For over 100 years American Jews have taken part in the unlikely but beloved tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas day. The origins of this pseudo-religious ritual can be traced back to Manhattan’s Lower East Side. It all started in the late 1800s when the two immigrant populations found common ground as outsiders, a mutual rejection of dairy.
“Jewish people eat Chinese food on Christmas Day because it’s open,” explained Rabbi Joe Black of Temple Emanuel. “Neither Jewish nor Asian communities traditionally celebrate Christmas, it’s something our two cultures have shared.”
The earliest mention of American Jews eating at a Chinese restaurant was in 1899 when the American Hebrew Journal criticized Jews (particularly Ashkenazi Jews) for eating at a non-kosher restaurant. And the first documented instance of “Jewish Christmas” was in 1935 when The New York Times reported Chinese restaurant owner Eng Shee Chuck brought chow mein to the Jewish Children’s Home in Newark, N.J.
In modern day Colorado, the outsider story still rings somewhat true. Jewish residents account for less than 2% of the state’s population and Chinese residents less than 1%. Like the Lower East Side in the early 1900s, there are a plethora of Chinese restaurants that both Jews and gentiles alike frequent on December 25.
Rabbi Black’s personal favorite takeout spots in Denver are Golden Shanghai and Little Ollies – which are both open on Christmas. “I get the kung pao chicken and Mongolian beef,” he shared.
“As a Jew living in Congress Park, my go-to spot is Peter’s Chinese Cafe,” Ryan Warner, senior host of Colorado Matters on Colorado Public Radio, told DiningOut. “It’s old school American Chinese food. The owner is notoriously crabby, but that’s kind of the charm of the place.”
Peter’s, which is also open on Christmas, has been serving the community since 1985. Warner loves it because, he said, “they’re one of the few Chinese restaurants in Denver that does egg foo young, which is basically an overstuffed vegetable and meat pancake with gravy. I usually get a mix of chicken and tofu egg foo young.”
Chefs partake in the tradition, too. Joshua Pollack, owner of Rosenberg’s Bagels and king of kosher cuisine in Denver, likes Pepper Asian Bistro. “You’ve got to have lo mein. I do half egg drop half wonton soup. Then, beef and broccoli and/or sesame chicken. Their chicken dumplings are really good, too.”
Joel Appel, another pillar in Denver’s Jewish deli scene and owner of Zaidy’s Deli, said he’s a mooshoo beef and broccoli kind of guy. His favorite Asian takeout spot is Red Ginger (which is Japanese).
As a member of the tribe myself, my go-to takeout order leans more Asian fusion than strictly Chinese and usually includes spring rolls, wonton soup, pad thai, and salmon sushi.
For those looking to continue the tradition of eating Chinese food on Christmas, here are 10 Asian joints in Denver and beyond that will be open and ready to serve on December 25., which coincidently is also the start of Hanukkah this year.
Dillon’s Dumpling House
This relatively new Chinese eatery first opened its doors this summer in Aurora. The owners hail from Guangzhou, China and make all their dumplings, from the wrappers to the filling, from scratch. Dillon’s offers nine different flavors of soup dumplings, including lobster and shrimp, kim chi, and even a vegan option with soybean and scallions.
Try a variety of pan fried and steamed dumplings, and dim sum like BBQ pork buns and sesame buns. The restaurant also has a large menu of stir fry dishes, ramen, peking duck, noodles, and rice.
Dillon’s Dumpling House will be offering takeout, delivery, and dine-in on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Order online or call 303-862-5728. 3571 S. Tower Rd., Aurora, dillonsdumplinghouse.com
Pepper Asian Bistro & Pepper Asian Bistro 2
When we asked our readers what their favorite Asian takeout spot was, Pepper Asian Bistro and Pepper Asian Bistro 2 were some of the most popular votes. With locations in City Park and the Lower Highlands, the Asian eatery serves mostly a mix of Chinese and Thai dishes.
Options range from appetizers like spring rolls, dumplings, and skewers; to soups including wonton, hot and sour, and chicken coconut; to entrees like Hunan beef, kung pao chicken, the vegetarian Buddha’s feast, and Thai curries. Of course there’s also fried rice and noodles, plus desserts like mochi and tempura ice cream.
Both Pepper Asian Bistro and Pepper Asian Bistro 2 will be open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 2831 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, denverpepperasianbistro.com
For Pepper Asian Bistro, order here or call 303-388-8377, and for Pepper Asian Bistro 2, order here or call 720-524-7818. 3759 Lipan St., Denver, pepperasian2.com
Golden Shanghai
This beloved Denver establishment is widely lauded as some of the best Asian food in the city. Diners can choose between Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese fare. The menu features 11 different soups and a variety of appetizers ranging from steamed shumai to fried pork tripe.
Main courses include shrimp in lobster sauce, Chongqing spicy chicken, and Gan Gou beef. The restaurant also offers lo mein, chow mein, chop suey, egg foo young, fried rice, sweet and sour plates, and moo shu, plus a number of Thai dinner courses and Vietnamese noodle bowls.
Golden Shanghai will be open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in from noon to 9 p.m. on Christmas Day. Order online or call 303-743-7666. 1412 South Parker Rd., Denver, goldenshanghai-denver.com
Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings
While Nana’s LoHi location will be closed on Christmas, its Aurora and Boulder outposts will be serving up its beloved dim sum and dumplings on December 25. The cult favorite, which was recently named on Yelp’s “Top 100 Chinese Restaurants of 2024” list, offers an array of steamed and pan fried dumplings, soup dumplings, dim sum, and even dessert buns in flavors like purple yam, red bean, and salted egg custard. There are also soups, shared plates and larger entrees.
Both the Boulder and Aurora shops will be offering takeout, delivery, and dine-in on Christmas Day. Boulder will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., For the Boulder store, order here or call 303-444-0329. 1125 13th St., Boulder, nanasdimsumanddumplings.com
Aurora will be open from noon to 9 p.m. For Aurora, order here or call 720- 923-6145. 2495 S. Havana St., Aurora, nanasdimsumanddumplings.com
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Like the name implies, this no frills eatery off Colfax is perfect for those just looking for straightforward Chinese takeout. The small shop has a large number of Americanized Chinese staples like fried rice, lo mein, mei fun, chow mein, sweet and sour dishes, and egg foo young.
There’s also all the classics like beef and broccoli, orange chicken, moo shu pork, egg rolls, dumplings, and the usual soups such as wonton, egg drop, and hot and sour. If you’re feeling extra gluttonous, check out the “special fried dishes” that include fried wings, fried half chicken, fried jumbo shrimp,and fried crab sticks.
Great Wall will be offering takeout and delivery on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Order online or call 303-832-6611. 440 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, cogreatwalltogo.com
South Garden
Shout out to lifestyle creator and native Denverite @jordynduh for this suggestion. South Garden serves up Mandarin, Sichuan, and Cantonese-style dishes out of a low-profile storefront in the Hampden South neighborhood. In addition to its Chinese fare, there’s also Vietnamese offerings like pho, vermicelli bowls, and com (rice platters), as well as Thai ice tea and Vietnamese iced coffee.
South Garden will be offering takeout, delivery, and dine-in on Christmas Day from 3 to 9 p.m. Order online or call 303-770-1818. 8000 E. Quincy Ave., Denver, smorefood.com
Heaven Dragon Arvada
This cozy spot has been serving up Asian food in Arvada since 2004. The extensive menu of Chinese and Vietnamese fare includes classic starters like BBQ spare ribs and a pu pu platter. Find soups like wonton and egg drop, as well as a number of larger plates featuring chicken, pork, beef, seafood, or vegetables. For example, Moo Goo Gai Pan, sweet and sour pork, and pepper steak, egg foo young, chop suey, and Vietnamese-style rice and noodle platters.
Heaven Dragon Arvada will be offering takeout and dine-in on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Order online or call 720-898-9909. 16255 W. 64th Ave., Arvada, heavendragonarvada.com
Bistro King Asian Restaurant
The family-owned Bistro King has served the Englewood community for more than a decade. This unassuming restaurant specializes in Chinese food with a few Japanese and Thai selections as well. Make sure to ask about the secret menu, which features Sichuan-style plates like spicy Sichuan chicken, home style eggplant with ground pork, and boiled fish with rattan pepper.
Bistro King will be open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in on Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Order online or call 303-781-9898. 3542 S. Fox St., Englewood, bistrokingonline.com
Little Ollies
Little Ollies has been a staple in Cherry Creek’s Asian cuisine scene for more than two decades. In addition to its Chinese American staples like lo mein, General Tso’s chicken, and peking duck, the fusion joint has a variety of sashimi and sushi rolls. Look for signature plates too, including miso black cod, wagyu fried rice, and peppercorn tenderloin. Or, if sharing, Little Ollies serves dim sum all day, featuring dishes such as Korean short rib and Shanghai soup dumplings.
Little Ollies will be open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in from 3 to 9:30 p.m. on Christmas Day. Order online or call 303-316-8888. 2360 East 3rd Ave., Denver, littleollies.com
Shanghai Kitchen
With owners originally from Shanghai, this authentic Chinese eatery has been serving the Greenwood Village community since 2000. Complementing the classic Americanized Chinese fare are several Thai and Vietnamese offerings, but the real standouts are the Shanghainese and Sichuan-style dishes that chef Harry Zhou and his wife Alice grew up eating. On that note, don’t miss the soup dumplings and green tea smoked duck.
Shanghai Kitchen will be open for takeout, delivery, and dine-in on Christmas Day from 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Order online or call 303-290-6666. 4940 S. Yosemite St., Greenwood Village, shanghaikitchendenver.com
