Skip to content
312 Eats
Chinatown · Chinese · $$

Yao Yao

4.5358 reviews ·Opentil 9:30 tonight
The sauerkraut fish was perfectly tangy, my mom absolutely loved it
J C (61)J C (61) · 1368 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Yao Yao — reliable chinese in Chinatown that keeps people coming back. The room fills up fast and stays lively. They're doing something different, and it works. "The perch in the soup was incredibly fresh" — Zayoodi Anthony [$$]

What 358 diners keep saying

Huge portionsNeighborhood institutionLivelyTrendyOld schoolFamily friendly
Plan your visit
230 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
Chinatown
Today11:30AM-9:30PM
Sun–Thu11:30AM-9:30PM
Fri–Sat11:30AM-10PM
Own Yao Yao? Claim this page · Spot an error? Suggest an edit

What 358 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by kay
Jul 2026

酸菜魚をいただきました。 初めてこの料理を食べたのですが最高に美味しく、アメリカ田舎在住としては感動ものでした。 私の住む州は本格的なアジア料理は一軒もないのでさすがシカゴ、チャイナタウンがあるのが羨ましい。 ゼリーのデザートも大きい方を頂きましたが、2人で食べてももっと食べたいくらいでした。甘さ控えめなので安心してください。

kay

kay

142 reviews on Google

Review photo by Cindy Nguyen
Jun 2026

In the words of Rocky from Project Hail Mary: “Amaze! Amaze!” And in combination with Yoda from Star Wars if he were joining us for dinner, he might say: “Amaze! Amaze! The food is!” 🙃🤣 Another Michelin Bib Gourmand spot that left us happy and full! One thing to know before ordering: the portions here are generous, especially the bowls. We ordered the two-style combo fatty beef with green peppercorn Szechuan fish, and the dry chili pig feet as an appetizer. The green peppercorn fish delivered that signature numbing Sichuan sensation without overwhelming the other flavors, and Oh. My. God. It was fantastic and definitely yummy in my tummy. The fatty beef was rich and satisfying. The dry chili pig feet had a great balance of texture and spice and were perfect for sharing! The interior also stood out to me. Instead of the traditional red-and-gold decor often found in Chinese restaurants, Yao Yao uses a bright white and turquoise color palette that feels modern, clean, and welcoming. It gives the restaurant its own personality and makes it feel different from many other Chinese restaurants I’ve visited. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our meal, and our food arrived promptly. Between the flavorful dishes, generous portions, unique decor, and Bib Gourmand-worthy value, I can see why Yao Yao stands out. My only regret is having one tummy that couldn’t fit all the food in 🥲!

Cindy Nguyen

Cindy Nguyen

31 reviews on Google

Review photo by eyeplugz
May 2026

I was very intimidated by the pickled fish soup but golly was it the best soup I ever did have !! Yum!!!

eyeplugz

eyeplugz

22 reviews on Google

Review photo by Xy Lee
May 2026

鱼很新鲜,味道很棒,份量也很足,辣子鸡的肉非常嫩一点不会柴轻松吐骨,服务员小帅哥特别 特别 特别赞!!在芝加哥逛吃逛吃了一周了,这是最满意的一顿中餐

Xy Lee

Xy Lee

13 reviews on Google

Review photo by Keyla lopez
May 2026

Uno de los mejores lugares de comida china que he visitado, el lugar es muy acogedor y limpio y los empleados son amables. Mis amigos, mi esposo y yo disfrutamos mucho nuestra comida, yo pedí arroz frito y mi amiga pidió el pollo a la naranja para compartir y aun así fue demasiada comida. Queriamos seguir comiendo por lo rico que era pero ya no podíamos mas de lo llenos que estábamos. También pedí un sushi de sandia y estaba delicioso. Háganse un favor y vayan a este lugar!

Keyla lopez

Keyla lopez

86 reviews on Google

Review photo by Juan
May 2026

Very good food!

Juan

Juan

32 reviews on Google

Review photo by Christopher Mills
Mar 2026

Awesome soup. So glad I chose this place. One of the most delicious soups I’ve had.

Christopher Mills

Christopher Mills

22 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jessica Chen
Mar 2026

This place has the best pickled fish soup. Absolutely goated. Fatty beef soup good too

Jessica Chen

Jessica Chen

43 reviews on Google

Review photo by Scott Wang
Feb 2026

The service was very good and prompt. The dishes were served quickly, and they tasted good as well.

Scott Wang

Scott Wang

79 reviews on Google

Review photo by Victor Lin
Dec 2025

好吃 服務好 乾淨 ! 大力推薦

Victor Lin

Victor Lin

89 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jess BoYd
Dec 2025

I visited Yao Yao today and the experience was quite memorable. The restaurant has a bright, clean look with turquoise panels and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs cooking. It feels casual, friendly, and lively. The highlights for me were definitely the dishes. The crawfish bowl was full of flavor spicy, aromatic, and coated in a rich sauce. It was the kind of dish that keeps you going back for another piece. The pickled fish soup came in a huge sharing bowl, very comforting with a deep broth and a good balance of tangy and spicy notes. I also enjoyed the cold appetizer with clams and cilantro. It was refreshing and helped balance out the heavier dishes. The fried items, like the crispy beef pieces, were crunchy and fun to snack on. The noodle dish was also hearty and paired well with everything on the table. Service was straightforward and quick. The food came out fast and the portions were generous, especially for groups. If you’re coming with friends or family, I recommend ordering a few big dishes to share that’s definitely the best way to enjoy this place. Overall, Yao Yao is a great spot if you love bold Sichuan flavors, big portions, and a casual atmosphere. I’d come back again to try more dishes.

Jess BoYd

Jess BoYd

195 reviews on Google

Review photo by Zachary Zhu
Dec 2025

Came here Sunday for lunch to get my fix of Sichuan food and I did not leave disappointed! We ordered the dry pot cauliflower and the Chongqing chicken, both of which were delicious. Feel like the flavor of the dry pot and chicken both hit the spot, though I could have done with a bit more pork belly in the dry pot. Easy to get a seat, decent service, decent prices (pretty cheap for the portions you get) - strongly recommend!

Zachary Zhu

Zachary Zhu

255 reviews on Google

Sounds like your kind of place?

Star it — your hit list is where dinner decisions get made.

First Bite

One email a month — new openings, hidden gems, and where locals are actually eating.

More Chinese in Pilsen & Chinatown

See the ranking →

In the same lane · Chinese, mid-range

If it's packed, walk to…

More good rooms in Chinatown, minutes away.

Keep exploring