Another qualifier: I was born and raised in the Seattle area. I've never been to China. I can't speak with any authority on the subject of "authentic" Chinese food. I like what I like. I have spent many happy hours in Chinese restaurants with friends who are Chinese; first-generation from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia. What little knowledge I have (outside of what my tastebuds crave) I owe to them. Selective List with my reviews:
I don't have one favorite Chinese restaurant; there are various dishes which I find mouth-watering at various restaurants. I don't tend to order "standard" or "traditional" Chinese dishes (e.g. almond chicken, sweet & sour pork, General Tso's chicken). So when I'm recommending a restaurant here, I can't speak for those types of items. I get stuck in my own ruts, and should branch out to other dishes, and additional restaurants.
Ho Ho Seafoods (International District): When you want to splurge on seafood. Pan-fried salt & pepper prawns are seared in the shell with plenty of salt and jalepenos--the flavor is incredible, although I still can't bring myself to eat the head, tail, or legs (I know, I know, I'm missing the best part, but at least I leave the shell on the body); whole crab stir-fried with ginger and green onion, or with black bean sauce (Ho Ho has two different methods of preparing their crabs; try to figure out which one either deep-fries or maybe lightly breads the crab rather than merely tossing it in the wok with the spices--the former method will have you chewing on the shell, it's so good, although the other method is nothing to sneeze at either). This place also has my favorite version of eggplant, either with pork or tofu, both are silky and rich. Whole fish presentations are terrific, too. And they know what they're doing with abalone (or at least they did about 6 years ago when I could last afford it).
Shanghai Garden (International District): The hand-shaved noodles have a great texture (all the noodle dishes I've tried are under-flavored, but as long as I'm generous with the hot chili sauce, I come away very happy with them); the happy roll is very good, the pea-vines are very good, there are some interesting dishes with soybeans. Get the meat dumpling appetizer (soupy buns). The salt & pepper fried bean curd roll is great. An entire meal from this place can be on the bland side, but I admit I have been eating almost solely the vegetarian options. I think the place deserves its accolades.
Doong Kong Lau (on Aurora, I think at 97th, just south of Larry's Market & Oak Tree Cinemas): Long beans stir-fried with garlic and preserved cabbage (head & shoulders above the Wild Ginger version, in my opinion); call 24 hours in advance to order a whole mochi-stuffed duck (de-boned except for the legs, stuffed with mochi, vegetables, and Chinese sausage, then the whole thing is cooked in a vat of boiling oil. It's even better the next day, and you WILL have leftovers); salt-baked chicken which comes with a incredibly delicious condiment (a paste made from garlic, ginger, and salt); sizzling oyster platter. They have very good scallion pancakes. On the weekends they make their own fresh soymilk. I had their dim sum once and it did not make an impression, but I've heard good things about it and want to try again. UPDATE: last time we went --Father's Day Weekend, 2001-- the food was just as delicious but the portions had been reduced by at least half. Very disappointing development, but if it helps them out financially, then anything to keep them in business! Skip the Pan Fried Look Fun with Beef; it was boring. Don't miss their eggplant with tofu from the vegetarian menu, it's really really delicious.
168 Restaurant (in Great Wall Mall in Kent, near Ikea): Sponge Gourd! delicate flavor which tastes exactly like the shade of green that it is; nifty bread-like options (scallion pancakes, and the delicious coils of Mystery Bread which Matthew Amster-Burton discusses on his website); more pea-vines. English is truly the second language; I've ordered several delicious things completely inadvertantly so I can't list them here. It's a good idea to point CLEARLY at dishes going by or being served on other tables. UPDATE 2001: After a sign posted for months saying that they were under construction, 168 finally gave up the ghost and closed for good. I am crushed. Someone find me some sponge gourd, quick! I also require a new source for the bread coils.
Noble Court (in Bellevue: near 164th & 140th NE): Freshest, most varied dim sum. The Seattle-area favorite by clear consensus amongst my Chinese friends, regardless of their background. (First runner up for dim sum: Top Gun in the International District.)