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    China Joy

    2.7 (107 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    China Joy Photos

    CHINA JOY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Emily Y.

    Given this is the only Chinese restaurant in Bar Harbor and my friends parents wanted Chinese food, so China Joy it is. Right off the bat, some issues emerged: tea is charged for by person, not as a pot for the table. We had to grab our own chopsticks from a tray further back in the restaurant (otherwise forks and knives were provided, but for Chinese food that is super weird). We had 5 people so an extra and slightly wobbly table was added on to our booth. On to the food. Mixed vegetables with tofu: decent, not too salty. Tofu is of the crunchier exterior variety, and the vegetables are somewhat stewed in sauce but overall one of the better dishes of the night. Fried shrimp: couldn't eat because it was spicy, but others seemed to like it. Beef slices: mistake. Way way too salty. Boiled lobster: alright I suppose, but not the best I've had in Maine. Rice: not good. Dry and un-fluffy, which is the opposite of what you expect rice to be. Overall, come here only if you need a quick fix of "Chinese" food.

    Says 15% suggested, but they mandatory tip 15%
    Ray R.

    Apparently, this is a restaurant below the average. We came here just for a different taste of lobsters. We have eaten boiled lobster for 3 days in a row. This time we come here to taste scallion ginger fried lobster. The taste is just mediocre. Other food like broccoli chicken, broccoli shrimp, fried rice and etc are all Americanized food and are not authentic at all. One more hilarious issue is that they almost have no service and give a suggestion for 15% tip, but they mandatory tip people 15%.

    Hot and spicy tofu (aka mapo tufu)
    Erin C.

    I agree with previous reviewers who say you shouldn't eat here unless you are seriously craving a soy sauce fix. The food here doesn't really taste like Chinese food. Obviously being the only Chinese restaurant, without competition, this place can stay alive regardless how terrible the food tastes. We had ma po tofu that had more vegetables than tofu and was not spicy at all. It also did not taste like mapo tofu and how it should be cooked. We also had braised eggplant that was sickeningly sweet and had large chunks of pork. I think they might have used ketchup as the sauce base. Some of the pork were just not chewable. The food came with rice, it was a very small portion of rice, maybe equivalent to one bowl. We asked for additional white rice, and it cost $1.50. Ridiculously expensive for that tiny little bit of white rice. The staff was friendly and helpful. That's about the only good thing here.

    Lobster!
    Zheyuan F.

    If you want to try a different but more DELICIOUS cooking style of lobster, you should dine here for just once. Maine lobster is fresh and tender, but most establishments only steam it and serve with lemon and butter. Way too waste of great seafood! I highly recommend Lobster with salt and pepper, along with chili if you like spicy. That's the dish I ate twice in a day! Just imagine! I didn't eat any meat dishes or other Chinese dishes like Lo Mein, etc. So I cannot guarantee the authenticity of this Chinese restaurant. BUT if you want a decent lobster dish, you won't be disappointed!

    people walking in front of a chinese restaurant
    Matt Y.

    Talk about a restaurant which rose well above expectations! Our family chose China Joy on a Tuesday August evening after walking back and forth across Bar Harbor for reasonably-priced dinners and to take a break from Americana food for one evening. With many dishes in a $10-15 range, we were hard pressed to find competition from elsewhere. It had a modest Chinese-American feel on the interior, with comfy booths and much seating when we arrived. Service proved timely with our waitress, including fresh black tea to start. We even received two pots for our whole table. Not long after, our entrees arrived in more than generous portions, including my garlic and pepper-spiced calamari with brown rice. It blended a great balance of heat with savory, alongside tender calamari and vegetables alike. My sister and parents also enjoyed their spring rolls, sauteed vegetables, and General Tsao's chicken. By the time we left, almost 3/4 of their seats were filled. Again, this is Chinese American food, not Chinese food. Well worth the value to check out China Joy!

    Michal K.

    We did a take away. The hot & sour soup was average minus. The other soup was not what was expected. As for the beef Sichuan , never got such a dish that had 90% of vegetables and no more than 5 pieces of beef. Felt like they took all cut celery and carrots they had left and put them in my dish. I could not eat it at all. When doing a take away as a tourist you can not go back and complain . 30$ spend for nothing. Not recommended at all.

    N B.

    Best orange tofu! Crispy with a wonderful sauce. Came with eggroll and fried rice. Husband enjoyed his meal (he got something different) but wasn't as happy as I. When check came, we started to pay when the waitress pointed out that she expected a tip! We were both stunned, we were going to tip her. But why remind us? Very odd.

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    5 years ago

    Very reasonable price in a tourist place. The amount of food is also a lot. Very good and careful hygiene practice during COVID pandemic.

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    5 years ago

    Just the type of restaurant we were looking for. Great food with Authentic atmosphere:)

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    11 years ago

    Lobster with ginger and scallion was delicious as always. Don't get the lobster fried rice as there is hardly any lobster in this.

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    4.4(129 reviews)
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