Believe it or not, CDMX stands out for having a wide and varied offer of Chinese food. Find out why at these six Chinese buffets.
1. Lei China Restaurant
If you shy away from buffets for fear of running into too many people lining up in front of the trays, this is not going to happen to you, as it is a spacious and well-maintained place. Unlike other establishments of this type, here you will not find the typical red lamps, but have opted for lighting with shades of pink, gold and turquoise. And although it is not a Chinese specialty, frequent visitors comment that the sushi is highly recommended.
📍Bolívar 43, Historic Center
2. Canton
Of course, any list of Chinese buffets must include a restaurant in Chinatown, that brief but colorful strip of Dolores Alley that runs from Independence Street to Article 123, downtown. So, when you arrive you will see a 19th century European-style building on the outside, but the signs advertising their buffets for only $60 pesos will make it clear that Canton is located on the second floor. Narrow but cozy, this space is reminiscent of the Chinese restaurants set up in private homes that abound in other cities around the world.
📍Independencia 19, Historic Center
3. Fu Sheng
For some mysterious reason, the Historic Center of Mexico City is the epicenter of Chinese buffets. Well, it’s not so mysterious: they are inexpensive places, with rich, vast and filling food, perfect for an outing to the museum or shopping. So if you are on 5 de Mayo Avenue, you can recharge your batteries at Fu Sheng, a restaurant that you will identify by its typical Chinese lamps and its golden sign written in oriental characters. In addition to the short ribs, noodles and Primavera rolls, the sushi here is also worth trying.
📍5 de Mayo 7, local 26, Centro Histórico
4. Dragon Island
Regardless of the day of the week or the time of day, this establishment is always busy, largely because of the quality of its food, its affordable prices and the fact that it is located in a busy alley with many restaurants. Another point in its favor is that it has a bar, which is why you can stay for after-dinner conversation (wink, wink) after a hearty dinner.
📍Filomeno Maya 17, Historic Center
5. Hua-Yuan
To show you that not all Chinese restaurants are downtown, we chose this buffet in Jardín Balbuena because it has good service, affordable prices and a wide variety of dishes. It’s the typical place where you can serve yourself your good portion of chop suey and sweet and sour pork accompanied by a pitcher of hibiscus or lime water: a family and Mexican atmosphere, just like for the weekend. It is also a meeting point for those who like to relax on Fridays with national beers and all-you-can-eat food.
📍Fray Servando Teresa de Mier 3, Jardín Balbuena
6. The Dragon
This restaurant in the Zone Rosa is not to be missed because its entrance is decorated with a paifang gate, a typical Chinese ticket with multicolored motifs and overhanging roofs. Unlike other establishments, the atmosphere of this place is a little more formal and they even have waiters, in case you want to order a la carte. They have a separate seafood bar, but if you ask for the specialty, you should know it’s the freshly roasted and seared lacquered duck. Please note: some of the ingredients in the buffet are raw and you will have to cook them yourself in a pot that will be placed at the center of your table.
📍Hamburgo 97, Juárez