While known primarily for their delicious deep dish pizza, Chicago is a gigantic metropolis with endless ethnic influences. With a large Asian population in the Windy City, there is no shortage of tasty Chinese and Mongolian restaurants in the greater metro area. From Chinese buffets and Dim Sum hole-in-the-wall joints to Mongolian barbecues, Chicago has plenty of culinary options to please every sort of Far Eastern craving.
Whether you are looking for an intimate dinner for two or an elaborate party for 300, Ben Pao has got you covered. According to the website, "Ben Pao" means fireworks and the restaurant was so named to mean excitement and celebration. With its prime location near downtown Chicago's Merchandise Mart, Ben Pao is popular amongst businessmen and women as well as tourists. If you are stopping in for lunch, try the "Dim Sumwiches," which is the rstaurant's creative way of offering a soup and sandwich combo. The Spicy Mushu Shrimp is particularly delectable, made with Sichuan shrimp and fresh mushu pancakes, served with hot and sour soup and spiced wonton chips. For those dining at dinnertime, bring a hearty appetite. Start with the crab rangoon chopstix or the hand-crafted ginger shrimp dumplings, certain to whet your appetite. The traditional kung pao chicken is a spicy favorite, as well as the cherry bomb shrimp (tossed in a homemade cherry-chili sauce) and the Mongolian beef. Fear not, vegetarians, tofu can be substituted in most dishes, and there is a good selection of vegetable, fried rice and noodle dishes to satisfy you.
Ben Pao Chinese Restaurant
52 W. Illinois St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-222-1888
benpao.com
For those seeking a more do-it-yourself kind of dining experience, head to the west suburbs of Bollingbrook or Naperville to BD's Mongolian Grill. A national chain, this popular restaurant gives you the opportunity for you to create your own stir fry. Take your bowl to the buffet line, select your meats and vegetables, and then mix your favorite sauce and spices into a smaller condiment cup. Bring your concoction to the master griller, who will then cook your stir fry in a matter of minutes while you stand at the counter. Choose from meats such as traditional chicken, pork, lamb or beef, or be creative with sausage, scallops, Mahi Mahi, meatballs or calamari. Vegetarians have plenty to choose from, with extensive veggies as well as cheese ravioli, pasta, tofu and rice noodles to satisfy every stomach. Take as many trips as you want at this all-you-can eat establishment. If you can't decide on what to make, browse through the numerous creative combinations that you can use as inspiration for your meal. For those of the legal age, the Sake Sangria and the Shanghai Colada are excellent pairings with your food.
BD'S Mongolian Grill
619 E. Boughton Road, Suite 150
Bollingbrook, IL 60440
630-972-0450
221 Washington St.
Naperville, IL 60540
630-428-0300
gomongo.com
Located in the heart of Chicago's world-famous Chinatown District, Phoenix Restaurant serves classic Chinese cuisine of all varieties. Dim Sum is served daily until 3 p.m., with dinner served nightly starting at 5 p.m. Study the menu beforehand for there is much to choose from and it can get a bit overwhelming if you are indecisive. The crispy shrimp dumplings or lettuce wraps are always excellent appetizer selections, or opt for the fried oysters for something a little different. Phoenix offers a wider variety of soups than your average Chinese restaurant; try the minced beef soup sai woo style or the shredded duck with dried scallop soup for something out of the ordinary. Vegetarians can rejoice at the extensive vegetable and tofu menu, with ma po tofu, Buddhist style vegetarian stew and braised king mushroom and Japanese tofu on baby greens leading the list. Meat lovers have an extended selection of chicken, beef, pork and seafood of all spice levels and flavors. The mu shu pork and house special BBQ chicken dishes are always popular and flavorful. With such an extensive food selection and its convenient downtown locale, you will want to come back several times to eat your way through the menu.
Phoenix Restaurant
2131 S. Archer Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-328-0848
chinatownphoenix.com
