I have been lucky enough to eat at some amazing restaurants in North America and throughout Europe. I really wanted to leave a great review for this local restaurant... I really wanted to. Since a number of our friends have been to this establishment and left great reviews, I really wanted to do the same. I really wanted to. However, I'm struggling to do so. It started with our table not being ready yet, no worries there, we understand. The host took us to a lovely little alcove and sat the four of us down and we were quickly approached by the Sommelier. This establishment obviously takes their wine very seriously, almost to the point of being pretentious. But not all of us are wine drinkers. Due to an allergy to sulfites. When we looked at the list of available mixed drinks, nothing really appealed... So my wife asked for a simple vodka and tonic. She was informed that that was not one of the "APPROVED" drinks that they offered. What !?! They have vodka, they have tonic... Why can't we get what we want? When my friend requested an IPA he was informed that IPAs don't pair well with the food offerings, consequently, they do not have that option. Frankly, shouldn't that be HIS decision what he feels pairs with HIS palette and not the restaurants? Just a bit pretentious. Did I mention I really wanted to write a great review? So we sucked it up and ordered two glasses of overpriced white wine ($18 for a glass of mediocre wine) and two of the "approved" drinks offered. At this point, I'd like to state that the service we received other than the initial pretension exhibited by the wine Sommelier, was amazing. Our waiter was attentive and well trained and the support staff made sure that our water glasses were filled. Thankfully, I can leave a great review with regards to them. Now to the food... the dumpling sampler was delicious. The four of us ordered the ribs, the duck, the beef and I ordered the Dan Dan noodles. Honestly, almost all of the dishes were deliciously prepared, albeit a bit modest on the quantity of food presented. Our waiter initially suggested that these could be shared... I'm not sure how we would do that with the smaller plates offered as entrées. My noodles, however, came out as a solid chunk of over microwaved noodles, the kind that you get if you forget to take your Costco ramen out of the microwave in time. It was a solid block of dried out noodles. I was about to call our waiter over and ask that they give it another shot. When out of the corner of my eye I saw my wife giving me "the look", don't make it a thing her eyes said to me. So I took my chopsticks and pried the noodles apart, and tried to mix them with the sauce as best as I could. So to summarize; *A little too pretentious on the whole drink thing. I think they're trying too hard. *Service was great *Three out of four entrees were a success * $17 for a mixed drink is pricey but doable, $18 for mediocre wine not so much. As I mentioned, I really wanted to leave a good review... sadly other than the waiter and the support staff I find it difficult to do. Thank you read more

Food was flavorful All home made - seems healthy Cool building and reused an old space to make it Service was attentive and knowledgeable read more

Abundance is some refined, delicious dining! We love everything on the menu, as it reminds us of Uyghur food, which we can't find anywhere around Cleveland. Service is kind and wonderful, and relatively quick for the fact that the food takes time and attention. The ambiance is lovely and they have done a lot to craft a curated cultural experience for the fact that it's in an old diner! Will say: portions run a little small, and last time I got meat in my noodle dish I was miffed at the meager amount. Be prepared prepared to spend more and order more if you want to be FULL. read more

Fantastic experience here at Abundance Culinary with a group of 8. The instructor for the Dumpling class was knowledgeable, demonstrated her expertise, and had a great sense of humor during our class. She modeled each step with instructions and background info which was so interesting! She did not hesitate to walk around to each table/group during the class to demonstrate and re-explain how to make the different folds of the dumplings. The ambience and renovated old diner is super cool right when you walk in to the building! Will be looking for more cooking classes to attend! read more

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Food is good, but not for picky eaters. The chef is brilliant and has introduced me to new flavors. Come here for adventure and to try new things. I love the fact that they have turned this old diner into a chic atmosphere. Floor is sticky. Pro tip: ask about ingredients before ordering. read more

Abundance Culinary - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Transformed since I was here months ago. Now have space over the entire building versus just the one side. Reservations only now for dinner. Packed while I was there. Variety dumplings ran out and were very greasy. Highlight was the roasted pumpkin dish. It was stellar! Both savory and sweet but soft and crunchy textures side by side. Masterfully done. The twice cooked pork was good. Kinda gamey but overall very well cooked with delicious sticky white rice. Still sad their cocktails are all batched. Just like last time, my cocktail this time tasted non alcoholic and mostly just like sugar. Meh. Overall if you stick to the main food menu you cannot go wrong. read more

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Abundance was a great experience! The food was very very good, very flavorful and well balanced salt/spice. The workers were very kind and attentive and the atmosphere was very cool. I personally wouldn't recommend the dumplings but everything else we ordered (ginger gai lan, lazi chicken, and china hot wings) was absolutely wonderful! There was a bit of a delay getting our food but it might've been a one off moment. I would 100% return and recommend! read more

Abundance Culinary - Dumplings variety - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Recently visited Abundance for the first time and we were a bit underwhelmed. We ordered the dumpling sampler for an app and they were able to sub out the beef dumpling for another of our choice due to dietary restrictions which was very nice. The pork was definitely our fave! For mains we ordered the Dan Dan noodles and the char siu. The noodles were good, but a bit peanut heavy. The char siu was a bit of a disappointment. The meat was so tough and dry it was hard to eat. The staff was very kind and the atmosphere was nice though. read more

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Had the dumpling sampler, beef main dish, sour and sweet noodles, and the sour fish soup. Dumpling skin is way too thick. Flavors weren't bad, but leaned towards the salty side. The sour fish soup was by far the best dish, but the glass noodles in there were extremely salty from sitting in the broth for so long. They tasted like they were sitting in the broth soaking it up, and were extremely salty as a result. Beef main dish was good, large portions, but the beef was very dry. The noodles weren't bad, but the toopings themselves were not cohesive at all with the dish. After eating the noodles, you're left with a bunch if random salty toppings that we didn't finish. Overall, very cool place with nice staff, interior design, and exterior. But the food was quite disappointing. Even if this place is a reimagined chinese diner, they have a ways to go to make their food taste good and retain more customers in the area. Would not come back. Also pricey. read more

Abundance Culinary - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Abundance has the besttttt dumplings :) Until recently I had only gotten takeout, but I was excited to finally sit down and eat in the restaurant. We were seated at the bar, and the lighting/vibes were great for a date night. The food was excellent - we got the dumpling sampler, pork belly, and the new tomato noodle dish. The dumplings remain my favorite, but all were delicious. The pork belly was crispy as opposed to soft, making it basically feel like fancy bacon. It was a busy Saturday night, and the waitstaff seemed a bit overwhelmed, but they were all very friendly and we were ultimately able to get everything we needed. Excited to go back and try even more! read more

Abundance Culinary - Pork belly - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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We went to "Abundance Culinary" once a couple years ago for lunch. Really enjoyed ourselves and always planned to return. Well we finally made it. We returned for dinner this time and we're really glad we did. If you head to Lee Rd in Cleveland Hts you will find several very good establishments south of Cedar Rd. But if you go a few blocks north of Cedar you will come upon a cute little stainless steel diner right out of the 1950's. You have arrived at "Abundance Culinary". Modern Chinese concept curated by Executive Chef Liu Fang. Upon entering we were greeted by a very kind and professional gentleman who immediately seated us at a comfortable table in the center of the restaurant where we were quickly greeted by Nathaniel, a marvelous young man with a ready smile and quick whit. He introduced himself, filled our water and introduced their sommelier. A pleasant woman with a friendly demeanor. She explained the evenings offerings without appearing condescending. Her suggestions were spot on. The staff worked together all evening like a fine tuned machine. At any moment someone would suddenly appear at our table to satisfy our every desire. Our meal started with the "Dumplings Variety Sampler" which gave us 2 of each of the available 4 different dumplings. They were an excellent start... flavorful, with just a touch of spice yet not too filling. I followed that with the "Lamb Shank" perfectly prepared and loaded with flavors. My wife & brother had the "Wagyu Xiao Chao Beef" which they said was excellent. My sister in law had the "Dan Dan Noodles" which was full of flavor but a little too spicy for her taste. We followed our meal with an excellent cup of coffee and the "Chinese Cobbler". It was a marvelous evening with exceptional service and wonderful food. We will definitely return and you should do yourself a favor and pay them a visit. read more

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Delicious food and cool atmosphere. I had dumplings, which were very tasty. Can't wait to return!

I've recently dined at Abundance for Sunday brunch, and had previously gotten take out from there before. Both times I was pretty unimpressed with the food. The dumpling skin was thick and chewy and the sauce was very greasy/ oily, although the flavors of the fillings are very bold and unique. It's quite pricey though, $18 for 8 dumplings almost 3$ per dumpling seems a bit egregious. I've had both the China hot and honey ma wings which are very crispy in their own ways. The honey ma has a hint of the numbing peppercorn but very subtle. The noodle dishes I've tried are similar to the dumplings in their greasiness. Overall the menu is inventive and flavorful, but the food is heavy and leaves you feeling not too great after the meal. read more

Abundance Culinary (A Bun Dance) is a locally well known Modern Chinese cuisine restaurant. Chef Liu Fang is well supported by the local chef community. Abundance operates in a diner space with half retro diner/half restaurant vibes. This provides guests with "choose your own journey" options - casual or more fancy. I visited Abundance a few times. My latest visit was on a fall feeling eve when I was craving some comfort food and hot tea. NEW THINGS: If you haven't been here for awhile or at least since the parting with the Rising Star, you'll discover subtle changes. Abundance is now growing into their entire space. Former Rising Star corner was replaced with ritzy intimately lit corner perfect for quaint dinner dates. A wall was actually removed to create this cozy corner. The menu was uplifted, now includes a more expansive list of cocktails (like Abundance Old Fashioned), wines, and dishes (predominantly small plate). The prices are now higher. FOOD: Abundance food is unlike what you'll experience at other Chinese restaurants. You won't find traditional rice and sides, but rather play on Chinese food - innovative flavors and sauces. It's a modern and very spicy nod to Chinese food. The main dish at the restaurant is buns. I feel very conflicted about the buns. They taste amazing and flavorful at any events Abundance partakes in. At the restaurant they all have the same flavor and base spice. There's no distinction between different ones. Buns are traditionally a morning food so you'll find them only during restricted hours. You won't find them after 5 PM on a weekday. MY LATEST ORDER: - Oolong Tea ($5) - Served hot and is very light. I like my tea scorching hot so it wasn't hot enough for me. I still enjoyed slowly sipping it. It was extraordinarily cold inside so tea really helped. Pricey for one cup of tea. - Dumplings Variety Sampler (8 for $18) - This is an appetizer. Includes two of each type - Sichuan Sausage, Beef with Cilantro, Lamb & Tomato, and Summer Garden. They appear on your plate in the order of spiciness which is a fun concept. If you're not a spice lover like me, you won't enjoy your appetizer plate. They are served on the bed of overwhelming amount of spicy oil sauce which makes all of them spicy. If I had to order dumplings again I'd order Lamb & Tomato, probably pass on the rest. If you'll enjoy the dumplings, you can sign up for Dumpling club to bring your favorites home. - Hainan Chicken ($13) - This is an appetizer. Soupy concoction in a tiny plate packing a lot of spice. Chicken is nicely tender. Not at all worth the price due to the amount of ingredients and plate size. - Water - The iced water served to me tasted very salty. Not sure why, but I think it was due to the ice cubes. SERVICE: The service is friendly. The manager checks on guest experience. The servers explain the new menu. There was an issue with my check QR code not working but it was resolved. Overall, the restaurant is not my favorite. I feel that most of the dishes taste either redundant in terms of spice or too spicy. I haven't found a favorite dish. I get an impression of unfinished state - in terms of dishes, atmosphere, and service. If you're into spicy foods, this place will quickly become your favorite. read more

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My experience was far from negative, but I really struggled with the saltiness and SLOW service. It took about 50 minutes to get our food, while there was one other person in the restaurant when we arrived. This is excusable for a new place, but not sustainable. The staff was SUPER friendly (A+). It's a really cool place (A+). The flavors are really good, but just so salty. I felt the dumpling dough was tough, but the stuffing was very good. Overall it has so much potential but the execution isn't what I have hoped for. I'll likely give it another shot because the staff was so friendly, it's a new place, and the food wasn't bad... but just TOO salty. read more

Transcendent meal. Chef Liu Fang has taken the authentic flavors and ideas of China and brought them to life in a new way. After living in China for nearly a decade, I generally don't expect US Chinese cuisine to capture real Chinese flavors. Abundance Culinary was just incredible. The Honey Ma wings are tough to top, and I've never had Chinese peppercorns to fresh and fragrant. That numbing sensation is pure happiness. Gong Bao Brussel Sprouts are crack. The Ginseng Chicken is hearty and warming. Wagyu Xiao Chao Beef and Lazi Chicken are both crowd favorites for good reason. Turns out my 11yo daughter likes Lamb Shank. Who knew? The space is so warm and inviting, there can't be too many 1940s train car diners living as top shelf Chinese Restaurants. Abundance Culinary is truly in a class of its own. read more

Abundance Culinary - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Ambiance: 10/10; unique setup in a metal diner car style with classy dim red lighting and interesting decor Service: 10/10; the owner was very welcoming and helpful with the menu questions Food: 8/10 - dumpling sampler (9/10): the dumpling was cooked well, with a chewy texture and good taste. The 4 flavors were arranged in order of spice. The fillings were very well seasoned and different from one another. Overall solid dumplings, I'd like just a bit more pop in flavor in the vegetarian piece. - scallion noodles (7/10): the noodles were very well cooked but I think the dish falls a bit flat for me. For a simple dish it does the job but I was expecting a bit more in the flavoring (I needed to drench it in the chili oil, which by the way was great). Overall some more spice and umami was desired read more

Abundance Culinary - Dan Dan noodles (top), scallion noodles (bottom) - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

This place has all the makings of a cool restaurant: interesting architecture and location, moody interior aesthetic, kind and attentive waitstaff -- but ended up being unmemorable. We ordered several dishes (assorted dumplings, dan dan noodles, pork belly, fried rice...) and while everything was fine, and the food was very fresh, none of the dishes stood out as particularly flavorful, and most were very one dimensional. Unfortunately, when accounting for the price of the experience, we don't think we'll be returning. It's entirely possible that the food wasn't to our taste, and others will likely enjoy what we could not, but we've dined at and enjoyed many other Chinese restaurants, so this was a bit of a let down. read more

Another visit to Abundance and another delicious dinner! The seasonal fall roots dumplings are soooo good and the vegan fried rice is equally tasty. Such a great spot for flavorful, interesting vegetarian food with the right amount of spice. read more

The food at Abundance is exceptional! I can't tell you how many things I've eaten here that become the standard by which I compare everything else. The menu changes seasonally so you won't always find the same thing. Some standouts in my memory include the xiao chao beef, dan dan noodles, and the dumpling sampler. They also consistently have unique cocktails and have recently started adding pastries as a breakfast option. Recently the space underwent a renovation after the Cleveland Heights Rising Star moved to a new location to allow the restaurant to grow. The renovated section is dimly lit and a great spot for a date. The legacy space is charming: it's a converted old diner that is dressed up for an elegant Chinese meal. They also have a new patio area I'm excited to dine on. My only wish for Abundance in the future is for service consistency, which has been hit or miss for me in recent visits. read more

I've been dying to come here and I finally did! The menu is not just your normal Chinese dishes, but elevated. Although the restaurant sits in a diner looking spot which is odd for the cuisine served, BUT it's cute. Everything just seems to work out here! It seems like the menu rotates out pretty often from what our server mentioned. We had the Variety Dumpling Sampler, Spicy Fragrant Fish, and Ginger Sesame Chicken. All sharable items, which is honestly a great way to try multiple dishes! read more

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This place blew us away! The staff was so kind and really took care of us. They explained everything and made great recommendations. The food was better than we could have expected! You can tell the chef and kitchen put a lot of time and effort into it. Can't wait to get back! read more

Abundance Culinary - Sampler dumpling - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Woh? How am I just hearing about this place? What a treat. What a find. Definitely a place that has earned multiple return visits. Remarkable Lamb & Tomato dumplings. Just the right amount of heat and flavor for miles. The Country Meatloaf was a slice of sweet potato and an equally sized slice of ground pork and beef. Each was beautifully plated. Each was beyond perfect. ...and there is so much more to try. An exciting menu, well prepared. I can't wait to return. read more

Abundance Culinary - Abundance - Country Meatloaf - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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Abundance has grown so much over this year and has a great social media presence to show it's authentic roots and meanings behind their dishes. We made a reservation for two Friday night and it wasn't necessary but does make anxiety decrease knowing we have a table. The waiters were so kind and did a great job. The must get us the China hot. The fried chicken is so incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy inside. You can hear a crunch when you bite. It's amazing. The dumpling sampler is fun and I love thing all the flavors. My favorite is the beef with cilantro. I do wish the dough skin was a tad more thin but that could be personal taste. The "we've come oolong way cocktail" was subtle but oolong forward and is a nice smooth cocktail to try out that's also unique. Loved coming here. And a parking lot!!! read more

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I've been here twice within a single week, and that alone says everything. From the atmosphere to the service, every experience has been exceptional. The staff is attentive, welcoming, and genuinely makes you feel taken care of. The lamb shank dish was unforgettable -- rich, tender, and full of flavor. It honestly brought back memories of home-cooked meals and family gatherings in the best way possible. You can tell there's real care and passion behind the food here. Everything I've tried has been consistently amazing, and I already know this is going to become one of my regular spots. Highly recommend to anyone looking for quality food and a memorable dining experience. read more

Found this place when we were looking for some late eats. This was a cool place located in an old diner. We ordered the dumplings sampler and chicken soup. It was delicious. The place was cool and service was awesome. Would recommend!!! read more

Abundance Culinary - Dumplings and chicken soup - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

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the food here is extraordinary maybe describe as Chinese fusion think Chinese with extraordinary and original flavors everything I have had there has been phenomenal located in old diner car on Lee avenue-also excellent servers read more

We made reservations for dinner last night after hearing one good thing after another. We were not disappointed. The service was wonderful, Neal was a gem. The cocktails that we ordered were fantastic. We got the Five Spice Pear Sling and the Abundance Old Fashioned. Flavors were lovely and unique. We started with the dumpling sampler and were happy that we'd come in on the last day of their spring menu. The Spring Bloom was an unexpected treat, but all four were delicious. The Sichuan Sausage was perfection. I probably would have been happy just eating more dumplings, but ordered the Dan Dan noodles for my main course and was not disappointed. Perfect al dente texture and the red pepper sauce was excellent. My husband ordered the twice cooked pork (part of the spring menu) and it was equally delicious. We will absolutely be back, sooner rather than later. This may be my new favorite restaurant. read more

Went to Abundance Culinary on a Saturday morning (made reservations) and was so excited to finally try this resturaunt! We ordered one of each dumpling, peanut noodles and some fried wings. The dumplings were amazing (can't remember the flavors) and the noodles were so flavorful and good! The wings were fried soo well, it was crispy and nice and hot! We are definitely planning on coming back for their next menu change!! read more

Abundance Culinary - Chinese Near Me - Cleveland Heights, Ohio

I really wanted to like this place. I heard so much hype (albeit from non Asians). I loved the theme of modern Chinese and how they converted an old diner into a very sleek modern upscale zen eatery. I admire the ambition of the chef to rotate menus so one item I was looking for unfortunately was no longer available. I was eager to try their namesake (buns- as in a-BUN-dance) however it is only available during the day! We tried the China Hot Wings, Dan Dan noodles, variety sampler of dumplings and xiao Chao beef. Under the Wing menu there are 2 options, the one I got and the other were. Honey Ma wings which was described to include sichuan peppercorn. I'm not a fan of sichuan, it's a burning numb and I feel it really overshadows flavors. So naturally I went with the other l which was described as battered in 14 hour marinade with house chili crisp. Darn it the dish had that burning numb which I was trying to avoid. And the entire dish sat in a low level pool of house chili crisp. It was an oily disappointment for me. The crisp was excellent, the meat was tender, but chili crisp overload ( I think it should be served on the side like it usually is in Chinese restaurants). I picked Dan Dan noodles since it seemed so popular on Yelp. I mixed the dish was recommended but found the taste sooooo lackluster The beef dish was easily my favorite, well garnished and flavorful. Was not overloaded with oil. Also of note, they do not serve traditional soda/pop but rather some fine juice seltzers, along with a commendable series of beers (including sours which I love and don't see enough of at other restaurants) and what looked like some finely crafted cocktails I am open to returning to try their buns, will have to return earlier (only 11-5pm). I felt like this place was much more sichuan and not advertised. read more

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WOW this place is fantastic! We had buns and dumplings. The food was creative and tasty. I also got the rice-pudding dessert...can't remember the name. It was excellent and so different than anything I've ever had. I highly recommend! I definitely want to come back and try more on the menu. We sat at the bar and The server was extremely helpful. She helped us pick out ginger-inspired cocktails which were unique and fabulous. She also helped us pick out sauces to dip our food in. You can tell the food is made with love and carefully crafted with attention to detail. read more

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Finally tried this place today, and we were a bit disappointed. They suggested the China hot chicken wings which was floating in a bed of oil. The Lazi chicken was tough, overcooked and chewy. The Dan Dan noodles were good. The people next us had similar thought. They said their dumplings were very doughy. PS: They put us at the bar (even if you have reservations). Be prepared to put you purse and coat on your lap as you sit on a stool! Ambiance was nice and service was good. read more

This place is absolutely fantastic! A must go-to for anyone living in the area. In fact, it is a must repeat go-to for most! The service staff were so friendly. I came here with my young daughter and they were so kind. The ambiance is "diner" and with elevated eastern decor. The flavors were complex and delicious! And when they say spice, they definitely mean it, so don't take it lightly. I can't wait to go back and try more of the dumplings! read more

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This is a great almost hidden gem! Thoughtfully crafted Chinese dishes with a twist. The fish is my absolute favorite!! read more

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Over the last few years we have been enjoying this place (original food, creative receipts, and more importantly quite good and affordable). Went back yesterday. What happened? It was such a different cuisine ( Cocktail were pre mixed, small portions, salty to a point of being impossible to eat, fried fish was primarily a breaded shell and had no idea what the "fries" could be made of. The beef wagyu was impossible to appreciate, swimming in oil and cut in so short thin pieces that that one could not distinguish between the meat, the rice and vegetables, they all tested the same. Side sauces are so hot,they should be used to test painful sensations in a lab. Even the dessert was salty... Please return to your roots or call back a real cook. read more

Who doesn't love to eat in a streamline diner? This format isn't diner food, but truly unique Asian meals crafted with great care. Our server was very knowledgeable and had tried every item on the menu. Be prepared that some items sell out if you have a later reservation time. We sampled the dumplings as well, however no photo as we all just inhaled them. Great flavors, perfect texture. If you haven't been here yet, this is a must go! Parking available across the street if the lot is full. We will be back for sure. read more

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Tasted like spaghettiOs. Overpriced of course. Nothing else to say. Maybe should have gotten the wings. read more

Overall food was good but not exceptional, as we were hoping based on reviews. We had the dumpling sampler and Lazi chicken, based on server's recommendation; he asked if we were ok with spicy, since chicken dish was on the spicier side. Dumplings were good, interesting flavors, but subtle. Chicken dish was disappointing, primarily because I was expecting "great" based on recommendation; it was good, but neither particularly spicy, nor flavorful. Would think about giving it another try if we are in the neighborhood. read more

Consistently great food with amazing flavors. I love the buzz your mouth gets from the spice. This is where I always take friends who are visiting because I know it'll always be impressive. read more

Fantastic addition to Lee Road food scene. The chicken wings are awesome and the hot version really packs a punch. The menu's variety is limited compared to your typical Chinese menu, but each dish is unique and executed well. The atmosphere is friendly and comfortable read more