicious bao burg (€4.50), and crispy mo buns (€7), filled with pork and braised beef. If you want to branch out from the dragon's street food offerings, you can still find satisfaction in choosing a dish from the traditional appetizers, first courses, and second courses.

BabaBao Ravioleria. Via Scribonio Curione 42, Rome. Tel. 06 45471116 / Piazza dell'Alberone 11-12-13, Rome. Tel. 345 5426668 / V.le Regina Margherita 234, Rome. Tel. 06 69266395. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Flour

Despite its misleading appearance, Farina isn't the name of a pizzeria, but rather an excellent artisanal Chinese dumpling shop in the Ostiense area. Fans of Asian street food won't be disappointed, and will find a good selection of jiao zi (made with pork, beef, chicken, vegetables, or shrimp; €4.50 to €6.50), as well as bao, both grilled and steamed (€5 to €6.80), shao mai (€6.50), and fun snacks like curry spring rolls (€3.20). If you prefer a more "classic" dish to the typical dumplings, the menu also offers a small selection of Chinese noodles or rice.

Flour. Via Ostiense 164, Rome. Tel. 06 8793 1690. Facebook. Instagram.