Deep fried meaty goodness in an ooey gooey sweet sauce: sometimes General Tao chicken just HITS.
General Tao is statistically one of the most ordered Chinese restaurant dishes in North America, and Montreal is right there for the ride. Although the dish is often associated with China, that's not where it originated; General Tao chicken was popularized in the 1970s by Chinese chefs who had emigrated, mainly to Taiwan and the United States.
Though chicken still reigns supreme, today there are lots of alternate versions of General Tao to be tasted in Montreal. So whether you're craving the original of a different spin on the classic, you'll find your General Tao bliss at these Montreal restaurants.
Tong Por Resto-Reception
12242 Boulevard Laurentien, Montreal, H4K 1M9
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At Tong Por, the cavernous dining room hums with banquet-hall energy, aquariums bubbling and dim sum carts on the weekends. The menu leans classic Cantonese, but the General Tao chicken here steals the show: crisp, golden nuggets lacquered in a glossy sweet-tangy sauce that clings to every bite. It comes hot, crunchy and just sticky enough to keep you coming back.
Restaurant Kam Shing
6730 Chemin de la côte-des-Neiges, Montreal, H3S 2B2
Kam Shing is THE spot for Cantonese comfort-food classics, from the shrimp in lobster sauce to the delicious shrimp won ton soup. The deep fried dishes are all good, from lemon chicken to sesame beef and General Tao chicken. The crisp battered pieces coated in a glossy sauce sit right on that balance of crunch and candied, and the portions are generous, especially at the Côte-des-Neiges location.
East Pan Asiatique
1250 Boulevard Robert-Bourrassa, Montreal, H3B 3A8
This moody room inspired by 1930s Shanghai is a fitting spot for a big platter of General Tao. Raise a Tsingtao to the brick murals, bronze bells and warm lighting that gives the space a polished, cocktail-hour vibe, and tuck into the vegan General Tao: it swaps chicken for crisp cubes of tofu, tossed in a glossy house plum sauce and served with bok choy and jasmine rice. It's crunchy, sweet and lightly tangy, it's a satisfying plant-based twist on the classic.
Gia Ba
6538A Avenue Somerled, Montreal, H4V 1S8
Locals swear by this cozy NDG spot, a small, unfussy space that lets the tantalizing Szechuan and Taiwanese food aromas do most of the talking. The General Tao chicken is stellar, with an extra crunchy batter compared to others in town, and the tofu version delivers too; it's crispy on the outside, pillowy in the middle and perfectly glazed in the sticky sauce.
Cuisine Auntdai
1448 Rue St-Mathieu, Montreal, H3H 2H9
At Cuisine AuntDai, the General Tao chicken is often claimed as the best in town: crisp chunks of top-notch breast meat are tossed in a glossy house sauce that balances sweetness with a gentle kick of heat. Crunchy, saucy and generous in portion, it's the perfect dish to add to your order of spicy hot pepper beef and sweet potato noodles with braised pork belly. Come to the homey two-level dining room with your gang: it's warm and a little quirky, with shelves of books and round tables that encourage sharing.
Le Piment Rouge
495Avenue Beaumont, Montreal, H3N 1V4
This Parc-Extension restaurant is probably the most polished dining room in the hood, with crisp white tablecloths and a sleek modern décor that naked this Chinese dining with pinkies up. The menu leans into bold Szechuan flavours, but the General Tao chicken remains a draw because of the restaurant's glossy signature sauce. It's a refined version of the staple.
Restaurant VIP
1077 Rue Clark, Montreal, H2Z 1K3
Chinatown's Maison VIP is renowned for its General Tao, beloved by the downtown crowd after a hard day's office work. The restaurant also offers a delicious vegetarian alternative made with tofu. With generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere, Maison VIP remains a solid choice for those looking to enjoy a great Chinese meal.
Sésame
Multiple locations
Present in several cities across Quebec, Sésame restaurants stand out for their varied Asian cuisine, with General Tao taking a prominent place. The fried chicken, or tempura tofu for vegetarians, is coated in a sweet and slightly spicy sauce, served with sautéed vegetables and rice. Sésame also offers creative variations like Tao poutine and baos.
Wing Phat
4201 Rue Jarry E, Montreal, H1R 1W9
Located in Saint-Léonard, Wing Phat is known for its various General Tao offerings. Whether you choose fried chicken or tofu, each version is coated in the signature sweet and spicy sauce. While at this BYOB restaurant, make sure you try the fried rice, the whole fried fish, the salt and pepper shrimp… consider it a fry-fest!
Le Petit Coin Dumpling
1201 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, H2J 2J8
A dumpling joint for General Tao? Sure: this Plateau-Mont-Royal spot is a gem that offers General Tao as one of its only non-dumpling options. This dish, served with perfectly cooked rice, offers a delicious contrast between the crispy fried chicken and the tenderness of the grain. This humble eatery puts all the focus on the quality of its dishes, as evidenced by its thousands of positive online reviews. It's the perfect spot for a simple and flavourful meal.
Biru Biru
2170 Rue Ste-Catherine O, Montreal, H3H 1M7
Biru Biru is a popular Japanese izakaya downtown for its diverse all-you-can-eat menu. Among the many dishes offered, the General Tao stands out with its crispy fried chicken, coated in a perfectly seasoned sweet and spicy sauce. With its wide selection of sushi, skewers and dumplings, this restaurant is ideal for a group with diverse tastes looking to explore different flavours.
P.F. Changs
3035 Boulevard Le Carrefour, Laval, H7T 1C8
P.F. Changs, a renowned international chain, offers its Chang's Chicken in Laval, a reimagined version of General Tao. This dish, lightly breaded and sautéed, is coated in a sweet and spicy sauce that delights fans of contrasting flavours. The restaurant also offers several gluten-free options, a rarity for Chinese restaurants. Other specialties include mapo tofu, Mongolian beef and fried rice and Pad Thai.
Sawadika Festin Thailandais
1800 Boulevard de la Côte-Vertu, Montreal, H4L 2A6
In Ville Saint-Laurent, Sawadika Festin Thailandais skillfully marries Thai and Szechuan cuisines in an all-you-can-eat menu. The crispy Thai General chicken, served with a sweet and spicy sauce, stands out among the many dishes offered. This BYOB restaurant is perfect for sharing a generous meal in a warm atmosphere. Enjoy over 60 delicious options, available à la carte or for takeout.
Birdhouse Wingerie & Bar
63 Boulevard Brunswick, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, H9B 2N4
Birdhouse Wingerie & Bar in DDO is known for its chicken, and its General Tao is no exception. Marinated in buttermilk and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, this dish is a must-try. With its relaxed atmosphere and generous portions, this restaurant has quickly become THE go-to spot for chicken lovers in Montreal.
Banh Mi Madame Ly
766 Rue Beaubien E, Montreal, H2S 1S7
This small restaurant near Beaubien metro station is known for its crispy General Tao chicken, served with a sweet and slightly spicy sauce. Available with rice or vermicelli, this dish has won over many customers, as evidenced by its more than 4,000 online reviews. This BYOB restaurant also offers free delivery service, making the experience even more accessible. Don't leave without grabbing a couple of banh mi sandwiches for later.
Asiana
121 Rue St-Charles O, Vieux Longueuil, J4H 1C7
In Vieux-Longueuil, Asiana is a must-visit spot to enjoy a delicious General Tao as well as Thai and Szechuan specialties. The fried chicken, coated in a sweet and subtly spicy sauce, is available à la carte or as part of a combo menu. The generous portions and attentive service make Asiana a favourite among Asian cuisine lovers on the South Shore.
Kyomi
7660 Boulevard Newman, Montreal, H8N 1X8
With locations in Lasalle and Pont Viau, Kyomi is much more than a simple Asian restaurant. Known for its General Tao, made with tender chicken fillet coated in a tangy-sweet sauce, it stands out for the complexity of its flavours. The experience at Kyomi goes beyond the meal: the changing lighting, artwork and zen ambiance create an immersive atmosphere. It's a place where gastronomy and art meet for a sensory delight.
Pho Fleury
1031 Rue Fleury E, Montreal, H2C 1P8
The Vietnamese restaurant Pho Fleury, located in Ahuntsic-Cartierville, offers a General Tao that everyone loves. Made with breaded lean white chicken meat and coated in a sweet and spicy sauce, this dish is served in generous portions. With thousands of orders on delivery platforms and warm service, Pho Fleury has become a neighbourhood staple.
Le Mekong
921 Avenue Mont-Royal E, Montreal, H2J 1X3
Le Mekong on the Plateau offers a unique version of General Tao, where fried chicken is paired with a sweet and spicy sauce, enhanced with sriracha and crispy taro. Inspired by Southeast Asian culinary traditions, the restaurant provides a warm vibe and a wide-ranging menu, from seafood (try the crispy seabass with spicy tamarind sauce) to vegetarian dishes (the fried rice with grilled pineapple is bomb).
With their varieties of protein and sauces that range from sweeter to spicier or even fruitier, there's a General Tao for everyone in Montréal. For more Asian delights, read our mouthwatering list here.
