Also known as "New Shanghai" (that's how they answer the phone) Shanghai Cafe offers gourmet Chinese cuisine from different regions of China prepared with the "finest ingredients" (their laguage). Located close enough to Chinatown to boast authenticity and centrally accessible to please the Theatre District crowd, this top-notch Chinese establishment also boasts karaoke. Deliveries outside their small circle (such as the South End) have a small delivery charge ($4?)and often take 45+ mins. They are consistent in quality.

_

Buddha's Delight is the only restaurant of its kind in Chinatown, serving strictly vegetarian dishes derived from the Buddhist monastery cuisine of China and Vietnam. I-can't-believe-it's-not-pork, -chicken, -duck, and -shrimp options abound, but the artfully manipulated gluten and soy-based mock-meats become boring very swiftly. Stick to the fresh vegetable and noodle dishes instead. The spin-off, Buddha's Delight Too, has the same menu and an amazing drink selection, but with slightly more upscale décor; their mango shakes and iced milk coffee are delicious. Be ware of the 'satan', or imitation beef; boy will that give you some mad gas! Lunch sets $6-8; dinners $10-12. All-veggie buffet daily 11:30am-4pm (M-F $7.50, Sa-Su $9.50). Buddha's Delight Too located at 404 Harvard St., Brookline (617-739-8830; Green C-Coolidge Corner or #66 Bus). This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Hong Kong Eatery is located in Chinatown and is a Chinese restaurant serving traditional dishes as well as barbecued duck, port, chicken, and beef. This is a popular restaurant in the neighborhood, so expect the authentic experience.

The food here is very good and especially good after a night out. The food quality is head and shoulders above what you would find at Chau Chow city late night. Because of the awkward location, it is missed by most people that don't know about this place so the atmosphere late nights is more subdued where it is perfect to wind down and chat with your friends about the night. The outside looks very uninviting. There is a neon sign in a small window to the left, and to the right is a small hanging lit sign, which doesn't compete to well against it's neighbors. Well, pretty much everything on Tyler looks like hell anyways. You enter and are confused because you see only 4 rather large tables in a small room, but you turn the corner and there are more tables in a space twice as big. The floor is a bit uneven and the huge partition is a mystery, but it's probably a staircase. Don't be scared to come in, it's really a great place!

_

East Ocean City's attentive waitstaff and upscale décor makes it one of the snazziest spots in Chinatown. The beautiful traditional landscapes gracing the walls might be one reason for the relatively high prices, but the food is just as beautiful and traditional, and in-the-know patrons are willing to shell out a little extra for it. The restaurant specializes in seafood, featuring unusual dishes like yu xiang scallops ($16.50) and fried crisp softshell crabs with spicy salt ($20), but its vegetarian selection is also strong. The stir-fried Japanese egg tofu with mixed vegetables ($12) appeals even to those who usually shy away from bean curd, and the Chinese broccoli in oyster sauce ($7.50) is sublime, cooked to perfect tenderness. This section contains information from Harvard Student Agencies' Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard.

Don't let the shabby exterior fool you: This hole in the wall is Chinatown's best kept and most delicious secret. This reasonably priced Chinese food restaurant is known for its specialties including their yummy scallion pancakes and their top-tier Peking Duck (however, you must order it 24 hours in advance). King Fung Garden has been a Chinatown staple for more than 50 years with an extremely friendly and courteous staff. If you have trouble deciding what to order, owners Irwin and Doris Mei will gladly help you out. Also, in an area with less-than-stellar restrooms, King Fung has some of the cleanest and well-kept washrooms in Chinatown.

_

In a neighborhood dominated by Cantonese cuisine, this Shanghai-style outpost is a hidden gem found near the traditional Chinatown Gate on Beach Street. Wing’s Kitchen is small hole in the wall but their food packs a punch. Try their authentic General Gau’s Chicken or their braised whole fish with scallion.