Restaurants & Dining
Food Dude’s Top 5 Chinese Restaurants Around Myrtle Beach
The next stretch of our gastronomical journey around the world, aka the Grand Strand, takes us from the Mediterranean to the Orient and a little place the Food Dude likes to call China. You may have heard of it.
This ancient civilization consumes much of Asia and has a billion or so citizens. You can’t miss it. It’s also responsible for many great contributions to the world – gunpowder, the folding umbrella and my favorite – Chinese food.
Whether it’s Moo Goo Gai Pan or Kung Pao Chi Ting, the Chinese created an unlimited number of dishes that Americans love to eat and mispronounce. And the Strand is filled with places to get your chow on. Here are my high five:
New China Buffet
1700 US-17 BUS, Surfside Beach, SC 29575
I would be remiss not to start this list with a Chinese buffet, which is perfect because there’s only one I would mention – New China. With 120 items on the table, it has the best combination of quantity and quality. Many buffets have a bad wrap for recycling food and skimping on the best stuff, but New China is the exception. With hot, fresh food constantly leaving the kitchen and a variety of tasty dishes to choose from, it’s easy to eat all you can eat at this establishment. In addition to all the traditional offerings on the buffet, the restaurant also features a menu for light or picky eaters. But the best way to enjoy New China is to come hungry and load up on the sushi, dumplings and other great chow that’s available.
China Dragon
7701 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
If you are lucky enough to be staying within the delivery area, you may never order a pizza again. And if you’re outside delivery range, it’s worth the trip to Myrtle Beach to dine at China Dragon. This institution has an extensive menu featuring Szechuan, Hunan and Cantonese cuisine, or as we Americans call it, New York style. That means made-to-order dishes rather than warmed-over buffet fodder and insanely large portions. Best of all, the price is right. Lunch specials start at $4.95 and the only items on the dinner menu for more than $10 are seafood dishes.
P.F. Chang's
When it comes to Chinese restaurants, I tend to prefer the local mamason-and-papasan stores over the fortune cookie-cutter chains. But one stop at P.F. Chang’s changed my mind about this national treasure. Located in the trendy Market Common shopping and dining center, P.F. Chang’s offers a nice alternative to the many upscale dining options in the district. It’s a casual and fun atmosphere that’s perfect for couples, families or large parties. Offering creative dishes as well as all the traditional favorites with a modern twist, Chang’s also has a great bar area and a nice happy hour crowd. Try the Flaming Red Wontons and the Wok-Charred Beef.
