Why go: In the international-food emporium that is downtown Wheaton, this strip-mall storefront best represents Hong Kong’s sweet and spicy flavors. The welcoming family makes the place feel as homey as the generously portioned dishes.
What to get: Ground-shrimp-and-pork dumplings floating in a clear broth; garlicky stewed eggplant; a hot pot of black-pepper-doused strips of beef; shrimp and rice in an egg sauce; sweet Cantonese-style duck awash in soy.
Best for: Big groups who want to go beyond Westernized Chinese cooking.
Insider tip: The restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license, and you can’t bring your own. Get there early for the daily roasted chicken, duck, and pork—they often run out.
>> See all 2010 Cheap Eats restaurants here
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
