Peking duck, anyone? These 9 metro Phoenix Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas Day

Patricia Escárcega, Priscilla Totiyapungprasert and Endia Fontanez, Arizona Republic
·4 min read

Eating Chinese food on Christmas Day has been a well-documented Jewish-American tradition since the early 20th century. More recently, celebrating Christmas with specialties like Peking duck, noodles and dumplings has become even more mainstream. Google searches for "Chinese food" peak on Christmas Day, and GrubHub reports that Chinese takeout orders surge on Dec. 25.

Fortunately, there's no shortage of Chinese restaurants in Phoenix, so if you're planning to dig into some Chinese food this Christmas, here are 9 great places that will be open on Christmas Day. Hours are subject to change, so make sure to call ahead.

China Chili

Mongolian Beef from China Chili in Phoenix.
Mongolian Beef from China Chili in Phoenix.

The beloved central Phoenix restaurant will serve its broad repertoire of regional Chinese dishes, including specialties like Hong Kong-style "pillow tofu," Peking duck and Singapore rice noodles. The restaurant will be open for takeout only on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Details: 302 E. Flower St., Phoenix. 602-266-4463, chinachilirestaurant.com.

D&Y Chinese Food

This Cantonese restaurant serves American Chinese classics like chop suey and moo goo gai pan, but you can also ask for the Chinese menu for more Hong Kong-style dishes. The restaurant is open on Christmas Day from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Details: 6666 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 119-120, Glendale. 623-302-9227, dychinesefood.com.

Great Wall Cuisine

This longtime stalwart of the Valley's Chinese scene still earns its stripes, and though it does a formidable job with the regular Cantonese menu, the big draw here is dim sum.
This longtime stalwart of the Valley's Chinese scene still earns its stripes, and though it does a formidable job with the regular Cantonese menu, the big draw here is dim sum.

The cavernous dining room at this west Phoenix staple has long been a popular Christmas Day brunch destination for local families. The restaurant will offer its dim sum service from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. From 3 to 9 p.m., the restaurant will serve from its regular dinner menu.

Details: 3446 W. Camelback Road, Suite 155, Phoenix. 602-973-1112. greatwallcuisineaz.com.

Pioneer of Phoenix dim sum: Remembering Ming Luk of Great Wall Cuisine

Nee House Chinese Restaurant

This northeast Phoenix restaurant usually draws a crowd on Christmas Day, thought it was limited to takeout in 2020. The kitchen serves a wide assortment of Cantonese dishes, including specialties like lobster in XO sauce, along with American Chinese classics like chow mein and General Tso's chicken. The restaurant will be open for dine in and takeout from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Details: 13843 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 15, Phoenix. 602-992-3338, neehousephoenix.com.

New Hong Kong Restaurant

This longstanding Phoenix restaurant has been under new ownership since Dec. 1, 2020. The menu features classic staples of American Chinese restaurants, such as walnut shrimp and chop suey. There's also a small variety of moo shu and egg foo young dishes. The restaurant will be open on Christmas Day from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Details: 2328 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-954-9118, newhongkongphx.com.

Time for change: Phoenix family behind a beloved Chinese restaurant is moving on

Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House

Hand-pulled lamian-style noodles are the specialty at this popular Mesa noodle house, which will be open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Along with noodles, the restaurant serves a wide assortment of veggie, offal and rice dishes.

Details: 111 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. 480-275-5352, nanzhounoodlemesa.com.

Best China

If you're looking for a West Valley spot to dine on classic American Chinese staples like lo mein and orange chicken this Christmas, this no-frills neighborhood restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Details: 8987 W. Olive Ave., Suite 126, Peoria. 623-878-8828, bestchinainc.com.

Mekong Palace Restaurant

Duck sits waiting to be ordered at Mekong Palace in Mesa.
Duck sits waiting to be ordered at Mekong Palace in Mesa.

The flagship restaurant inside Mesa's Mekong Plaza will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day. Dim sum service ends at 3 p.m., but some items will still be available for dinner. The huge menu boasts Hong Kong staples like dumplings, steamed buns and egg custard tarts; and entrees like roast duck and whole seafood dishes.

Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 120, Mesa. 480-962-0493,  mekongpalace.com.

Evolving traditions: Dim sum culture is changing for Chinese families in Phoenix

Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant

Jade Palace has two locations in Scottsdale, with the Pinnacle Peak Road restaurant and the Shea Boulevard location open from 12 to 8 p.m. on Christmas Day. The restaurant specializes in classic Cantonese and American Chinese favorites, including beef chow fun, crab rangoon and fried rice.

Details: 8876 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 104, Scottsdale. 480-585-6630. Also, 9160 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-391-0607, jadepalacescottsdale.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Chinese restaurants open on Christmas: Dim sum to Peking duck