This is not a guide to the best Chinese food in Saint John. This is a guide to the best places for when your chopsticks are poised and your appetite demands dignity. Or for when the Atlantic chill seeps into your bones and steaming dumplings could be of some assistance.
New Chinese Cuisine Restaurant
$ | (506) 635-2828 | WEBSITE
New Chinese Cuisine Restaurant in Saint John offers delicious and filling meals, with standout dishes like Szechuan beef, General Tso chicken, and Singapore noodles. The service is friendly and attentive, providing helpful tips on food storage and recommendations for the best menu items. Some may find the country music an unexpected choice, but the tasty food makes for an enjoyable dining experience.
The chicken balls are a must-try, and you’ll want to arrive early—it can be tough to get a table during peak hours, and the cozy dining area near the kitchen isn’t nearly as pleasant as the spacious main room.
Northern Chinese Kitchen
$$ | (506) 693-1497 | WEBSITE
Northern Chinese Kitchen is where your foodie friend probably takes out-of-towners for authentic flavors. It’s a cozy discovery. You won’t find any pretension, only the sizzle of beef and chatter from groups sharing platters. Grab a table in the unassuming dining room, and try the dumplings served with that addictive chili oil. They’ll disappear fast, so order the spicy chicken bites to balance the heat, or plan a full feast with their sweet and sour chicken next.
China Coast
$ | (506) 635-1774 | WEBSITE
This Chinese restaurant in Saint John feels like the type of place where regulars exchange warm greetings with the staff. They maintain a tranquil atmosphere with pleasant service, so it never feels rushed. The real reason to come to China Coast, however, is the western-style Chinese food, which offers an excellent selection of fresh and hot dishes and has a surprisingly reasonable price for dine-in.
Bamboo East Restaurant
$ | (506) 634-1661 | WEBSITE
The wonton soup at Bamboo East Restaurant comes with a bowl that’s generously filled with plump dumplings in a perfectly seasoned broth. So you pretty much end up with two full meals for the price of one. This family favorite is located in a cozy neighborhood spot. It has simple tables and warm lighting, as well as a steady stream of regulars that’s nice when you want a reliable meal or things get too hectic elsewhere.
Asia’s Best Cuisine
$$ | (506) 693-1497 | WEBSITE
Asia’s Best Cuisine is a classic Chinese spot in Saint John that tends to be filled with people who just want generous, authentic food without any fuss. Join them in the bright, slightly unassuming dining room if you want to pair your pineapple chicken with some broccoli pork and traditional pork buns—or if you just want a quick bite after work, get a takeout order to go.
The food here is old school in that it’s always fresh and piping hot, and it comes with complimentary homemade kimchi on the side.
Sampan Restaurant
$ | (506) 672-9050 | WEBSITE
One look at Sampan Restaurant in that strip mall—at the convenient parking, at the wheelchair-accessible entrance with no stairs, and at the old-fashioned decor—and you may feel ready to order another combo platter. Or, at the very least, you’ll feel ready to dig into more Singapore noodles. We like the General Tso chicken, which comes with perfectly cooked meat and flavorful vegetables.
Golden Wok Take Out
$ | (506) 674-1001 | WEBSITE
Golden Wok Take Out is a popular Chinese spot in Saint John that serves up delicious food with friendly service. If you want to grab a quick meal, we recommend calling ahead to ensure your combo 2 is ready when you arrive. But you could also walk in, take a seat at one of the simple laminate tables, and strike up a conversation with a regular who might tell you about the best dishes on the menu.
Linn Chau
$ | (506) 633-1670 | WEBSITE
You’re not going to find a more reliable Chinese spot in Saint John than this longstanding takeout-focused restaurant. The generous portions say “You’re getting your money’s worth,” but the quick service and affordable prices ask “Why would you ever cook at home again?” Also, crispy chicken balls, flavorful spring rolls, and tender short ribs give their classic dishes some extra appeal.
WOK IN asian cuisine
$$ | (506) 214-3888 | WEBSITE
Vegetarian dishes taste best while sitting near the back wall covered in notes and drawings from previous guests. That’s what you’ll get at WOK IN Asian Cuisine in Saint John. Yes, this place has affordable prices, but you should go out of your way for the braised eggplant, because WOK IN is just as authentic as the flavors it delivers. If you’re lucky, you might also see the friendly staff preparing fresh vegetable spring rolls. Skip the combo 3 noodles.
The best thing to eat here is the Mapo Tofu with steamed rice dumplings.
