The best Chinese restaurants in Milan: six places to try outside Chinatown
The best Chinese restaurants in Milan outside Chinatown. Navigating Milan's Chinese restaurants can be a challenge, given the extraordinary number of Asian establishments opening every week and the so-called "Chinese" establishments of questionable quality.
LORETO – PORTA VENEZIA – BOCCONI.
Wang-Jiao
Already mentioned in the list of chic Chinese restaurants, it's definitely worth mentioning here too: the menu offers well-prepared traditional dishes, a wide selection, and reasonable prices. Try it at three different locations around the city. Don't miss the fire bowls, starting at €6, available in meat, vegetarian, or fish options, all decidedly spicy.
Via Padova, 3, 20127 Milan MI. – 02 261 3224. Website. – Via Felice Casati, 7, 20124 Milan MI – 02 8728 0596.- Viale Col di Lana, 14, 20136 Milan MI – 02 8940 2858.
PIOLA
Maoji Street Food
It's the truly unique location that sets this excellent Chinese restaurant apart: it feels like you're on a Beijing street, and inside the restaurant itself, you'll find window sills, stalls, awnings, windows, and the illuminated signs of fake bars. A colorful and fun place where even the food is captivating: the spaghetti in sauce and the claypot rice are fabulous (from €6 to €10).
Piazza Aspromonte, 43, 20131 Milan MI – 02 4547 9541. Facebook page.
REPUBLIC
Fan Wu
Well-prepared and beautifully presented dishes in a minimalist, youthful, and elegant setting. A perfect spot for a romantic dinner, where you can enjoy Sichuan cuisine. The homemade fresh pasta ravioli are among the best I've ever tasted, and the famous Kung Pao chicken is also a must-try. The portions are generous, the quality excellent, and the prices reasonable, rarely exceeding €20 per person for dinner: a place to return to.
Viale Tunisia, 30, 20124 Milan MI – 02 4969 0934. Facebook page.
LORETO
Mao Hunan
This traditional Chinese restaurant is located in a former ice cream shop, still maintaining the original sign. Despite not being well signposted, Mao's is incredibly popular, so it's not uncommon to find a line of people waiting to try their famous eggplant with ground beef or spaghetti in broth. So don't be discouraged, it's worth it, and the line moves quickly. Also noteworthy are the "Mao's Tips" listed on the menu: the bravest can try things like fried pig's ears or chicken feet.
Via Nicola Antonio Porpora, 5, 20131 Milan MI – 02 4978 7361. Facebook page.
LORETO
The 9 bowls
From the same creator as Ravioleria Sarpi, this charming restaurant offers Sichuan cuisine with a unique format: a menu featuring nine dishes, or rather, nine bowls, as the restaurant's name suggests. All very spicy, the bowls are perfect for sharing. The prices are a bit higher here: €40 for a full dinner, accompanied by the famous Chinese beer.
Viale Monza, 4, 20127 Milan MI – 331 800 1116. Facebook page.
PASTEUR
Kongfu Bao
A small and welcoming place on Viale Monza with an extensive menu offering all the traditional Chinese dishes. The specialty, however, is the bao: soft, filled rolls offered in a variety of ways, grilled, with broth, and with chicken, beef, or pork (from €4 to €6). Perfect for sharing: one portion contains three rolls.
Viale Monza, 37, 20125 Milan MI – 02 8738 8210. Website.
