Best Dim Sum in Dallas (2026)

Counter-service, takeout-forward, and open seven days. The lunch specials run from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and draw a weekday crowd looking for a quick, budget meal. Kung Pao Chicken and Fried Rice are the reliable orders. The room itself has drawn complaints about cleanliness and functions more as a pickup window than a dining space. Go for the speed and the price, not the setting.

Chino Chinatown operates as a drinks-and-apps room more than a full dinner destination. The lychee cocktail is the draw that gets people in the door, though the execution has disappointed repeat visitors expecting a more substantial pour. Spring rolls and fried rice round out the casual menu. Front-of-house hospitality has been a consistent friction point in the record, and the seat-yourself setup sets the tone: expect a bar-adjacent experience, not table service.

Chicken N Things cooks to order, which separates it from most quick-service Chinese counters in the city. Chicken fingers come out in small batches, and the chicken lo mein is the steady workhorse on the menu. Erika at the counter gets named regularly for making the ordering process smooth. The food reads as honest, straightforward Chinese-American, not revelatory, but the quality control that comes with made-to-order cooking is the real differentiator here.

Located near Northpark Center, China Bull Express is a strip-mall lunch stop with a courteous counter crew. General Tso's Chicken is the signature, though the sauce runs light on punch according to regulars. The vegetable entree and fried rice fill out a standard tray. The surrounding area has drawn mixed notes on atmosphere, but for a quick lunch pull off the road near the mall, the format is functional and the staff is consistent.

Chef Wang operates as one of downtown Dallas's underground lunch spots, the kind of room that holds a regular clientele for years on the strength of consistency. Kung Pao Chicken and Sesame Chicken are the standouts; the Mongolian Beef has its own loyal corner of the lunch crowd. Food comes out fresh and fast. For a downtown worker who needs a reliable midday meal without fighting for a table at a high-profile room, this is a known quantity.

Formosa Express has held its neighborhood for eight years, which says something about repeat business. Large portions and a staff that recognizes regulars are the operational hallmarks. The orange chicken runs heavy on sauce, a trade-off some accept for the portion size. The model is mostly takeout, and the kitchen turns orders at a pace that suits it. A food-safety incident has appeared in the record, worth weighing against the long-running neighborhood loyalty.

Off Forest Lane in a modest strip-mall build-out, Gourmet China Restaurant turns out fresh, generous portions of Chinese-American standards. The egg rolls draw specific praise. The room has some interior attention paid to it, though it remains a no-frills neighborhood spot. It served as a regular coworker lunch run for years before other options pulled the crowd away, and recent takeout visits confirm the kitchen is still producing at the same level.

Lucky Rice runs a family-friendly, sit-down-casual format with generous portions and a staff that gets consistent marks for warmth. Shrimp lo mein and orange chicken are the top pulls; the fried rice has drawn sharply split opinions, with some finding it underwhelming and others satisfied with the overall value. Space is generally available for groups, and prices stay reasonable. The room operates more reliably for families than the quick-service window crowd.

Pandacorn Cafe leans pan-Asian and does it with a beverage program that stands apart from the other spots on this list. The mocha Viet coffee has a dedicated following, with staff named by regulars for encouraging new flavor combinations. Orange chicken and crab rangoon are the food anchors. The Kung Pao chicken is available but has been noted as underseasoned. The room aims for a calmer atmosphere than a typical counter-service stop, which makes it a different kind of midday break.

New Wok Express fills a specific gap: late-night Chinese takeout when the rest of the city's options have closed. The beef and broccoli is the stated signature, though execution has been uneven, with some orders drawing hard complaints about ingredient quality and prep. The wait can run long. Repeat customers exist and come back despite the delays, which suggests the kitchen has good nights. For a 10 p.m. Saturday craving, the hours matter more than the rest.