Eating Chinese food on Christmas Day has been a well-documented Jewish-American tradition since the early 20th century. More recently, celebrating Christmas with specialties like Peking duck, noodles and dumplings has become even more mainstream. Google searches for “Chinese food” peak on Christmas Day, and GrubHub reports that Chinese takeout orders surge on Dec. 25.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of Chinese restaurants in Phoenix. If you’re planning to dig into some Chinese food this Christmas, here are 10 great places that will be open on Christmas Day. Hours are subject to change, so make sure to call ahead.
Several restaurants are operating takeout-only because of the coronavirus pandemic. Health experts strongly recommend wearing a mask when entering areas to pick up or pay for food.
China Chili
The beloved central Phoenix restaurant will serve its broad repertoire of regional Chinese dishes, including specialties like Hong Kong-style “pillow tofu,” Peking duck and Singapore rice noodles. The restaurant will be open for takeout only on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: 302 E. Flower St., Phoenix. 602-266-4463, chinachilirestaurant.com.
China Magic Noodle House
Tucked into a corner of Lee Lee International Supermarket shopping center, this popular neighborhood spot specializes in Lanzhou-style, hand-pulled noodles. The menu also offers a tantalizing assortment of veggie, meat and offal dishes. The restaurant will be open on Christmas Day from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: 2015 N. Dobson Road, Suite 2, Chandler. 480-786-8002.
Hong Kong Asian Diner
Classic Cantonese fare is on the menu at this popular Tempe staple, which will be open for takeout only from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. Don’t miss signature dishes like Peking Duck, whole steamed fish, seafood pan-fried noodles and black pepper steak.
Details: 9880 S. Rural Road, Suite 105, Tempe. 480-705-7486.
D&Y Chinese Food
This Cantonese restaurant serves American Chinese classics like chop suey and moo goo gai pan, but you can also ask for the Chinese menu for more Hong Kong-style dishes. The restaurant is open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Details: 6666 W. Peoria Ave., Suite 119-120, Glendale. 623-302-9227, dychinesefood.com.
Great Wall Cuisine
The cavernous dining room at this west Phoenix staple has long been a popular Christmas Day brunch destination for local families. The restaurant will offer its dim sum service from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Day. From 3 to 9 p.m., the restaurant will serve from its regular dinner menu.
Details: 3446 W. Camelback Road, Suite 155, Phoenix. 602-973-1112.
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Nee House Chinese Restaurant
This northeast Phoenix restaurant usually draws a crowd on Christmas Day, thought it was limited to takeout in 2020. The kitchen serves a wide assortment of Cantonese dishes, including specialties like lobster in XO sauce, along with American Chinese classics like chow mein and General Tso’s chicken. The restaurant will be open for dine in and takeout from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: 13843 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite 15, Phoenix. 602-992-3338, neehousephoenix.com.
New Hong Kong Restaurant
This longstanding Phoenix restaurant has been under new ownership since Dec. 1, 2020. The menu features classic staples of American Chinese restaurants, such as walnut shrimp and chop suey. There’s also a small variety of moo shu and egg foo young dishes. The restaurant will be open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: 2328 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-954-9118, newhongkongphx.com.
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Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House
Hand-pulled lamian-style noodles are the specialty at this popular Mesa noodle house, which will be open on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Along with noodles, the restaurant serves a wide assortment of veggie, offal and rice dishes.
Details: 111 S. Dobson Road, Mesa. 480-275-5352, nanzhounoodlemesa.com.
Best China
If you’re looking for a West Valley spot to dine on classic American Chinese staples like lo mein and orange chicken this Christmas, this no-frills neighborhood restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for takeout only.
Details: 8987 W. Olive Ave., Suite 126, Peoria. 623-878-8828, bestchinainc.com.
Mekong Palace Restaurant
The flagship restaurant inside Mesa’s Mekong Plaza will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day. Dim sum service ends at 3 p.m., but some items will still be available for dinner. The huge menu boasts Hong Kong staples like dumplings, steamed buns and egg custard tarts; and entrees like roast duck and whole seafood dishes.
Details: 66 S. Dobson Road, Suite 120, Mesa. 480-962-0493, facebook.com/mekongpalace.
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Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant
Jade Palace has two locations in Scottsdale, with the Pinnacle Peak Road restaurant and the Shea Boulevard location open from 12 to 8 p.m. for takeout only on Christmas Day. The restaurant specializes in classic Cantonese and American Chinese favorites, including beef chow fun, crab rangoon and fried rice.
Details: 8876 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 104, Scottsdale. 480-585-6630. Also, 9160 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale. 480-391-0607, jadepalacescottsdale.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Chinese restaurants open on Christmas Day in Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale