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    First Chinese Express

    3.0 (108 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    FIRST CHINESE EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    My order from doordash.
    Chanda W.

    I just spent $82 via doordash including tip. I knew it was a gamble and I take ownership for that, but I was feeling adventurous. I lost this bet. The house chow mein was soggy and bland. The orange chicken was heavily battered (think excessive Tammy Faye Baker eyelash thick) which made it even harder to be palatable when it was hella soggy and industrial strength sweet (and I have a sweet tooth!)--and, yes, I know orange chicken is sweet! The Mongolian beef so sweet = "Do I feel a cavity coming on?" The mapo tofu was the most palatable, but why so sweet? Again, I don't mind sweetness in my Chinese food but, dude...c'mon, this is not okay. How y'all gonna murder food like that?? The egg FY was the next palatable; yet, the bbq pork sauce accompanying it was a pure travesty. Seriously, man, my food soul died a little inside. I'm with the one reviewer and will have to trash this order not because I'm wasteful, but because it simply is not palatable...and I eat cold pizza because I like it, stale chips, and semi-flat soda when lazy--this says a lot. I am not a too picky piggy. To be fair, I could rinse the beef, noodles, and tofu then re-cook them with edible seasonings, but that defeats the entire purpose of using doordash. Now I'm thinking of how many whoppers I could've gotten with the same amount of money. Yes, I love cold whoppers too. Save your money. Trust my hedonistic tastebuds, please. I tell you no lie. Don't do it. (I attached a pic of my doordash order associated with this unsolicited review.)

    Ali B.

    This was my first visit to the restaurant and my first impression is they need some improvements with customer service and restaurant appearance. Pros: I was greeted when I entered the restaurant; the cashier/waitress/cook assistance was polite, the tables, chairs and floor were in good condition, the menu had a good food selection and the prices were reasonable, I ordered the Mongolian beef and the meat was tender and had good flavor. Cons: there was a stack of flat boxes in the corner of the restaurants dining area, no AC so the front door was left open, the cashier/waitress/cook assistance was not very friendly when I had a question about an item on the menu, my order was carry out and it took about 15-20 minutes to prepare, ten minutes into my wait a 4 or 5 year old child ran from behind the register counter and pretended to be an airplane running in and out of the shop blocking the door way entrance and making a lot of noise, the area behind the register was not very neat. I would like to visit this spot again because the food was good and maybe she (the cashier/waitress/cook assistance) was short staffed that day which is why she was doing everything.

    two pastries on a napkin
    Rosalind J.

    Horrible horrible food !!! Do not eat here ordered shrimp egg fu young!!!! Oh my god no egg in. The patties . They made a flour dough like patty that is tasteless no beans sprouts , egg or anything . I called and complained she said that they way we make it . Bad food and overpriced online . They also charge there customers for a online service that they ordered to use, but told me they I paid more because I orders online . They have no idea how to run a business. Should be out of business if you cheat your customers out or money and the food it bad !!! Don't eat here order from someone else. If you want shrimp egg fu young I'll make you some , went home to make my own . Lost all my money on food I just could not eat !!!

    the front of a chinese food restaurant
    Rachel P.

    Worst food ever. Took over 15 minutes and tasted undercooked and gross. I definitely don't recommend the teriyaki chicken but really just don't go here. The egg rolls are also very bland- just an egg roll wrapper stuffed with raw cabbage, no meat or flavor.

    Mandarin Chicken
    Will H.

    Food lacked taste. Not sure if the restaurant purposely doesnt salt their food for health reasons but everything with the exception of the pork fried rice was bland. The combination egg foo young came looking like a breaded crab cake instead of an omelette. Mandarin Chicken was breaded and soggy. I would not recommend and wont even keep the left overs.

    Good sweet and sour pork

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    1 year ago

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    4 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was tasteless and boring no flavor at all. You just have to take your order to go no dining inside

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    1 year ago

    I like the food, Great spicy chicken wings. The service is good. The lady is friendly.

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    6 years ago

    Thought I'd give her another chance. Her attitude is still trashy and the food matches.

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    7 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Wei Wei Asian Express - San Diego - Mongolian Beef, Fried Rice, 12 Salt and Pepper Wings, Cream Cheese Wonton

    Wei Wei Asian Express - San Diego

    4.4(1.3k reviews)
    1.1 miRolando
    $$

    TL;DR It's really good. Go here…read more -------------- I came here after a friend recommended it when I told them I was coming down to San Diego for a day trip during my spring break from school in Orange County. I was born and raised in LA, so I've had a lot of Chinese food growing up, and I wasn't expecting to be this surprised--but I really was. I ordered the black bean eggplant and the salt and pepper chicken wings. The wings are what they're known for, but I have to start with the eggplant because it completely caught me off guard. It wasn't mushy at all--crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside, and coated in sauce without losing its texture. Every bite had depth and balance, not just saltiness. I actually meant to start with the wings, but the eggplant was so good I ended up eating half of it before even getting to them. By that point I was already getting full, but I still made sure to finish the wings--and I'm honestly excited to take the rest of the eggplant home as leftovers. By the time I got to the wings, I understood why they're popular--crispy, flavorful, and super satisfying--but what stood out to me was how both dishes complemented each other. One rich and layered, the other crisp and bright. I never got tired of eating, which honestly says a lot. I even told the staff how much I enjoyed the food and they thought I was joking, but I meant every word in saying I thought it was comparable, if not better then the food I've had in Chinatown in LA. Really glad I came here and the next time I have a chance to come back down to SD I definitely will come back here and that's not negotiable for me

    Stay away from this place, seriously do NOT believe the positive reviews. We ordered on a…read morerecommendation from other people and some goofball online. Well, let me tell you. This place is NOT worth the high rating it has. We ordered the Fried Green Beans, they were cooked in oil that was obviously not to temperature. Too greasy for consumption. To make it worse? They were drowned in salt! The Crispy Beef was nothing but thick dough with no beef inside. To add insult to injury it was BURNED so badly that all you could smell was burnt dough and taste burned dough. Hardly any sauce on it as well. The Shrimp Fried Rice should have just been plain white rice for how bland it was. The Vegetable Chow Mein literally was just a container of salt. Slim noodles and salt, disgusting! We spent so much money and all of this is going right into the garbage. Stay away from this hole! It should be shut down for trying to poison people. Feels like I am going to go blind from the amount of salt I ingested from only a few bites. Gross!!

    Photos
    Wei Wei Asian Express - San Diego
    Wei Wei Asian Express - San Diego - Chicken Chow Fun

    Chicken Chow Fun

    Wei Wei Asian Express - San Diego - Salt and pepper chicken wings

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    Salt and pepper chicken wings

    Chef China - Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings

    Chef China

    4.1(402 reviews)
    3.4 mi
    $

    Their salt and pepper chicken wings are absolutely killer. The rest of their menu is good, but I'm…read moregoing here for those wings and those wings only. That's the good part. The bad part is how long it takes to make the food. I've been told, on multiple occasions, it would be 25-30 minutes and it's been upwards of 40. I don't mind if you tell me it's going to be 40 minutes, but just say that upfront. That being said, these wings are killer and any time I've got a craving this is where I'm going.

    Called in my order and the wait time wasn't long at all. Service was nice, quick, and friendly -…read morejust make sure you ask for a fork when you pick up! There's no indoor seating, but the spot is handicap accessible and easy to find. The parking structure is a good size, so you won't have to worry about finding a spot. Perfect for takeout. I ordered the salt and pepper wings, and these wings were fire! Super crispy with the right amount of garlic and onion - they nailed it. Definitely going back for those and highly recommend if you're a wing lover. The white rice was just okay for me - I wish it had been a little fresher and fluffier, more like the classic steamed rice I was expecting. Adding some soy sauce and chili oil helped a bit though! But honestly, the wings made up for it. Also, cash only, so be prepared before you go! I did spot a flyer showing they take Venmo too, but I didn't ask - good to know! The prices are good, and it helps that they keep everything affordable. Overall, Chef China is a solid hidden gem for quick Chinese takeout - fast service, crispy wings, and good flavors that hit the spot. Can't wait to try the rest of their menu next time!

    Photos
    Chef China - Front of store

    Front of store

    Chef China - Buddha's Delight - all veggies and delicious!

    Buddha's Delight - all veggies and delicious!

    Chef China - 12 Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings - delicious!

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    12 Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings - delicious!

    Oodles By The Noodbar - Garlic Butter Noodles

    Oodles By The Noodbar

    4.5(268 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I came in person recently with 9 friends. They were able to accommodate us even though we were just…read morewalking in. The woman was super friendly even though it was a little chaotic. At first, she said the order only could be done on 1 bill. And then later she compromised with 2 bills, 5 people per table. That was nice of her! I just had 2 coffees before entering so I decided to skip ordering Thai tea. But they had a large drink menu, of fruit teas and more. My friend had the lychee tea which was very large and looked super refreshing! They also came by often to top off our waters which was nice. To eat, I ordered the $16.99~, Cashew Chicken Stir Fry with White Rice. It came with onion, green onion, carrots, zucchini, bell pepper, and cashews. The carrots were beautifully cut, but a little too crunchy for me to properly enjoy in the stir fry. Everything else was delicious! I think this could definitely be shared between 2-3 people. It was a lot for me, even after a large hike. The sauce was flavorful and not overly salty. I didn't ask for any spice level, but I think I'd choose mild or medium next time. My friends ordered-- - $12.99, Dirty Fried Chicken: This had a blitz coating of lime, mint, and spices. And it was decorated with thinly sliced green onions with a side of sweet chili sauce. The chicken was hot and plump, not dry, and very much mouthwatering! Would recommend. - $14.99, Thai Grilled Chicken Salad: Grilled Chicken Breast on a bed of mixed green salad, carrots, and cucumbers with peanut dressing. It reminded me a little of chicken satay~ it smelled and looked incredible. I think I might order it next time, when I want something light and fulfilling after a hike. - $11.99, Cream Cheese Avocado Wontons (6PC): These came out piping hot and when you took a bite they were oozing. It was very creamy and when you dip into the plum sauce it's a delectable bite. A nice appetizer to share with the table. - $16.99-$19.99 (depends on what protein you get), Pad Thai: This proportion was manageable for one person. The restaurant used thin rice noodles, but it didn't clump excessively compared to other restaurants. The prices are what you'd typically see at a Pan-Asian restaurant, a few dollars more than what you'd want to spend. But these kinds of restaurants, in my opinion, are for enjoying with others. So, if you're sharing food and all that-- the price is worth it (esp with the quantity that is given). Next time, I would probably order one of their noodle dishes rather than rice. Oodles by the Noodbar has such a large and diverse menu so I would highly recommend coming in to try them out.

    Highly recommend Oodles. I often get the fresh Salad rolls (the peanut sauce is exceptional.)…read more The service is friendly. The location is quaint but charming. My personal favorite is Dan Dan noodles with extra Dan Dan sauce. Noodles are exquisite and the meat is perfection. My only hang up is the price for the product.

    Photos
    Oodles By The Noodbar - Counter decor

    Counter decor

    Oodles By The Noodbar - Trio Pork Over Rice

    Trio Pork Over Rice

    Oodles By The Noodbar - Trio Pork Over Rice

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    Trio Pork Over Rice

    First Chinese Express - chinese - Updated May 2026

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