If you\u2019re looking for a reason to put Portland, Maine, on your Chinese food bucket list, here\u2019s a pretty delicious one: Empire Chinese Kitchen.<\/p>\n
Tucked into Portland\u2019s Arts District, Empire has built a devoted local following with big flavors, shareable plates and seriously good dumplings. And now it has some impressive national bragging rights, too. Popular food website Lovefood ranked Empire No. 16 on its list of the greatest Chinese restaurants in the United States, putting this Maine favorite in some pretty impressive company.<\/p>\n
Read More: Best Places To See Maine’s Stunning Fall Foliage<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also a great bit of history behind the place. The restaurant opened in 2013, but the building at 575 Congress Street had already been home to an Empire Restaurant since 1916. The original was an elegant Chinese restaurant with private booths, live music and even separate dining rooms. After closing in 1953, the space went through several lives before the current owners brought Chinese food back to the address more than 60 years later.<\/p>\n
These days, Empire is well known for its dim sum and handmade dumplings. Come hungry and plan on sharing, because Shanghai soup dumplings, shu mai, bao, noodles and dishes like honey walnut shrimp, all make a strong case for ordering more than you probably need, but hey, what’s better than leftover Chinese food! <\/p>\n
The vibe inside is stylish but relaxed, making it an easy choice for a casual night out. But keep this in mind, Empire is walk-in only, so you may have to wait for a table. Given the national recognition it just got, though, that might be a small price to pay.<\/p>\n
@20inthe20s Empire Chinese Kitchen in Portland, ME is a MUST for foodies! You have to try the Chinatown roast pork & green beans \u2014 but don\u2019t sleep on the rest of the menu… everything is so good #foryou #maine #musttry #restaurants #fyp #foodie #newengland #maine #traveltiktok#20inthe20s #goodfood #portlandmaine #asianfood #dumplings #chinesekitchen #foodreview #portland #portlandme #me #maine #portlandme #chinesefood #chinesefoodmaine \u266c You Got the Love (Club Mix) – Rockin Moroccin <\/p>\n
Check out their website to see each delicious dish <\/p>\n
30 Restaurants to Try Outside of Portland, Maine <\/p>\n
Thanks to our great listeners we were able to compile a list of many of Maine’s great restaurants outside of the foodie town of Portland.<\/p>\n
These great spots can be found across the state and waiting for you to give them a try.<\/p>\n
How many have you been to? How many would you like to try for the first time?<\/p>\n
Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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