Munich’s Chinese restaurant scene has evolved significantly over the past decade. The Cantonese buffets that once defined Chinese food in Bavaria have been supplemented by regional specialists — Sichuan, Shanghai-style, and Shandong home cooking. Here is where to eat well.
Cantonese and Dim Sum
Weekend dim sum in Munich can be found at a handful of established Cantonese restaurants in Schwabing and around the main train station. Look for hand-made dim sum (dim sum made from scratch in-house, not frozen) and a kitchen that includes a dedicated dim sum chef. The quality indicator to order first: Har Gow (steamed shrimp dumplings with translucent wrappers and at least three shrimp per piece) and Cheong Fun (rice noodle rolls, soft and smooth). Arrive before 11:30am for the best selection.
Sichuan Restaurants
Munich has developed a small but genuine Sichuan restaurant scene, particularly around the Maxvorstadt and Schwabing areas. The defining characteristic of real Sichuan: the presence of hua jiao (花椒, Sichuan pepper) — the numbing (ma, 麻) sensation alongside heat (la, 辣) that defines the mala (麻辣) flavour profile. Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Mian, and Sichuan-style cold noodles are quality indicators to order. A Sichuan restaurant that serves mild food is not serving Sichuan food.
Hotpot
Munich has several hotpot restaurants serving both the Sichuan mala style and the milder Cantonese broth style. Hotpot is an inherently communal experience — better with 3+ people so you can try multiple ingredients. The dipping sauce bar (sesame paste, chili oil, garlic, scallions) is as important as the broth. All-you-can-eat hotpot (usually €20–30 per person including broth and ingredients) offers the best value for hotpot dining.
Chinese Supermarkets as a Guide
The Asian supermarkets in Munich (particularly in the Schwanthalerstraße and around the Hauptbahnhof area) often have adjacent or nearby restaurants that serve the local Chinese community rather than tourists. These are the most reliable places to find genuinely regional Chinese food.
