14 Classic Ohio Chinese Restaurants Locals Keep Returning To
Late-night cravings have turned me into a very determined driver, and more than once I’ve found myself chasing the glow of a familiar red sign like it held the answer to all my problems.
Ohio has this quiet talent for hiding incredible Chinese restaurants in plain sight, the kind of places where the same families have been ordering the same favorites for decades without a hint of boredom.
These restaurants don’t rely on trends or flashy reinventions, they rely on trust, routine, and the comforting knowledge that your favorite dish will taste exactly the way you remember it. I’ve walked into a few of them planning to try something new, only to panic-order my usual like I was reuniting with an old friend.
If you know, you know, and locals across Ohio absolutely know these places.
1. Li Wah Restaurant (Cleveland)
Steam is basically my version of a welcome mat, and Li Wah knows exactly how to roll out the warm, fragrant red carpet.
Inside Asia Plaza, the dining room keeps things lively with dim sum and a menu that feels built for repeat visits.
One weekend, I told myself I would “just try a couple of items,” and then I started pointing at everything like I had discovered a new hobby.
Round up a few friends and order with confidence, because this is the kind of spot where sharing is half the fun and the table turns into a happy little traffic jam of plates.
Between the classic comfort factor and the come-back-soon energy, it’s easy to see why locals treat this place like a tradition, not a one-time stop.
Where to find this place: 2999 Payne Ave #102, Cleveland, OH 44114.
2. Wonton Gourmet and BBQ (Cleveland)
Payne Avenue has a way of luring me into delicious decisions, and Wonton Gourmet and BBQ is one of the best examples of that.
Instead of playing it safe, this place leans into bold favorites and a menu that makes choosing feel like a friendly challenge.
I once walked in fully convinced I had a plan, then instantly forgot it the moment I smelled what was coming out of the kitchen.
Bring your appetite and a little curiosity, because the sweet detour here tends to turn into a “since we’re already here” moment that keeps expanding.
What really seals it is the steady, neighborhood-staple vibe that makes it feel familiar even on your first visit.
Where to find this place: 3211 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114.
3. Szechuan Gourmet (Cleveland)
My taste buds like a little drama, and Szechuan Gourmet delivers the kind that ends with applause, not regret.
Over in Cleveland’s AsiaTown, this spot puts Sichuan favorites front and center, with plenty of room to explore the menu beyond the usual suspects.
The first time I went, I tried to act calm and decisive, then spent five minutes debating noodles like it was a championship round.
Lean into the classics, then add one wildcard dish, because the “I’m glad we did that” feeling shows up fast here.
It’s a reliable return trip kind of place, especially when you want a meal that feels both comforting and exciting in the same bite.
Where to find this place: 1735 E 36th St, Cleveland, OH 44114.
4. Hunan by the Falls (Chagrin Falls)
Dinner hits differently when you can pair it with a stroll through charming Chagrin Falls, and Hunan by the Falls makes that combo feel like a local secret.
The setting does a lot of the work, but the real reason people keep coming back is the steady, sit-down comfort that fits date nights and family outings alike.
I remember thinking I would keep it simple, and then the menu convinced me to “research” a few extra plates for the greater good.
Make it an easy evening by arriving hungry and unhurried, because this is the kind of place that rewards a slow pace and a full table.
When locals talk about a dependable favorite near the heart of town, this one keeps popping up for good reason.
Where to find this place: 508 East Washington Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.
5. Ding Ho Restaurant (Columbus)
Some restaurants whisper “history,” but Ding Ho practically has it printed on the menu in bold letters and good manners.
Columbus regulars have been showing up for Cantonese comfort here since 1956, which is the culinary version of a very long-standing ovation.
I once watched a table of longtime customers order with the confidence of people who have absolutely zero time for trial and error.
Go with a group and sample a spread, because the whole place feels built for that cheerful, pass-the-plate rhythm.
What sticks with me is how classic it feels without being stuck in the past, like it knows exactly what it is and refuses to apologize for it.
Where to find this place: 120 Phillipi Road, Columbus, OH 43228.
6. Hunan Lion (Columbus)
Crown Point shopping center has a heavyweight contender, and Hunan Lion proves that family-run consistency can be its own superpower.
This Columbus favorite has been building memories for generations, and you can feel that long-running pride the moment you sit down.
The first time I went, I told myself I would order something “normal,” then immediately got distracted by all the menu options I wanted next time.
Plan for leftovers if you can, because this place has a way of making you order one extra dish purely out of optimism.
When a restaurant is this established, the real flex is staying lovable year after year, and locals clearly think Hunan Lion pulls it off.
Where to find this place: 2038 Crown Plaza Drive, Columbus, OH 43235.
7. Wing’s Restaurant (Bexley)
Walking into Wing’s feels like stepping into a neighborhood tradition that never needed to chase trends to stay popular.
It has been serving the Bexley area since 1970, which means plenty of locals have built their own rituals around a table here.
I once arrived with “quick dinner” intentions and ended up lingering because the whole place makes you want to slow down and settle in.
Order what you love and own it, because this is a comfort-first kind of restaurant that does not judge your greatest hits playlist.
The charm is how naturally it fits the community, like it has been waiting for you to become a regular the entire time.
Where to find this place: 2801 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43209.
8. North China (Washington Township, near Centerville)
Far Hills Avenue has a dependable classic, and North China is the kind of place locals treat like a trusted shortcut to a satisfying meal.
The location in Washington Township keeps it convenient for the Dayton area, and the steady hours make repeat visits feel effortless.
The first time I stopped in, I spent longer than I expected deciding, which is my personal sign that the menu has depth.
Build your order around a couple of staples, then add something new, because this is the sort of restaurant that rewards curiosity without punishing you.
When people say “we go there all the time,” this is exactly the kind of spot they mean, reliable, familiar, and always worth the drive.
Where to find this place: 6090 Far Hills Ave, Washington Township, OH 45459.
9. China Cottage (Kettering)
Some places earn loyalty one visit at a time, and China Cottage has been doing that in the Dayton area since 1987.
The menu has plenty of house favorites, and the restaurant’s long run tells you locals have already voted with their regular orders.
I once promised myself I would be “very reasonable,” then somehow ended up adding an appetizer because my future self deserved a treat.
Pick a signature favorite and enjoy the confidence, because this spot clearly knows how to keep people coming back without needing gimmicks.
It’s the kind of classic that fits weeknights, celebrations, and those random days when you want comfort that actually tastes like effort.
Where to find this place: 3718 Wilmington Pike, Kettering, OH 45429.
10. House of Hunan (Akron)
Waterloo Road has a spot that keeps things cozy and familiar, and House of Hunan makes it easy to understand the repeat-customer devotion.
The restaurant leans into an inviting, sit-down experience, the kind that turns a simple dinner plan into an unplanned, relaxing evening.
I once walked in tired and left feeling like my whole mood got upgraded, which is basically what I want from dinner anyway.
Go ahead and make it a regular rotation meal, because this place feels built for those “we know what we like” routines.
When a restaurant becomes a go-to, it’s usually because it stays consistent, and this one has the kind of steady presence that locals notice.
Where to find this place: 376 E Waterloo Rd, Akron, OH 44319.
11. Oriental Wok (Cincinnati, Hyde Park)
Hyde Park has a long-running crowd-pleaser, and Oriental Wok wears its legacy like a well-tailored jacket.
The Wong family has been at it since 1977, and that kind of staying power usually means the community has claimed the place as its own.
The first time I visited, I caught myself people-watching between bites, because the room has that relaxed, special-occasion buzz.
Make it a meal you plan a little, because this is a sit-down favorite that feels best when you give yourself time to enjoy it.
Between the polished vibe and the classic reputation, it’s the sort of Cincinnati spot that turns “we should go sometime” into “we should go again.”
Where to find this place: 2444 Madison Rd #104, Cincinnati, OH 45208.
12. Jing Chuan Chinese Restaurant (Toledo)
When a restaurant has been serving families for decades, I listen, and Jing Chuan has been doing its thing since 1985.
It’s a Toledo classic that aims for an elegant dining experience, which is a fancy way of saying it knows how to make a night out feel like a real night out.
I once showed up with a simple plan and left with a mental note to return, because the menu makes “next time” feel inevitable.
Bring someone who loves ordering family-style, because the best conversations happen when plates keep landing in the middle of the table.
What I like most is the generational pride baked into the story, because longevity like this does not happen by accident.
Where to find this place: 4424 Secor Rd, Toledo, OH 43623.
13. Imperial Garden (Youngstown)
Youngstown has a classic that keeps things straightforward, and Imperial Garden is the type of local favorite that feels like it has regulars on speed dial.
The vibe is familiar in the best way, like the restaurant already expects you to come back before you’ve even finished your meal.
I remember pulling into the lot thinking it would be a quick stop, and then realizing I had accidentally scheduled myself a full, happy dinner.
Choose your comfort favorites and settle in, because the appeal here is how easy it is to make this a routine, not a special mission.
When locals keep returning to a place year after year, it usually means the restaurant understands consistency, and this one has that steady footprint.
Where to find this place: 7098 Lockwood Blvd, Youngstown, OH 44512.
14. Peking (Canton)
Canton has a no-nonsense classic called Peking, and it’s the kind of place that quietly builds a fan club one familiar order at a time.
The location is easy to reach, which helps turn a craving into a quick, satisfying routine instead of a whole production.
I once stopped by when I was indecisive, and the menu made me feel like every option was a reasonable life choice.
Skip the overthinking and order what sounds comforting, because this is a locals-returning kind of restaurant, not a once-a-year curiosity.
What makes it “classic” is the steady presence, the kind that survives busy weeks, changing seasons, and the eternal question of what’s for dinner.
Where to find this place: 2815 Cleveland Ave SW, Canton, OH 44707.