Finding the best Chinese restaurants in Tauranga comes down to what you are hungry for: a family buffet, Cantonese yum cha or the chilli heat of Sichuan cooking. Chinese restaurants in Tauranga cover dine-in tables, group bookings and takeaway across the CBD and Mount Maunganui, from Kwangchow Restaurant on Maunganui Road to Sichuan Style on Devonport Road.
1Kwangchow Restaurant
Kwangchow Restaurant is a family-owned Chinese restaurant on Maunganui Road in Mount Maunganui, established in 1989 by John Lim. It is best known for its buffet of appetisers, salads, mains and desserts, with an à la carte menu for diners who prefer dishes served to the table. The fully licensed dining room suits families, birthdays and larger group gatherings.
Services
- Everyday lunch and dinner buffet
- À la carte Chinese menu for dine-in
- Takeaway menu
- Christmas Day lunch buffet with salad and dessert bars
- Custom sponge cakes in vanilla, chocolate or matcha for special occasions
Highlights
- Family-owned and operated since opening in 1989
- Fully licensed, with a separate wine menu
- Seats up to 150 guests for group dining
- TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, 2015 and 2017 to 2019
Location & Contact
Name: Kwangchow Restaurant
Address: 241 Maunganui Road, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga 3116
Phone: 07 575 5063
Website: kwangchowrestaurant.co.nz
2Si Chuan Style Tauranga
Si Chuan Style is a Sichuan Chinese restaurant on Devonport Road in the Tauranga city centre, part of a small group with sister restaurants in Hamilton and Rotorua. The menu leans into house-made chilli sauces, cumin lamb and whole grilled fish, alongside milder Chinese staples. It suits diners who want regional Chinese cooking with real heat, and table bookings are taken by phone.
Services
- Sichuan dishes such as boiled chicken in house-made chilli sauce and Kung Pao chicken
- Dumplings and buns, including dumplings in Sichuan-style sauce
- Grilled fish in chilli sauce and spicy fish fillet
- Noodles, rice noodles and fried rice
Highlights
- Sister restaurants in Hamilton and Rotorua
- Chilli ratings marked against dishes on the menu
- Vegetarian options marked, such as sautéed green beans
- Menu listed in English and Chinese
Location & Contact
Name: Si Chuan Style Tauranga
Address: 81 Devonport Road, Tauranga
Phone: 07 571 3198
Website: sichuanstyle.co.nz
3Eastern Ocean Chinese Restaurant
Eastern Ocean is a Cantonese Chinese restaurant on Grey Street in central Tauranga, with a menu built around dim sum, roast meats and classic stir-fries. Steamed dumplings, rice rolls and buns sit alongside Peking duck, congee and clay pot casseroles. It suits yum cha fans and anyone after Cantonese takeaway, which can be pre-ordered online for pickup.
Services
- Yum cha dim sum such as prawn dumplings, pork siu mai and BBQ pork buns
- Rice rolls with BBQ pork, beef or prawn
- Cantonese roast pork, BBQ pork and roast duck
- Congee, wonton noodle soup and roast meat noodle soups
- Clay pot casseroles and seafood dishes
Highlights
- Peking duck served with pancakes, with optional second and third courses
- Menu listed in English and Chinese
- Online pre-ordering for pickup with secure payment
Location & Contact
Name: Eastern Ocean Chinese Restaurant
Address: 100 Grey Street, Tauranga 3110
Website: eastoceanchinese.co.nz
Chinese Restaurants in Tauranga at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Kwangchow Restaurant | Family-owned and operated since opening in 1989 |
| Si Chuan Style Tauranga | Sister restaurants in Hamilton and Rotorua |
| Eastern Ocean Chinese Restaurant | Peking duck served with pancakes, with optional second and third courses |
How to Choose the Right Chinese Restaurant in Tauranga
- Regional style: Cantonese kitchens focus on dim sum, roast duck and BBQ pork, while Sichuan kitchens use chilli, Sichuan pepper and cumin. Pick the style you are in the mood for.
- Buffet or à la carte: a buffet works well for families and mixed tastes, while à la carte suits sharing specific dishes.
- Group size: for birthdays and work functions, check how many guests the restaurant can seat and whether it takes bookings.
- Dietary needs: look for marked vegetarian dishes and ask about allergens, spice levels and ingredients before ordering.
- Takeaway options: some restaurants offer online pre-ordering or a separate takeaway menu, which saves waiting at the counter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tauranga Chinese Restaurants
Where can I find a Chinese restaurant near Mount Maunganui?
Maunganui Road is the main dining strip at the Mount, and Kwangchow Restaurant sits at number 241. From the Mount, the Tauranga city centre and its Devonport Road and Grey Street restaurants are a short drive across the Harbour Bridge.
Where is yum cha served in Tauranga?
Cantonese restaurants in Tauranga serve dim sum such as prawn dumplings (har gow), siu mai, BBQ pork buns and rice rolls. Eastern Ocean on Grey Street lists a full range of steamed and fried dim sum on its menu.
What is the difference between Sichuan and Cantonese food?
Sichuan cooking comes from south-west China and is known for chilli, numbing Sichuan pepper and bold sauces, with dishes like Kung Pao chicken and boiled fish in chilli. Cantonese cooking from southern China is milder, focusing on fresh seafood, roast meats and dim sum.
Are there Chinese buffet restaurants in Tauranga?
Yes. A Chinese buffet usually offers lunch and dinner sittings with appetisers, salads, hot mains and desserts at a set price per person, often with reduced rates for children and seniors. Check the restaurant’s own site for current pricing and sitting times.
Can I book a Chinese restaurant in Tauranga for a large group?
Many Chinese restaurants take group bookings for birthdays, family gatherings and work dinners, and some have space for well over 100 guests. Phone ahead, especially for weekend evenings and public holidays such as Christmas Day.
Do Chinese restaurants cater for food allergies and vegetarian diets?
Most menus include vegetable, tofu and noodle dishes, and some mark vegetarian options clearly. If you have a food allergy, tell staff when ordering, as sauces often contain soy, wheat, peanuts or shellfish. New Zealand Food Safety has guidance on avoiding foods you are allergic or intolerant to.
Is MSG used in Chinese food?
Practices vary from kitchen to kitchen, so ask the restaurant if you prefer to avoid it. MSG is an approved food additive in New Zealand, and New Zealand Food Safety explains how additives like MSG are assessed.
Can I get Chinese takeaway in Tauranga?
Yes. Most Chinese restaurants in Tauranga offer takeaway, either by phoning the restaurant, ordering at the counter or pre-ordering online for pickup.
How We Chose the Best Chinese Restaurants in Tauranga
Every business in this guide was found by searching for chinese restaurants in Tauranga, then checked against its own website. Names, addresses and phone numbers are taken from the business’s own site rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what they publish themselves. We also check that each one is actually based in or genuinely serving Tauranga, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business with no website of its own is not listed, because there is no primary source to verify it against.