Found a Hidden Gem of Northern Chinese Cuisine in St. Louis!

We stopped over in St. Louis for one night during our RoadTrip and found this highly recommended Northern Chinese restaurant—and it’s a total treasure! Every dish is packed with the cozy, home-style flavor that feels like an instant trip back to China, curing the tiredness from our journey in a single bite. 🔥 Must-Try Signature Dishes: Pure Northern Chinese Flair! Sweet and Sour Pork (Guo Bao Rou) : Easily makes it to my Top 3 sweet and sour pork dishes in the US! It’s the classic tomato-based version 🍅—the outer layer is golden and crispy, making a “crunch” when you bite into it, coated in a rich, sweet-tart sauce that’s never cloying. The pork slices are thick (no skimping on meat!), with a crispy exterior and tender interior. The sweet-tart flavor hits your taste buds perfectly, and I couldn’t help licking the sauce off my lips after each bite 😋! Charcoal-Grilled Lamb Skewers : The key here is charcoal-grilled 🔥! As soon as they’re served, you’re hit with the smoky aroma of charcoal—way better than electric-grilled ones. The lamb chunks are big and firm, full of meaty flavor with no gamey taste. The cumin and chili powder seasoning is just right, getting more delicious as you chew. One order wasn’t enough, so we ordered a second round—we even wanted to lick the skewers clean 🤤! Sautéed Three Delicacies (Liu San Yang) : A classic Northern Chinese dish—order it without hesitation ✅! The ingredients are cleanly prepared, with a tender texture and rich sauce that’s savory but not overly salty. It’s perfect with rice or eaten on its own, and I even mixed it with half a bowl of rice for an extra hearty bite. Braised Chicken with Mushrooms : It tastes exactly like the version from my school cafeteria as a kid! The chicken is braised until tender and falls off the bone 🐔, and the mushrooms infuse the soup with their umami. The best part is the vermicelli—soaked up all the soup, every bite is packed with meat and mushroom flavor. We even wanted to drink every last drop of the soup 💦! 🍚 Staples & Snacks: Full of Home Comfort! Yangzhou Fried Rice : It’s all about nostalgia! The rice grains are separate and fluffy, with golden, light scrambled eggs 🥚, and perfectly paired ham, carrots, and peas. It’s moderately savory with no extra seasoning—just simple, home-style flavor, like the warm fried rice my mom used to make in the morning ❤️! Grilled Steamed Buns : A pleasant surprise! The buns are crispy on the outside and soft inside, coated with just the right amount of seasoning and sauce—slightly savory with a hint of spice 🌶️. It tastes surprisingly like the spicy skewers from the food stand near my middle school. I ate them one by one without stopping, leaving not even a crumb. Small Wontons : Generous portions and great value! The wonton wrappers are thin with plump fillings 🥟—you can see the fresh meat when you bite into them. The soup is light and savory, garnished with a bit of dried shrimp and cilantro for extra flavor. We ate all the wontons and drank every drop of the soup, feeling warm and satisfied. 💡 Tip There’s parking in front of the restaurant, but spots are limited—suggest arriving early or off-peak. If you’re passing through St. Louis on a road trip or craving authentic Northern Chinese food locally, this restaurant is a must-visit—you won’t be disappointed! #StLouisFood #WashingtonUniversityinStLouis #MissouriState #MissouriFood #StLouisChineseFood #StLouisFoodRecommendations