What most people think of as Chinese food in the United States is vastly different from what you’d find in China. Americanized Chinese cuisine—filled with sweet sauces, deep-fried dishes, and takeout-friendly options—evolved over time due to immigration patterns, local ingredient availability, and shifting consumer preferences.
Finding authentic Chinese food in Charlotte can be a challenge, especially outside of major metropolitan hubs. But Lam’s Kitchen, located in Matthews, NC, is one of the rare spots serving traditional Cantonese and Sichuan dishes that offer a true taste of China.
The Evolution of Chinese Food in America
The origins of American Chinese food date back to the 1850s Gold Rush, when Chinese immigrants arrived in California as miners and railroad workers. Due to discriminatory laws that prevented them from owning land, many settled in Chinatowns, where they opened small businesses like laundries and restaurants.
In smaller towns, Chinese restaurant owners adapted their menus to local tastes, incorporating sweet sauces, canned fruit, and American-grown produce like tomatoes, yellow onions, and carrots—ingredients rarely found in traditional Chinese cuisine. By the 1950s and 60s, this sweeter, Westernized version of Chinese food had taken hold across the U.S., making dishes like General Tso’s chicken and orange chicken household staples.
However, with over 3.7 million Chinese residents in the U.S. today, demand for authentic Chinese cuisine has grown significantly. While large cities have embraced this trend, Charlotte’s options for truly traditional Chinese food remain limited. That’s why we were excited to try Lam’s Kitchen after reading about it in a Charlotte Observer article in 2018.
Lam’s Kitchen: A Hidden Gem in Matthews
Lam’s Kitchen is located in Matthews, NC, right across from Brace YMCA. It’s a modest, unassuming restaurant that stands out not for flashy décor, but for its menu. Unlike most Chinese restaurants in Charlotte that primarily serve Americanized versions of Chinese dishes, Lam’s specializes in authentic Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine, offering everything from dim sum to hard-to-find specialties like soup dumplings (xiaolongbao).
What We Ordered: A Dim Sum Adventure
We decided to dive into the dim sum menu to get a true taste of what Lam’s has to offer. Here’s a breakdown of what we tried:
Beancurd Sheet Roll
Just as the name suggests, this dish features a thin sheet of beancurd (tofu skin) wrapped around a flavorful pork filling. The texture was slightly chewy, but the rich, umami-packed filling made it a satisfying bite.
Beef Rice Roll
This dish consists of soft, silky rice noodle sheets wrapped around beef and mushrooms, then drizzled with a light soy sauce. The combination of tender beef and delicate rice rolls made this one of our favorites.
Century Egg & Pork Congee
Congee is a traditional Cantonese rice porridge that is simple, comforting, and incredibly versatile. This version included century egg, pork, and mushrooms, creating a deeply savory and slightly earthy flavor. Congee is a staple dish in China, especially in rural areas where it serves as an inexpensive yet nourishing meal.
A Personal Connection: In 2006, I traveled to China on a mission trip and was served plain congee by a local family who ran an underground divinity school. It was a humbling experience, and tasting Lam’s version of congee brought back memories of that trip.
Steamed Bao Buns
Bao are fluffy, steamed buns filled with savory meats and spices. We tried a couple of different variations, and each had a soft, pillowy texture with a satisfying balance of sweetness and umami.
Soup Dumplings (Xiaolongbao)
One of the main reasons we wanted to try Lam’s was for their xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings—a dish that is notoriously hard to find in Charlotte. These dumplings are filled with savory broth and meat, offering a delicious burst of flavor in every bite.
Lam’s offers two versions:
Pork and mushroom soup dumplings – Classic, rich, and deeply flavorful.
Crab and pork soup dumplings – Slightly sweeter, with a briny richness from the crab.
Both versions were fantastic, making this a must-try dish for anyone visiting Lam’s.
Squid Balls
These were steamed seafood dumplings with a soft texture and mild seafood flavor. Personally, I didn’t love them, and when I tried to get the kids to taste one, their response was, “If you didn’t like it, we’re definitely not trying it!”
Scallion Beef
Davis ordered this dish, and it was one of the highlights of the meal. The tender beef was perfectly cooked with fragrant scallions, creating a bold, savory dish with just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness.
Final Thoughts
Lam’s Kitchen is a rare find in Charlotte’s dining scene—an unassuming spot that delivers authentic Cantonese and Sichuan flavors in a city where Americanized Chinese food dominates. From delicate soup dumplings to comforting congee, each dish at Lam’s tells a story of tradition, technique, and taste. While not every dish may suit every palate, the overall experience is one that transports diners beyond takeout boxes and fortune cookies to the heart of real Chinese cuisine. Whether you’re a dim sum enthusiast or simply curious to explore something new, Lam’s Kitchen is well worth the visit.