Method
How We Rate
Chinese cooking has its own vocabulary of excellence. We score in that vocabulary, not in translation.
Five criteria, 1–5 points each
Technique
Control of heat, timing and execution.
Flavor
Depth, balance and clarity of seasoning.
Texture
Mouthfeel — the bounce, crunch and silk Chinese cooking prizes.
Ingredients
Quality, freshness and sourcing.
Authenticity
Fidelity to the region and its tradition.
Total possible: 25 points.
Three tiers
15–18
points
19–22
points
23–25
points
Restaurants scoring below 15 are not listed.
五行 · The five elements
Each restaurant earns 0 to 5 element badges for what its kitchen does exceptionally well.
Fire
Wok hei, chili, the heat of the stove.
Water
Soups, steaming, seafood, hot pot.
Wood
Vegetables, tofu, tea.
Metal
Dumplings, dim sum, noodles, knife work.
Earth
Braises, claypot, home-style cooking.
五行俱全
All five elements complete — awarded to a restaurant that earns every element badge.
Heritage
An optional mark for rare, authentic regional cooking seldom found outside its home province.
Worth the 7 Train
A 1–5 dot score: how worthwhile the trip to Flushing is from elsewhere in the city.