Northern Cuisine is a Chinese restaurant at 404 E Green St, Champaign, IL 61820, offering a welcoming dining experience for guests seeking satisfying food in a casual, cozy setting. With a strong customer rating of 4.80 out of 5 based on 796 reviews, the restaurant has earned positive recognition from the people it serves.
Whether you are stopping in for lunch, enjoying dinner, meeting someone for a relaxed meal, or dining on your own, Northern Cuisine provides a comfortable place to enjoy Chinese cuisine with attentive table service and convenient seating.
The menu includes comforting favorites, small plates, and vegetarian options, giving diners a range of choices for different appetites and preferences. Guests can enjoy their meals in the restaurant, choose takeaway, or have food delivered through delivery and no-contact delivery options.
Lunch, dinner, and dessert are all part of the experience, making Northern Cuisine a convenient choice for a full meal, a lighter selection of small plates, or something sweet to finish.
Northern Cuisine is designed with accessibility and comfort in mind. The restaurant provides a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet, along with gender-neutral toilets and restroom facilities. Payments are convenient, with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
To learn more or place an order, call +1 217-607-1299, or visit Northern Cuisine at 404 E Green St in Champaign.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Northern Cuisine
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Soft tofu cubes tossed with fresh scallions and cilantro, lightly seasoned for a refreshing and light appetizer.
Crisp celtuce slices dressed in sesame oil, garnished with red pepper strips.
Crisp cucumber and bean curd strips tossed with carrots, red onions, cilantro, and sesame seeds in a spicy chili vinaigrette.
Thin rice noodles topped with shredded pork, fresh cucumber strips, and garnished with cilantro.
Shredded chicken mixed with scallion oil, fresh cilantro, and cucumber.
Hand-shredded chicken and cucumber dressed in a bold and spicy chili sauce, offering a vibrant and zesty taste experience.
Tender bone-in chicken mixed with house sauce, garnished with fresh herbs and crunchy peanuts.
Deep-fried strips of wheat flour dough, typically golden-brown and crispy. Popular in various East and Southeast Asian cuisines.
Deep-fried spring rolls typically filled with assorted vegetables, wrapped in a crispy shell. Three pieces per order.
Crispy fried egg rolls typically filled with a mix of vegetables and meat.
Handmade Chinese dumplings with a hearty skin, filled with ground pork and vegetables, deep-fried until crispy. Served in six pieces.
Tender pork slices coated in a crispy batter, drizzled with a sweet and sour glaze, garnished with thinly sliced green onions.
Tender pork liver stir-fried with bell peppers, onions, and garlic in a savory sauce.
Wok-fried pork liver and intestine with a blend of spices, typically served with a savory sauce.
Wide rice noodles topped with savory minced meat, surrounded by fresh cucumber, carrot sticks, wood ear mushrooms, omelette strips, and cilantro.
Tender chicken pieces and mushrooms simmered in a savory broth, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Tender chicken pieces cooked with green peppers, potatoes, and chili peppers, served with broad noodles in a savory, mildly spicy sauce.
Tender wok-fried beef tongue paired with sliced long peppers.
Tender croaker fish simmered with tofu, quail eggs, and chili peppers in a rich, savory sauce.
Crispy breaded tilapia topped with a vibrant sweet and sour sauce, garnished with peas, carrots, and pine nuts.
Soft, fried Japanese tofu typically includes salted egg yolk, creating a savory and rich flavor.
Fried crispy prawns typically seasoned with garlic and spices, creating a crunchy texture and aromatic flavor.
Breaded prawns cooked in a savory sauce with shredded ginger and Chinese rice vinegar, offering a sweet and sour flavor.
A mix of stir-fried eggplant, green bell peppers, and potatoes in a savory sauce.
Tender pork strips with wok-fried bean curd and long peppers, seasoned with savory spices.
Tender wok-fried pork strips in a rich bean sauce, accompanied by delicate tofu wraps, garnished with fresh green onions and sesame seeds.
Tender braised pork belly paired with tofu puffs, simmered in a rich, savory sauce.
Tender pork belly and tangy sauerkraut in a savory broth, complemented by tofu cubes and garnished with fresh cilantro.
Tender pork backbone simmered with tangy sauerkraut and glass noodles in a savory broth.
Braised pork bones in a spicy, savory sauce, typically featuring aromatic spices and seasonings for a rich and bold flavor.
Tender pork bones marinated in a blend of spices, cooked to perfection, and garnished with fresh cilantro.
Tender pork slices cooked with green beans, eggplant, and squash in a savory casserole.
Crispy diced chicken stir-fried with dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns for a classic spicy kick.
Tender beef slices wok-fried with fresh cilantro and chili peppers.
Tender slices of fatty beef immersed in a rich golden chili broth, garnished with chopped scallions and red chili peppers.
Sliced beef tenderloin and soft tofu in a spicy Szechuan chili broth.
Tender fish fillets in spicy sauce. Choose between Tilapia or Snakehead fish fillets (+$6).
Tender pork belly stir-fried with scrambled eggs, long peppers, and a mix of vegetables.
Soft tofu in a spicy Szechuan chili bean paste sauce.
Wok-fried beef tenderloin typically includes cumin, green peppers, and onions, stir-fried to perfection.
Stir-fried diced chicken with long peppers and hot chili for a spicy kick.
Stir-fried pork belly and pork liver with long pepper and celery, featuring bold and spicy Szechuan flavors.
Stir-fried chicken gizzards with long peppers and hot chili, typically featuring a spicy kick from Szechuan peppercorns and dried red chilies.
Boiled duck blood, tripe, pork intestine, and ham in a spicy chili broth with traditional Szechuan flavors.
Diced chicken stir-fried with peanuts, celery, and spicy bean sauce.
Tender chicken pieces stir-fried with crisp celery, crunchy cashews, and diced carrots.
Wok-fried bone-in chicken seasoned with cumin, garnished with fresh cilantro and green chili peppers.
Wok-fried bone-in chicken coated in a sweet chili sauce, typically includes a mix of vegetables.
Tender pork strips stir-fried with vibrant green long peppers, seasoned with a savory blend of Asian spices.
Tender pork strips stir-fried with green beans, red bell peppers, and savory tofu, seasoned in a flavorful sauce.
Crispy pork belly pieces with pineapple chunks in a sweet and sour sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and mixed bell peppers.
Wok-fried pork intestine and long pepper, traditionally prepared with a blend of spices for a distinctive taste.
Tender stewed pork belly with vermicelli, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Wok-fried pork intestine and tea tree mushrooms, typically includes a mix of aromatic herbs and spices, stir-fried to create a savory dish.
Wok-fried crispy pork intestines with dry chilies and spices. Typically includes garlic and soy sauce for a spicy and savory homestyle stir-fry.
Tender beef tongue stir-fried with tea tree mushrooms, red chili peppers, and fresh vegetables.
Crispy Chinese cauliflower stir-fried with savory cured pork belly, combined with vibrant bell peppers and green onions.
Crisp Chinese cauliflower stir-fried with long pepper, red chilies, and savory pork belly slices.
Soft tofu typically combined with salted egg yolk, creating a creamy and savory homestyle stir-fry dish.
Sautéed tender beef strips with crisp bell peppers and onions, coated in a savory black pepper sauce.
Tender beef slices stir-fried with scallions and onions, creating a savory and aromatic dish.
Tender beef brisket and hearty potatoes in a savory sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Braised beef with tomatoes typically includes slow-cooked beef brisket, fresh tomatoes, carrots, onions, and ginger, creating a hearty and comforting dish.
Tender beef brisket and bean curd simmered in a rich, savory sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Sautéed fatty beef with a robust blend of chili peppers and traditional spices, served in a dry pot, embodying a bold, spicy flavor profile.
Tender fatty beef stir-fried with assorted mushrooms, lotus root, and bell peppers, garnished with dried chili peppers and cilantro.
Chicken wings stir-fried with lotus root, dried chili peppers, and green onions, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Chicken wings and assorted mushrooms stir-fried in a spicy sauce, served in a dry pot, embodying a rich blend of textures and flavors.
Juicy prawns stir-fried with bell peppers, onions, and lotus root, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds, in a spicy dry pot sauce.
Prawns and a variety of mushrooms are stir-fried in a spicy sauce, served in a dry pot.
Tender lamb neck bones stir-fried with mushrooms, potatoes, and a spicy sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro and sesame seeds.
Tender lamb neck bones stir-fried with cumin and garnished with green chili slices and sesame seeds.
Whole croaker braised in a savory sauce, typically includes garlic and shiitake mushrooms.
Whole croaker braised with chili, featuring a rich sauce with diced red and green peppers, and aromatic spices.
Wok-fried pork in garlic chili sauce: Shredded pork, julienne carrots, bamboo shoots, black fungus, and green peppers in a spicy garlic chili sauce.
Napa cabbage is thinly sliced and dressed in a light vinaigrette, often accompanied by hints of garlic and sesame for a refreshing taste.
Napa cabbage and dry prawn are stir-fried, typically including garlic and a light savory sauce.
Julienned potatoes tossed in a light vinaigrette, typically includes a balance of tangy vinegar and subtle spices.
Julienned potatoes stir-fried with long peppers, typically seasoned with a blend of spices to enhance the natural flavors of the vegetables.
Fresh spinach stir-fried with a hint of garlic, following a traditional Asian cooking technique.
Fresh spinach sautéed with minced garlic, typically prepared with a light touch to retain the spinach's natural texture.
Sautéed celtuce, typically prepared with garlic and light seasoning, offering a delicate and crisp texture.
Celtuce stir-fried with minced garlic.
Wok-fried eggplant typically includes garlic and chili sauce, creating a tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor profile.
Crispy green beans stir-fried with dried red chilies and minced garlic.
Scrambled eggs gently mixed with fresh tomatoes, typically stir-fried, offering a simple yet classic dish.
Hand-torn cabbage and pork belly are stir-fried and coated in a robust chili sauce, typically including a mix of spices to enhance the flavors.
A vibrant mix of shrimp, diced vegetables, egg, and barbecued pork stir-fried with rice.
Scrambled eggs with tomatoes, served over noodles, garnished with chopped green onions.
Tender pork, napa cabbage, mushroom-filled dumplings. Sauce options: Soy, Vinegar, Chili Oil, or no sauce.
Pork with chive and shrimp dumplings. Choice of soy sauce, vinegar, or chili oil. No sauce option available.
Whisked eggs gently poured into a simmering broth with fresh tomatoes, creating a comforting soup.
Dried seaweed and gently whisked eggs in a clear broth, typically includes hints of green onions for garnish.
Tender pork ribs, sweet corn, and carrot pieces in a light broth.
A hearty mix of vegetables and dough drops in a savory broth, garnished with fresh herbs.
Stir-fried diced chicken with peanuts, bell peppers, and dried chili peppers in a spicy sauce.
Shredded pork stir-fried with green and red peppers, black mushrooms, and bamboo shoots in a spicy garlic sauce.
Stir-fried sliced beef with scallions and onions in a spicy Mongolian sauce.
Stir-fried beef with scallions, typically includes onions and ginger, cooked in a savory brown sauce.
Stir-fried eggplant in a spicy garlic sauce, typically includes green peppers and onions.
Tender fried beef stir-fried with onions and bell peppers in a savory black pepper sauce.
The cold, refreshing, sparkling classic that America loves.
A crisp, refreshing taste you know and love with zero calories.
The cold, refreshing flavors of lemon and lime, perfectly blended.
Vita lemon tea is a refreshing beverage blending lemon flavors with tea, typically served chilled.
Herbal tea traditionally sweetened, incorporating a blend of Chinese herbs known for their refreshing and soothing properties.
A refreshing black tea, sweetened to perfection, served chilled.
A refreshing beverage, typically featuring a blend of green tea leaves, offering a smooth and subtle taste.
Arctic Ocean Orange Soda: Refreshing orange-flavored soda.
Sweetened milk traditionally enjoyed for its creamy texture and comforting taste, often associated with childhood memories.
Choose from a selection of Asian entrees paired with a drink or soup and rice. Entrees include tofu, chicken, pork, and vegetables with varying spices and sauces.
Choice of appetizer and main entree paired with rice. Appetizers include tofu salad and pork salad. Main dishes vary from Mapo Tofu to Kung Pao Chicken and more.
Appetizer, entree, drink, and rice combo. Choose from diverse salads, flavorful entrees, and refreshing sodas like Coke or Vita Lemon Tea. Customized Asian lunch experience.
Steamed white rice, typically served plain as a staple side dish. / 米饭 （堂吃）: 精选高级寿司米。
Steamed white rice, typically served as a standalone dish for takeout.
Hear from our valued guests
This mao xue wang was so good. Super flavorful and actually spicy in a good way. I liked how much chili and garlic they put on top. Definitely one of the best dishes here.
We stopped by UIUC, where my son-in-law is studying, and went to Northern Cuisine for an early dinner. We ordered the dish that made the NYT’s Best Foods of 2025 list, along with two other items, and got to enjoy some real Sichuan flavors for the first time in a while. The food was great and the portions were generous, so everyone in the family felt happy and well-fed. I did find myself wondering whether the chef was from mainland China or Taiwan, but I didn’t bother asking. At the end of the day, what really matters in a restaurant is the food and the service. I used to travel a lot to both mainland China and Taiwan for business and grew pretty fond of Chinese food back then, so it was nice to enjoy a really good meal again after such a long time. The only downside was that I had to drive, so I couldn’t wash it down with a glass of gaoliangjiu(高梁酒).
One of the best mapo tofu I’ve had. The tofu is super soft and the sauce is rich and spicy. You get that nice Sichuan pepper. I would definitely come back for this.
Our go-to place for Northern Chinese food. Flavors are spot-on and you can find a lot of authentic dishes here! Fresh ingredients and very good taste. The beef tongue dish is extremely good.
We really enjoyed our lunch at Northern Cuisine. We had four main dishes and they were all delicious. The best one was probably the croaker fish. It was so good only remember to take a picture after we were almost done. The second best was a tie between the pork intestines and the eggplant. The pork intestines were spicy and delicious, fried just roght. The eggplants were perfectly fried with honey based sauce (very sweet). We also had the chicken cashew with celery and carrots that was very good but not as special as the other dishes. It's not out first time at Northern Cuisine and we will return there!
The food was really delicious and came fairly quick. The service was great as well. Would definitely recommend trying it. The portions and pricing were also decent. I turned my meal into 2 meals for about $17. Starting from the bottom my family had: Chicken with long peppers (my favorite), Northern Kung Pao chicken, Eggplant in garlic sauce, and Dry Chili Chicken (second favorite)
We absolutely love Northern Cuisine! The food is incredibly authentic and full of flavor—it really reminds us of true Northern-style dishes you don’t easily find elsewhere. Every dish we’ve tried has been delicious and consistently well-prepared. We make it a point to come here whenever we visit our son at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and it’s become one of our favorite spots in the area. The restaurant is almost always full, which says a lot about how good it is! If you’re looking for authentic cuisine and a place that locals clearly love, this is definitely a must-visit.
What a remarkable place. The Chinese restaurant scene around UIUC is astonishing. This is a more upscale place relative to more student centered restaurants. The quality is impeccable and you can taste the care given to every dish. I had a cucumber salad with bean curd, mushrooms, cilantro, and peanuts in a delicious chili sauce. Couldn’t stop eating it. For an entree pork ribs that were fall off the bone tender accompanied by eggplant. Will go back to this place in a heartbeat to try more of the menu.
(OVERALL RATING 9.2 / 10) On August 8, 2026, I visited Northern Cuisine on Green Street in Campus-town. The establishment is tucked away nicely on Green Street; you can miss the entrance if you’re not careful. Upon entering, the music plays both Asian (Tradition Asian) and American (Lady Gaga) music; it is not loud and sets off a good afternoon vibe. The floors and tables were clean. Both bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The lighting for each table is interesting; there is a beam of soft life that goes toward the table rather than out. This allows there to be lighting, but not blinding light . We thought this was a nice touch. As far as food: we had 2 black hot teas, which came in a nice size mug. The Scallion pancakes were light, thin, crunchy, and most importantly, not oily. Soft tofu and scallion salad had nutty flavor which was very delicious. The Crispy pork sweet and sour was flavorful; almost like a pork rind texture. The Salted egg yolk with Japanese tofu was light, buttery, soft and juicy; it was excellent. I feel it is important to note that the portions are very large. The reason I came here was someone mentioned to me that this was a traditional restaurant; not Americanized false food flavors. In looking through their fabulous traditional dishes, there was one page in the very back that gave approximately 7 Americanized dishes (Ex: General Tso, Sweet and Sour Chicken). When I saw this, I knew I was in a traditional Asian restaurant. I normally do not rate restaurants this high, but I am giving Northern Cuisine a 9.1 out of 10. The establishment cooks with fresh ingredients which makes quality food. As always, I have attached photos for your review, and the receipt showing proof of purchase.
The dishes were excellent. They were some of the best Chinese food I have had. Everything was flavorful and well-prepared. The waitress was friendly, attentive, and provided great service. The prices were also very reasonable for the quality of the food. The only downside was the parking. It was difficult to find a nearby parking spot, which made getting to the restaurant a bit inconvenient. Other than that, it was a great dining experience, and I would definitely return.
Common questions about Northern Cuisine
Northern Cuisine is located at 404 E Green St, Champaign, IL 61820, IL 61820, United States.
You can reach Northern Cuisine by calling +1 217-607-1299.
Northern Cuisine has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 796 customer reviews.
Northern Cuisine features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Northern Cuisine features the following from the business: Identifies as Asian-owned.
Northern Cuisine features the following service options: No-contact delivery, Delivery, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Northern Cuisine features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Northern Cuisine features the following offerings: Comfort food, Small plates, Vegetarian options.
Northern Cuisine features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Northern Cuisine features the following amenities: Gender-neutral toilets, Restroom.
Northern Cuisine features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy.
Northern Cuisine features the following crowd: Groups.
Northern Cuisine features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Northern Cuisine features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs.
Northern Cuisine features the following parking: Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
Business Features
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