Springfield Area Chinese Food All-Stars!

All right, so in my quest for the best Chinese Food in Springfield MO, I've formulated a small list of the restaurants that make some the best individual menu items. If you agree or disagree, feel free to comment. After all, we're in this together, because it's not exactly easy finding good food in Springfield.

Best Wonton Soup

Golden Korean

1406 West Sunshine

Yeah, it's still surprising to me that a Korean place would have some of the best Chinese Food I've had in Springfield but it's true. Although China Wok at 4153 South Scenic is pretty good, if you wade through their lackluster customer service, it's Golden Korean's wonton soup that takes the title for best wonton soup in Springfield. While a lot of places in Springfield serve a somewhat soulless cup of wonton soup, Golden Korean's packs a flavorful punch and nearly is a meal in itself.

Best Egg Rolls

Shanghai Inn

1937 N. Glenstone Avenue

I tried Shanghai in on a whim. I was near there and I was in the mood for Chinese food (what else is new) and decided to try it. Like always, I got the General Chicken, as I do every time I try a new Chinese restaurant. It's sort of like the perfect barometer to test a Chinese place. Well, their General Chicken was okay, but it was their egg roll that really blew me away. They got the best egg rolls in town, hands down! They reminded me of these great egg rolls I used to get in New Hampshire at a place called Lun Hings. And like Lun Hings, Shanghai Inn's egg rolls are HOMEMADE! Take that, Springfield. I've been to about 30 Chinese restaurants in Springfield and Shanghai Inn is the first to have homemade egg rolls. You gotta go. You WILL taste the difference.

Best Crab Rangoons

Golden House

2744 West Chestnut Expressway

Basically, every Chinese restaurant in Springfield seems to serve the same crab rangoons. Nothing special. The only place that seems to single themselves out is Golden House. Their egg rolls are nice and crispy with just enough zing to put them over the top. They're especially good when you dip them in their spicy chicken sauce. Delicious!

Best Lo Mein

Shanghai Inn

1937 North Glenstone

This might take a little more research. It was down to three places but I gave the edge to Shanhai Inn. The other two places with great lo mein are Happy China at 820 East Battlefield and Chopsticks at 1128 South Glenstone. Chopsticks is an interesting little place. They seem to do things a little different, and for the most part their food is very good.

Best Sweet N Sour Chicken

Happy China

820 East Battlefield

I don't really get into this Springfield style Sweet N Sour chicken, with the ketchup and pineapple sauce mixture which is basically everywhere in Springfield. I prefer the deep red cherry, pineapple sauce, which is more common in other parts of America. And the closest to that in Springfield is Happy China, which is one of my favorite go-to Chinese restaurants in Springfield. They also have AWESOME Pepper Chicken, Boneless Spareribs, and Egg Foo Young.

Best General Chicken

Chinese Chef

3029 South Campbell

Quite a while back, I devoted an entire post to my quest for the best General Chicken in Springfield. Since then, the top restaurant, Lotus Inn, has closed. Mainly, in my opinion, because they served a buffet that wasn't very fresh. If they would have had fresher food on the buffet it might have worked. Because they definitely had some good food. Also, since I've made this list a new place has stepped up to vie for tops on the list; namely, Bao Bao at the Chesterfield Village. Still, I have to give the edge to Chinese Chef, since, when their General Chicken is fresh, it's very hard to beat. Other honorable mentions for General Chicken would have to be Golden Korean and China Wok, again if you can wade through their lackluster customer service.