New China in Oklahoma City: Cantonese Dim Sum and Sit-Down Banquets on NW 23rd

New China is a full-service Cantonese restaurant on Northwest 23rd Street that specializes in dim sum service during lunch hours and evening banquet dining, positioning it as the primary sit-down dim sum destination in Oklahoma City rather than a counter-service or takeout operation.

What New China actually is

The restaurant occupies a modest standalone building and operates as a traditional Cantonese dim sum house with a secondary focus on Sichuan and Mandarin dishes for dinner service. The space seats roughly 100 to 120 guests across multiple dining areas, with round tables designed for family-style service and small private rooms available for groups. Unlike dim sum carts that circulate the dining room (a format common in larger metropolitan areas), New China serves dim sum from a printed menu during lunch hours, meaning you order dishes by name or number rather than selecting from trays as servers pass. This model is more efficient for smaller-volume dim sum operations but requires familiarity with the menu or staff guidance.

Dim sum menu and pricing

Dim sum items typically range from $3 to $6 per order, with most steamed dumplings, rolls, and small plates landing in the $3.50 to $5 range. A standard dim sum lunch for one person runs $12 to $18 if you order three to four dishes; two people can share five to six items for $25 to $35. Chicken feet (a Cantonese dim sum staple), shrimp dumplings (har gow), pork and chive dumplings, and char siu bao (barbecue pork buns) are consistently available. Turnip cake and taro croquettes round out the savory selection. Prices are moderate for the category, though verification of current pricing is recommended before visiting since dim sum prices shift with ingredient costs.

Dinner service includes Sichuan mapo tofu, chow fun with beef or shrimp, and whole steamed fish preparations (priced by the pound). Banquet menus can be arranged for groups of eight or more, with per-person costs typically $25 to $40 depending on selections.

How New China compares to other Oklahoma City Chinese options

Oklahoma City's Chinese restaurant scene is dominated by Americanized take-out and casual sit-down spots like Golden Dragon and Panda Express equivalents. New China stands apart because it is one of the few establishments in the city that operates a dedicated dim sum service at all, making it the only realistic option for diners seeking traditional Cantonese small plates in OKC. For evening Sichuan cuisine and more complex Mandarin preparations, Goro (downtown, Japanese-focused but with some Chinese menu overlap) and scattered family-run restaurants on NW 23rd offer alternatives, though none combine both consistent dim sum and full dinner service under one roof.

If you want dim sum specifically, New China is the default choice. If you are seeking Sichuan heat and complexity or Mandarin banquet cooking elsewhere in the city, expect less specialized execution and smaller menus.

Who New China suits and does not suit

This restaurant is ideal for diners with dim sum experience or those curious about Cantonese cuisine who are willing to ask staff for recommendations. It works well for family meals and small groups. The printed-menu dim sum format suits people who enjoy deliberate ordering over the tableau of circulating carts.

It does not suit diners seeking a high-volume, high-energy dim sum hall environment; New China is quieter and more intimate. It is also not a fast-casual option: dim sum service is sit-down, and meals take 45 minutes to an hour. Picky eaters or those unfamiliar with Cantonese flavors (funky shrimp paste, offal preparations, unfamiliar textures) may find the menu challenging without guidance.

What a first visit involves

Arrive during lunch hours (typically 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) to access dim sum service. A staff member will seat you and provide a menu in English, sometimes with photos. Ask the server for recommendations if you are uncertain; they can steer you toward approachable dishes and signature items. Order as many or as few dishes as you like; there is no pressure to order a minimum. Tea service is standard and usually complimentary or a small charge. Plan to spend 45 minutes to an hour eating and lingering.

For dinner service (typically starting at 5 p.m.), the menu shifts to full entrees and cooked dishes. Reservations are recommended for groups of six or more, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Hours, parking, and logistics

New China operates Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dim sum service is available during lunch hours (verify exact cutoff with the restaurant, as this can shift seasonally). Parking is available in a small lot adjacent to the building. The restaurant is located on NW 23rd Street in a commercial corridor; it is accessible by car and walkable from nearby retail.

New China fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's restaurant landscape: it is the only reliable venue for dim sum service and Cantonese cooking, making it essential for diners seeking authentic Cantonese preparation rather than generalized Chinese takeout.