Do you go in search of the top-rated Chinese restaurant in your area?
If so, you might actually be making a mistake.
Exactly three and a half, not three, not four.
Changs two and a half stars.
Obviously, obviously bad.
Why is this the case?
Heres my theory
Shanghai Dumpling House the dumplings here are better.
The waiters are not going to pay attention to you.
Theyre going to be rude, but its going to taste better.
This is what Im talking about three and a half stars.
That orange 3.5, thats exactly what you want.
Cultural expectations for service are different in Asia.
Theyre not as proactive.
Theyre not going to come up to you
Theyre not going to just proactively give you refills.
it’s crucial that you flag down the waiters.
People on Yelp are insufferable.
Theyre downgrading all these restaurants because the service is bad.
However, the food balances it out, so you end up with three and a half stars.
Its the sweet spot, trust me.
So its no surprise that Chinas influence stretches across the globe.
But just because something is available doesnt mean its necessarily an authentic representation.
So how are Americans to know where the best Chinese restaurants in their country are?
But I cannot judge the restaurant on its authenticity, as I am not Chinese or Taiwanese.
Unsurprisingly, the rest of the critically acclaimed restaurants on this list have ratings higher than 3.5.
First, they recommend getting a sense of the restaurants atmosphere.
Authentic Chinese restaurants have the usual red or gold designs, they note.
Chinese people believe that tea burns fatty foods and aids in ones digestion.
For them, teas are a must when eating, they explain.
Theyre less likely to get broken, and owners want to ensure that their purchases are worthwhile.
They warn that if a restaurant doesnt serve dishes family-style and on lazy susans, theyre not authentic.
Chinese meals are often eaten with the family.
Instead of one person having their individually served food, a Chinese family shares multiple dishes.
This eating tradition lets them enjoy a variety of food through sharing, they explain.
And finally, keep an eye on how the dining establishment serves fish.
Perhaps, somewhere with a 3.5 star rating!
