I’ll be the first one to admit that, generally speaking, Chinese food in Little Rock is sorely lacking. While I wouldn’t say we have any stellar, blow-you-away options, we do have some good places serving quality food. Here are five recommended dishes from five different restaurants in Little Rock…

Mama Chi’s Spicy Fish at Chi’s

Delicate pieces of white fish rest in a thick and spicy sauce, making Mama Chi’s Spicy Fish a must-order each time I’m at this Chi’s Shackleford/Markham location. Make no mistake, this dish is spicy, but good spicy, not burn-a-hole-in-your-throat spicy. Most Chinese food dishes travel well during take-out, but this is one you really want to eat in the restaurant.

Egg Rolls at Forbidden Garden

I get it … an egg roll isn’t a dish. But that should give you some indication of just how strongly I feel about what Forbidden Garden is serving up. Fat, perfectly fried, fresh egg rolls … not that skinny, tubular crappola you see at so many places these days. This is a real egg roll, and dammit, it should be celebrated. Also, get the Moo Goo Gai Pan.

Forbidden Garden

Sauteed Mushrooms with Oyster Sauce at Fantastic China

FC just got sold, but it looks like not much will change with the restaurant. At times, I thought this was the best Chinese food in Little Rock, but I’m not so sure about that now. The good news? The Sauteed Mushrooms with Oyster Sauce is still a killer dish. If you enjoy mushrooms, like I do, you’ll like this one.

Fantastic China

Chicken Chow Fun at Mike’s Café

Yes, Mike’s Café not only does Vietnamese dishes but also some excellent Chinese cuisine. Possibly the best in town. For me, it doesn’t get any better than the Chicken Chow Fun. Now, admittedly, I’m a sucker for noodles and I love the wide, flat ones used in this dish.

Mike’s Cafe

Warr Shu Gai at Chinese Kitchen

Listen, I’m not saying Chinese Kitchen does the most amazing Chinese food in the world, but this long time take-out spot (next to The Pantry West) serves a purpose. It offers quick, cheap, and tasty Chinese food. The menu has some misses but also some big hits, like the War Shu Gai. A boneless chicken breast is pressed thin, deep fried, and covered in brown gravy. Get it with an order of pork fried rice. Be careful with the rice. It’s smashed into a little container, which locks in the heat, and increases the likelihood that you’ll burn the shit out of your mouth on the first bite.

Chinese Kitchen