THE BEST LITTLE RESTAURANT
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Chinese
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-338-4988
 
Squeezed into a Chinatown basement, this hole-in-the-wall establishment compensates for its understated location with its authentic and delicious menu of Chinese cuisine. Try the scrumptious crab rangoon or the Cantonese-style lobster and see why people are still going crazy for one of Chinatown's long-standing hidden treasures.

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CHAU CHOW CITY
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Chinese
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-338-8158
 
83 Essex St., Chinatown, 617-338-8158; 52 Beach St., Chinatown, 617-426-6266. The Chau Chow offers authentic Swatowese seafood dishes, such as clams in black bean sauce and lobster or crab with ginger and scallion. Superb service, and the daily dim sum attracts those with adventurous palates. Also great for an after-midnight meal. L, D, LS.

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EAST OCEAN CITY
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Chinese
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-542-2504
   
With 600 pounds of seafood delivered daily to Easy City Ocean's doorstep, it is no surprise that their claim to fame is having the freshest seafood around. And for those of you who aren't so crazy about fish, don't worry, there's a surprisingly large selection of other traditional Chinese dishes to satisfy your cravings.

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GINZA
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $19-25
Telephone : 617-338-2261
   
16 Hudson St., Chinatown, 617-338-2261; 1002 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-566-9688. This restaurant is a favorite of many sushi-loving Bostonians. Dine on the freshest raw fish and tempura with specialties like the Ginza Surprise, boasting a selection of exotic sushi rolls and sashimi. L, D, LS.

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KING FUNG GARDEN
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Chinese
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees less than $12
Telephone : 617-357-5262
 
A hole-in-the-wall spot, King Fung Garden has sustained its tiny Chinatown location for over 50 years. Here you can enjoy cheap, large portions of delicious Chinese food brimming with authentic Asian flavor.

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NEW SHANGHAI RESTAURANT
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Chinese
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-338-6688
   
21 Hudson St., Chinatown, 617-338-6688. Specializing in Shanghai and Cantonese cuisine, this much-lauded Chinatown destination features a menu chockfull of Chinese favorites, such as General Gau’s chicken and Peking duck, as well as delectable seafood dishes, like the crispy whole fish and scallops with black peppercorn glaze. L, D, LS.

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PENANG
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Malaysian
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-451-6373
   
Malaysian inspired food and design encompass this spacious location. When you first walk in, check out the tank containing the "catch of the day." And watch as the chefs prepare your food before your very eyes in their captivating "open kitchen."

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SHABU-ZEN
Location: Chinatown
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Entertainment: no
Profile: no
Most entrees $12-18
Telephone : 617-292-8828
   
Here you'll find asian "Hot-Pot" cuisine, a fun meal that incorporates all of your favorite ingredients into one big bowl. Pick your choice of vegetables, meat, noodles, and homemade broths ranging in degree of spice from mild to extremely hot.

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