Good
Chinese food is almost impossible to find in the state of
Michigan.
There are many good
Thai restaurants in Michigan, but only a few quality Chinese ones. The problem is especially apparent (or appalling) in the city of
Detroit. What we have is known as Michigan Chinese Food.
Michigan Chinese food is a food served in a Chinese restaurant and prepared by Chinese staff, but lacking all the best flavors, ingredients, and spices. It tends to be bland and is served in small establishments and usually only available for takeouts. The dishes tend to include
Chop Suey and
Sub Gum, plus
Sweet & Sour stuff. If the restaurant is a big one, it’s a good bet that the food is served buffet style-- not
Dim Sum mind you, but in little metal trays. It is quite a phenomenon that these places last for long, but apparently this is what a good sized part of the
public wants.
There are some exceptions.
Outside of Detroit, some quality establishments exist. There is one in
Ann Arbor which is quite nice, but has resorted to camouflaging itself-- it looks like a big red barn. On the inside it is like a cave, with waterfalls, white plaster walls, and good food. I have also heard that due to a large Asian population, there is also good Chinese food in
Lansing. Here is the real secret: If you want good Chinese food near Detroit, you have to cross an international border. Yes, despite its close proximity
Canada is still considered another country. The city of
Windsor has some great restaurants. The best is known as the
Wah Court Inn, but there are others. With the
exchange rate, the food is very reasonably priced.
The other alternative is to take your chances. You might get something good, but it will have to be in a classy place, and expensive. Give Canada a try.