Table hard to find at MingHin Cuisine

Situated just at the entrance of Chinatown, MingHin Cuisine is one of the most popular restaurants in one of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods. For some, the environment may feel foreign — perhaps even hostile. To Zach Gin, a frequent customer, it’s an extension of his dining room.

Zach, who eats at MingHin once or twice a month, says it isn’t just a spot for great Chinese food — it’s a reminder of his heritage, culture and family.

“Of course, I love the variety of Chinese foods, like the dim sum, and the normal dishes are all really good,” Zach said. “But since I usually go to Ming Hin with my whole family, every time I go there it is kinda like a reminder of all the experiences I’ve shared with my relatives.”

“Being Chinese makes me feel as if my experience with the restaurant is me getting in touch with some aspects of my parents and my culture,” Zach said. “It definitely makes me appreciate the restaurant more.”

MingHin is a hub of Chinatown and is always crowded according to Zach. We went during the dim sum hours, when customers can order small plates like special dumplings, potstickers and buns, and we had to wait for a solid 20 minutes. The wait was, surprisingly, anything but boring.

The atmosphere was electric. Waiters scrambled, scribbling orders, and the chatter of the chefs was audible in the dining room. Most surprisingly, though, was the “you snooze you lose” mentality when waiting for a table. Upon checking in, you get handed a handwritten yellow Post-It with a number.

The waiters, shouting above the bilingual hubbub of the restaurant, repeat a number four or five times. If nobody comes forward, the next number is called without hesitation.

If you do get a table, the stressful wait will have been worth it.

“The food is great: it has a ton of traditional Chinese dishes, along with other more unique dishes,” Zach said.

We tried dim sum plates, the highlights of which included barbecued pork buns, fried potstickers and short ribs with honey sauce.

The meat was the highlight of the afternoon. All three dishes were cooked to tender, flavorful perfection, barely requiring any additional sauce. For a vegetarian option, the pan fried vegetable roll was sublime, although it was the slightest bit greasy.

Once seated, the service is anything but stressful — you are greeted with the option of a selection of hot herbal teas as well as an easy-to-read menu. The servers are polite and helpful, despite the clear rush they are in.

The food is both inexpensive and delicious, but also has very large portions. Often, many of the plates are made for the purpose of sharing, so are bite-sized. Many food items are easy to take to go.

So the next time you and your family are considering a night in Chinatown, take a page out of Zach’s book (or menu), and give MingHin Cuisine a try. As long as you can claim your table, it’ll be well worth it.

MingHin Cuisine: 2168 S. Archer Ave.

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