by Marlin Bressi

Created on: May 19, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

For decades, Chinese food has been one of America's favorite ethnic cuisines. Unfortunately, most of the dishes found in American Chinese restaurants are about as Chinese as apple pie. The items found on many menus have been created to suit American tastes and cannot be considered authentic. When in Raleigh, here are a few Chinese restaurants where you can go to enjoy authentic chef-inspired Chinese cuisine.

1. Neo-China. (6602-1 Glenwood Ave.). Neo-China is a luxuriously-decorated restaurant where guests might expect to pay high prices for a meal. This is not the case. Even though the restaurant's artsy and sophisticated decor looks like a million bucks, the menu is full of traditional favorites that are comparable to any Chinese restaurant. Neo-China also has a lunch menu and a children's menu available.

2. Crystal Palace. (4011-161 Capital Blvd.). Even though we all love to eat a meal in a fancy restaurant, sometimes we all have a craving to stuff ourselves at an all-you-can-eat buffet. If you're looking for a fancy meal in a romantic setting, head to Neo-China on Glenwood Ave., but if you're looking to stuff yourself silly on egg rolls and fried dumplings, look no further than Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace has one of the biggest Chinese buffets in Raleigh, and the food is always hot and fresh.

3. Red Palace Restaurant. (3945 New Bern Ave.). Red Palace Restaurant is the home of Chef Wen Tao Lu, who graduated at the top of his class at one of China's most prestigious culinary skills. Chef Lu brings these finely-hones skills to Red Palace, where he creates sumptuous dishes like Tea Smoked Duck and Sliced Fish Filet with Napa Cabbage and Celery in Hot Chili Sauce.

4. Bali Hai. (2414 Wake Forest Rd.). From the outside, Bali Hai looks like the kind of place where you can go to experience severe food poisoning. But don't be fooled by the restaurant's exterior appearance; Bali Hai is a great Mongolian grill sure to please both vegetarians and meat-lovers alike. For over 20 years, Bali Hai has been a Raleigh favorite because of great food, fresh ingredients, and authentic recipes.

5. Five Star. (511 West Hargett St.). Five Star is a Chinese restaurant with spunk and attitude. Visit their website, and you will be greeted with the warning: Hide Your Cats! ...an obvious tongue-in-cheek reference to the urban legend that Chinese restaurants serve cat on the menu. Visit the restaurant, however, and you will be greeted with sleek and sophisticated urban decor, and a menu that combines traditional Cantonese favorites with daring and creative Chef's Specials.

Learn more about this author, Marlin Bressi.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.