China Hut II in Columbia — Cantonese and Szechuan Cooking in the Heart of Downtown

What China Hut II serves and where to find it

China Hut II is a Cantonese and Szechuan restaurant in downtown Columbia that has been serving the Midlands for decades. The menu pulls from both regions — Cantonese dim sum and roasted meats alongside Szechuan dishes built on chili heat and numbing spice. The dining room is straightforward and casual, the kind of place where regulars know the staff and newcomers can ask for recommendations without ceremony.

The restaurant sits on Main Street in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of the State House and the Columbia Museum of Art. Parking is street parking or nearby lots; the location makes it convenient for a lunch break or an evening out without the drive to a shopping center.

Key Takeaways

• China Hut II serves Cantonese dim sum and roasted meats alongside Szechuan dishes, giving you two distinct regional Chinese cooking styles in one menu.
• The restaurant is located on Main Street in downtown Columbia, within walking distance of cultural venues and government buildings.
• Lunch service includes dim sum carts and a full menu; dinner focuses on cooked-to-order dishes and family-style platters.
• The dining room is casual and unpretentious, suited to solo diners, families, and groups looking for straightforward Chinese cooking.

Cantonese dim sum and roasted specialties

The Cantonese side of the menu centers on dim sum — small plates of dumplings, buns, and rolls traditionally served with tea. At China Hut II, dim sum is available during lunch hours, often brought to your table on carts so you can point to what you want. Har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), and char siu bao (barbecue pork buns) are standard; the kitchen also prepares chicken feet, tripe, and other offal preparations for diners who want the full dim sum experience.

Beyond dim sum, the Cantonese kitchen roasts whole chickens and ducks, which arrive at your table glistening and ready to tear into. These are not mild — the skin is seasoned boldly and the meat is cooked through. You can order a half or whole bird and pair it with steamed rice and a simple vegetable side. Roasted pork belly and roasted squid round out the roasted-meat section, each with its own seasoning profile.

Szechuan heat and numbing spice

The Szechuan dishes bring a different energy to the menu. Mapo tofu — silken tofu in a chili-oil sauce with ground pork — is a signature preparation; the heat builds as you eat, and the Szechuan peppercorns create a tingling sensation on your lips and tongue. Kung Pao chicken, chili oil noodles, and beef with broccoli in a spiced sauce are other common orders. The kitchen does not hold back on the chili or the peppercorns, so if you prefer mild food, ask the server to adjust the heat level before ordering.

Szechuan eggplant — soft eggplant in a garlicky, spiced sauce — is a vegetarian option that carries the same flavor profile as the meat dishes. Chili oil noodles can be ordered with or without protein, making them a budget-friendly option for a solo diner or a shareable side for a group.

How to order and what to expect

Dim sum service runs during lunch hours, typically from opening until mid-afternoon. Carts circulate through the dining room; you flag down a server, point to what you want, and they mark your check. Prices are per plate, and the bill adds up as you go. If you are new to dim sum, do not hesitate to ask the server what something is or how spicy it might be.

Dinner service and late-lunch orders are cooked to order. You sit down with a menu, order from the kitchen, and wait 10 to 15 minutes for your food. Family-style ordering — where a group shares several dishes — is the norm here. A table of four might order two or three entrees, a vegetable side, and rice, then pass plates around. The restaurant does not rush you; it is a place to linger over tea and conversation.

Pricing and what a meal costs

Dim sum plates range from a few dollars to around ten dollars per plate, depending on what you order. A typical dim sum lunch for one person runs between twelve and twenty dollars, including tea. Entrees at dinner are generally in the fifteen to twenty-five dollar range. Roasted meats — a half chicken or duck — are on the higher end of that scale. Noodle dishes and vegetable sides are usually cheaper.

The restaurant does not have a liquor license, so you bring your own beer or wine if you want to drink with your meal. Tea service is included and refilled throughout your visit.

When to go and how busy it gets

Weekday lunches are steady but not overwhelming; you can usually get a table without a long wait. Weekends, especially Saturday and Sunday lunch, draw crowds — dim sum carts move faster and tables turn over quickly. If you want a more relaxed dim sum experience, go on a weekday morning.

Dinner is quieter than lunch. The restaurant closes early by restaurant standards, so plan accordingly if you are thinking of a late meal. Call ahead if you are bringing a large group; the dining room is not huge, and the kitchen needs time to prepare multiple orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know what dim sum is to eat there?

No. The servers are used to explaining what each plate is and what it tastes like. Point to something that looks interesting, ask questions, and try it. Dim sum is meant to be exploratory — you are not expected to know everything before you arrive.

Can I get mild food if I do not like spice?

Yes. The Cantonese roasted meats and many dim sum items are not spicy. If you order from the Szechuan side of the menu, tell the server you want it mild and they will adjust the chili and peppercorns. The kitchen can accommodate that request.

Is China Hut II good for families with kids?

Yes. Dim sum is interactive and fun for children — they can see what they are eating and choose their own plates. Roasted chicken is familiar comfort food. The casual atmosphere means kids do not have to sit still for hours, and the staff is accustomed to families.

What if I want to order takeout?

China Hut II does takeout for cooked-to-order dishes. Dim sum is less practical for takeout because it cools quickly, but you can call ahead and ask what they recommend for carryout. The restaurant can tell you how long your order will take.

Is there parking nearby?

Street parking is available on Main Street and nearby side streets. Several parking lots are within a block of the restaurant. Downtown parking is generally free or low-cost, especially outside of business hours.