I spent two weeks in Rapid City last winter for work. It was cold, windy, and I wanted hot, tasty food that wouldn’t break the bank. So I ate Chinese food…a lot. Lunch, late dinner, carryout in the car—you name it. Here’s what stood out, good and bad, with real meals I had in town. Before I dive in, I also skimmed TripAdvisor’s roundup of the highest-rated Chinese restaurants in Rapid City to see whether my taste buds would line up with the crowd.
If you’re looking for a quicker cliff-notes version complete with map pins and updated hours, you can hop directly to my honest take on Chinese food in Rapid City over on MyFoodTrip.
Quick notes before we get rolling
- I ate at four different spots across town.
- I tried classics: sesame chicken, beef and broccoli, mapo tofu, dumplings, and crab rangoon.
- I went at different times (lunch rush, early dinner, close to closing).
- I paid my own way.
For addresses, hours, and even photos of these spots, you can pop over to MyFoodTrip and pull up Rapid City’s full Chinese-food lineup in seconds.
The little strip-mall takeout on E North St
This place sits near the big box stores and has fast counter service. I popped in for the lunch special on a snowy Tuesday. Sesame chicken with fried rice and an egg roll. It came out fast—like 8 minutes fast. The sauce was sticky-sweet, a bit heavy, but the chicken had a nice crunch. The fried rice was a touch dry. I asked for hot-and-sour soup, and it leaned more sour than hot, which I didn’t mind.
Price was fair (about ten bucks). Box was packed. The front-of-house was kind and quick with refills. I did wish for more veggies—one lonely broccoli floret made me laugh. Still, for a quick lunch on E North St, it hit the spot. I’d order it again, but I’d ask for extra sauce and extra broccoli.
The big buffet by Uptown Rapid
I went twice. First time was a Saturday at 6 p.m., and the trays were fresh. The crab rangoon was crisp and sweet. The green beans were garlicky and bright. The lo mein had springy noodles, not mush. General Tso’s had a gentle kick and a sticky glaze. I even grabbed a tiny scoop of soft-serve. Don’t judge me—soft-serve just tastes better after fried wontons.
Second time, I went late on a Tuesday. Different story. Some trays sat a bit too long. General Tso’s went soggy. The sushi looked tired, so I skipped it. Still, the staff swapped out a few dishes while I was there. Kids at a nearby table were thrilled with the dessert bar, which tells you who loves this place most—families.
If you go, go early. Buffets always shine right after a fresh run. And you know what? The host here remembered I wanted hot tea. Sweet touch.
Downtown spot off St. Joseph St
Smaller menu, calmer vibe. I met a friend there after walking Art Alley. We ordered pork dumplings, mapo tofu, and steamed rice. The dumplings were hand-pinched and juicy, with a soft chew that made me happy. The mapo tofu came mild, by my ask, and it was still fragrant with a bit of numbing heat. Next time I’ll go medium. The jasmine tea was hot and clean.
Service was steady, not fast. Think sit-down pace. We chatted, we ate, and no one rushed us. Parking downtown can be tight, and I fed the meter twice. Worth it for those dumplings. I’d come back for a quiet dinner or a date night that doesn’t need steakhouse money. For a long-running option that leans classic rather than boutique, locals often point me toward Golden Phoenix, whose menu covers everything from egg-foo-young to sizzling platters.
The late-night carryout near Rushmore Crossing
This one saved me after a long day at The Monument. I called in orange chicken, beef and broccoli, and egg drop soup. The orange chicken was very sweet—like candy orange. My kid loved it. I wanted more peel and heat. Beef and broccoli was better: tender beef, crisp stems, glossy sauce. The soup was thick—almost pudding-thick. Not my style.
Here’s the thing: they once mixed up my rice (I wanted steamed, not fried). I called, and the manager fixed it right away with a smile. That matters. Ticket time was under 12 minutes both visits, which makes them a clutch pick when you’re starving and traffic near Target is a mess.
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What I learned (and what I’d do again)
- Ask for heat levels. Mild here can be very mild. Medium pops more.
- Go earlier for buffets. Fresh trays change everything.
- Lunch specials around town are a deal. Big portions, small price.
- If you want crisp chicken, say “sauce on the side.” It helps with the crunch.
- For tofu, ask for a firmer set so it doesn’t crumble in the sauce.
- Winter nights call for soup. I liked hot-and-sour better than egg drop at most places.
My picks by mood
- Best for families: The buffet near Uptown Rapid when it’s busy and fresh.
- Best for a calm dinner: The small downtown spot off St. Joseph St (get the dumplings).
- Best quick value: The E North St lunch special, extra broccoli, extra sauce.
- Best late-night fix: The carryout near Rushmore Crossing—fast and friendly.
Would I eat Chinese in Rapid City again?
Yes. It’s not fancy, but it’s warm, filling, and steady. On a cold night with the wind howling down Main, a hot box of sesame chicken feels like a blanket. I’d take the dumplings downtown, the buffet early on a Saturday, and the E North St lunch box after errands. And if you’re rolling through on I-90 toward the Black Hills, you can grab a good plate without a long wait.
One last tip—bring cash for a tip jar. A smile, a tea refill, or a fast fix on a mix-up? That’s worth a couple bucks, easy. And if your road-trip partner happens to be a pup who needs careful meals between stops, I put together a separate guide on the foods that actually worked for my diabetic dog—because nobody should feel lousy on vacation, furry friends included.