Welcome back, Polk County.
Mike here.
We recently noticed a tiny uptick in some recommendations for Chinese food around Polk and I realized we haven't covered it AT ALL in our Best Food In Polk rankings AND we don't cover it in our Polk Food Reviews.
So, for that reason, I'm starting with a list of the best in all of Polk County.
I did make sure to highlight the best of as many towns as possible, but, like with many other categories of food we've covered, Lakeland seems to come out on top with the most available top spots.
I did also love the fact that we had a couple spots shine for sitting down and getting a bit fancier; and not STRICTLY takeout Chinese food.
Overall, we ended up with a pretty well-versed list.
Which brings us to...
The Best Chinese Food in Polk County, Florida.
And, as always, this isn’t just a list I’ve put together based on my own preferences…
This list was built from HUNDREDS of votes, from locals just like you.
Let’s go 
Special Author’s Note:
The spot we frequent the most did not make the list, so I'm giving it a special shoutout here. I personally missed chicken teriyaki dishes we had back in NY and found a replacement for that at Teppan Express in Lakeland Square Mall. Same thing every time, but the best.
First Place: Peking House
The Best Chinese Food In Polk County, Florida
Peking House — 2411 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
I'll just say it...
This wasn't close.
Peking House got more individual votes than the next several restaurants on this list combined.
People have been going there for decades. People measure their years in Polk County by how long they've been eating there.
If you've lived here more than a few months, you already know this place. If you don't, I genuinely don't know what you've been doing.
Voters said things like:
- "We've been going there for years. Very good."
- "Pekin house, consistent, always good. been eating there for 31 years."
- "Peking House in Lakeland for sure. It's an actual sit down restaurant and not just take out. We love it!"
Thirty-one years of consistency is not a small thing. Go see for yourself.
Second Place: Mayflower
The Second Best Chinese Food In Polk County, Florida
Mayflower — 4676 Co Rd 540A, Lakeland
Mayflower is the takeout answer to Peking House's sit-down answer.
A lot of voters specifically drew that line: Mayflower for takeout, Peking House if you want to sit and eat.
It also turns out Mayflower is close enough to Bartow that it's basically Bartow's unofficial Chinese food spot too.
Voters said things like:
- "For take out Mayflower on 540A in Lakeland. Hands down the best Chinese food around."
- "May Flower. The best locally, and most similar to Western NY."
- "I agree with May Flower if you are in south Lakeland. I'm in Bartow and I'll drive there for it."
This was the next spot that also ruled the entire list with TONS of votes (similar to Peking House). The rest get a bit closer and spread.
Third Place: Chen's Wok
The Third Chinese Food In Polk County, Florida
Chen's Wok — 6565 N Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland
This one is North Lakeland's answer, and it's a strong one.
Chen's Wok came up constantly whenever people started talking specifically about that side of town.
A couple voters did mention that they've been away for a vacation or two, but a quick search or call ahead and you should be good to go.
Voters said things like:
- "My favorite is Chen's Wok."
- "CHENS WOK !!!"
- "They were my favorite in North Lakeland for sure."
If Peking and Mayflower are on the other side of town, this is the answer.
Fourth Place: Beijing Restaurant
The Fourth Best Chinese Food In Polk County, Florida
Beijing Restaurant — 3005 Cypress Gardens Rd SE, Winter Haven
Winter Haven's big representative on this list.
If you're on that side of the county and someone mentions Chinese food, there's a good chance this is what they mean.
Voters said things like:
- "My favorite is Beijing in Winter Haven on Cypress Gardens Rd."
- "We love Beijing Restaurant on Cypress Gardens Rd!"
- "Beijing Winter Haven, I'm from NY, and it's the best I've had yet."
That last one is a real compliment.
New Yorkers do not tend to hand those out for free. 
Fifth Place: Green Tea
The Fifth Best Chinese Food In Polk County, Florida
Green Tea — 384 Havendale Blvd, Auburndale
Green Tea rounds out the top five.
This one is Auburndale's pick, and one that came up steadily across almost every single thread I ran, which tells me this isn't a fluke recommendation from a handful of Auburndale locals showing up.
This is a real neighborhood favorite.
Voters said things like:
- "Green Tea in Auburndale is pretty good. They are carry out."
- "Green Tea is the best in the whole county."
- "Green Tea is the ONLY place in Polk that we'd go."
Carryout done right doesn't need to be super flashy. It just needs to be good every single time, and that's what people kept telling me about this one.
Bonus Shoutout: Chen's Dumplings & Duck
Bonus For The Best Chinese Food In Polk County, Florida
Chen's Dumplings & Duck — 5125 Florida Ave S, Lakeland
Consider this one a special 5.5 on our list of 10.
Chen's Dumplings & Duck had a decent amount of votes, but after going through I think many voters may have neglected it, assuming I meant only takeout spots.
Yes, Peking House won by a landslide, and is a location you can go and sit down at — but Chen's Dumpings & Duck is just a different category (at least in my opinion, and other voters after I asked a few).
Voters said things like:
- "Chen's Dumplings & Duck count!? SO GOOD."
- "Chen's Dumplings & Duck is our go-to."
- "Chen's Dumplings anytime I plan on sitting down."
This is the one on the list that could also make it on a fancier/upscale style list as well. So if you're looking for some Chinese food, but also want to show off a bit — this is where you're bringing your group (or date).
Other Great Chinese Food Restaurants In Polk County, Florida
If you’re anything like me, you want to try all the best Chinese food places in Polk County, Florida so you can be the judge for yourself.
So here is the rest of the top ten best Chinese food spots in Polk County, Florida (in order 6-10):
- #6 — Ling's Buffet (South Florida Ave, Lakeland)
- #7 — China Wok (Lake Wales)
- #8 — Eddie's Chinese Take Out (Winter Haven)
- #9 — Freddy's/Freddie's (Auburndale)
- #10 — China Park (Haines City)
Which gives us the full top 10 Chinese food spots in Polk County.
And brings us to the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
My personal opinion (that no one asked for 
).
Here are my top Chinese spots:
- Teppan Express
- Green Tea
- Chen's Dumplings & Duck
I definitely need to check out Peking House and a couple other spots on this list, but Teppan Express is my go-to for chicken teriyaki and Green Tea is my new-found go-to for takeout in Auburndale (which is where we're located).
THANKS!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Polk Squeeze today.
Share this with a friend who's been looking for the best Chinese food in Polk County.
- Mike Romaine
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