14 Family-Owned Chinese Restaurants In North Carolina That Locals Have Visited For Generations
North Carolina holds a quiet treasure in its family-owned Chinese restaurants, the kind of places where regulars have been sliding into the same booths since childhood.
Walk through the doors and you’ll find sizzling woks, handwritten specials, and owners who still recognize customers by name.
These spots serve comforting plates that taste unchanged in the best possible way, creating a warm thread that ties generations together across the state.
1. Great Wall of China South – Charlotte, North Carolina
Locals swear the egg rolls here could end arguments and heal broken hearts.
Located at 6666 Carmel Road in Charlotte, Great Wall of China South has been a neighborhood fixture since families started piling in for Friday night dinners decades ago.
The menu reads like a greatest hits album, featuring classics like General Tso’s chicken and sweet and sour pork that never disappoint.
What sets this place apart is the family behind the wok.
Generations have perfected their recipes, tweaking spice levels and perfecting wonton folds until everything tastes just right.
Regulars know to ask for the chef’s special sauce, a secret blend that transforms any dish into something memorable.
The atmosphere feels like visiting a friend’s house, with familiar faces greeting you at the door.
Prices remain reasonable, portions stay generous, and the fried rice always arrives piping hot.
2. Taipei Express – Charlotte, North Carolina
Speed meets flavor at this Charlotte gem located at 731 Providence Road, where the kitchen cranks out Taiwanese specialties faster than you can say “bubble tea.”
Taipei Express earned its reputation by delivering authentic dishes that taste like they were airlifted straight from Taiwan, with zero compromises on quality or taste.
The beef noodle soup alone deserves a standing ovation.
Rich broth simmers for hours, tender beef melts on your tongue, and hand-pulled noodles provide the perfect chew.
Families have been ordering the same dishes for years, creating a loyal following that spans multiple generations. Don’t sleep on the popcorn chicken, either.
Crispy, seasoned to perfection, and addictively good, it’s become the unofficial ambassador of Taiwanese street food in Charlotte.
The casual vibe makes it perfect for quick lunches or relaxed family dinners without breaking the bank.
3. Cottage Restaurant – Charlotte, North Carolina
Tucked away at 7705-D South Tryon Street, this unassuming spot proves that great things come in small packages.
The Cottage Restaurant might not win beauty contests, but locals couldn’t care less when the kung pao shrimp tastes this good.
Families have been squeezing into booths here since before cell phones existed, bonding over plates of moo goo gai pan.
What makes this place special is the consistency.
Order the sesame chicken today, next month, or five years from now, and it’ll taste exactly the same: perfectly crispy, sweetly glazed, and utterly satisfying.
The family running the kitchen treats every dish like it’s going to their own dinner table.
Prices remain stuck in a better era, making it easy to feed a hungry family without taking out a loan.
The wontons are handmade daily, and the hot and sour soup has converted countless skeptics into believers.
4. Asian One – Charlotte, North Carolina
Number one in name, number one in hearts. Asian One sits at 16646 Hawfield Way Drive in Charlotte, serving up Chinese comfort food that’s kept families coming back since the doors first opened.
The orange chicken here doesn’t mess around, arriving with a glossy coating that’s equal parts sticky, tangy, and absolutely crave-worthy.
Regulars have their orders memorized, rattling off combinations like secret passwords.
The staff often knows what you want before you finish ordering, a testament to the loyal customer base that’s been built over years of consistent quality.
Spring rolls arrive golden and crispy, never greasy.
The lunch specials remain criminally affordable, making it a go-to spot for workers and students alike.
Fried rice comes loaded with extras, not skimpy on ingredients like some places.
Whether you’re grabbing takeout or dining in, expect friendly service and food that tastes like someone actually cares about what leaves the kitchen.
5. Best China – Charlotte, North Carolina
Bold claim, backed up by decades of satisfied customers. Best China, located at 9601 Brookdale Drive in Charlotte, earned its confident name by consistently delivering exactly what people want: reliable, tasty Chinese food without pretense or disappointment.
The crab rangoon here has achieved legendary status, with cream cheese filling that’s perfectly balanced and wonton wrappers fried to golden perfection.
Families treat this place like their personal kitchen, ordering the same beloved dishes for birthday dinners, graduation celebrations, and random Tuesday nights when nobody feels like cooking.
The Mongolian beef packs serious flavor without overwhelming heat, while the vegetable lo mein satisfies even picky eaters.
Service stays quick and friendly, even during weekend rushes when the phone rings off the hook.
Portions remain generous enough to guarantee leftovers, which somehow taste even better the next day. It’s the kind of place that makes you understand why some traditions never die.
6. Super Pot – Charlotte, North Carolina
Hot pot enthusiasts, rejoice. Super Pot at 4625 Piedmont Row Drive in Charlotte brings the communal dining experience that’s been bringing families together across Asia for centuries.
Choose your broth, pick your proteins and veggies, then cook everything tableside while conversation flows as freely as the bubbling soup.
The interactive nature makes every meal feel like an event.
Kids love controlling their own cooking, parents appreciate the fresh ingredients, and everyone enjoys the ritual of building the perfect bite.
The spicy Sichuan broth will clear your sinuses faster than any medicine, while the mild chicken broth keeps things family-friendly.
Sauce stations let you customize dipping combinations, turning each person into their own chef.
The family running Super Pot clearly understands that good food brings people together, creating an atmosphere that’s both lively and welcoming.
It’s not just dinner; it’s an experience that creates memories worth repeating.
7. Golden Wok Restaurant – Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro locals know that the best Chinese food comes from the Golden Wok at 1216 North Bridford Parkway, where the woks have been firing up perfection for longer than most people can remember.
The fried rice here sets the standard, with each grain perfectly separated and flavored, studded with tender pieces of meat and vegetables that actually taste fresh.
Families have been celebrating milestones here for generations, from first dates to retirement parties.
The staff remembers faces, asks about your kids, and occasionally throws in extra fortune cookies because they’re just that kind of wonderful.
Egg drop soup arrives silky and comforting, exactly what you need on a cold day.
The menu covers all the classics without trying to reinvent the wheel. Sweet and sour chicken delivers that perfect balance, while the beef with broccoli never disappoints.
Prices stay reasonable, service remains warm, and the food consistently hits that sweet spot between authentic and accessible.
8. Golden China – Greensboro, North Carolina
Another Greensboro treasure, Golden China at 1310 Westover Terrace, Suite 112, proves that sometimes the simplest names hide the best food.
Walking through the doors feels like stepping into a time capsule, where recipes haven’t changed because they got it right the first time.
The General Tso’s chicken here could start wars over who gets the last piece.
What keeps people coming back isn’t just the food, though that certainly helps. It’s the feeling of being recognized, of walking into a place where your order is already half-prepared because they saw your car pull up.
The family atmosphere extends beyond the owners to the customers, creating a community around shared love of quality Chinese cuisine.
Lunch combos offer incredible value, arriving quickly enough for rushed work breaks but tasting like someone took their time.
Spring rolls stay consistently crispy, dumplings arrive perfectly steamed, and the fortune cookies always seem to deliver oddly relevant messages.
9. New Happy Garden Chinese Restaurant – Waynesville, North Carolina
Happiness grows in gardens, especially at 1860 Dellwood Road in Waynesville, where New Happy Garden has been feeding mountain town locals for years.
This isn’t your typical Chinese restaurant; it’s become woven into the fabric of the community, serving as a gathering place where everyone eventually runs into someone they know.
The location might surprise first-timers, but one bite explains why people drive from surrounding towns specifically for these egg rolls.
Mountains surround you, but the flavors transport you straight to China.
The family recipes here have been perfected over decades, with each generation adding their own touch while respecting tradition.
Menu highlights include the hunan chicken, which brings legitimate heat for spice lovers, and the house special fried rice that somehow tastes better than anywhere else.
Service stays friendly and efficient, even when the small dining room fills up on weekends. It’s proof that great Chinese food thrives everywhere, not just in big cities.
10. Twin Dragons Grand Buffet – Brevard, North Carolina
Buffets get a bad rap, but Twin Dragons at 1261 Asheville Highway in Brevard bucks that trend by actually caring about quality.
The grand spread offers something for everyone, from adventurous eaters to picky kids who only want chicken fingers.
Fresh batches constantly rotate through, ensuring nothing sits under heat lamps long enough to get sad and dried out.
Families appreciate the variety and value, especially when feeding multiple people with different preferences.
You can sample a little bit of everything or load up on your favorites without judgment.
The crab rangoon disappears faster than they can replenish it, and the mongolian beef holds its own against any made-to-order version.
Located in the Brevard area just a short drive from downtown, it’s become a tradition for locals to gather here after hiking or exploring the area.
The atmosphere stays casual and welcoming, staff keeps everything clean and stocked, and nobody leaves hungry.
Sometimes abundance done right beats fancy any day.
11. New China Restaurant – Brevard, North Carolina
Classic never goes out of style, especially at 102 College Station Drive in Brevard, where New China Restaurant keeps things traditional and delicious.
The name might lack creativity, but the food speaks volumes.
Locals have been ordering the same beloved dishes for so long that the menu feels like an old friend, familiar and comforting.
Sesame chicken arrives with seeds perfectly toasted, coating crispy, and sauce balanced between sweet and savory.
The wonton soup warms you from the inside out, with wontons stuffed generously and broth seasoned just right.
Nothing here tries too hard; it simply delivers solid Chinese food made by people who’ve been doing this forever.
The small dining area fills quickly during dinner rushes, testament to the restaurant’s popularity in this tight-knit mountain community.
Takeout orders fly out the door, with regulars calling ahead because they know exactly what they want.
It’s unpretentious, reliable, and exactly what a neighborhood Chinese restaurant should be.
12. Jade Garden Chinese Restaurant – Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Precious as its namesake stone, Jade Garden at 5273 US Highway 158, Suite 103, in Advance has been serving up gems since before most of its customers could use chopsticks.
The dining room might show its age, but that’s part of the charm.
This place prioritizes what matters: food that tastes homemade, portions that satisfy, and prices that don’t require a second mortgage.
The hot and sour soup here converts skeptics into believers, balancing spicy, sour, and savory notes like a symphony.
Regulars swear by the pepper steak, tender and loaded with actual vegetables instead of mostly onions like some places.
Family recipes get guarded like state secrets, passed down through generations along with the restaurant itself.
Service comes with genuine smiles from people who’ve been working here long enough to remember when you were just a kid.
Fortune cookies arrive with every meal, and somehow the fortunes always feel more accurate here than anywhere else.
13. Beijing Cafe – Cary, North Carolina
Cafe vibes meet authentic Chinese flavors at 2770 NC-55 in Cary, where Beijing Cafe has carved out a devoted following among locals who know good food when they taste it.
The menu ventures beyond standard American-Chinese fare, offering dishes that actually reflect Beijing’s diverse food scene.
Dumplings here aren’t an afterthought; they’re handmade daily and stuffed with fillings that burst with flavor.
The scallion pancakes achieve the perfect texture, crispy on the outside while remaining chewy inside, with enough green onion flavor to make your taste buds sing.
Kung pao chicken brings authentic Sichuan peppercorns that create that distinctive numbing sensation spice enthusiasts crave.
Families appreciate the range of options, from adventurous to approachable.
Located in Cary’s growing food scene, Beijing Cafe holds its own against newer competitors by staying true to quality and tradition.
The atmosphere stays relaxed and modern, making it equally suitable for quick lunches or leisurely family dinners.
Authenticity doesn’t mean intimidating here; it means delicious.
14. Q Noodles – Cary, North Carolina
Noodles take center stage at 3520 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary, where Q Noodles proves that specialization breeds excellence.
Hand-pulled noodles arrive at your table with the perfect chew, swimming in broths that taste like they’ve been simmering since dawn.
The beef noodle soup alone justifies the drive, with tender meat that falls apart and broth so flavorful you’ll want to drink every drop.
Watching the noodle-making process through the kitchen window provides free entertainment while you wait.
The skill involved becomes obvious as dough transforms into perfectly uniform strands through nothing but practiced technique.
Kids and adults alike find themselves mesmerized by the process.
Beyond noodles, the menu offers other Chinese specialties worth exploring, but honestly, you’d be missing out if you didn’t try the namesake dish.
The family running Q Noodles brought their craft from China, and Cary locals couldn’t be more grateful.
Fresh ingredients, skilled preparation, and reasonable prices create the perfect combination.