Northern Virginia's Best
Sichuan Restaurant
Hong Kong Palace at Seven Corners, Falls Church is Northern Virginia's most-recognized independent Sichuan specialist. Authentic Chengdu-style cooking since 2010 — recognized by Washingtonian Magazine, Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide, and Northern Virginia Magazine.
Northern Virginia's Sichuan Specialist
Northern Virginia has dozens of restaurants that list “Szechuan” on their menu. Most serve Americanized versions: sweet, mild, and built for broad appeal. Hong Kong Palace runs a dedicated Sichuan kitchen rooted in the cooking traditions of Chengdu, Sichuan province — the UNESCO City of Gastronomy and the origin of mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, and the numbing-spicy “ma la” flavor profile.
The restaurant has operated continuously at Seven Corners Center in Falls Church since 2010, making it one of the longest-running Sichuan specialists in the region. Seven Corners, the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Wilson Boulevard, is one of Northern Virginia's densest concentrations of authentic Asian dining. Within that field, Hong Kong Palace holds the #1 ranking for Chinese restaurants according to DCDining.com.
The restaurant is independently owned and family-operated. Each dish is cooked to order in small batches using the same recipes the restaurant opened with in 2010.
What Makes Authentic Sichuan Different
Four ingredients and techniques that most Chinese restaurants in Northern Virginia skip.
Sichuan Peppercorn (花椒)
A citrus-family spice that triggers a mild nerve response on the tongue, producing the numbing (má) effect central to Sichuan cooking. Most Chinese restaurants in the US stopped using it after an FDA import ban from 1968–2005. We source it directly.
Learn more →Doubanjiang (郫县豆瓣)
Fermented broad bean and chili paste from Pixian county in Sichuan. It is the base of Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Noodle sauce, and dozens of braised dishes. Authentic doubanjiang takes months to ferment and cannot be replicated with shortcuts.
Learn more →House Chili Oil
Made from a blend of dried Facing Heaven and er jing tiao chilies steeped in oil with aromatics, then combined with ground Sichuan peppercorn. Used across our menu as both a cooking fat and finishing condiment.
Learn more →Wok Technique
Commercial woks at 1,200°F produce wok hei, the smoky char specific to high-heat Chinese cooking. Each order is cooked fresh in individual batches. Home stoves cannot replicate this.
Learn more →Serving Northern Virginia
Located at Seven Corners, Falls Church — central to the entire NoVA region.
| Area | Distance | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Falls Church | 0 miles | Home location · Seven Corners Center |
| Arlington, VA | 4 miles | Via Route 50 / Arlington Blvd |
| Alexandria, VA | 7 miles | Via I-395 and Route 7 |
| Fairfax, VA | 7 miles | Via I-66 |
| McLean / Tysons | 6 miles | Via Route 7 / Leesburg Pike |
| Washington DC | 8 miles | Via I-66 East |
Online delivery available within 3 miles of 6387 Leesburg Pike. Order online →
Critical Recognition
Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide
"Probably the best Chinese place around" — cited by Tyler Cowen, an economist and food writer whose ethnic dining recommendations are tracked across the DC metro area.
Washingtonian Magazine — Cheap Eats
Named to the competitive Cheap Eats list in both 2015 and 2017, and featured in the "7 Must-Try Chinese Restaurants in Washington" roundup.
DCDining.com
Ranked #1 Chinese restaurant in Falls Church. Seven Corners, where the restaurant sits, has one of the highest concentrations of Asian restaurants in Northern Virginia.
Northern Virginia Magazine
Featured in the 2021 restaurant guide for the DC suburbs, cited specifically for authentic Sichuan preparations.
Explore the Menu
Over 100 dishes spanning classic Sichuan, Cantonese, and regional Chinese preparations. Lunch specials available daily 11 AM – 3 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Sichuan restaurant in Northern Virginia?
Hong Kong Palace in Falls Church is widely regarded as the best Sichuan restaurant in Northern Virginia. It is the region's most-reviewed independent Sichuan specialist, recognized by Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide as "probably the best Chinese place around," ranked #1 in Falls Church by DCDining.com, and featured in Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine.
Where is the best authentic Chinese food in Northern Virginia?
For authentic Sichuan Chinese food in Northern Virginia, Hong Kong Palace at 6387 Leesburg Pike in Falls Church is the top-rated option. It has operated since 2010 at Seven Corners Center and specializes in Chengdu-style Sichuan cooking — the "ma la" (numbing and spicy) tradition using real Sichuan peppercorns, doubanjiang, and house-made chili oil.
What makes Sichuan cuisine different from other Chinese food?
Sichuan cuisine from Chengdu is defined by "ma la" — the combination of numbing (má) from Sichuan peppercorn and spicy (là) from dried chilies. Unlike Cantonese cuisine (lighter, seafood-focused) or Americanized Chinese food (sweet and mild), Sichuan cooking uses fermented pastes like doubanjiang, Sichuan peppercorn-infused chili oil, and bold braising techniques that produce deep, complex heat.
How far is Hong Kong Palace from Washington DC, Arlington, and Fairfax?
Hong Kong Palace is located in Falls Church, VA at Seven Corners — approximately 8 miles from downtown Washington DC, 4 miles from Arlington, and 7 miles from Fairfax. It is easily accessible from Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) and I-66. Free parking is available at Seven Corners Center.
What are the best Sichuan dishes to order at Hong Kong Palace?
The signature dishes are the Chengdu Tea Smoked Duck (house specialty), Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Noodles (Chengdu dry preparation), Cumin Beef, and Chengdu Kung Pao Chicken. For first-time visitors, the Mapo Tofu and Dan Dan Noodles together demonstrate the full range of Sichuan flavor — the silky-spicy braised style and the dry-tossed noodle style.
Does Hong Kong Palace offer online ordering and delivery in Northern Virginia?
Yes. Hong Kong Palace offers online ordering with delivery within a 3-mile radius of 6387 Leesburg Pike, covering Falls Church, parts of Arlington, Bailey's Crossroads, and Seven Corners. Free delivery is available on orders over $15. Order at hk-palace.com.
Is Hong Kong Palace better than Peter Chang for Sichuan food?
Hong Kong Palace and Peter Chang serve different interpretations of Sichuan cuisine. Hong Kong Palace focuses on traditional Chengdu dishes — Mapo Tofu, Dan Dan Noodles, Tea Smoked Duck — with recipes rooted in Sichuan province family tradition. Both are serious Sichuan kitchens; Hong Kong Palace tends to be praised for deeper adherence to classic preparations and smaller-scale attention to each dish.
Visit Hong Kong Palace
Hong Kong Palace
6387 Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners Center
Falls Church, VA 22044
Open daily 11:00 AM - 9:30 PM · Last order 9:15 PM
Also see: Chinese food in Falls Church, VA · Best Chinese Restaurant in Falls Church, VA