📷 4
Photos
Shot by a City Insiders curator.
Mandarin 2
★ 4.0(1 review)Restaurant
elegantfamily-runauthentic
About the Vibe
Mandarin 2 is the real deal for Chinese food in Milan—a family-run institution since 1974 that's still going strong under the grandson's management. Skip the touristy spots and head here for authentic flavors that locals have been raving about for decades. The atmosphere is sober and elegant without being stuffy, perfect for a proper meal rather than a quick bite.
Known For
- •soybean noodles with shrimp
- •chicken in sweet and sour sauce
- •meat ravioli
- •prawns with seasonal vegetables
Best For
business lunchesfamily dinnersauthentic Chinese cuisine
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 8, 2026
A Milan Institution for Authentic Chinese Cuisine
Mandarin 2 has been a cornerstone of Milan's Chinese dining scene since 1974, and it's easy to see why. Founded by King Sing Cheng and now run by his grandson Chunyi, this Città Studi institution maintains the kind of family-run warmth you rarely find in today's restaurant landscape. The atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between informal and elegant—sober enough for business meetings but cozy enough for intimate dinners.
The menu showcases traditional Chinese cuisine prepared with genuine care for ingredient selection. Standouts include the soybean noodles with shrimp, chicken in sweet and sour sauce, and the meat ravioli that somehow manages to bridge Chinese and Italian culinary traditions. The wine list is surprisingly refined for a Chinese restaurant, and the staff's attention to detail shows real passion for their craft.
What sets Mandarin 2 apart is its consistency over four decades. While other places chase trends, this family sticks to what works: quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and honest hospitality. The business lunch menu is particularly good value, and take-away service means you can enjoy their cooking at home. Closed Mondays, but worth planning around.