Duck House doesn’t actually serve duck on the menu, but don’t let that faze you. They receive a lot of praise for the quality of their food, and it’s dubbed one of the best places to enjoy Chinese food in Portland.

Some diners say this is as authentic as you can get in the city. One thing to note is that it’s more of Szechuan than general Chinese.

With a large menu, you don’t need to worry about finding something you’d like. Some of the standout menu items are the xiao long baos, spicy chowmein, and their assortment of dumplings.

If someone in your group is more familiar with the Mandarin names of various dishes, the staff is quite knowledgeable and can easily accommodate them.

It’s a spot that’s popular with locals and tourists alike. 

That being said, it means there’s always a line and a really long waitlist. You have to really be willing to wait. 

Make it a point to get a reservation ahead of time, or come in early if you want to avoid the rush.

Although the menu is full of excellent items, there are a significant number of comments about their chicken dishes frequently being overcooked or dry. Then again, people come to Duck House for their authentic Chinese dishes, so try something else instead.

Master Kong checks off a lot of items in the “how to know you’re in an authentic Chinese restaurant” lists. 

It’s a hole-in-the-wall, and there are a handful of comments about the service being poor, but some would argue that no one really comes to an authentic place for the service.

Overall, diners praise the food for being authentic, delicious, served hot, and with decent serving sizes. If you want a meal that’s worth your money, come to Master Kong.

Some of the star items on their menu are the jianbing, steamed buns, and the meat folder. If you’re only going to order one thing from the menu, their jianbing gets the most praise.

When it comes to delivery and takeout, Master Kong has a great reputation for its secure and smart packaging that makes sure you can enjoy your meal at home as if it’s fresh out of the kitchen.

One drawback, however, is that it’s served the exact same way in the restaurant. 

Due to the pandemic, disposable cutlery, bowls, and plates might be the right choice, but it can take away from the dining experience itself.

At Master Kong, seeing is believing. Try it, and it may be your next favorite.

Powell’s Seafood Restaurant is named after the street it’s on. It’s one of the oldest restaurants in Portland and has pretty much kept the quality of its food through the years.

It’s another one of those hole-in-the-wall restaurants that don’t look much inside and out. There are complaints about the cleanliness, but you can rely on them for good food.

Service is generally fast and consistent, as is the case with most Chinese restaurants. The staff is friendly, and you can enjoy an even better experience if you have someone who speaks the language at your table.

The staff will also recommend which foods are freshly made that you and your group would love.

Craving something that isn’t on the menu? The kitchen may be willing to pull a few strings and make it happen for you.

It’s not a place you’d go to for an intimate date or to enjoy food on your own, however. The place can get a bit loud, and there’s no music.

There are also no half-size portions or single-size servings on their menu. It’s not a place where you can order just for yourself. 

Everything is served family-style. Powell’s is best enjoyed with friends or family, ordering a lot of dishes to be shared.

Stretch The Noodle is the only food truck on this list. They’re only open from 11 AM to 3 PM on weekdays, so the store hours are limited, and you may not make it to closing if you come too late.

Because it’s a family business, you’d have the pleasure of being served by the lovely couple who owns it. 

The noodles are chewy and packed with flavor. Some even say it’s the best hand-stretched noodles you can get outside of China.

Each order is hot and freshly made just for you. 

This also means there’s quite a wait and you need to be patient in the line. If you’re driving, it may not be that easy to find parking either.

However, they’re very straightforward about their serving capacity. 

They can serve about 40 orders per hour or a total of 160 per day. That would give you a good idea of how long the wait would be, depending on how many orders are ahead of you.

Their menu changes every now and then, so it’s advised to call ahead or drop by to see what they have available for the day. This keeps things interesting and fresh, although they do have staples in rotation.

Ling Garden Restaurant is another pioneering Chinese restaurant in Portland. 

They closed a few years back for renovations, and due to the pandemic, their official reopening got pushed back. Now they’re back with a better interior and ready to serve.

Because it’s a classic favorite among locals, it has a reputation to live up to. Not everyone would say they were able to maintain the same quality they had prior to renovations.

Still, many continue to call Ling Garden one of the best and most authentic Chinese restaurants in Portland.

Store hours vary greatly from day to day, and it can get really busy given its popularity. It’s best to call ahead to reserve a table or place an order ahead and just eat at home. 

Orders are generally served on time and will be ready for pickup when you drop by. Plus, it’s easy to access from the street.

The staff is also known to be friendly and accommodating. They genuinely care about your dining experience and would make sure you can get seated as soon as possible.

We love that their serving sizes are generous enough and priced just right. 

Whether you’re looking for a meal to enjoy on your own or to share multiple dishes family style, Ling Garden Restaurant just might be what you’re looking for.