Great flavors and a great selection of entrees! I'd say this is a great spot for a family styled meal, as each dish is kind of made for sharing. I loved their mapo tofu and Dan Dan noodles! They're known for their pickled fish dish, which looked amazing. If you're looking for the staple Chinese dishes, this would be the spot to check out. read more

Another small place to eat in Chinatown. It's pretty authentic including the classic Chinese restaurant smell. Yao Yao has a small menu of some interesting things. Good stuff but prices are high. There's also not much for vegetarians. Fish is one of the main things people like to get here. It wasn't though for me but I still had an okay time exploring the unique menu. The others got the popular sour fish soup. From the looks of it, this was a pretty good size meal. There's loads of cabbage and fish pieces. I got a few appetizers like seaweed salad, but there were few to choose from. These were okay for the most part. Good place if looking for authentic Chinese. It's especially good for fish and seafood. There's not much in the way of vegetarian friendly stuff though. read more

Yao Yao - Yaotao Choy Sum - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A very unique food experience, the pepper soup and pickled fish was unlike anything I've ever had. Great service, quick, nothing will necessarily blow you away but very fresh and tasty and will definitely be back on a cold day. read more

Yao Yao - Shrimp Fried Rice & Yao Yao Pickled Fish - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dig this place! The pickled fish is killer. Definitely get that! We also had combination fried rice, beef rolls, Chinese broccoli, and the best orange chicken you ever had. Great service and fresh food. No complaints. Server was really sweet. Oh, and it's byob so bring a bottle of wine or champagne. Enjoy! read more

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We really enjoyed the pickled fish and fatty beef here. The food was not spicy, but the portions were big. It was good to split between 3 people. The food came out fast and the menu was small so their speciality was totally the fish and fatty beef. It is cooked in a sour soup which was very good. The meal is on the more expensive side since the one thing was 80$. read more

Yao Yao - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We have been going here over the past couple years, unfortunately quality and service went downhill over time. Today was the worst, we ordered two fish soups and they did not add any seasonings at all. We found out after putting it in each of our bowl. We told the waiter and they took it back but didn't replace it with the correct one. They just added seasonings to the leftover bowl that we have and brought that back. So we have tasteless soup in each of our bowl and only half bowl of the correct soup. In addition, restaurant is only half full but service is mediocre as well. Very very disappointed and will not go back again. read more

Great portion for 2-3 people to share! The fish was so tender and super flavorful. I would say it's more numbing than spicy. read more

Yao Yao - Sautéed Green Beans - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here specifically for the pickled fish and it was honestly amazing- they use sea bass slices and before they add it to the soup, the fish was cooked in a special way which is why it's so smooth and fresh. It comes in a gigantic bowl with tons of soup and some pickled veggie. There's an option to add more "sides" such as mushroom or different kind of veggies for extra $$. We didn't opt for that cause we wanted to try other dishes. We order the fried shrimp- which I wouldn't recommend cause it comes in a thick layer of batter and there's nothing special about it. We got the chicken in hot chili oil which we were all disappointed cause there's no flavor to the chicken since it's only soaked in chili oil. We got the pea pod in garlic sauce which was delicious. We got frog with chili pepper, the flavor was good but we got 80% pepper 20% frog which was a little disappointing. The service was good and our waiter was very chatty and attentive. The restaurant itself is pretty new and clean and there's open kitchen. Our chef was coughing quite a lot in the kitchen without wearing a mask so that kind of gross us out a bit. read more

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Literally repeated my order 4x times and still couldn't get it right Ordered low mein with tofu and only gave 5 pieces of tofu Ordered shrimp fried rice gave me chicken instead and dripping in grease Dishes were extremely bland and hardly give any protein for the price Overhyped and overpriced Go to Joy Yee instead, 10x better Lesson learned to stick with what you know read more

the spicy pickled fish soup is amazing! We got the large one for 3 people to share, the fish is very fresh and tender, the pickled veggie is very tasty and crunchy, they shipped it from China. All the added veggies and tofu are all really good. we also liked the xiao su rou (fried meat), you can request it to be non-spicy for kids. Our server Andy is amazing, he is very knowledgeable about each of the dishes and what works best for your party size read more

Yao Yao - Yao Yao Pickled Fish - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I have had Yao Yao bookmarked for awhile and I love pickled fish soup so you can probably guess that I was excited. We came on a Sunday for lunch and the restaurant was maybe 1/3 occupied. We shared the following between 3 people: jellyfish with cucumber, golden fried crispy pork, sour pickled fish fillet, and half/half pickled fish soup and spicy boiled beef and asked for it to be mildly spicy. The spicy boiled beef tasted more than mildly spicy but was tolerable for me. I probably wouldn't get it again since it's on the pricey side and you get more for your money with the pickled fish soup (especially since you can drink the soup and the spicy boiled beef comes with a lot of sauce/liquid). We expected the sour pickled fish fillet to be a dry dish but it was a non-spicy version of the pickled fish soup which was excellent. However, I found it strange that the pickled fish soup didn't automatically come with glass noodles and you have to pay extra since it is typically made with the noodles at other restaurants. The pickled fish soup was flavorful and the fish was cooked to perfection. The golden fried crispy pork was good but some pieces were pretty fatty. The jellyfish with cucumber came out last and I was already getting full so I barely remember what it tasted like TBH. Service was good and someone came to check on us and gave us more water/napkins periodically. Overall, I'd come back just for the pickled fish soup if I had friends to share with especially since it's not cheap. read more

Yao Yao was named as one of the Michelin's Bib Gourmand restaurants in Chicago. I had the pickled fish and spicy boiled beef (half and half) and it was HUGE. It can feed 4 people. Too much for two people unless you want to take containers of leftover food. The dish is also not cheap. The spicy boiled beef wasn't too spicy and the beef itself was really good. Nice and tender. There was a lot of beef, but not much fish that I would like to have. Be aware of the peppercorn. It numbs your tongue and it overpowers your tastebuds. It was my first time trying pickled fish and it wasn't too bad. It wasn't as sour as I thought it would be. I had the peapod leaves as a side dish and it was a nice pairing with the pickled fish and the spicy boiled beef. It helps clean your palette. For dessert, I had the oolong jelly and it was refreshing. It was topped with nuts, tapioca balls, and raisins. I'm sensitive to caffeine so I had a hard time sleeping that night because of the oolong. read more

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We ordered the Yao Yao Pickled Fish (soup) with glass noodles and tofu added, and a side of Szechuan Green Beans. The food was fantastic and PLENTIFUL! The soup for 2 is enough for 4-6 and the side of beans was a healthy portion. I can't describe all the flavors in the soup, but the garlic, ginger, pickled vegetables and spices were wonderful. I only wish you could order a smaller bowl so that you had room to try other things. The price is reasonable for the quality and volume, but we had twice the food two people could eat : ) read more

Yao Yao - Szechuan Green Beans - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Me and my hubby went last Sunday night. Not too busy so the food came out quick. We love spicy food and also can handle really spicy so, we order our pickles fish very hot. It's really good, fresh fish you can taste will visit again and try other spicy dishes read more

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The fish dish here is HUGE - definitely get it if you come here with a large group of people. I thought it was so flavorful and worth the price we paid. We also ordered the green beans and it was the best green beans I've had at a restaurant. The meat in the dish makes it so savory and delicious. Loved the interior of this restaurant as well! Everything is a bright almost Tiffany blue-like color. read more

Yao Yao - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place specializes in sour cabbage fish, a classic chinese dish! All the other things on the menu are just smaller side dishes to complement the fish. Apparently the fish is brought in fresh every morning and prepared. It comes in thinner slices and is boiled in a delicious broth; drinking the soup is so good too! We also got sausage fried rice, fried glutinous ricecakes with syrup, and dessert jelly dish. Everything tasted good and the portions were decent for the price! The interior of the place is brand new with an open kitchen concept, with a bright tiffany blue theme. I'd def come back again! read more

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You can't help but notice Yao Yao while walking down the street with their bright turquoise building. As you walk in, you'll notice the theme of turquoise throughout the interior as well. The decor was modern and super fun. For a party of 3, we ordered the two flavor pickled fish: traditional and tomato, peapod leaves, sesame crispy shrimp, spicy chicken, and brown sugar rice cake. I know this seems like a lot for 3 people, but we like a little variety in our meals, ok ok a lot of variety in this case. For the pickled fishes, I really liked the tomato fish but still enjoyed the traditional side. The fish was fresh, the broth was bursting with flavor, and the portion was great for the price. The side dishes were also good besides the sesame crispy shrimp. It wasn't crispy at all; it had too much sauce on it so it made the shrimp kind of gummy. The service was also great, even though there were tons of tables and only two wait staff. If you haven't tried pickled fish before, this is the place to dip your feet into it. You won't get any better than the fresh fish and authentic Szechuan flavors Yao Yao brings. read more

I cannot even begin to explain my excitement for this place. Chinese pickled cabbage and fish soup is such a winter comfort food that I've never seen done in Chicago, so when they opened up Yao Yao, I was so thrilled. My friend and I walked in at about 2PM on a Saturday. There were some empty tables left so we were seated immediately. I really like the ordering system on our phones -- it was super efficient when we figured out what we wanted, and we could spend time flipping through the options. We ordered the fish soup for 2 and added tofu. We're lame so we did no spice. This bowl was massive. We were so surprised when it came, and pleased that the server provided us with bowls of rice as well. Even without spice, this was delicious. The pickled cabbage was just right -- not too sour and not too salty. I'm really picky about pickled Chinese vegetables so this was a welcome sight. The fish pieces were tender and bountiful, already soaking up the broth. The soup was filled with flavor from the broth. I'm really craving it all again and it's only been a week. Please give this place some love. It's now become my go-to comfort food spot. Love it so much! read more

Yao Yao - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Somewhat authentic sour soup fish - the fish was tender and came with skin but unfortunately the fish head was deep fried... I wish the dish was served on a stove so that I can add other ingredients anytime...Also, limited add-on options (no green vegetables). Potion is on the smaller side so two people would need 3-4 add-ons or side dishes. Rice cost $2. read more

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Food-the fish is very fresh and soft. I think the taste is kinda authentic Sichuan style. We also ordered green bean, fried pork and rainbow jelly dessert. All the dishes we had were great! Service-overall it's okay. The waiters and waitresses are kinda quiet and interesting... but overall we got timely services. Environment-located in Chinatown, they have above-average environment compared to others. Super clean, complete amenities, and pretty spacious. We spent around $36 per person, and all of us were full and satisfied. read more

Yao Yao - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Probably the best 酸菜鱼 (pickled fish) I've had in and outside of China. Absolute must try. Vegetable dishes were also great. Will definitely come again. read more

Love the food and service here. Never been here so we asked the server how to order their signature fish bowl and what's included. He's very nice and patient. Server recommended the medium size for 3, but we ordered the pickle fish bowl for two, pairing with an appetizer and a vegetable dish, and that was perfect for 3 people. They checked to see how spicy we would like for the fish soup before they prepped our order, and we were served three white rice with no extra cost ! We finished with the rainbow jelly which we like a lot because it's not overly sweet. Overall good good and experience, clean environment, cute decorations/ color. Will recommend! read more

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Had great experience there last night. Food was great. The pickled fish was not overly pickled, so I loved it. We ordered the spicy beef between mild & medium spicy and it was perfect for us. The server was amazing as well, professional, responsive, and super friendly. The dinning environment is also top-notch, clean, comfortable, and modern. The price is reasonable. Four of us ordered 3 apps and 1 double-sized entree. The bill was 30-ish per person before tips. We will be back. read more

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A truly unique dining experience........the pickled fish and fatty beef was absolutely mouth watering. I've been eating Chinese food for 50 years ~ both here and abroad......and I've never had anything like it. It's not a fancy meal, don't expect a wine list and an extensive menu. Order the specialty, sit back and enjoy! I can't wait for the next time we go...... read more

Yao Yao - Pickled fish and fatty beef.....order it! - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Impeccable service, atmosphere, and (most importantly) food! I know I sound basic, but I've never had a better fried rice in my life. And the crushed cucumbers were the perfect cold dish on a hot summer day. read more

I started as such a skeptic but the pickled fish dish was incredible! Service was also amazing. There were two gentlemen (one was the manager) who made us feel so welcomed and kept our tea pot constantly full of you are looking for a warm and comforting dish to get you through this winter def check this one out. Leaving your comfort zone will pay off big time. Already planning my next night back! This place deserves the hype. read more

Yao Yao - Smallest bowl of the Yao Yao Pickled Fish. - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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So ordered some food for takeout and everything was great. I have to say, Chinatown in Chicago doesn't disappoint at all. Some seriously good food. I ordered basic chick fried rice which is pretty basic, and than the dan dan noodle. Which, this canadian is not able to handle that spice. Honesty, the noodle and everything about it was great. The spicy meat on top blew my mouth out of the water. Def had to put that off to the side. Otherwise, highly recommend this place. read more

I'm an "Old School" guy, living in a "New School" world! This brings me to Yao Yao, an exceptionally good Chinese restaurant in the heart of Chicago's Chinatown. It was packed this evening with these polite, well-dressed Gen X'ers and Z'ers. Every table had cellphones out and ready to: Scan the QR code to get a menu Order your food Pay your bill And photograph your food Please don't mistake this above assessment as this old man (me), howling at the moon, because I'm not. Tonights scenario might not be my "bag" (lord, I haven't used that word in over fifty years), but it sure works for these nice young people. Me, I prefer human interaction with eye contact and a server with personality and like holding a menu in my hands and flipping through the pages. My cell phone is for communicating only! The food here at Yao is sumptuous, and may I add, bountiful. The portions here are so huge that I dare anyone to finish any one given dish on your own. I sure couldn't do it, and I'm a ferocious eater! I ordered their pot stickers, and each one was as big as my fist. Five came, and I ate three. My orange chicken was so damn good, but we ate less than half of it. The shrimp fried rice was equally as good, but we could only eat less than half. I will definitely come back here as everything was so damn good; but only with six people. You need that many to help eat the massive amount of food they serve you! I want no leftovers and no doggie bags; only empty plates and smiles on our faces! read more

this is all you want. if you are visiting Chicago like me get on the El. if you know this dish, which you should, this place is heaven. please come to Maryland! I suggest silver spring or wheaton read more

New charming spot in town. The portions are huge and good value for money. We had the half-half fish and beef, peapod shoots (w/ thousand year eggs), fuqifeipian, and calamari, in order of how much I liked them. One thing I liked is the place looks pristine, and I was struck by how clean everything felt: from the table, to the open kitchen, to the decor. The presentation of the food also felt like a nice touch. Service was great - the server made this review from 4 to 5 stars. read more

Yao Yao - Half cabbage fish half spicy beef - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

10/10! We were surprised that this restaurant was so quiet when we dined there, because the food (especially the fish soup) just knocked it out of the park for me and the staff were attentive and friendly. Environment is also more minimalist and modern compared to other Chinese restaurants as you would expect, so it made for a pleasant dining experience. I also like that you can order through the website so people like me who are indecisive can order at their own pace. We will be back! read more

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I love this soup. Spicy pickled fish soup. I've been buying the frozen ones for a few years. Finally there is a restaurant that makes it and only one in Chicago. It is very very good. Must come try. Spicy pickled fish soup is a Sichuan part of China dish. read more

Yao Yao - Spicy pickled fish soup - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

5 stars for food, service, cleanliness, and atmosphere. For the sweet dessert, I like how it doesn't have any ice. Think it tastes better that way. Besides, they give very generous amount of jelly read more

Yao Yao - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My friend and I only ordered a picked fish dish which was more than enough for us two girls. Fish was really tasty and there are many topping options to add in the dish. read more

Yao Yao - Yao Yao Pickled Fish - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A bright, unique design stood out on the street in the middle of Chinatown in Chicago. Paired with an even more unique speciality cuisine, this place comes out strong with such tender and authentic Szechuan fish. NOTE: the menu was in exclusively chinese (they may have an English one, but shame on me for not learning my parents language) With the choices of tofu, seaweed, and veggies, the dish was large and ready to be demolished by our table. We ordered the $108 dollar dish with (I think?) 4 fishes. Cooked beautifully with delicious and authentic flavors, the downfall of our meal became more and more apparent as we finished half of the large bowl of spices and soup. They had little else to order on the menu - no other strong dishes to spend our money on, and it became tiring to continue to eat the large bowl of fish. While it was their soft opening, hopefully they can add more options to complement the fish. They also lacked any tea which was extremely disappointing for my family. I would recommend people to get a smaller size fish (if it says for 4-5 people, go for 1-2) and get more of the side dishes available to balance out your palette. A unique experience in Chinatown, and hopefully it ~spices their menu up~ and offer up something more the next time I come around. read more

I love their service, the staff are friendly and are willing to give recommendations. The fish I ordered was fresh. I walked in there without a reservation and they sat me right away. The waiter even packed my left overs. Really appreciate that. I have never had a place that will pack my food. There is street parking paid meters or a public parking lot with reasonable rates near by. read more

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The food was delicious. We got the pickled fish and the boiled beef. The whole restaurant was very cute, too. We were not sure what to get but the waiter was helpful. The double soup was huge--definitely come hungry. Be careful if you do not like chili peppers or sichuan peppercorns. I quickly removed the former from the plenty-spicy soups to avoid their spice-level increasing over time. read more

love their signature dish, the fish with pickled vegetables. usually 酸菜鱼 wouldn't be my first choice but it was very good and i'd definitely come back. very authentic and delicious and not too spicy! great to eat with a group of friends :) read more

Yao Yao - scallion pancakes - Chinese Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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So good! We tried 7 different dishes and all of them were delicious. We will definitely eat here again!

The fish and beef are awesome. Pricing is reasonable. The place is clean! What else can you ask for from a restaurant!?