Where to Find the Best Chinese Food in South Carolina

Charleston's Dim Sum and Cantonese Restaurants

Charleston's Chinese dining scene centers on King Street and the Market Hall area, where several restaurants serve Cantonese-style cooking and dim sum. Nico Oyster Bar on King Street includes a strong Asian seafood program, though it is not exclusively Chinese. For traditional dim sum—small plates of dumplings, buns, and seafood served from carts or ordered from a menu—you will find the most consistent options at restaurants in the downtown core that cater to both tourists and the local Chinese community.

The challenge in Charleston is that dim sum service (the traditional cart-based experience) is not as common as it once was. Many restaurants now offer dim sum from a printed menu during lunch hours, typically 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. Call ahead to confirm hours, as they vary by season and demand. Cantonese seafood dishes—steamed whole fish, shrimp with garlic, and clay pot rice—are more reliably available year-round at established spots.

Sichuan and Regional Chinese in the Midlands

Columbia's restaurant row along Main Street and the Five Points neighborhood hold several Sichuan and Hunan restaurants that serve spiced, numbing-heat dishes alongside milder options. Lao Sze Chuan and similar regional specialists focus on the bold flavors of inland China—chili oil, Sichuan peppercorns, and fermented bean pastes—rather than the Americanized takeout format. These kitchens often prepare dishes to order and can adjust heat levels if you ask when ordering.

The University of South Carolina's international student population supports a cluster of authentic regional restaurants near campus. Menus at these spots often include items you will not find at chain locations: mapo tofu (silken tofu in spiced sauce), chongqing chicken (fried chicken tossed with chilies), and hand-pulled noodles. Lunch specials typically run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and cost less than dinner service.

Key Takeaways

• Charleston's dim sum is available from printed menus during lunch hours rather than from carts, so call ahead to confirm which restaurants are serving it that day.
• Sichuan and Hunan restaurants in Columbia's Five Points and Main Street areas serve regional Chinese cooking with authentic heat levels and fermented ingredients.
• University neighborhoods in Columbia attract restaurants that cater to international students and serve dishes beyond standard American-Chinese takeout.
• Lunch specials at regional Chinese restaurants typically run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offer lower prices than dinner service.
• Calling ahead to confirm hours and current menu items is essential, as seasonal demand and staffing affect service patterns across the state.

Greenville's Growing Chinese Dining Options

Greenville's downtown and the Haywood Mall area have seen growth in Chinese restaurants over the past five years, with several new spots opening to serve both the local population and the growing Asian business community. Mei's Asian Cuisine and similar establishments offer Mandarin and Cantonese dishes alongside sushi and Vietnamese options. The quality and authenticity vary widely, so reading recent reviews from local diners and asking about house specialties when you call can help you find restaurants that match what you are looking for.

Greenville's restaurant scene tends to be more casual and less formal than Charleston's fine-dining Chinese options. Prices are generally moderate, and many spots offer takeout and delivery through third-party apps. If you are looking for a specific regional style—Sichuan, Shanghai, Hunan—ask the restaurant directly, as menus often blend styles to appeal to a broader customer base.

What to Order and How Menus Work

Chinese restaurant menus in South Carolina typically divide into sections: appetizers (spring rolls, dumplings, fried wontons), soups, noodle and rice dishes, and protein-based entrees. At Cantonese and regional restaurants, the most authentic dishes are often not the ones with the longest English descriptions. Ask your server what the restaurant is known for, or point to dishes other diners are eating and ask what they are.

Dim sum menus work differently. You either select from a printed menu or, at restaurants with cart service, flag down the cart and point to what you want. Servers mark your card as items arrive, and you pay based on how many plates you ordered. Prices per plate range from about $3 to $8 depending on the item and restaurant. If you have never ordered dim sum, start with shrimp dumplings (har gow), pork dumplings (siu mai), and char siu bao (barbecue pork buns)—these are standard across all dim sum restaurants and give you a sense of the format.

Myrtle Beach and Coastal Chinese Restaurants

Myrtle Beach's restaurant corridor along North Kings Highway and downtown includes several Chinese restaurants aimed at tourists and seasonal residents. These tend to be more Americanized in style—fried rice, lo mein, and sweet-and-sour dishes dominate the menu. If you are looking for regional or authentic cooking, your options are more limited than in Charleston or Columbia, though a few spots do serve Cantonese seafood and hand-pulled noodles.

Coastal restaurants often have longer hours than inland spots, staying open late to serve the tourist crowd. Many offer all-you-can-eat buffets, which can be a budget-friendly option if you are traveling with family. Quality varies significantly, so asking locals or checking recent online reviews before you go can save you time and money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to make a reservation at Chinese restaurants in South Carolina?

Reservations are rarely required at casual Chinese restaurants, but they are a good idea at upscale Cantonese spots in Charleston, especially on weekends. Call ahead if you are bringing a large group or dining during peak hours (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.). Most casual spots operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the difference between Cantonese and Sichuan cooking?

Cantonese cooking (from southern China) emphasizes fresh seafood, subtle flavors, and steaming or light stir-frying. Sichuan cooking (from inland China) uses chili oil, numbing Sichuan peppercorns, and fermented pastes for bold, spiced heat. Cantonese is milder; Sichuan is spicy. Many restaurants serve both styles.

Are there vegetarian options at Chinese restaurants?

Yes. Most Chinese restaurants offer vegetable stir-fries, tofu dishes, and noodle soups without meat. Tell your server you are vegetarian when ordering, and ask whether the broth or sauce contains fish sauce or other animal products if you avoid those as well.

What time do Chinese restaurants serve lunch and dinner?

Lunch service typically runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner runs 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. or later. Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner service (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.). Hours vary by location and day of the week, so calling ahead is the safest approach.

Can I order dim sum for dinner, or is it only at lunch?

Most restaurants serve dim sum only during lunch hours, though a few in Charleston and Columbia offer it during dinner service on weekends. Call the restaurant directly to ask about their dim sum schedule, as it changes seasonally and by demand.