On February 5, families around the world take part in the celebrations for Lunar New Year. To kick off the 15 days of celebration, Chinese families gather at home or at a favorite restaurant on New Year’s Eve (Feb. 4) for a reunion dinner, often featuring noodles for longevity, fish for prosperity and dumplings for wealth.
If you’re looking for a feast to celebrate the Year of the Pig with friends and family, Hoodline has crunched the numbers to find the top Chinese restaurants in Bellevue, based on Yelp ratings and our own methodology. Happy Lunar New Year!
1. Facing East
Topping the list is Facing East. Located at 1075 Bellevue Way NE, Suite B-2 (between 12th and 11th streets) in Downtown, this Chinese-Taiwanese spot is the most popular restaurant of its kind in Bellevue, boasting four stars out of 1,736 reviews on Yelp.
2. Tofu 101
If you'd rather stay in, but would also like to avoid cooking, consider Factoria's Tofu 101, situated at 12816 S.E. 38th St., Suite G (between South 130th Avenue and South Factoria Boulevard).
With four stars out of 183 reviews on Yelp, this takeout-only shop isn't the place for a banquet, but would be a perfect stop to pick up a big bag of goodies to enjoy at home. It's open until 6 p.m. every day except Sunday, and one reviewer calls its food "the best Taiwanese breakfast outside of Taiwan."
3. The Dolar Shop
Downtown's The Dolar Shop, located at 11020 N.E. Sixth St., Suite 90 (between North 112nd and North 110th avenues), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the hot pot spot four stars out of 149 reviews for its noodles, meats and sauce bar.
Potential diners would be well advised to make a reservation early: it's often crowded.
4. Xiao Chi Jie
And over in Downtown, check out Xiao Chi Jie, which has earned four stars out of 63 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Shanghainese spot — and its signature sheng jian bao, or pan-fried pork soup dumplings — at 278 106th Ave. NE (between South Larson Lane and Fourth Street).
