Guide to Manchester's Chinatown restaurants

Experience flamboyant Japanese dining at Teppanyaki Chinatown. The chefs theatrically prepare your food in front of your eyes here, making sure that everything is just the way you like it. There are set menus to try as well as appetisers, noodles, grilled dishes, and sushi. The atmosphere is lively and the interiors are bright and colourful.

Kaya opened in Chinatown in 2023. This family-run venue specialises in traditional Malaysian cuisine, serving food in a straightforward and pared-back environment. On the menu you'll discover classic recipes like laksa, nasi goreng, and roti canai, and plenty of dishes here have a spicy kick. Malaysian drinks are served here too.

Pho Cue will grab your attention with its name, as well as with the flavoursome Vietnamese dishes it's serving. This modern restaurant has a warm and friendly atmosphere and straightforward contemporary dining area. A wide variety of Vietnamese favourites are available here, including pho with broth that's been simmered for 24 hours.

Sample Thai cuisine in a homey environment at Phetpailin. This bustling restaurant is fuss-free and has evocative decor. Classic dishes are served here including curries, seafood, noodles, and veggie and vegan recipes. Set menus are also available if you don't know where to start. Diners are welcome to bring their own alcohol to this restaurant.

Happy Seasons is long-established in Chinatown, having been open since the 80s. This family-run restaurant is marked out by its neon sign over the door, and serves a comprehensive menu of Cantonese dishes. Expect starters like soup and dumplings plus rice and noodle dishes and barbecued specialities. The restaurant is low-key but has a busy atmosphere.

Red Chilli specialises in fiery Sichuan and Beijing cuisine. Start a meal with dim sum or dishes like spare ribs before trying authentic options like salt and pepper dishes, meat, seafood, and rice and noodles. Vegetarian food is available and the restaurant offers takeaways. The setting is smart with an atmospheric interior.

Formerly known as Wasabi, Wazuzhi serves Japanese food in Chinatown. The lively dining room has a J-pop soundtrack but you can also get takeaways here. There's a sushi conveyor belt but other options on the menu include small plates, noodles, hirata buns, and sweet Asian desserts. Bubble tea is also available.

Vibrant Vietnamese dishes are served in a fuss-free setting at I Am Pho. This budget-friendly restaurant serves traditional pho and other classic recipes, in addition to wine and Vietnamese beers that ideally complement the food. The dining room is simple, painted in white and with bursts of colour from cute floral details.

As the name suggests, Hunan Restaurant specialises in the spicy flavours of cuisine from the Hunan province of China. A varied range of traditional dishes are on the menu to help you dive deep into this regional cuisine. Banqueting menus are also available. The venue is low-key and decorated with a vibrant mural.

Waku Waku is a unique Manchester venue inspired by Asian comic cafés. The interiors are completely monochrome with all of the details drawn by hand to create an impressive optical illusion. Sit in this unusual space to try Japanese dishes like noodles, donburi, and sushi. Takeaway meals are also available here.

Well-known restaurant Little Yang Sing is ideal for any occasion, from solo meals to big celebrations. The venue is simple but has a smart and classic look. Diners can try Cantonese dishes in a friendly setting, with gluten-free and vegetarian options too. The menu includes dim sum, soup, and appetisers, plus classics like chow mein and BBQ roast duck.

Opened in 2023, Only Yu has a classic and minimal look with some traditional Chinese decor. Tradition and authenticity meet modern flair here, with a number of menus of diverse Chinese dishes on offer. Set and à la carte selections are available here and the varied menu includes plenty of vegetarian options, as well as meat and fish dishes.

Traditional Japanese dishes are made from scratch at Chinatown's Yuzu Japanese Tapas. The simple menu at this restaurant includes small plates and bigger dishes ranging from agedashi tofu or tempura to yaki udon or teriyaki salmon. Food is served in a simple and minimalist setting with wood panelling and wooden furniture.

Jin Ji Chinese Restaurant might be low-key but it has a strong reputation. You'll spot it thanks to the vibrant red sign outside, whilst there's a bustling atmosphere in the dining area. Authentic and affordable Cantonese dishes are on the menu, with the soups being particularly popular. Other dishes here include mapo tofu, chilli beef, and noodles.

Cantonese and Sichuan dishes are served at Aplus Oriental Restaurant. A variety of dishes are available but the place is well-known for its dim sum and roasted meats. The main menu is full of classic recipes but set menus are available too. The outside of the restaurant looks like a traditional paifen whilst it's straightforward and bustling on the inside.

You can eat as much as you want at China Buffet. This Chinatown restaurant serves up an affordable and extensive buffet of Chinese dishes in a utilitarian and casual setting. Choose whatever you like from dishes like prawn toast, spring rolls, noodles, mixed veggies, and meat recipes. A variety of drinks are served here, including Asian beers.

Low-key eatery The New Emperor Restaurant is a fuss-free destination for Chinese cooking. The dining space is simple but decorated with rich colours and traditional touches. The restaurant also does takeaways. Spicy Sichuan dishes are the speciality here, as well as other favourites like mapo tofu, curry, and fried noodles.

If you fancy a break from Asian cuisine, try American Pies, which is located at the edge of Chinatown. This easy-going venue serves decadent American-style deep dish pizzas and other indulgent treats like dough balls, garlic bread, and loaded tater tots. You'll get big portions at this friendly and modern restaurant, which has indoor and outdoor seats.

Manchester foodies can sample classic Thai cooking at Try Thai. The restaurant is modern and bright, featuring a traditional canopy over the bar and a warm atmosphere. Traditional dishes like salads, spring rolls, Thai curries, and fried noodles are served here, as well as some Chinese recipes. Drinks include Thai beer and cocktails.

If you want dim sum in Chinatown, don't miss a visit to Mei Dim. Considered some of Manchester's best dim sum, you'll find a wide selection of dishes here, as well as other Cantonese meals. The restaurant serves authentic food and has an old-school vibe. This basement restaurant is straightforward and bustling.