8 great Chinese restaurants open on Christmas Day — with holiday specials — in Chinatown and beyond
Traditionally most restaurants in Chinatown, the historic Chinese neighborhood on the South Side of the Chicago, remain open on Christmas Day. Relatively few offer holiday specials though, yet some do. This year, perhaps more than ever, they deserve their own story. As I’ve reported, the Chinese community was the first and one of the hardest hit due to unfounded coronavirus fears and racism.
Here’s a list of eight great Chinese restaurants. All are open on Christmas Day, with holiday specials and their regular menu too. They’re found in Chinatown and beyond, in the greater Chicagoland area. As an added bonus, you’ll find eight more at the bottom of the story, like extra presents under a Christmas tree.
Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings
Pre-order red and green QXY Christmas special dumplings by Christmas Eve only on Tock for pickup at the restaurant in Chinatown. You can choose any fillings from vegan wood ear mushroom ($17.99) to chicken, pork, beef and seafood with sea urchin ($37.99).
2002 S. Wentworth Ave., 312-799-1118, qxydumplings.com
Chiu Quon Bakery
Order limited edition Christmas cakes by calling the bakery directly for pickup at the Chinatown location only. Choose from adorable deer ($57 for 10 inch), pine cones ($57 for 10 inch), Santa ($50 for 8 inch) or strawberry snowmen ($50 for inch). The oldest bakery in Chinatown also just opened a location at the new 88 Marketplace supermarket food court, featuring special collaborations with Doux Cake until Jan. 3, including one with matcha, mascarpone and strawberry.
2253 S. Wentworth Ave., 312-225-6608, cqbakery.com
Go 4 Food
The self-described “Asian fusion” seafood restaurant in Chinatown is offering four special dinner sets ($52.95 to $158.95) for Christmas and New Year’s if you’re planning ahead. The dinners vary in courses and dishes, but each set includes ginger and green onion lobster.
212 W. 23rd St., 312-842-8688, go4foodusa.com
Rotary Sushi
Reserve the holiday special platter now until Jan. 5 by calling or ordering online from the Chinatown or Aurora locations. The massive sushi meal includes miso soup, octopus salad, 16 pieces of nigiri, and a nine-piece baked Choo Choo roll with shrimp tempura and smoked duck inside, topped by spicy crab, tobiko and tempura flakes, plus two slices of cheesecake for dessert.
2131 S. Archer Ave., 312-929-2446, rotarysushi.com
Golden Bull
The double lucky number priced $88 special deal stars two stir-fried lobsters among five courses. Plus when you spend $100 or more, you get a $10 gift certificate. The Chinatown restaurant says Christmas is one of its busiest days so pre-order if possible, now until Jan. 3.
242 W. Cermak Road, 312-808-1668, goldenbullonline.com
Sun Wah
The James Beard America’s Classics-award winning duck dinner specialists in the Uptown neighborhood will be open, but they do sell out and will close early, so order ahead as soon as possible. The Cheng family restaurant will also do a collaboration pop-up at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square now until Dec. 27, with Sun Wah roast duck ($18 for half) and L&E specials, like General Foie’s Chicken ($15).
5039 N. Broadway, 773-769-1254, sunwahbbq.com
Triple Crown
At the only restaurant in Chinatown with a collaboration beer, when you buy a four-pack of the Triple Crown Lager ($15), made by Marz Brewing in neighboring Bridgeport, you get one free Triple Crown branded pint glass while supplies last. If you order the beer online, the coveted glass will automatically be included. A dim sum pairing is highly recommended.
2217 S. Wentworth Ave., 312-842-0088, triplecrownchicago.com
New Furama
Pre-order the Peking duck special ($38.95) now until New Year’s Eve at least 24 hours in advance. The meal includes crispy skinned sliced duck with vegetables on 10 steamed buns, and shredded duck fried rice.
2828 S. Wentworth Ave., 312-225-6888, newfuramasouth.com
And 8 more
Here are eight more restaurants that will be open on the holiday — without specials, but where I’ve ordered terrific takeout throughout the pandemic. There are many more restaurants of course, but eight is the luckiest number in ChineseCQ numerology and right now we need all the luck we can get.
B.B.Q. King for Chinese barbecue in Chinatown Square mall. 2148 S. Archer Ave., 312-326-1219, bbqkingonline.com
D Cuisine for creative dim sum in the Park West neighborhood. 2723 N. Clark St., 773-360-7239, dcuisinechicago.com
Hello Jasmine for Taiwanese boba drinks and popcorn chicken in Chinatown and Sheffield Neighbors. 2026 S. Clark St., 312-988-0920; 953 W. Webster Ave., 773-687-9524; hellojasmineus.com
Katy’s Dumplings for hand-pulled noodles and definitely dumplings in Westmont and Oak Park. 665 N. Cass Ave., Westmont; 630-323-9393; 1113 Lake St., Oak Park, 708-383-9888, katysdumplings.com
MingHin for more dim sum and Cantonese main dishes from multiple locations in the city and suburbs. 2168 S. Archer Ave., 312-808-1999, minghincuisine.com
My Place South Loop for Hong Kong style breakfast and afternoon tea deals.1307 S. Wabash Ave., 312-763-6935, myplacesouthloop.com
Qiao Lin Hotpot for spicy Chongqing hot pot, next to 88 Marketplace in East Pilsen. 2105 S. Jefferson St., 312-600-9779, qiaolinhotpot.com
Saint Anna Bakery & Cafe for egg tarts, pineapple buns and much more back at the Chinatown Square mall. 2158 S. Archer Ave., 312-225-3168, facebook.com/Saint-Anna-Bakery-Cafe-362220768544
