We love wonton noodle soup and this place did not disappoint. It is located on a corner of a street with street parking only. My boyfriend and I both got the shrimp wonton noodle soup with pork slices and we got different noodles. The broth was perfect and savory and I love that they have bbq pork. The shrimp wontons I thought were delicious and flavorful and packed with shrimp meat! We got the friend shrimp wontons were also so delicious and crispy and light! The sauce it came with it was the perfect pairing! The viet coffee came in a small cup and it was pretty strong. Altogether would come here again for this noodle soup and shrimp wonton! read more

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Been coming here for 30 years! Still true to its origins Always get the shrimp cracker Park safely or uber read more

Tried out China Chen for the first time a month ago. My husband and I had to go back again. We really enjoyed the fried flour cake with egg. The shrimp wonton noodle soup with egg or rice noodles (or both) a really hit the spot. Serve is very efficient. read more

China Chen - Wonton noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

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This place holds some nostalgia for me as I used to come here often as a kid. I went back for the first time in a long time to see how it is now. Everything is very similar. The service is decent. They were able to help whenever we needed something. The food was good. My favorite thing to get here is the bot chien. I definitely recommend it. I always get hu tieu and it tasted just like I remember. The restaurant itself is old and not the cleanest. However, it's something I'm used to and sometimes the best food comes from places like this. read more

China Chen - #1. Bánh Bột Chiên Trứng and #26. Hủ Tiếu Xá Xíu - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

China Chen was my childhood staple! Came here so often with my dad back in the days. The food here is enough to fill me up and is fairly priced! My go-to orders would be the Teochew-style noodle soup and the seafood noodle soup. I always have to order a side of bot chein since they serve such a great amount for a great price! read more

I can't believe that I only tried this place today. The egg noodle was well cooked with a sweet and savory broth. The thin slices of Chinese barbecued pork was a good add. And I really appreciated the use of whole shrimp in the shrimp wontons. The service was fast and responsive. And the ambiance is that of a Chinese noodle shop. read more

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Phoned in my order while we were only 5 min away and then I waited about 8min for the entire order to complete for take out. Service is fast. I love their noodles. Even take out still taste really good. Both combination egg and rice noodles are my favorite. If you up the size for combination egg noodle, price is $14.95. Combination rice noodle- $13.95 Don't forget to collect points with cash app by entering your phone number. After this check out, I realized I earned enough points for $10 off next time. read more

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I grew up eating China Chen, and the food would bring back so many memories. However, the taste is not the same as I remembered growing up. I miss the original owners recipe. I remember the wrapper for the Sui Cao used to be silky and thinner....not hard and thick like now! Even my whole entire family and friends agree with my opinion. They said that China Chen isn't like how it used to be. I hope the new owners take into consideration on this review to improve. China Chen is such a family loved restaurant in SJ, and it's sad to see it go downhill. read more

I appreciate old school San Jose. The young group of kids who took over for the parents run this place well. Same recipe. Same ingredients. No frills. It's nostalgic eating here and the service is stellar. Happy to bring my business and my family here and i have nothing but good words to give them. read more

Their noodles are very traditional style and chewy. Flour fire cake is Vietnam dish and only can find at this restaurant. The taste is very good. read more

I ordered via DoorDash. I wanted some soup since I was sick and China Chen did not disappoint. The mi sui cao had a light and clear broth. It was easy on my stomach and very satisfying while sick. Lots of noodles. The fried flour cake was on the oily side but very large portion. China Chen's food gives me 90's food vibes. Simple but hits the spot. Very affordable. read more

The Hu Tieu was excellent. The broth was a bit too sweet for me, but I enjoyed everything as a whole. The shrimp in the wontons were super springy. I could have just eaten a bowl of them. The rice and wheat noodles were perfectly chewy. I recommend getting both types of noodles to maximize your experience. The bot chien was a huge portion. I wish it came out first. I was halfway done with my soup before these arrived. They were solid; no complaints. read more

China Chen - Hu Tieu with wontons - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

This place was bad! Customer service awful. They completely forgot my husbands order for over 25m. My food, egg noodles soup was bland and the flour cake, which i came here for, was terrible. My husband had to nibble off mine and my children's food. Good lord, I should never listen to my sister n law with ANY recommendations! An update - i really value that the manager personally messaged with how to improve. This shows me value ans care. I think its unacceptable my husband waited a long time for his food that never came hence 1 star, but 3 stars bc management really cares and is thoughtful. I will certainly give this place another chance. read more

Even though no one in our party speaks Chinese, it's incredible how telling body language and facial expressions are. As we entered two female staff members were on break eating at the first table when you enter. They looked one of our party members up and down, speaking to each other then laughing while looking back at our family member. I immediately wanted to leave. The only reason we stayed is because we were too hungry to venture back out. This was super offensive and for this reason alone we will never return. read more

The service was ok, typical run down Chinese service where it's not the best but that's how you know it's good. The restaurant was clearly not the cleanest but again, that's how you know it's good lol Mi trieu chau: 10/10 amazing flavor and sooo comforting. The noodle texture was perfect and the meats and fish balls added a good touch. I will say their choice of cabbage is not as good as something softer like bok choy read more

China Chen - Mi Trieu Chau - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

I'm somewhat sure they take phone orders, I think the workers were speaking Vietnamese. It's like a small family restaurant in terms of appearance; a lot of tables and not a lot of walking/waiting space. The chicken soup tastes very nostalgic to me, like flavors from the 90's. I ordered a "large" shrimp wonton soup to go. There were 3 bite-sized average-tasting wontons. The pork was sliced very thin, not something i'm used to, kinda bland; there were a lot of noodles though. read more

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This is a staple comfort noodle soup for me! China Chen serves Chinese/Vietnamese noodle soup and its reminiscent of what I've had in my childhood. I love the combination of rice and egg noodles, so I had to get the Shrimp Wonton Rice and Noodle Soup. Thin slices of char siu (pork) is also included and the broth was flavorful. We also got the beef ball rice noodle soup and it was also delicious. read more

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The soup was nice and light. The fried flour cake was perfectly cooked; crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. Limited street parking, some spaces require payment. Good customer service. Clean restaurant. read more

China Chen - Fried flour cake delight - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

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This is an old-school Vietnamese/Chinese noodle house. Not bad, a little sweet on the broth, I usually like it more savory. I ordered the shrimp wonton soup with sliced pork, and it was pretty good. The bowls are a little small, but it carried me through the afternoon. I also added a limeade soda. Decent. The atmosphere is a diner style and there were plenty of seating. Service was good and prompt. I do recommend if you're in the area looking for some egg noodles. read more

China Chen - Shrimp, wonton, and sliced pork egg noodle - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

Service is typical from an Asian place. They're polite but to the point which is fine with me. I always order the hu tieu xa xiu. The flavor hasn't changed in 15 years. I always love going here for hu tieu and they've stayed consistent. It's definitely not a wow food or anything, but if you in the mood for this type of soup then it's the place to go to. read more

This is one of my friend's favorite places to eat at during campus, so there were times that I would tag along with them. The servers are often friendly, and although China Chen isn't quite as fancy as the Chinese restaurants that I'm more familiar with, there's a bit of a cozy vibe to it. Since I wasn't too hungry, I decided to order the Fried Shrimp Wontons to split with my friend. They were really good, and came with a little bowl of soy sauce - they had a nice, crispy texture, and weren't too oily as fried food can be sometimes. The presentation of the food was nice as well - there's a nice, golden color, and are pleasing to look at. I don't recall the exact price, but I remembered the meal coming to around 15 or so dollars, which is relatively affordable for food these days. The portion sizes are pretty big too, so you are also getting your money's worth. Maybe one day I will try one of their main food items too, though from what I've seen most of the main dishes appear to be soup-based, which I usually refrain from getting as I often eat a lot of soup at home. read more

China Chen - Fried Shrimp Wontons - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

I've been going here since I was little and the tastes still haven't changed. This restaurant could definitely use and upgrade and it feels dirty inside but that's how you know the food is good. We usually get the mi kho dau hao and a bot chien. If I'm craving something soupy then i go for the mi sui cao. China Chen is my go to for egg noodles. read more

This is a no frills, old-school Vietnamese/Chinese noodle house, serving comfort food. The servers were friendly and brought out our food very quickly. The look of this place has not changed since I was a kid nor has the popularity. The place is a bit like a time capsule, with sort of an outdated look to it. It's a bit tough to find street parking and I would be wary of where you park because you can be ticketed if you park without a residential permit. For the food, if there is something you must try, it is the appetizer Banh Bot Chien Trung (Fried flour cake with egg), a vietnamese street food. The rice flour cakes are perfectly fried, with a crispy exterior and pillowy soft inside. The tangy soy sauce is a perfect accompaniment and gives rice cakes a unique flavor. The Hu Tieu Mi Sui Cao is THE comfort food and will hit the spot on a particularly cold day. It comes pipping hot and the wontons melt in your mouth. Unfortunately, a lowlight on my last visit was their fried chicken, which was dry. I felt like I had to dunk it in my soup to be something I could enjoy. Otherwise, the food is normally great. Overall, a solid and affordable spot if you're looking for some comforting egg noodle soup. Certified classic. read more

Came in for lunch as this is down the street from the office. Wasn't too busy, but a steady flow of to-go orders and walk ins. Started off with fried shrimp won tons and these were amazing. Super crispy, lite and airy, but super hot as they literally came out of the fryer... talk about fresh! They also use a whole shrimp and don't skimp by chopping it up or mince it. I then moved to a large #10 which was excellent. Super flavorful and authentic. The meat was nice and the won tons were fall apart good, but not loose. Service was quick and efficient, but this is a no frills kind of place. The inside was a tad dingy, but this place is super fair priced. Parking is ample on the streets in and around the area. read more

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I loved their noodles, they were so delicious. The service was also pretty good. Higly recommend. I'll definitely come back. read more

China Chen - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

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Great spot that locals enjoy! When I first moved to San Jose, a friend took me here for lunch and I was so happy she took me to try it. Food recommendation: My go to order is the Shrimp Wonton Egg Noodle Soup (#10). The broth is hearty, and the shrimp wontons are delicious. It pairs really well with a little chili oil. Although the Fried Flour Cake with Egg is not for me, I always see diners ordering it and enjoying it. Service: The wait staff is quick to check in once you sit down and food comes out quickly on weekdays (7-10minutes). If it's busy on a weekend, sometimes it takes about 18-20 minutes to get your food. Ambiance: The restaurant has plenty of windows and has an older diner feel to it. Parking: It's conveniently located near an SJSU run parking garage on 4th street. If you go on a Sunday, there's free street parking nearby along 3rd and 2nd street. read more

Quick seating, quick service and good food. All you really need! Lots of options on the menu. I got #26 and it was great read more

China Chen - #26 - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

I ordered takeout here for lunch and it was ready in about 15 minutes. I used to go here as a kid all the time and not much has changed. This place is known how their noodles but they do have rice with fried chicken as a rice plate. I ordered the mi triu chau which comes with meat balls, one piece of kidney, one shrimp, one piece of squid and a couple tofu pieces. No veggies included. The noodle portion is on the smaller side when I did takeout. The broth is really tasty and I'd get it again. They do have booths for dining in but they're quite close together. I'm amazed it still tastes like from my childhood. read more

With a name like China Chen I was kind of skeptical even with good reviews. The large number 27, combination rice noodle soup hit the spot for a cold and windy Saturday. Think flat rice noodles, a chicken broth with Fish cake, squid, pork. The have a bunch of hot sauces, vinegar, pickled jalapenos on the table. Prices are reasonable about $13.50 a bowl before tip. The service is about what you expect from college kids A lot of booth tables inside. Street parking read more

China Chen - Large #27, combination rice noodle soup - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

My go to spot for dumpling soup. They always hit the spot. One of the greatest hidden gems in San Jose.

This place is good, exactly as expected. Cozy broth and you can watch the employees making the wontons. I ordered the number 10 and added chili oil, hoisin sauce, and vinegar which were all on the table. I also ordered the rice and egg cake appetizer which I loved (I forget what it's called, but it's the main appetizer) read more

China Chen - Mi Sui Cao - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

I always order to go because it's convenient. The food is fabulous! It's perfectly prepared and seasoned.

Always love their soup bone Price is reasonable. Fast service.nice customer service .will be back soon read more

Tasteful Noods For over thirty years now, China Chen has been feeding DTSJ and SJSU students some of the best soup and noodles around in a very low-key fashion. This is one of those spots that's a def IYKYK kinda deals, because even a couple of Townie co-workers had never seen or even heard of it despite one of them even living not too far away most of his life. The Good: *Prices are still fairly reasonable as you can get a filling bowl of soup for $13 *Their #10 Shrimp Wonton Egg Noodle Soup w/ sliced pork (aka Mi sủi cảo) is my go-to dish here, as the silky smooth and porky broth is fantastic, and their housemade shrimp dumplings are simply terrific and practically melt in your mouth. *Their egg noodles are one of the main draws here, as they're abundant and delicious. *Shrimp Crackers are also my other go-to here, as their crunch makes a nice contrast to then soup, and not to mention they're also delicious. *Service is brusque but friendly enough as they get you in and out fairly quickly and efficiently. The Meh: *Downtown parking can always be a hassle, so just gird your loins. The Ugly: *If you're the delicate type who needs a restaurant to be immaculate, then maybe this isn't the spot for you. If you can't handle a little grunge and funk, then just move on to some white tablecloth joint down the street. But it really is your loss. Conclusion: Tasty soup at a reasonable price with some parking hassles on the side. read more

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Best soup in town. #10 Get it and thank me later as a matter fact bring me one Their shrimp wontons are super fresh and yummy. The broth cannot be beat and the chicharron pork fat flavors the noodles and broth! Ask for extra!! This place has been amazing since I went to SJSU from 2009-2014 to now read more

This place has been around since 1983 and if a restaurant has been in business for 40+ years -- it's a statement in itself, right? Hole in the wall? Yes. Chinese noodle soup dishes? Yes. Decent service? Yes. We ordered the following for lunch today: * Hu Tieu Mi Trieu Chau which is their Combination Rice and Egg Noodle Soup ($14.95) topped with shrimp, beef balls, fried fish balls, squid, and pork. * Mi Ga Quay ($14.25) which is their Egg Noodle Soup with a side of Chinese style fried chicken * Bánh Bột Chiên Trứng ($10.95) which is their Fried Flour Cake with Eggs (we got extra eggs for a $1 surcharge) The food reminded me of our friends over at Tung Kee (TK Noodles) but it had its own signature in flavor. My favorite was the Bánh Bột Chiên Trứng as it was so crispy and had tons of flavor with every bite -- the right seasoning can switch everything up. I would say that's the star of the show on the menu. Support local small businesses y'all! read more

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Although it seems like it's Chinese food, it's actually very authentic Vietnamese food. Lots of great egg noodle soup variations. Food is very affordable - maybe $10-15 per bowl. The waiter pointed us to a seat but some folks sat took and therefore took our table. But I am grateful that the waiter did the hard decision to boot them out and seat us first. Note: I recommend their coconut juice drink. It's so refreshing! read more

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China Chen is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at during my down time from school, especially since it's within walking distance! The restaurant gives a homey ambiance and service is always quick and helpful with any questions/requests you have. My usual is always the #10 Shrimp Wonton Egg Noodle Soup ($13.50), #2 Fried Shrimp Wonton ($9.75 and comes with 6 pieces), and occasionally the #1 Fried Flour Cake with Egg. The taste is always consistent and hits especially on cold, gloomy days. The shrimp dumplings always taste fresh, especially since I always see grandmas neatly preparing them in one of the booths LOL. Portion-wise, the soup can honestly last me two meals and the #1 and #2 are great for sharing. Definitely stop by China Chen if you're in the area or even if you're hella far because these shrimp dumplings are worth the drive! read more

China Chen - #10 Shrimp Wonton Egg Noodle Soup ($13.50) & #2 Fried Shrimp Wonton ($9.75) - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

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This place is an old favorite for my family and I and I'm so glad it's still around. My friend has never been to this San Jose gem so we went there for her birthday. Food: 10/10 as good as I can remember and the fried shrimp had great batter that made it nice and crispy. I got the mi sui cao, which is what they're known for. This place is unique because it has sui cao(only shrimp) in their wonton unlike the usual wontons that have minced meat and other garnishes. The sui cao is really good, if you haven't tried it, you're missing out! I like that the noodle soup comes with lots of garnishes too. The noodle soup may be a little salty to some. The table has soy sauce, chili oil, and jalapeño to add to your food too. Ambience: 11/10 lots of booths and regular tables here. This place may be a hike in the wall but the customer service is amazing too! The worker would hold the door for my friend who had a walked and service dog with her and they would compliment her dog too. The food comes out super fast! Highly recommend this place for groups and especially family.:) Perfect for the cold weather. read more

China Chen - Mi Sui Cao and Banh Tom - Chinese Near Me - San Jose, California

A no-frills place but crazy busy at like 2 PM on a Saturday! We were able to be sat right away and got a noodle soup quickly. It was really tasty and a large portion. And pretty affordable for the bay I think about 12 bucks? read more