Chinese Restaurants in Budapest
Getting good Chinese food in Budapest can be tricky, but we’re here to help. Learn about the best authentic Chinese Restaurants of the city on JustBudapest.
Chinese food – whether it’s restaurants, take-out, or delivery – has conquered the world, and Budapest is no exception either. Although we’d strongly discourage everyone from stepping into one of the many Chinese restaurants of Budapest off the street (to this day, the vast majority of Chinese restaurants in the city offer a cheap, standardized version of Chinese food Hungarians were familiarized with nearly two decades ago), thankfully, there are a couple of great options if you crave some real authentic oriental flavors. Hungry or not, here we come!
- • Budapest features a large and established Chinese community, resulting in an incredible selection of authentic Chinese restaurants that rival those found in much larger European capitals.
- • While cheap, fast-food-style ‘Chinese buffets’ exist on almost every street corner, the truly authentic regional dining experiences—featuring Sichuan, Cantonese, and Dongbei cuisines—are concentrated in Budapest’s Chinatown located in the Monori Center (District X).
- • If you don’t want to travel to District X, there are excellent, highly-rated authentic Chinese restaurants downtown in Districts V, VI, and VII, offering specialties like Peking Duck, hand-pulled noodles, and traditional Dim Sum.
Chinese restaurants in Budapest
Like we said, when it comes to Chinese food, Budapesters are at a crossroads. On the one hand, the city offers a handful of superb authentic restaurants for those who really want to get a taste of the Far East; on the other, Budapest has an abundance of ‘budget’ Chinese restaurants which – although don’t have much to do with traditional Chinese cuisine, have been a popular choice among hungry citizens for around 20 years. As you would suggest, the two restaurant types greatly differ in quality, authenticity, as well as prices. Now we’ll focus on authentic Chinese restaurants, but there’s no denying that, at one point or another, cheap Chinese food played an important part in the lives of most Budapest residents, including the writer of this article – student life, amirite?!
So, without further ado, let’s explore the best authentic Chinese restaurants of Budapest!
1. Wang Mester Kínai Konyhája (Master Wang’s Chinese Kitchen)
With numerous restaurants below his belt around town, Wang Qiang (or Master Wang, as most people know him) has become probably the most well-known Chinese chef in Budapest over the years. Having mastered cookery from his grandparents, as well as in some of the finest restaurants of Peking, Master Wang knew exactly what he was doing when he decided to raise the bar of Chinese food quality in the city. Full disclosure: Wang’s Kitchen did use to operate as a mix between a quality, table-service restaurant and a budget buffet, but nearly a decade ago he decided to reposition the place, and boy, did he make the right call!
Since then, Master Wang’s Chinese Kitchen has soared to the top of the best Chinese restaurants, where guests have a chance to broaden their culinary horizons with genuine Chinese delicacies such as pork trotters in soy sauce, spicy pork colon, 100 days eggs, and the Beijing duck. But, if you prefer simpler flavors, there are of course a ton of other poultry, pork, beef, seafood, as well as vegetarian options to choose from. Traditional, flavorful dishes from the Szechuan region served in an authentic yet elegant environment – what’s not to like? Well, maybe the somewhat off-beat location, but if you’re willing to move out of the inner city for the perfect lunch, it’s nothing to worry about.
2. Biang bisztró
If you liked what we wrote about Master Wang above, but wish his restaurant weren’t so far, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are two centrally located gourmet Chinese restaurants in Budapest that are also Wang’s creations. That’s right, having become a household name with his restaurants on the outskirts, Hungary’s most influential Chinese chef decided to delight the average urban Chinese food lover with not one, but two restaurants in downtown Budapest.
Apart from their locations, the biggest difference between the two establishments is their size: the restaurant on Vámház körút is greatly bigger than the one on Oktogon, but unless you’re planning a huge get-together with a lot of friends, you’ll have a great time at Oktogon as well – especially if you enjoy watching a robot slice noodles. Kid you, we do not.
Menu-wise, the two restaurants are practically the same – they offer delicacies from all around China (unlike Wang’s other restaurants which mainly specialize in different regions of his homeland) and pride themselves on their home-made noodles. The food is phenomenal, whether you go for a meat-based or vegetarian option, but we vouch for the Biang Biang noodles with chicken.
Address:
- Budapest, Teréz körút 20., 1067 (Oktogon location)
- Budapest, Vámház körút. 5, 1093 (Vámház körút location)
3. Taiwan
Open since 1991, Taiwan is another highly popular Chinese restaurant, often dubbed as the biggest rival of Wang’s Kitchen. Concerning their selection of food, a major difference between the two restaurants is while Wang’s Kitchen mainly focuses on the dishes of the Szechuan region, Taiwan promotes the flavors of the Peking area. In simpler terms, whether you liked Master Wang’s cooking or not, you should definitely give Taiwan a try, if you call yourself a true Chinese food lover. Among the restaurant’s specialties are the Beijing duck and a wide range of fresh seafood (with most of it swimming around in the restaurant’s saltwater tanks prior to being ordered), including true rarities like cold jellyfish salad and live oyster.
4. Shanghai House
If you’re looking for authentic, home-cooked style Chinese flavors in a great location, look no further than Shanghai House. Situated just around the corner from Andrássy Street at Oktogon, Shanghai House is the perfect place to stop by for lunch, say, during a sight-filled walk to Heroes’ Square. Made from quality ingredients, Shanghai House is one of the few remarkable Chinese restaurants in downtown Budapest, so don’t miss it if you’re in the neighborhood.
5. Milky Way
As far as we know, it’s not often that restaurant owners make it a point to praise their rivals, so the fact that Master Wang speaks highly of Milky Way might mean something. While we’ll let you make of that what you will, it’s without a doubt that the aren’t a lot of places in Budapest that specialize in whole-steamed lobsters, crabs, tiger prawns, shrimps, and carps, which is exactly what Milky Way does.
And in case you’re wondering about the name, it actually belongs to the hotel that houses the restaurant, which is part of Monori Center, a lively Chinese neighborhood with its own school, Chinese churches, hospital of traditional Chinese medicine and so on. This means that the vast majority of Milky Way’s guest base is Chinese, so if any restaurant is going to make Chinese food the way Chinese people like it, it’s them.
6. Spicy Fish
Spicy Fish is another name on our list that marks two locations in Budapest, but it wasn’t always the case. Up until a few years ago, people who wanted to experience the delicious cuisine of Szechuan and Wenzhou (which is the restaurant’s specialty) had to travel quit a bit from the inner city. But, the owners have thankfully realized that it would be a smart move to open another establishment closer to the city center, so they decided to team up with Sakura (one of the best ramen places in Budapest) and co-rented a spacious and hip spot behind Corvin Mall.
And the result? An amazing, one-of-a-kind Chinese/Japanese restaurant offering a wide range of show-stopping dishes from both cuisines. From fan-favorite noodles through thick Ramen soups to more adventurous Chinese delicacies, you can get it all at Spicy Fish (and Sakura). Oh, and don’t sleep on the spicy fish soup either, it’s their titular dish for a reason, after all – although you might need a friend or two to tackle that meal.
7. Smart Kitchen
And finally, we just had to mention Smart Kitchen. We’re going to level with you now: Smart Kitchen is a bit of an odd duck on our list in that it’s not a classic, table-service restaurant. Smart Kitchen is actually a Chinese fast-food restaurant chain which has four establishments in Budapest, all in equally convenient and central locations. However, don’t let the term ‘fast-food’ repel you. Smart Kitchen is all about cooking “the most delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine for every Chinese food enthusiast” – as it reads on their website – but with a focus on doing it fast. So, if you find yourself craving some oriental flavors but can’t afford to be sitting in a restaurant for hours, just stop by one of the four Smart Kitchen establishments en route and problem solved!
Address:
- 1053 Budapest, Vámház körút 10.
- 1065 Budapest, Nagymező utca 41.
- 1067 Budapest, Térez körút 3.
- 1075 Budapest, Holló utca 10.
Discover other Asian cuisines in Budapest
Now that you’re familiar with the finest Chinese restaurants in the city, you may be wondering about how Budapest is handling other Asian cuisines, such as Japanese, Thai, or Vietnamese. Well you’re in luck, as the popularity of Asian dishes have been growing steadily for the last few years. Grab your chopsticks!
And, naturally, no food article written about Budapest would be complete without mentioning the paprika-infused miracle that is Hungarian cuisine. Granted staple Hungarian dishes are as far from Asian flavors as possible, but come on, you’re in Budapest, at least wolf down a lángos and a bowl of chicken paprikash before you leave!
Pro tip: Budapest is home to many excellent Hungarian restaurants that offer delicious flavors not only for locals but also for visitors. If you’re craving thai flavors, visit Budapest’s Thai restaurants.
Planning to visit Budapest? Read the tourist information about Budapest, which offers useful details for every visitor. Whether you’re interested in the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, or vibrant culture, this tourist information guide has everything you need to make the most of your trip. From must-see landmarks to local customs and traditions, you’ll find all the information you need to have an unforgettable experience in Budapest. Be sure to also discover Budapest’s location at the heart of Europe, making it an ideal starting point for exploring other nearby cities and countries.
Did you know that in Hungary, you can only buy cigarettes in tobacco shops? Read our article on the topic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best authentic Chinese food in Budapest?
For the highest density of 100% authentic, regional Chinese restaurants, you must visit the Monori Center (Chinatown) in District X (Kőbánya). Here you will find specialized restaurants serving authentic hot pot, BBQ skewers, and regional noodle dishes.
What is the spicy Chinese soup popular in Budapest?
Hot Pot (Huǒguō) is popular in Budapest's authentic Chinese restaurants, especially Sichuan-style spicy hot pot where diners cook fresh meats and vegetables at their table in a boiling, spiced broth.
Can I find Chinese fast food in Budapest?
Yes, 'Kínai büfé' (Chinese fast-food buffets) are ubiquitous in Budapest. They offer very cheap, Westernized dishes like sweet and sour chicken and fried noodles, but they do not represent authentic Chinese culinary traditions.
