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Came here on a Saturday afternoon and so happy a friend introduced us to this place. The Peking Duck was delicious and everything I had hoped for. We also ordered the double skin mung bean noodle salad. I had never had this before but am glad we tried it. A good mix of seafood, veggie and meat toppings and the sauce mixed with mustard was really flavorful as well. The sautéed garlic string beans were a hit. We also tried the fish filet in rice wine sauce, which was something new for me but also very tasty. The service was good and attentive. The servers were constantly checking in and refilling our waters. Definitely looking forward to coming back here and trying other dishes.
The 4 us arrived early without reservation and scored a table up on a table with stop seating. The restaurant is very modern and esthetic are nice. One of our friends have dined there many times and suggested the whole roasted duck, their size medium special rice noodle and we ordered beef and green beans with 2 orders of rice. Food was good and portions as generous. The duck was our favorite dish, a tad on the blander side but very crispy skin. The noodle dish was very different from anything we've tried. At first the rice noodles looked like gelatinous globs. It came with slivers of meat and vegetables. When mixed with some of the yellow mustard, it was quite good but we didn't use that much of the mustard. The beef and green bean dish was OK, nothing special. Staff was helpful and checked on us a couple of times.
I think it's a very solid Chinese restaurant. Main thing is it's often very busy, so much that there's already a line when it opens for lunch on a weekend. But for me, there was enough space to get a table after all the initial campers. The staff were nice enough to seat me before all of my party arrived. The staff default to mandarin which is always a good sign. Service is pretty good, answering questions and acknowledging when we flashed them down. The Peking duck is pretty good and doesn't require reservation. I enjoyed all the dishes.
Finally had the chance to try their Peking duck- and it lives up to the hype! Usually duck is so fatty, and there's so much bone to sift though- but this is beautifully presented. Duck meat so tender and firm. No bones at all! Also ordered the mung bean noodle appetizer- wasabi forward, found this refreshing! Also ordered the thrice cooked pork and it was so flavorful and tender. Also had the ants on a log noodle seafood dish. The noodle/ seafood dish was the only dish I thought was just ok - will come back to try other things on the menu! Overall, this restaurant exceeded my expectations- and now understand why they have so much hype! The cook has been here for over 40 years- so they're doing something right. Loved our server- he's so Bay Area! He had a gigantic lighter in his pocket of bad boys that he showed us and we loved his personality. Definitely a place where you have nice dinners, celebrations, and a great place to take folks if they're from out of town
Visited Great China on a Saturday evening around 7:30 pm. As expected, the place was packed, and we were quoted a 30-45 minute wait. Surprisingly, we were seated in about 15 minutes, which was appreciated. Menus were brought promptly, and service throughout the meal was quick and friendly. We ordered the spring rolls, black bean tofu, and ginger scallion fish fillet. The spring rolls were crispy and generously filled, but the filling noticeably lacked salt, which made them fall flat. The chili oil served alongside tasted old and was essentially plain oil with just a hint of chili, offering little depth or heat. The black bean tofu was bland and underwhelming, lacking the bold, savory flavor typically expected from the dish. The ginger scallion fish fillet was decent--the sauce itself had good flavor--but the portion of sauce was too small, so overall the dish felt muted and incomplete. While the staff was friendly and efficient and the restaurant clearly has strong demand, the food itself was just okay and didn't live up to the hype or the wait. Overall, solid service, but the flavors were disappointing given Great China's reputation.
We don't typically go across the bay to eat but Great China is one of those places we make the exception for. I was able to get reservations for seven of us on a Sunday night. Although the restaurant is in a big space, this place gets super busy and packed. Making reservations is the best way to go. My kids only wanted the Peking duck and insisted we order two whole ducks for seven of us. I thought this was a bit overambitious but know better to never to underestimate my kids. In addition to the duck, we also ordered a pot sticker, salt and pepper calamari, Mongolian beef, ant climbed the tree (glass noodles with shrimp, peppers, mushrooms, water chestnuts), Chinese string beans and fermented bean curd Ong choy. Everything was delicious and we ate all of the duck and most of the rest of the dishes! Our only regret is we forgot to ask for the duck carcasses to take home for jook or soup. Yes, Great China will give you the carcasses if requested post-dinner. Parking can be challenging nearby as the location is close the the Cal campus, but there is a small, paid parking lot across the street.
Glad I finally got to try! Came around 11am and got seated immediately. Large portions and friendly service. Chow mein and green beans are amazing. The tofu was a bit greasy for my liking. Everything seemed made to order and not too salty or spicy (wish it was spicier actually). I had a good experience and I'll be back!
We came on a Sunday around 7 PM and were quoted a 15-20 minute wait, but we were seated in about 10 minutes, which was a nice. We wanted to sample a variety of dishes, so we ordered quite a bit: chicken chow mein, chicken fried rice, Mandarin wings, Kung Pao chicken, beef & broccoli, hot & sour soup, salt and pepper prawns, and pork dumplings. The portions are definitely generous. Food: Pork Dumplings: Flavorful and tasty, though I wish they came with more dipping sauce. Hot & Sour Soup: One of the standouts of the night--super flavorful, comforting, and perfect for chilly weather. Chicken Chow Mein: A bit overcooked on the noodles but still flavorful. Fried Rice: Nice and salty (in a good way!) and paired well with the proteins when we finally got the rice (it came last). Kung Pao Chicken & Beef & Broccoli: Both were flavorful and solid overall. Mandarin Wings: Good addition to the mix. Salt and pepper prawns: another standout dish. Service: This is where the experience was mixed. Our dishes came out very spaced apart--sometimes 20+ minutes between plates. It made it hard to enjoy the mains together with the rice or chow mein because things would either get cold or we'd finish one dish long before the next arrived. Our server also wasn't very attentive, and she repeatedly discouraged us from ordering as much as we did. I explained we wanted variety and leftovers, but she pushed back a couple of times. Maybe she was just trying to let us know the portions are large (which they are), but it came off a bit odd. On the flip side, one of the staff members bringing out dishes--possibly a busser--was actually more attentive and helpful than our main server. Overall: 3.5/5 The food is delicious, portions are generous, and the wait time was better than expected but this place is pricey compared to other Chinese restaurants. The pacing of dishes and uneven service kept it from being perfect, but I'd still come back--especially for that hot & sour soup.
Not bad for a modern Chinese restaurant serving authentic Northern Chinese cuisine. You know it's legit and delicious when tons of Chinese families dine in there. We ordered four family-sized dishes that were popular on the menu: Walnut Prawns- more like honey walnut shrimp, but in an orange version. Citrusy and tangy sauce that wasn't too watery. Guo Ta Fillet Fish- steamed to softness and generous on the green onions and cilantro Black Bean Noodle- the original version of Jiajiangmen, but with shrimp added. The noodles were chewy and thick, smothered in onions and black bean sauce, which was of a thick consistency. Salt and Pepper Spareribs- flavorful with garnishes, a bit spicy, and the meat easily fell off the bone. Overall, the service was nice despite a 45-minute wait for a table during dinner on a weekend. They even have a nice bar with a full display of alcohol. Conveniently located near the UC Berkeley campus, but parking is available a block away.
If you come to this restaurant, and I highly recommend you do, keep in mind it is very popular and there will be a wait. The only question is how long. We were expecting to wait a long time, but we got there before it opened on a Sunday, and only waited about 10 minutes. We felt very lucky! We came here in a big group, which is definitely the way to do it because you can get a variety of dishes. Everything was absolutely delicious! The Peking duck was our favorite. But we also liked many other dishes. The only dish that I would say was not fantastic was a fried rice, but that could be just my taste, because someone else actually liked it. This is a really terrific place to come with a group for delicious Chinese food. Highly, highly recommend.
I celebrated my birthday at Great China with a party of 7 people, and it was a great experience! I walk by this restaurant all the time, and it is always full of people and smells so good. I'm so glad I got to try it! As soon as we walked in, I saw it was a large open space with lots of seating. We ordered 7 family-style dishes to share, and they were all great! The duck was delicious with crispy skin. The honey walnut shrimp had a particularly great sauce. The green beans were also a hit. Honestly, everything was good! The service here is also amazing. The staff was very attentive and even consolidated our food onto smaller plates halfway through the meal to make more room at the table. Overall, this was a great meal, and I look forward to returning and trying more dishes!
28 days ago
When I first heard of Great China, I assumed it would be more of a casual neighborhood mom-and-pop spot, but I was definitely wrong. It's actually a popular, higher-end Chinese restaurant in downtown Berkeley, and judging by the number of people waiting to be seated on a weekend only 30 minutes after opening, it clearly does very well. One note: I often see long weekend lines forming even before opening, so I'd definitely recommend making a reservation or arriving early. We came here with one thing in mind: Peking duck. It was prepared beautifully, with the exact nostalgic flavor and crispy skin I was hoping for. I also loved the way they presented the thin pancakes--half-folded and slightly overlapping each other--so you didn't have to worry about peeling each layer apart and accidentally ripping them. The dipping sauce and green onions were provided on the side, though I do wish they included thinly sliced cucumber to complete the experience. My husband also ordered the fish, which turned out soft, delicate, and delicious. It was a nice complement to the duck and rounded out the meal really well. My only real critique of Great China is the pricing. You're definitely paying a premium here, but the food does taste authentic and well-executed. Given the limited competition in the area, I can see why it feels justifiable if you live nearby. That said, it may not be as worth the splurge for people who already have easy access to more traditional, old-school Chinese restaurants. read more
1 month ago
Recently rediscovered this spot when we had a college reunion dinner here, and then took myself for a Lunar New Year-ish dinner soon afterwards. Peking duck and potstickers remain among my favorites, and the egg fried rice is a sleeper hit. Sad to see they no longer open for lunch, but I don't blame them considering how packed the dinner service is. read more
This place is wonderful if you want a fancy sit down restaurant for the family or friends. I absolutely enjoyed my meal here. We got the tofu, the orange chicken, chow mein, kung pao chicken, broccoli beef, garlic fried rice, and Peking duck. My top call outs would be the orange chicken and the Peking duck. They were absolutely delicious and everyone loved it. I wasn't a big fan of the garlic fried rice. I felt it was kind of bland and needed more flavor. read more
Came here on a Saturday afternoon and so happy a friend introduced us to this place. The Peking Duck was delicious and everything I had hoped for. We also ordered the double skin mung bean noodle salad. I had never had this before but am glad we tried it. A good mix of seafood, veggie and meat toppings and the sauce mixed with mustard was really flavorful as well. The sautéed garlic string beans were a hit. We also tried the fish filet in rice wine sauce, which was something new for me but also very tasty. The service was good and attentive. The servers were constantly checking in and refilling our waters. Definitely looking forward to coming back here and trying other dishes. read more
The 4 us arrived early without reservation and scored a table up on a table with stop seating. The restaurant is very modern and esthetic are nice. One of our friends have dined there many times and suggested the whole roasted duck, their size medium special rice noodle and we ordered beef and green beans with 2 orders of rice. Food was good and portions as generous. The duck was our favorite dish, a tad on the blander side but very crispy skin. The noodle dish was very different from anything we've tried. At first the rice noodles looked like gelatinous globs. It came with slivers of meat and vegetables. When mixed with some of the yellow mustard, it was quite good but we didn't use that much of the mustard. The beef and green bean dish was OK, nothing special. Staff was helpful and checked on us a couple of times. read more
Saw this on Bib Gourmand and decided to check it out. Was craving Pecking Duck and this hit the spot. Crispy skin and juicy duck. Also the pot stickers are delicious with a crispy outside and juicy meat. Would go again. Fast service. read more
5 months ago
I think it's a very solid Chinese restaurant. Main thing is it's often very busy, so much that there's already a line when it opens for lunch on a weekend. But for me, there was enough space to get a table after all the initial campers. The staff were nice enough to seat me before all of my party arrived. The staff default to mandarin which is always a good sign. Service is pretty good, answering questions and acknowledging when we flashed them down. The Peking duck is pretty good and doesn't require reservation. I enjoyed all the dishes. read more
5 months ago
Finally had the chance to try their Peking duck- and it lives up to the hype! Usually duck is so fatty, and there's so much bone to sift though- but this is beautifully presented. Duck meat so tender and firm. No bones at all! Also ordered the mung bean noodle appetizer- wasabi forward, found this refreshing! Also ordered the thrice cooked pork and it was so flavorful and tender. Also had the ants on a log noodle seafood dish. The noodle/ seafood dish was the only dish I thought was just ok - will come back to try other things on the menu! Overall, this restaurant exceeded my expectations- and now understand why they have so much hype! The cook has been here for over 40 years- so they're doing something right. Loved our server- he's so Bay Area! He had a gigantic lighter in his pocket of bad boys that he showed us and we loved his personality. Definitely a place where you have nice dinners, celebrations, and a great place to take folks if they're from out of town read more
Visited Great China on a Saturday evening around 7:30 pm. As expected, the place was packed, and we were quoted a 30-45 minute wait. Surprisingly, we were seated in about 15 minutes, which was appreciated. Menus were brought promptly, and service throughout the meal was quick and friendly. We ordered the spring rolls, black bean tofu, and ginger scallion fish fillet. The spring rolls were crispy and generously filled, but the filling noticeably lacked salt, which made them fall flat. The chili oil served alongside tasted old and was essentially plain oil with just a hint of chili, offering little depth or heat. The black bean tofu was bland and underwhelming, lacking the bold, savory flavor typically expected from the dish. The ginger scallion fish fillet was decent--the sauce itself had good flavor--but the portion of sauce was too small, so overall the dish felt muted and incomplete. While the staff was friendly and efficient and the restaurant clearly has strong demand, the food itself was just okay and didn't live up to the hype or the wait. Overall, solid service, but the flavors were disappointing given Great China's reputation. read more
We don't typically go across the bay to eat but Great China is one of those places we make the exception for. I was able to get reservations for seven of us on a Sunday night. Although the restaurant is in a big space, this place gets super busy and packed. Making reservations is the best way to go. My kids only wanted the Peking duck and insisted we order two whole ducks for seven of us. I thought this was a bit overambitious but know better to never to underestimate my kids. In addition to the duck, we also ordered a pot sticker, salt and pepper calamari, Mongolian beef, ant climbed the tree (glass noodles with shrimp, peppers, mushrooms, water chestnuts), Chinese string beans and fermented bean curd Ong choy. Everything was delicious and we ate all of the duck and most of the rest of the dishes! Our only regret is we forgot to ask for the duck carcasses to take home for jook or soup. Yes, Great China will give you the carcasses if requested post-dinner. Parking can be challenging nearby as the location is close the the Cal campus, but there is a small, paid parking lot across the street. read more
Glad I finally got to try! Came around 11am and got seated immediately. Large portions and friendly service. Chow mein and green beans are amazing. The tofu was a bit greasy for my liking. Everything seemed made to order and not too salty or spicy (wish it was spicier actually). I had a good experience and I'll be back! read more
We came on a Sunday around 7 PM and were quoted a 15-20 minute wait, but we were seated in about 10 minutes, which was a nice. We wanted to sample a variety of dishes, so we ordered quite a bit: chicken chow mein, chicken fried rice, Mandarin wings, Kung Pao chicken, beef & broccoli, hot & sour soup, salt and pepper prawns, and pork dumplings. The portions are definitely generous. Food: Pork Dumplings: Flavorful and tasty, though I wish they came with more dipping sauce. Hot & Sour Soup: One of the standouts of the night--super flavorful, comforting, and perfect for chilly weather. Chicken Chow Mein: A bit overcooked on the noodles but still flavorful. Fried Rice: Nice and salty (in a good way!) and paired well with the proteins when we finally got the rice (it came last). Kung Pao Chicken & Beef & Broccoli: Both were flavorful and solid overall. Mandarin Wings: Good addition to the mix. Salt and pepper prawns: another standout dish. Service: This is where the experience was mixed. Our dishes came out very spaced apart--sometimes 20+ minutes between plates. It made it hard to enjoy the mains together with the rice or chow mein because things would either get cold or we'd finish one dish long before the next arrived. Our server also wasn't very attentive, and she repeatedly discouraged us from ordering as much as we did. I explained we wanted variety and leftovers, but she pushed back a couple of times. Maybe she was just trying to let us know the portions are large (which they are), but it came off a bit odd. On the flip side, one of the staff members bringing out dishes--possibly a busser--was actually more attentive and helpful than our main server. Overall: 3.5/5 The food is delicious, portions are generous, and the wait time was better than expected but this place is pricey compared to other Chinese restaurants. The pacing of dishes and uneven service kept it from being perfect, but I'd still come back--especially for that hot & sour soup. read more
10 months ago
Not bad for a modern Chinese restaurant serving authentic Northern Chinese cuisine. You know it's legit and delicious when tons of Chinese families dine in there. We ordered four family-sized dishes that were popular on the menu: Walnut Prawns- more like honey walnut shrimp, but in an orange version. Citrusy and tangy sauce that wasn't too watery. Guo Ta Fillet Fish- steamed to softness and generous on the green onions and cilantro Black Bean Noodle- the original version of Jiajiangmen, but with shrimp added. The noodles were chewy and thick, smothered in onions and black bean sauce, which was of a thick consistency. Salt and Pepper Spareribs- flavorful with garnishes, a bit spicy, and the meat easily fell off the bone. Overall, the service was nice despite a 45-minute wait for a table during dinner on a weekend. They even have a nice bar with a full display of alcohol. Conveniently located near the UC Berkeley campus, but parking is available a block away. read more
If you come to this restaurant, and I highly recommend you do, keep in mind it is very popular and there will be a wait. The only question is how long. We were expecting to wait a long time, but we got there before it opened on a Sunday, and only waited about 10 minutes. We felt very lucky! We came here in a big group, which is definitely the way to do it because you can get a variety of dishes. Everything was absolutely delicious! The Peking duck was our favorite. But we also liked many other dishes. The only dish that I would say was not fantastic was a fried rice, but that could be just my taste, because someone else actually liked it. This is a really terrific place to come with a group for delicious Chinese food. Highly, highly recommend. read more
I celebrated my birthday at Great China with a party of 7 people, and it was a great experience! I walk by this restaurant all the time, and it is always full of people and smells so good. I'm so glad I got to try it! As soon as we walked in, I saw it was a large open space with lots of seating. We ordered 7 family-style dishes to share, and they were all great! The duck was delicious with crispy skin. The honey walnut shrimp had a particularly great sauce. The green beans were also a hit. Honestly, everything was good! The service here is also amazing. The staff was very attentive and even consolidated our food onto smaller plates halfway through the meal to make more room at the table. Overall, this was a great meal, and I look forward to returning and trying more dishes! read more
We came here to celebrate a birthday and ordered the Peking Roast Duck, Double Skin, Zhen Jiang Spareribs, and Chinese String Beans with Beef and Mushrooms. The Peking Roast Duck and the Double Skin were both excellent! The whole duck was deboned and came with 24 pancakes, which you can pair with plum sauce and scallions. My favorite dish was the Double Skin; it was my first time trying it. It came with Mung bean noodles, carrots, cucumber, egg crepe, calamari, shrimp, sea cucumber, onions, mushrooms, and pork. The combo of ingredients created a flavorful and unique texture that I really enjoyed. I highly recommend this dish! The other dishes were also quite good. *Make sure to make a reservation online to avoid a long wait. Parking is a bit difficult around the area. read more
3.5 stars rounded up. Far from our last visits.... Quality/Quantity - My wife was craving this restaurant. She comes here often. So it is spoil my wife night and we ordered all her favorites: Peking Roast Duck - This is the ONLY Peking Roast Duck my wife eats. Crispy skin and lean meat. Too bad today some of the skin still had a few feathers on it and it turned my wife off. Good thing the meat was lean, tender, and of good quantity. See pictures. My daughter and I were not fans of the mushu wrappers/pancakes. We prefer buns. But my wife liked and preferred the mushu. Double Skin - My favorite of the dishes, also see the video for the mixing show, lol. If this dish had a little more mustard/wasabi, that would have been even better. Decent quantity, especially for a size "small." Combination Fried Rice - My daughter ordered this. Again, decent quantity, but it could have used more flavor, more spices, more soy sauce...? Atmosphere - The place still looks good. Going on 13+ years; congrats. Street parking, but we strategically chose to come on a Sunday for free easy parking. Parked only 1/2 a block away. Open 6 days a week from 11:30am to 8:30pm or 9pm; closed Tuesdays. Service - A miss today. Barely saw our waiter and when we asked the two "bus girls" for wipes, they did not seem to speak English?!?! Eating with our hands (mushu wrappers and duck) was very messy. I had to get up a few times to wash my hands. Price - $135 + tip; I felt expensive for what we got today with both the food and lack of service. Owner Comment - Congrats on your families success since 1985. Congrats on the second generation owners of the restaurant! I watched you build this new location in 2012...? Even after 10 years, this place still looks so modern. read more
11 months ago
Modern industrial interior was nice, bright and clean. We were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The food is fresh, clean, and well prepared. The potstickers are some of the best we've ever had. I cut one open with my fork and yummy juices came out, it was so hot and moist inside. The chow mein noodles almost tasted like they were homemade. We loved it. The beef was tender and the green beans were perfectly cooked. We barely spoke, too busy stuffing our faces. The portions were generous too, got to take some home. I really enjoyed the attentive service as well. Will definitely be coming back! read more
Food was good, staff was excellent! Spacing is better than most Chinese restaurants, maybe focused on catering to a different crowd, but works for me. Portions were excellent (: Peking duck 8.5/10 I hate when they serve bao with this so very nice to get the thin cut wrappers instead, well balanced plum sauce, meat was 8/10 a touch dry, the skin was 9/10, crispy and melts in the wrap. Liang Pi 9/10 Very tasty, wish it had more wasabi, but loved the flavor Fried tofu with mixed veg 6.5/10 I expected a crispy exterior and the tofu to melt in your mouth, neither was true. Tofu too firm, coating/batter too soggy. Chinese green beans 6/10 Not dry enough compared to other places. The fight for worst dish tonight with the tofu. Salted fried shrimp 9/10 Very good, almost like it was fried with egg yolk, glutinous Japanese style tempura texture. Mushu 9/10 Very tasty Water 10/10 Good chilled ice water, most Chinese restaurants give you dish detergent flavored h20 Overall, food was 4-4.25/5, service was excellent, staff is friendly, except that one guy in the hosting desk with the fro, could use improvement on customer service. Restaurant is much more quiet compared to most Chinese restaurants, nice for intimate conversations. Seating is spacious and the place is clean. Would definitely come back. read more
Probably the best and most attractively presented Chinese food I've had in a long time. The flavors were spot on, the colors were bright, and the taste was five star. We went as a birthday present for our daughter, and she was totally looking forward to the Peking duck. From the minute that we got in and I would recommend going early or late as the place is just full of people. Very popular. We got there 20 minutes early before they opened and we were second in line but by the time they opened up, there had to be 15 people waiting to go inside. We were seated and everyone that came to our table was absolutely delightful, but I have to give a special well done to our server Carmen, who was amazing and interesting and they had a great personality very outgoing we loved her. If we go back, I hope we get Carmen again. But as I said everyone we came into contact with was very helpful. That says something for the business. If you're curious about what we had look at our photos, but we went there for the Peking Duck with the crispy skin. We were not disappointed whatsoever. Everything else we had was also extremely high-quality. And we tried a lot of different stuff. Trust me we had to go boxes when we left. I also found the draft beer, fresh and a tall glass and inviting with that meal. In China, it is more traditional to have beer with the meal. read more
We've eaten at a few Bib Gourmands in the past and we mean it when we say it: this place deserves a star. We had a reservation and the place was so packed it had a line around the block at the opening for dinner service. The wait was about 15-20 minutes from when they opened as they were working quickly to get everyone seated and setup. We were seated at their family sized tables in the back and the service was fantastic. We ordered quite a bit of food since we had a large party so here's a list of what we got: Pork dumplings 8/10 - devoured in minutes within our party, everyone loved it. Salt & pepper spare ribs 10/10 - some of, if not, the best we've ever had. Perfect seasoning and chew to them. Fried rice 9/10 - just delicious, nothing special about it and yet still amazing. Ginger scallion crab 6/10 - seafood is not really our thing to be fair, but we still did enjoy the meat, the sauce was a bit of a miss though. Duck bone soup 9/10 - unbelievably good, the cilantro and onion pack it with flavor and the consistency is great. Broccoli, beef, and string beans 8/10 - a classic just done right, seasoned well and broccoli with a good chew; beef perfect texture and velvety. Chicken chow mein 10/10 - perfect chew, perfect flavor. Would've ordered another if we weren't so full. Peking duck with steamed buns and flat bread 11/10 - on this scale an 11 denotes it's the best we've ever had, just in case you thought we failed 1st grade math. Crispy skin and delicious, tender meat. Great China is undoubtedly some of the best Chinese food we've ever had. Add onto the fact that it's at a better value than other places and it becomes clear that this is a special place. The food itself deserves a star but sprinkle in the service and it begs the question as to why it doesn't have one. More on the service actually, they were incredibly patient as we ordered many dishes with different requests and were on top of everything from refilling water and tea to removing plates. When the only issue with a place is the parking situation then you know it's good. (Side note: parking is pretty hard to find and we saw a lot of cars getting tickets for invalid parking so keep an eye out). That shouldn't deter anyone though as this place might just be worth that fine, half kidding. Do yourself the favor and come here at all costs. read more
1 year ago
Great China did not disappoint! My partner was craving Liang Zhang pi, and this is the only place near us we could find that serves it. It was my first time trying this dish, and it was delicious! The service here is great, they mix the food for you and ask if you want the wasabi sauce (we got it and I quite enjoyed it). The minced beef soup was also quite good, more mellow in terms of flavor, but a nice hot pairing to the colder noodles. I would definitely go back to get their Liang Zhang pi again and try their other menu items! read more
7 months ago
Came here for a birthday dinner and the place was definitely packed on a Saturday night. I'd suggest you make reservations! Really nice interior but stuffy inside and half way through our meal we were uncomfortable. The volume level is extra loud so just be prepared. As for the service, it could have been way better. We sat there for a very long time waiting for someone to take our order. We didn't know who our server was and 4 tables that sat after us ordered before us even though we were actively trying to flag someone down. Didn't get water refills often and they forgot half our drink order every time we placed one. When refilling the water the waitress did it so sloppy it spilled all over the wall table and floor next to our chairs. The food could have been better. There were some dishes I avoided ordering from pictures online that I would normally order at a Chinese restaurant. The spring rolls were a bit mushy inside but nice they give you sweet and sour and mustard (interesting choice). Potstickers were huge but missing veg and umami taste. The Peking duck flavor was good, I just wish it wasn't so minced up, it made it very hard to pick up and eat, especially at the end. The veggie fried rice was salty but not much umami again. The worst were the sweet sour pork and honey walnut prawns. It lacked sweetness and the sauce was just flat. I had one of each and didn't want anymore. The fry on it wasn't great either, more batter than shrimp. The calamari was alright but lacked the pepper taste and were tiny. My favorite dish was actually the string bean with tofu and mushroom. This reminded me the most of actual Chinese cuisine. read more
The staff here is incredibly sweet & attentive. I came here for a work party so our table was pretty packed but the staff manages time so well. The space is pretty crowded on a Friday night there were people already waiting for a spot around 6 when I arrived so definitely make a reservation beforehand. My favorite were the spare ribs & honey walnut prawns. The spare ribs fall off the bone & it's seasoned perfectly. Also would like to comment on their wine selection. It was probably the best white burgundy I've had. Do not skip dessert! I think they're known for their Jasmine Oreo ice cream. It's the perfect way to end your meal. read more
1 year ago
We came here for the Peking duck and the place did not disappoint! Really appreciated the duck was lean and therefore not overly greasy. The double skin, tofu with vegetables and sweet and sour pork were also delicious. Service was excellent-the team does an excellent job of providing friendly and efficient service. The place can get really busy so recommend making a reservation and/or coming early to avoid too much of a wait. Bonus points for the clean bathrooms and the music inside which is a nice touch! read more
Decent place for some comfort food! My friend and I were seated immediately on a weekday afternoon. While there was plenty of seating in the restaurant, most of the tables were full. For the two of us, we ordered their Fried Rice with chicken, Spicy Eggplant Tofu, and Garlic Fried Rice. Both Fried Rices were not too oily, and the portion of the Fried Rice with chicken was generous, which included peas, carrots, and egg. The garlic fried rice was flavorful but has minimal ingredients. My favorite dish was the Spicy Eggplant Tofu, which had juicy tofu along with delicious eggplant mixed in. Reliable and consistent location for food! read more
I went mainly to try their famous Peking Duck and it was so worth the 1.5 hour drive. The duck was excellent with crispy skin and juicy meat. It was served with thin pancakes and green onions. I also tried the Double Skin, which is a mung bean noodle salad. It was interesting as it is served cold but has meat mixed in that is hot. The server mixes everything at the table. Lastly we had the pea sprouts, sautéed with garlic...also very tasty. Service was very fast and efficient. read more
The food, the ambience, and the service here are A+. My in-laws and family are Chinese and they swear this is the best Chinese restaurant in the East Bay. We often have our family banquets here and even had our Chinese engagement banquet here. You really can't go wrong here. The quality of the ingredients and the chefs are top-tier. I definitely recommend making a reservation if you can because this place is always busy parking can be challenging and I would say that that's the only downside. My favorite dishes are double skin, which is noodles with a spicy mustard sauce and vegetables and shrimp. It's really delicious. It serve cold so it's refreshing. It's definitely light and the flavors are really complex and interesting. I also can't recommend their spareribs enough. It's my favorite dish there. They cook it perfectly. It has the most amazing sauce. I could probably eat a plate to myself. I love their fried rice. It's simple and perfectly cooked with really good flavor. If you want to splurge, I definitely recommend getting their lobster noodles. The noodles are so chewy and so incredible. The lobster is fresh and perfectly cooked. It's really quite a special treat when we're able to get that dish. For dessert I recommend getting the green tea ice cream with the popped rice. It's really special because I've never been to a restaurant that had it before and the popped rice really adds a special texture and element to the dessert. If you haven't been here yet, I definitely recommend you go as soon as possible. This place is really special and consistently excellent! read more
Pretty pricey for Chinese, but I did enjoy the dishes we got. Place is not as decorated as typical Chinese restaurants, it's pretty bare. But I guess the minimalist look is what they're after. Food came out in a timely manner even though we went during peak dinner hours. I myself really liked everything, however my dad who is an old school Filipino dad said the food was bland and had to keep adding soy sauce to everything. The food was not bland to me, but again just my opinion read more
1 year ago
We have been going to Great China for over 10 years, ever since they were at their old location on Kittredge St. Whether for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions, we always love to come here and the food is absolutely outstanding. We always order the same set of famous dishes, here are some of the top ones. First you cannot forget the Roasted Peking Duck, that is a must get with the wraps. The double skin is amazing. The crab buns are very flavorful and meaty. Do not forget to order the Walnut Prawns, they are so delicious and are coated in a yummy sauce. Unfortunately, they have stopped giving out fortune cookies at the end of the meal. Possibly for cost cutting? That was the only downside to our meal. Nonetheless we love Great China and highly recommend it, it gets you pretty close to authentic Chinese cuisine. read more
First time at Great China and food was delicious! My family are regulars at this restaurant and ordered what they would usually get. Service was great and food was delicious. We got the peking duck, honey walnut shrimp, watercress, double skin, sauteed crab meat with buns, winter melon and seafood soup, string bean with minced pork, and chow mein with shrimp. My favorite was the honey walnut shrimp, the shrimp were huge! Great ambiance as well. Will definitely come back with my family next time! read more
Great China, where to begin. It's been so long since I've last had a meal here but last night for my dad's birthday, we knew just the place for a bit more elevated Chinese food in cool digs and of course, spacious enough to be baby friendly. We ordered pot stickers (fyi they have a note on the menu to allow 20 minutes to cook, they're super plump/juicy and I would say worth the wait), minced chicken with lettuce cups, Chinese string beans with beef & mushrooms, egg flower soup, walnut prawns, pork fried rice, and pork chow mein. I know, quite a feast, but already can't wait for cozy leftovers this afternoon. Having the baby in a high chair is new(er) for us, but he did just fine enjoying his chop (or drum) sticks, and the first tastes of tofu, broth, and other yummies. Everything we ordered was great ~ if you're into walnut prawns this dish is lightly breaded and fried and not in that typical mayonnaise sauce, rather almost an orange glaze. Loved the crisp string beans, buttery texture of the thinly sliced beef, and the shiitake mushroom flavor. The fried rice and chow mein are solid, and the minced chicken lettuce cups are my favorite around the East Bay. They don't skimp ya there! To note, they do have wine and spirits. Because we were a party less than 6, we couldn't make reservations. I suggest heading here upon opening ~ we arrived a little after 5:30p and they were already almost fully packed on a cold Wednesday evening. Worthy of a trip, leave time to find parking or drop someone off to put a name on the waitlist . read more
2 months ago
This is my favorite place to eat lunch or dinner. The food is always good, but pricey! I had the lunch special honey walnut prawns that came with soup, salad, egg roll and choice of rice. I was too hungry but took a picture halfway through my meal lol We also shared another lunch special kung pow chicken. Had to order to go for dinner as well got white rice and my favorite the salt and pepper fish when you bite into it its meaty. Not greasy. And that cost $30. It's not on the menu, but they will make it for you! The service is always great. Keep in mind if you have six or more people best to make reservations or you will have to wait a while. The place is clean. The bathrooms are clean. Can't go wrong with dining at this place. read more
5 months ago
Great china is a more modern style of the traditional chinese banquet restaurant and does it well- the quality of ingredients is great and clean. Highlights are the pecking duck, walnut shrimp and zhen jiang spareribs! Duck is juicy, no fat with crispy skin accompanied by the thin crepe style wrap. Walnut shrimp is plump and perfect sweetness of sauce. Zhen jiang spareribs were crispy with sweet and sour sauce. read more
My friends have been telling me about this place for years so I thought I'd try it tonight... Yum! I ordered shrimp fried rice which was filled with giant prawns. I ordered potstickers and they were huge as well and quite tasty! I also ordered seafood dumplings which were good as well! For dessert I ordered some ube ice cream because I couldn't resist. This place is a little pricey even for delivery and my order arrive 30 minutes sooner than projected on the DoorDash map. Parking is always a little difficult in that area, which is why I got it for delivery well worth it if you don't feel like getting out there and asking with the traffic and parking most definitely I do over place delicious! read more
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More info about Great China
2190 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Downtown Berkeley
Directions
(510) 843-7996
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Visit Website
http://www.greatchinaberkeley.com
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Ask the Community - Great China
What is the average wait time for a Sat night at 5:30 for a party of 5 people?
Probably already 30 min if not more.
Will you be open on Thanksgiving night? Try to call the number but no one is picking up the phone
Closed every thanksgiving
Can u bring a cake or cupcakes in for a b'bay celebration?
Yes, but they charge $1 per person dessert fee. Standard for bringing in outside food into a restaurant.
How long is the waiting time for Peking duck?
Once you place the order, it comes out based on what you ordered. Didn't need a special order anything. Came out maybe 30 minutes after we ordered and food came out.
Do they offer any vegan options? I see vegetarian items on the menu but i am assuming they all have fish sauce, right? Does anyone know? Thank you!
Usually Chinese do not use fish sauce, just Thai and Vietnamese. Ask, when you order.
I got a voicemail confirming my reservation, and it said that there needs to be a minimum $35 per person charge. Is this being enforced? We plan to eat a full dinner there but this seems a bit unreasonable.
Yes and no, from experience with taxes and tips trust me your bill will come up to at least $35 per if not more - duck alone is $50 and all other dishes in $20 ranges
Do you allow a special event dinner with a party of 50 people? Who can I reach to plan a wedding anniversary dinner?
Yes, they are able to accommodate large parties. You should email them at events@greatchinaberkeley.com or james@greatchinaberkeley.com
Will you be open for lunch on Monday, memorial day?
When will indoor dining reopen?
Great China will be open for dine-in service March 30. You can book reservations for parties of 6 or more online at www.greatchinaberkeley.com or call the restaurant at 510-847-7996
What are the reheating instructions for the Peking Duck?
When will the restaurant be reopened for din in?
Great China will be open for dine-in service March 30. You can book reservations for parties of 6 or more online at www.greatchinaberkeley.com or call the restaurant at 510-847-7996
When will sit down dining be available?
Great China will be open for dine-in service March 30. You can book reservations for parties of 6 or more online at www.greatchinaberkeley.com or call the restaurant at 510-847-7996
Is the outdoor dining open?
Hi!! Is the restaurant open for sit down dining yet with the lift of the stay at home order?
Great China will be open for dine-in service March 30. You can book reservations for parties of 6 or more online at www.greatchinaberkeley.com or call the restaurant at 510-847-7996
Do they serve chow fun?
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Great China - chinese - Updated August 2026
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