Best Chinese food in SOCAL ??
Category: Food
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02/12/2007
Robert "one of the Borg" D. says:
I've b een here 4 years or so and still have not found any Chinese that I would go back for a second time. Is there such an animal in San Diego ? I live in Encinitas but will always travel (a little) for the best. It's a damn shame when the best Chinese I've had here was at P.F. Changs !
02/12/2007
Sarah L. says:
Well, what places haven't hit the mark in your opinion? ie. what places near encinitas should I avoid?
02/12/2007
Robert "one of the Borg" D. says:
Honestly, when something doesn't impress me I don't waste memory space to remember the details. There is the place on Leucadia and Vulcan that also serves Italian (!) that pretty much sucks. A place I went to in Del Mar that totally bites. Sorry I can't remember the names -- but that's the point -- there is no obvious great Chinese (that I know of) here. If you say Mexican, there will be 50 replies -- El Indio, Fidel's, etc. But -- Chinese ?? Nothing I know of. I think maybe San DIego is just not a Mecca for Chinese like some other city's (San Francisco, Orlando, etc.) -- but there HAS to be somewhere that is stellar. Just one place ???
This is probably another string, but there is also no great Indian food here -- but I came from a place where there is 2000 great Indian restaurants, so I'm definitely picky. Once comment though -- there is supposed to be some place off La Jolla Village Drive East of the 405 )The street name changes to something else here) that has great Indian. Some Street name where there is a bunch of them. Can't remember the name but I could drive there.
02/12/2007
This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.
02/12/2007
Sarah L. says:
I work & basically live in Enc and have yet to find a good Chinese place. The only place i've had is Chin's on Enc. Blvd. I can't remember if it was any good though... Guess that kinda speaks volumes.
02/12/2007
Robert "one of the Borg" D. says:
How about ANYWHERE in SOCAL that is awesome Chinese ?? Should we just close this book and get Mexican ?
02/13/2007
christine l. says:
Hah. If you ever venture near Cerritos (hop on the 5 north for 60 miles or so, get off on the 91w, exit valley view, make a right on valley view, make a left on orangethorpe, and make a right into the ralphs plaza), there's a place called KING DRAGON. They're Korean owned, but I swear, they have the best Chinese food I've ever had.
02/13/2007
Robert "Gay Guerrilla Gardener" H. says:
There is no good chinese food in San diego. If you want good chinese food, you will need to drive up to LA County. The San Gabriel Valley has the best chinese restaurants in the country. The only problem is some of wiaters may not understand English so you'll have to know what you're ordering, or point at the meals of neighboring tables that catch your eye and tell the waiter you want to order it.
02/21/2007
tiffany l. says:
Theres a place over in poway called city dragon that i've been to a couple times that makes some good chinese. Family recipes but there style is more like Pick up stix [made to order rather than sit down]. I've tried there orange beef and mushu wraps which were pretty good. & they have lunch combos and dinner combos that come in good portions that are a little cheaper than pick up stix across the street too.
02/21/2007
tiffany l. says:
o yah to be sure its the city dragon in poway not the one listed in el cajon.
02/22/2007
Jamie "Lia's Dad" J. says:
My favorite in SD is China Camp near the airport. Just look for a big pink building and you're there. Go for the Hunan Beef and Honey Walnut Shrimp. As Rachel Ray would say, "YUM-O"
02/25/2007
Jim H. says:
China Max...the sweet and punget chicken rocks!
02/25/2007
This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.
02/26/2007
Eric L. says:
Try Spicy City in Clairemont. Szechwan style.
02/26/2007
Bony "The Logical Realist" M. says:
For Chinese food in SD county area just check out Mongolian Wok Clairemont area or Fugu's in La Jolla. San Diego would not have the most authentic since there really isn't much of a big Chinese community compared to out in LA area.
In terms of more authentic Chinese food you would need to travel out to LA county. Chinatown for sure. However, if you go out to San Gabriel, Monterey Park those where you would hardly see any non-Asian person there has great Chinese food & dim sum.
02/27/2007
Jamie "Lia's Dad" J. says:
Definitely Monterey Park! When I lived in San Diego, I used to make the drive up there to get some great dim sum at Ocean. The surrounding area has tons of great restaurants and such, although if you're looking for shopping and a bigger selection of restaurants, Chinatown is your better bet.
As a side note, I believe there's a Beard Papa's near Monterey Park. You DEFINITELY have to drop by there!
02/28/2007
Erin N. says:
If you're talking about San Diego, no one has mentioned Emerald for Dim Sum! Come on people!
03/01/2007
Eric L. says:
I like Jasmine for Dim Sum in SD... is Emerald better?
03/01/2007
Warren "TANSTAAFL" W. says:
I recently discovered Hsu's Szechuwan in Claremont Mesa. It's on the corner of Claremont Mesa and Ruffin Road, behind the Wells Fargo and the Boll Weevil. Small place, but great food. Well-proportioned sizes for lunch menu. Overall, good Americanized Chinese food.
Of course, the one "Chinese" dish that I've yet to find done well (if even offered at all) in SD is General Tzao's Chicken. Yeah, I know, it's a New York City creation, but I still want to find a good version of it here in town!
05/02/2007
Steph "Stefka" L. says:
Okay, of COURSE there isn't stellar Chinese food in San Diego. There just aren't really that many Chinese people here, compared to say, LA, Irvine, or Cupertino. I have eaten Chinese food all over the world and I personally like Rendezvous, Dumpling Inn, P.F. Chang's, Emerald Restaurant, Jasmine, and China Max. Good luck!
05/02/2007
Ben P. says:
Pearl Garden is the best for Dim Sum with Emerald a close second (same owner). I've also heard that Hong Kong Restaurant is one of the best. Never been there myself though.
05/03/2007
Ian "hater" C. says:
i like jim homs in spring valley...not that's old school
05/03/2007
David "sad as a tub of ice cream on a Saturday night" V. says:
OMG! Yes! How could I forget about Jim Hom's!? It really is the best around here. Not the most chic, but it has definitely earned its reputation for great Cantonese. It's the little red building at the top of the hill that Jamacha was built on. To be exact:
9330 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91977
Other than that, however, I suspect that China Camp near the SD airport is as good as it gets.
05/03/2007
Joey "pa pa pa POW" L. says:
Moved from NY almost 12 years ago, I feel your pain. My sister used to live in Encinitas, the best Chinese we could find was "Double Happiness" linked here:
http://www.doublehappi...
If you still want more, you probably have to hit Convoy in Kearny Mesa. My favorite is "Dumpling Inn".
05/03/2007
Philip L. says:
I guess it comes down to preference, somewhat. I happen to love that little place on Leucadia (that also serves Italian). I'd rather go there than PF Changs. What about Sam Woo in the 99 Ranch Market in Clairemont? As for the Indian food, check out all the Indian restaurants on Black Mountain Road and just north of Miramar - Surati Farsan, Ashoka, Madras Cafe, Ker, Indian-Asian Buffet. Those are the main ones.
05/03/2007
brooke f. says:
I'm not a fan of Chinese food, but I always hear people rave about Panda Inn (at the top of Horton Plaza).
05/15/2007
Alban "Pandaren Brewmaster" N. says:
Try Pearl in Ranch Bernardo area... (i THINK thats close), decent dim sum right there from a China Town, SF native.
05/15/2007
Ray O. says:
Personally, I like Golden City on Kearny Villa Rd off of Clairemont. I've also enjoyed Jasmine, China Max and Sam Woo (more for takeout). If all you've tried are those dooky places in Encinitas, it's no wonder you haven't found anything you like; there are so many places in SD in the Convoy area that you are bound to find one you like. To an extent it is a matter of taste, but from what I have seen the most commonly praised are Emerald and Jasmine (but I could be wrong).
05/15/2007
sam k. says:
I'd like to add Shanghai City on Convoy to this list. But yeah, I also think whether you like or dislike SD's Chinese food has a lot to do with personal taste.
Currently, I am fascinated by Hong Kong-style cafes (
http://en.wikipedia.or...). There are a few of these up in the Bay Area ... but as far as I know, none in SD, unless anyone cares to elaborate.
05/15/2007
Steph "Stefka" L. says:
I don't think there's anything in SD that you could solidly put into the Hong Kong style cafe category. And I'd also have to agree on Shanghai City being good. It really depends on what *style* of Chinese food you're looking for. There are many, many variations depending on the province the dishes are from.
What kinds of dishes do you like? That's a start, I guess -- then we can narrow it down from there. Also, if you don't like greasy food, then Chinese food probably just really isn't for you, because as far as I know, most of it is greasy. Especially Cantonese dishes and dim sum.
05/15/2007
Robert "one of the Borg" D. says:
To answer your question Steph, I love spicy food -- but well made with good ingredients. As an example of what I call good -- my favorite all time Chinese Restaurant is The House of Nanking on Kearney in San Francisco. I have not found better -- and I'll be eating there tomorrow night if I can get a table.
05/16/2007
Al "Carabao Rodeo Clown" V. says:
Imperial Mandarin in Kearny Mesa off Convoy. Everything else is crap, PF Changs and Panda Express.
05/16/2007
Mark M. says:
Monterey Park or Rowland Heights is where you will find the authentic Chinese food here in socal. As for me, I'm partial to Sam Wu, in the 99 Ranch Market on Clairemont.
05/16/2007
Tinny S. says:
I recommend Ba Ren. They are a sichuan restaurant with really good authentic spicy dishes. I heard Dede's Teajuice City is good as well.
05/19/2007
This post was removed because the yelper who wrote it has violated the Yelp Terms of Service and is no longer a registered yelper.
05/19/2007
Dylan O. says:
Chinese Food an Donuts on El Cajon Blvd. (duh)
06/16/2007
Dani R. says:
Chins Szechaun is my favorite Chinese in North County. Haven't been there in forever, but it used to be really good.
06/16/2007
Denise L. says:
try China Inn in PB
06/16/2007
Caroline "Admires Obama" B. says:
Hey Robert,
I grew up next door to a Chinese American family, the Homs. Tom Hom (the dad) used to be the Assemblyman for California and he and his wife were instrumental in creating the Gaslamp area downtown.
A couple of years ago, Dorothy Hom (Tom's wife) died. The family held her memorial dinner at a place I've recently reviewed, The Emerald (something or other....my mind has just blanked...you'll see it though in my more recent reviews).
Note: His adult children (big Chinese food lovers) tell me it has the best Chinese food in SD.
I also attended a Chinese Historical Society Fund raiser with the Homs here just prior to Mrs. Hom's cancer diagnosis and quick death.
The accents are thick. The other patrons are largely from China. It's in Kearny Mesa and is easy to find. Definitely worth a shot. The Homs love China and visited there alot.
Please let me know what you think....if you try it!
06/16/2007
Lee F. says:
I wish more names rhymed.
06/16/2007
Caroline "Admires Obama" B. says:
p.s. I saw the suggestion of "Rendezvous" in Del Mar. I've been a couple of times. I like it. But then, I'm big on brown rice (healthy stuff) and Rendezvous has that.
06/16/2007
JC D. says:
I'll have to try this place, you think they deliver to the PB/Mission Bay area? lol
08/10/2007
Brittan M. says:
By far Rendezvous in Del Mar is the best chinese out there. Try the Walnut Shrimp, Steak shangri la, KP chicken, Jumbo prawns sauted in szechuan red sauce, and start out w/ the seared ahi. You will not be dissapointed.
08/11/2007
Jenna "pocket friend" G. says:
Hong Kong on 4th Ave. in Hillcrest or Mandarin House on 5th downtown/Hillcrest. Do it!
08/12/2007
Refugio "RG, Cuco, Cukes, 2nd wind" G. says:
OK, I may get flogged with a Lo Mein noodle, but Mexicali has some of the best chinese food in the world!!
They have a huuuuuuuuge chinese population in the city and I have gone to that oven just for the food!!
10/29/2007
christopher m. says:
ive heard the mexicali myth too
i like mandarin city in cardiff by the sea
its a location that for years was the IHOP
great wall express chain gives a good meal with its 1.39 items - not great but surely edible and a great bargain
10/30/2007
Jae L. says:
yeah its always a toss up between jasmine and emerald...
01/22/2008
Shaun "Rice Rocket" L. says:
Emerald for Dimsum
Sam Woo for ROAST DUCK
Gen Lai Sen for everything else
01/22/2008
Camie "left skewed" K. says:
Dede's Juice City. I know it doesn't sound Chinese but that place is one of the best.
01/22/2008
Chris F. says:
dumpling inn or China Max for "traditional"
Dedes or BaRen for Sichuan
Emerald or Jasmine for Dim sum
You basically need to head down to the Convoy area to get anything worth eating.
01/22/2008
Jenna "pocket friend" G. says:
I hear Jasmine is best for Dim Sum. I have not been yet but I keep hearing this. I don't eat meat but the best Chinese I have had would be from Hong Kong in Hillcrest. I still can't find that good "mock" stuff though.
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