Whatever You Celebrate, Visit These Chinese Restaurants in Washington for Your Holiday Meal

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy... I'm as much of a sucker for the "usual" holiday fare as the next person. Still, over the years, I've found myself erring toward more unconventional dishes. Perhaps I've zhuzhed up my Brussels sprouts with a Sriracha aoli. Maybe I've subbed out the pumpkin pie for key lime. Whatever my small act of rebellion, I try to expand what's served on the holiday table. Shaking things up at dinnertime loosens other tired expectations, too. Besides diversifying the flavors on our plates, it may inspire a referendum on the status quo, from who's doing all that cooking in the kitchen to how many hours of work we should dedicate to what is, ultimately, a fleeting moment of familial celebration. Though there are many traditions we'll surely keep, there may be others we choose to discard and replace with new ones. This is where Chinese takeout comes into play.

Let's face it: Chinese restaurants as an alternative to home-cooked holiday meals aren't groundbreaking. For years, pop culture has championed Chinese restaurants as the places to go for a last-minute yuletide bite. Given how many businesses are closed on Christmas day, there's actually some truth to this trope. For many American families who don't celebrate Christmas, getting Chinese food has become a unique holiday tradition in its own right. As a result, many Chinese eateries— including those in Washington— are bustling on Christmas and Christmas Eve.

How did my husband and I begin opting for Chinese takeout on Christmas? For one thing, as we've gotten older, it's become increasingly difficult to herd our families together to celebrate. Another factor was our demanding work lives. Though I'm an avid cook, I was disenchanted with the prospect of spending hours preparing a holiday meal— especially if our table was only set for two! Not to mention, my husband dreaded tackling the festive explosion I tend to leave in my wake. One year, we both looked at each other and suggested, "Takeout?"

After years of stress, the notion of picking up a fully prepared meal felt positively luxurious. Luckily for us, we're located within driving distance from Tacoma Szechuan, a pillar of the Lakewood community that's renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine. After that first year, we were hooked. Today, even if we don't eat out, we still make Chinese food at home. Last year, I made a fabulous Peking duck!

If you're not in the Tacoma area, plenty of other incredible Chinese restaurants are open for the holidays across Washington. The International District's Tai Tung is a hallowed favorite in Seattle. Not only was this spot the preferred eatery of film-star Bruce Lee, but it's also the city's oldest Chinese restaurant, dating back to 1935. A couple of years ago, my family went to Tai Tung to eat dim sum on Christmas Eve. If you're early in your break up with turkey, I highly recommend stopping by this beloved spot for brunch. Locally, the Harbor City restaurants also remain open for the holidays, with locations in Tacoma and in Seattle.

It's hard to beat Dragon River if you're in Bellingham, but I've heard conflicting reports about whether they'll be open for Christmas this year. If they aren't, check out Lucky Panda! Tucked in the Sunnyland neighborhood, this cozy joint runs at full capacity over the holidays and can easily accommodate your big family order.

Celebrating east of the Cascades? Check out China Buffet near the county fairgrounds if you're in Walla Walla. Boasting a laidback atmosphere and an eye-popping selection of dishes, I consider this spot one of Walla Walla's most delicious secrets. If you're in the Spokane area, head to Red Dragon Northside or China Dragon. Though I've heard Red Dragon's downtown location is good, I've heard its place on Hillyard is even better. Expect crowds here on Christmas Eve, but know it isn't open for Christmas. Should you crave even more Chinese on the holly jolly day itself, China Dragon is your best bet. Serving the Spokane community since 1987, this neighborhood favorite is one of my go-to's when I visit town. The moo shu pork is particularly delicious.

Wherever and whatever you're celebrating in the coming weeks, I highly recommend trying out one of Washington's incredible Chinese restaurants. Since I started making Chinese cuisine a part of my holiday tradition, I haven't looked back. What began as a bid to cut down on kitchen work has become an integral and treasured part of my seasonal celebrations, so much so that even when I do cook on Christmas, I still only cook Chinese dishes. Hopefully, holiday takout will be the gift that keeps on giving for your household, too.