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Becoming a successful Chinese restaurant in the United States is tricky. You need to cater to the American palate, but still be authentic enough to be considered a reputable Chinese joint.
With more than 41,000 Chinese restaurants in the United States, it's not easy picking a top 50. But, based on interviews with chefs and Chinese restaurant associations, surveys of local food writers and polls, and our own experiences, here are the 50 best Chinese restaurants in the country, arranged by state.

Arizona
1. China Magic Noodle House, Chandler
Watch through a window as the noodles you just ordered are handmade and pulled for you.
China Magic Noodle House serves outstanding beef noodles for less than $10. Huge portions and you can get them dry or with broth.
The egg rolls are a good appetizer, but spicy marinated pig ear is also on the menu. If that isn't enough, they serve freshly squeezed juice and boba milk tea.
2015 N. Dobson Road, Chandler

California
2. Beijing Pie House, Monterey Park
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Beijing Pie House isn't a traditional Chinese restaurant. No white tablecloths, moo shu pork or dim sum carts here.
The place trumpets the glories of meat pies -- flaky pies stuffed with searing hot pieces of meat. All for $7.
If you haven't gotten your carnivore on yet, you can always pair your pie with a savory beef roll.
Cash only.
846 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park

3. Chef Chu's, Los Altos
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Extensive selection, big portions and reasonable prices. Chef Chu's was opened in 1970 by Lawrence C.C. Chu himself. Since then the chef has made countless media appearances and become a best-selling cookbook author.
The Los Altos-based restaurant serves dishes covering all regions of China, but manages to cater to the American palate.
Specialties are Peking duck (order four hours ahead) and a scintillating chicken salad with hot-mustard peanuts.
Notable diners include Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, Jimmy Carter and none other than the Biebs, Justin Bieber.
1067 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos

4. Class 302, Rowland Heights
Class 302 is as close as you get can to authentic Taiwanese food outside Taiwan. The restaurant is structured like a traditional Chinese classroom.
The pork belly rice gets it just right and you know you're in a solid place when you see customers flocking from all over Southern California just to get their tongues on the highly touted shaved snow (shaved ice).
Cash only.
1015 S. Nogales St., No. 125, Rowland Heights
5. Del Mar Rendezvous, Del Mar
Located close to the ocean, Del Mar Rendezvous sports acclaimed and extensive gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan menus. The craft beer selection is also impressive.
With top-notch service and an inventive Chinese fusion menu -- the duck breast Shangri-la with teriyaki glaze is superb -- Rendezvous is a long-time favorite among locals.
The Xango dessert is a banana cheesecake wrapped in a cinnamon pastry topped with caramel and chocolate sauce. It's like your cell phone -- leave the restaurant without it and you'll have to go back.
Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Mar, No. 102, Del Mar

6. Dintaifung, Arcadia
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This dumpling house's reputation stretches far and wide -- especially in Taiwan, where it originated.
Dintaifung is known for its succulent xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings. The dumplings are tiny, but there are pocketfuls of juice in every bite.
Definitely be prepared for a long wait. The restaurant is always busy.
Additional location in Seattle.
1108 S Baldwin Ave., Arcadia

7. Enjoy Vegetarian Restaurant, San Francisco
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A veggie restaurant with two branches in San Francisco, Enjoy has vegan food that not only looks but tastes like real meat. Lots of gluten-free options and a fair selection of Americanized-Chinese food, such as sweet-and-sour chicken.
No MSG, garlic or onion in any dishes.
Even meat eaters have become addicted to the place. Well, some.
754 Kirkham St., San Francisco
Insider Guide: San Francisco

8. Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot, San Mateo
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With locations all over the world, including China and Japan, Little Sheep sets the standard when it comes to hot pot.
You can get different flavored broths, but the favorite tends to be the spicy one. You can also divide your pot in half if you have people in your party who can't stomach lots of spice.
It's family style, so this is a group event. You'll walk out smelling like hot pot.
Additional locations in Texas, California and New York.
215 S. Ellsworth Ave., San Mateo

9. San Tung Chinese Restaurant, San Francisco
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The main attraction at San Tung is the dry-fried chicken wings -- juicy wings lightly fried and drenched with a sweet and tangy sauce.
San Tung adopts the Shandong (the Chinese region known for its flour-based foods) style of cooking and so plays up the pot stickers and fresh noodles.
The restaurant is usually packed, so be prepared for a wait.
1031 Irving St., San Francisco

10. Savoy Kitchen, Alhambra
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Savoy Kitchen is a hole-in-the-wall in Alhambra has developed a cult following for its Hainan chicken rice.
The chicken portions are substantial with much more meat than bone, with chicken-broth rice with ginger and an orange hot sauce on the side. Everything about the dish is well worth the money.
138 E. Valley Blvd., Alhambra