If you only eat in Uptown and Deep Ellum, you're missing the best food in the metroplex. Richardson's Chinatown district along Belt Line Rd between Greenville and Plano Rd is a goldmine.
Must-hit spots:
- First Chinese BBQ (Richardson, 111 S Greenville Ave #500) — Roast duck hanging in the window. Combo plate with duck + char siu over rice: $11. Better than anything in Uptown at twice the price.
- Jeng Chi (400 N Greenville Ave #12) — Dim sum on weekends. Go before 11 AM. Cart service. Har gow and siu mai are excellent. Budget ~$25/person.
- Royal China (2800 N Jupiter Rd, Richardson) — Peking duck dinner. Call ahead to order. $45 for the whole duck, feeds 3-4.
- Super Cao Nguyet (Belt Line Rd) — Pho that competes with any shop in the DFW Vietnamese corridor. Large pho: $12.
- 888 Chinese Restaurant — Szechuan heat done right. Mapo tofu and dry-fried green beans.
Hidden gem: The food court inside Hong Kong Market (9780 Walnut St, Dallas). Banh mi for $5.50, fresh-made boba, and roast meats by the pound.
Sources:
- Eater Dallas — "The Essential Guide to Richardson's Chinatown"
- D Magazine — "Best Chinese Restaurants in Dallas"
- Google Reviews — 4.0+ ratings confirmed for all listings
- Dallas Morning News — Richardson food coverage