Some restaurants come and go before you even learn their names, but a few Chinese spots in Colorado have stuck around long enough to feed parents, kids, and now grandkids. These are the places where the order rarely changes and the booth by the window feels like a family seat.
From a mountain town with only one Chinese kitchen in the county to a Denver dim sum hall packed on Sunday mornings, this list covers longtime favorites across the state. Save it for your next road trip, or send it to the relative who still talks about the egg rolls from when they were ten.
1. China Village, Colorado Springs, CO
Forty-three years is a long run for any restaurant, and China Village on North Union Boulevard has been part of Colorado Springs dinner plans for about that long. It is the kind of place people get sent to by someone who has been going for decades.
The dining room is big and roomy, with wooden sculptures adding character to an otherwise casual, quiet space. Family-style plates rule here, and sesame chicken, Mongolian beef, and wonton soup are steady favorites.
For a crowd, the Pu Pu Platter makes an easy opener, and the Tai Chien Chicken dinner combo is a solid pick for one. Sauteed wonderful chicken and green jade shrimp are two less obvious dishes I would try next.
Families will find high chairs, a kids menu, and a private dining room for bigger gatherings. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and noon to 9 PM on weekends, with free parking in the lot.
2. May Palace, Vail, CO
Ski passes have changed prices plenty of times since 1987, but May Palace has been serving Chinese food in Vail that whole stretch. In a resort town known for pricey meals, a $10 to $20 per person dinner stands out.
You will find it on North Frontage Road West, an easy stop after a day on the slopes or a drive along I-70. The menu is broad, and the Ma La dishes give spice fans something with real heat.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all options, which helps when the whole family is too tired to sit down. Vegan and vegetarian menus are available too.
It opens daily from 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM. Evenings get busy, so a reservation is smart on weekends.
3. Tsing Tao, Boulder, CO
Boulder takes plant-based eating seriously, and Tsing Tao figured that out long ago. This long-established South Broadway spot pairs Chinese classics with a full vegan and vegetarian menu.
Thursday is the day to circle. That is when the all-vegan buffet rolls out, with crispy egg rolls, veggie tempura, mock meats, and well-seasoned green beans.
Not everyone at the table has to skip meat, though. General Tao’s chicken, chicken with snow peas, and shrimp with vegetables share the menu with a vegan Tsing Tao Special Soup.
Portions are large, so leftovers are likely. The restaurant is closed Tuesdays and opens at 11 AM most other days, noon on weekends.
4. Jade Garden, Buena Vista, CO
Running a restaurant in a small mountain town is hard work. Jade Garden manages it as the only Chinese restaurant in all of Chaffee County.
The pink-hued, no-fuss dining room sits on US Highway 24 North in Buena Vista. It is family-run, and service moves quickly, which road trippers will appreciate.
Kung pao chicken, cashew chicken, and tofu dishes are favorites, along with egg rolls, lo mein, and Mongolian beef. Lunch specials keep midday prices friendly.
Plan around Mondays, when it is closed. Tuesday through Sunday it runs 11 AM to 9 PM, and there is no delivery, so stop in or call for takeout.
5. Hoong’s Palace, Englewood, CO
Old-school is a compliment at Hoong’s Palace. The roomy, quiet dining room and huge menu of mostly Cantonese classics have kept regulars coming back for well over a decade at a time.
House chow fun, lemon chicken, combination fried rice, and kung pao chicken cover the familiar ground. Shanghai chicken with baby bok choy and sesame shrimp are worth a look for something a little different.
Large plates make family-style ordering easy. Catering is available too, handy for graduation parties or office lunches.
It is closed Mondays and stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Find it on East Costilla Avenue with free parking nearby.
6. Star Kitchen, Denver, CO
Sunday mornings at Star Kitchen draw families from across Denver for food that tastes like home. Expect a wait, and expect it to be worth planning for.
Dim sum is the main event, served from push carts that roll right up to your table. Baked BBQ pork buns, chicken feet, and congee are just a few of the options.
Dinner brings bigger plates like Peking duck, house special lobster, honey walnut shrimp, and salt and pepper pork. The menu includes photos, which helps first-timers point and order.
Star Kitchen closes Wednesdays and takes a break between 3 and 4 PM. Weekday mornings are the calmer time to go.
7. Beijing Noodle, Fort Collins, CO
Noodles are the whole point here, and the menu proves it. Oil spill noodles, Henan gravy noodles, and Beijing noodles with pork bean sauce anchor this easygoing spot near Colorado State University.
Homemade cooking sets it apart. Pork wonton soup with noodles, dumplings by the dozen, tea eggs, and green onion pancakes make for a satisfying spread.
Pork with garlic sauce is a good pick for garlic lovers. Prices run about $10 to $20 per person, which explains the college crowd.
It is open Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 8 PM, and closed Sundays. Outdoor seating is an option when the weather cooperates.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.