Here’s your cheat sheet for the best Chinese food just east of Phoenix.
Chou’s Kitchen Dragon Flame Chinese Grill Mandarin House
This Dongbei-style eatery eschews the Cantonese-influenced dishes most familiar to Americans, opting for more hearty, often pickled fare less dependent on rice in favor of noodles, dumplings and even bread.
1250 E. Apache Blvd.
480-557-888, chouskitchen.com
Northern Chinese barbecue is the specialty at this permanently parked food truck, and it’s pretty spicy. But owner Kun Mao can tone it down on request, with slam-dunk regional gems like shimeji mushrooms wrapped in bacon, splashed with barbecue sauce and slapped on the grill.
1125 S. Terrace Rd.
602-881-2284, dragonflame.us
Never mind the distinctly un-Chinese decor. This strip-mall restaurant is the real deal, offering a separate menu for the cognoscenti, which includes whole steamed fish and squid with black bean sauce.
1825 E. Baseline Rd.
480-838-8988, mandarinhousetempe.com
