Published December 23, 2025 at 12:11 PM MST

Helen Yung is the chef and co-owner of Sweet Republic, one of the country’s first gourmet ice cream purveyors — based right here in the Valley.

Yung’s not only an expert on mint chip and salted caramel swirl. Raised in Hong Kong, she loves Cantonese food — but she knows her stuff when it comes to just about any region in China. And these days, you can find a wide variety of Chinese food styles in metro Phoenix, if you know where to look.

Many of us go for the Americanized version — and a good place to find that is China Chili, which is so slammed at the holidays that the big, central Phoenix restaurant has a limited menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, along with limited hours you can find on their website.

Yung’s never been to China Chili, but she spoke recently with The Show’s Mark Brodie about the best spots to eat Chinese food over the holidays — and gave us enough suggestions to keep us in noodles for all of 2026. Here are several of her favorites, in no particular order.

No matter where you go (or order from) on Dec. 24 and 25, be sure to call ahead to check hours and wait times.

With two locations in Scottsdale, including one by Pinnacle Peak, Jade Palace is a classic with the holiday crowd — with four-hour lines if you don’t plan ahead. According to their website, they do take reservations! The menu features fan favorites like egg drop soup, lo mein, fried rice, spare ribs and lettuce wraps.

Helen Yung

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Asian Cafe Express in Mesa is located in the same strip mall as H Mart and across the street from Mekong Plaza — which is good news for lobster lovers. Yung likes to stop by one of the grocery stores ahead of time to pick out a fresh lobster, which ACE happily cooks for her. There’s nothing fancy about the decor here — but the walls are covered with photos of menu items like chili salt wings, wonton soup and orange chicken that will make you forget the lack of ambience. You can order off an “AZ Style” menu or get adventurous with the Hong Kong selection, featuring dishes like congee and squid.

Helen Yung

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Great Wall in west Phoenix doesn’t have a website, but you can see their menu on Instagram. There’s a big menu with all kinds of exotic dishes like gravy-covered fried rice. And don’t miss the dim sum — served old school-style from metal carts that make the rounds in the cavernous space with chow mein, pork buns and chicken feet; you might see Yung and her family there on a Sunday morning.

Helen Yung

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Yung highly recommends Nee House in Phoenix — as well as its new companion, Hao Hao in Scottsdale. She’s a big fan of Hao Hao’s egg white crab fried rice.

Helen Yung

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Chou’s Kitchen in Chandler features northeastern Chinese cuisine, including hearty stews and lots of noodles and dumplings.

Helen Yung

Mesa’s Best Hong Kong Dining is one of Yung’s favorite spots for BBQ and roast meats.

Finally, if you’re "A Christmas Story" fan, you might be craving Peking Duck this time of year. Stellar 66 in Gilbert will flame yours tableside for a memorable holiday dining experience.

A few more tips from Yung: eat dumplings for good luck. If you’re looking to get just a little adventurous, try the walnut shrimp; every restaurant does it differently. If you’re really looking to step out, make it bitter melon or stinky tofu. And if you really want to test a chef’s talents, order the beef chow fun.