Our Story

City Lights of China began humbly in 1987 as a basement restaurant with a mission to spread a culture we loved by blending Chinese regional cuisines and American flavors. By the 2000s our humble basement restaurant had three-hour lines, provided weekly catering to the White House, fed legislators, and served the likes of Mick Jagger, Tom Ford, as well as professional athletes, including Andre Agassi.

The dishes that DC has enjoyed for 37 years remain. Today we blend the tastes of our original chef, Chef Song, with the expertise of a new generation focused on freshness, quality, health, and consistency.  By emphasizing and elevating our ingredients, we’ve managed to ensure that the comfort food of past generations remains beloved by the modern diner.