The Chinese restaurant Sonia Hang Zhou on Esquilino hill is probably the most well-known Chinese restaurant in Rome, thanks to Gambero Rosso review, too. It was opened in 1979 and is run by women only; it offers a Chinese cuisine which is fit for Western palates: meals are good and not too heavy. The interior is characteristic but narrow, since there is just one room. Walls are decorated with portraits of Mao and pictures of many other famous personalities.

The menu is quite broad and varied: there are not only well-known and common Chinese dishes (who does not know what egg rolls are?), but also more peculiar ones; you’d better ask what something is made of instead of ordering at random! We’d suggest that you taste vegetable ravioli, black rice or ginger beef. Moreover, don’t forget to take always a look at the dish of the day.

Original feature of this restaurant are the gastronomic sculptures realized by the chefs: small animals made of carrots and radishes to decorate dishes. This restaurant has just one shortcoming: long queues. Unfortunately, Hang Zhou doesn’t accept bookings. Therefore, be ready to wait for some time, especially at rush hours. There are ad hoc chairs outside the premises, since managers are well aware of how busy their restaurant can be.

If you want to have a stroll in the meantime, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the famous via Merulana are within walking distance.