This place feels like an upscale modern Chinese restaurant, yet still maintained the affordable, reasonable prices. Hip. Urban. Spacious dining area. High lofty ceilings. Nice bar table area. I've never seen a bar table area inside a chinese restaurant before. Reminds me of Japanese restaurants where you order sushi or ramen at the bar table area. The staff were all nice & friendly. The best stand-out dish is the Double Skin. Hands down delicious. Very unique. I could eat this all day long. Love the mung bean noodles and the spiciness of it. The Peking Duck was good. All the fats were removed. Seriously, no suckling juicy fat anywhere on the plate. You get a great portion of lean healthy duck meat. And some duck skin. A bit on the dry side but hey, that's why there's a sauce for it. Eat it taco style with the rice papers. The Sauteed Crab Meat with Steamed Buns were good. Sort of messy if you filled it up real good and eat it sandwich style. Zha Jiang Mein & String beans were also good. Everything was fresh. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner. It was our first time here with a group of 8. Will definitely be back and try other dishes. And get more of that double skin. Yum. I do have to admit, service was on the slow side but we didn't mind since we came super early to do a walk-in; 15 minutes early prior to opening and there was a line out the door already. Most of those people have reservations already. Busy place. It was kind of unorganized upon waiting to be seated. This restaurant was filled up within an hour. Fyi, if you have a big group and want to hold one of those big round tables for reservations, they suggest at least 2 weeks in advance. Good luck finding a parking space. read more

WHEN: Saturday @ 6:30pm DINE IN SERVICE Not wait at all!! It was a quiet Saturday evening, only 3-4 tables of customers. Chuan Yu and Sakura requires a proof of vaccination card in order to dine in. Be ready when they ask. Our server was very nice. She was attentive to our needs, and checked up on us during our meal. It's a great date night restaurant if you want to dine in. The restaurant ambiance is quiet, casual, they have a drink menu. It's definitely not your typically Chinese restaurant vibe, it's more romantic and quiet than that. WHAT WE ORDERED E6 chili Szechuan fish $16 It doesn't have that Szechuan spicy numbness kick to it. I'm not a fan of spicy food but I was able to eat the fish and the chili oil. Eggplants with basils $15 This veggie dish surprised me with how delicious and tasty it was. I'm unsure what sauce it is, it goes with the eggplants so we'll. I couldn't stop eating it, it was the perfect pairing to the chili Szechuan fish. 2 white rice Each entree doesn't come with white rice. You'll have to order separately. I ordered their beef with bean curd and celery before. It was the main photo on their Yelp, apparently they took off that menu item :(. Chuan Yu should remove the menu item photos that are no longer serving. VALUE The entree dishes are between $11-20 each. It's relatively decent price for Bay Area Chinese food. They're known for their Szechuan dry pot and Szechuan fish. Next time I'd go again with more people and try the dry pot. read more

Great China in Berkeley absolutely lives up to its reputation, especially if you're here for the Peking duck. This is hands down the star of the meal and one of the best versions you'll find in the Bay Area. The skin was perfectly crisp and glossy, with just the right amount of fat, and the meat underneath was tender and flavorful. Wrapped with the thin pancakes, scallions, and sauce, every bite was rich, balanced, and incredibly satisfying. This alone is worth the visit. We ordered a full spread and everything else was executed really well. The double skin dish had great texture and deep flavor, and the sizzling rice soup was comforting and aromatic, with that classic crackling rice moment that never gets old. The string beans were well-seasoned and not overly oily, and the chicken wings were crispy, savory, and addictive. The combination fried rice was solid and nicely balanced, while the sautéed snow pea leaves were fresh, vibrant, and a perfect lighter counterpoint to the richer dishes. The honey walnut prawns were crispy, sweet, and indulgent without being cloying. Service was attentive and efficient, especially considering how busy the restaurant gets. The dining room has a classic, upscale Chinese restaurant feel that's comfortable and welcoming. Overall, Great China is a must-visit for special occasions or group dinners. Come hungry, come with friends, and do not skip the Peking duck. It's the reason Great China deserves every bit of its 5-star reputation. read more

The peking duck probably saved it from a review of 1-star rating. The peking duck is certainly one of the best in the Bay Area. I wish they would serve it table side where they carve it at the table. Parking - Arrived on a Saturday night. It could get a bit difficult, but we were lucky. Lots of meters around the area. Meter is free after 6 pm. Sweet and Sour Pork - Yuck! The flavor was okay, but occasionally, I tasted a chunk of dough. Sweet and Sour Soup - It was okay. No frills. We ordered a small which was suppose to serve 2-3 people, but we had enough for a party of 4. Peking Duck - Yummy goodness! I previously saw a random video of an funny way to eat Peking Duck. First, you would use one hand to eat the thin "pancake." With your other hand, you want to hold your duck skin with chopsticks, after dipping it to the hoisin sauce and clip scallions to your liking. Finally, with the pancake closest to you, push your chopsticks in with the duck and allow it to wrap it before stuffing your mouth with everything! I tried it, and it worked! It's only made possible because the pancakes are so incredibly thin. Otherwise, someone may have to do CPR on me. The wait was incredibly long, and they only take reservations from party of 6 and above. It definitely was not worth the wait or the commute to Berkeley. I would give this a 3-star rating if I was in middle America and no Asian food in the vicinity. read more

I have been here multiple times, even when it was in a different location and much more of a hole in the wall. However, this is the first time I went with more than one other person so I could try a good amount of dishes. In order of deliciousness: 1. Salt and pepper shrimp: OMG the batter on these was so light yet crispy and not at all oily. They were delicious and will definitely be getting again. 2. Double skin appetizer: weird name, really good dish. It's noodles with a soy-spicy mustard sauce and veggies and shrimp and sea cucumber mixed in. Loved the kick from the mustard and the slipperiness of the noodles. 3. Guo ta fish: fish fillets lightly battered and served in a tasty brown sauce. Almost like a ginger soy fish but battered. The fish was super tender and the sauce was delicious with rice. 4. Sweet and sour pork: I think the way it's battered here is different than other places because the crispness holds up even though it's tossed in the sauce. Classic American Chinese dish and it's done well, but not as good as the food above in my opinion. 5. Chicken with green beans and mushrooms: another well done dish that just couldn't compare to the stuff above. Still really good and wouldn't complain if someone wanted to order this. All of the food was tasty and Great China definitely takes more care and technique into their dishes than other Chinese restaurants. I will definitely be back!! read more

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Berkeley, Great China is a culinary gem that offers a delightful experience for both casual diners and special occasions. As soon as you step inside, you're greeted by a classy and welcoming ambiance that sets the perfect tone for an enjoyable meal. The elegant decor and warm lighting create an inviting atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for everything from a cozy dinner to a celebratory gathering. With a price range that's reasonable for the quality offered, Great China has something for everyone. The menu boasts a variety of dishes, with plenty of vegetarian options that cater to diverse dietary preferences. Whether you're a meat-lover or a plant-based eater, you'll find something to satisfy your cravings. While every dish is worth trying, the signature offerings truly shine, showcasing the authentic flavors of Chinese cuisine. One standout feature of Great China is its spacious seating arrangements, accommodating groups of up to 13. This makes it a fantastic choice for family gatherings or friendly get-togethers. The service is consistently good, with attentive staff who are eager to ensure that your dining experience is nothing short of excellent. Overall, Great China impresses with its great food, vibrant ambiance, and ample vegetarian selections. If you're in Berkeley and craving a taste of China, this restaurant should be at the top of your list! read more

I was invited by my friend to dinner at Great China. Walking in, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But from the moment I sat down, it was clear that this was going to be a meal to remember. From the moment I walked in to the moment I left, the staff was attentive, friendly, and genuinely seemed to care about my dining experience. It's clear that they take pride in what they do, and it shows in every dish that came out of the kitchen. The customer service was exceptional - attentive without being intrusive, and with a genuine warmth that made me feel right at home. But it was the food that truly stole the show. The pecking duck was a masterpiece. Crispy skin, succulent meat, and a delectable sauce that danced on my tongue. The crab was another highlight - perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor. But what really blew me away was the jasmine green tea ice cream. It was a symphony of flavors, with the delicate tea taste mingling with the creamy sweetness of the ice cream. And let's not forget about the wine selection. The Riesling that was pouring all night at my table was truly exceptional. It complemented the food perfectly and was a true delight to drink. All in all, this was an exceptional dining experience that I won't soon forget. If you're in the mood for some truly amazing Chinese cuisine and top-notch customer service, this is the place for you. Highly recommended. read more

Tl;dr: Went to celebrate a friend's birthday with a few other people, but did not have a good time. We brought a birthday cake with us and had it after dinner, and were surprised to find that we were charged a "cake fee". Unable to provide any reason why it would make sense to charge such a fee, they insisted that it was a "written rule" in their menu, only to find that there does not exist such a rule mentioning "cake fee" at all. Not only that, we were forced to switch table WHILE we were eating, because someone with a table reservation was coming soon. They told us that all this was because they "didn't want us to wait for a table" when we first got here, but apparently it was totally fine for them to ask us to move DURING the meal. And not to mention the dead fly found in the fried rice that made the whole experience more enjoyable. I have been to this place a few times, and indeed this place does have decent Chinese food, although the price is higher than most of the other Chinese restaurants. However, after this unpleasant experience, I don't think my friends and I would go to this place any more, since we would rather go eat at a place with slightly less authentic Chinese food, than getting brushed off by the people here. read more

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that this is, probably, the best chinese restaurant in the Berkeley, El Cerrito area. Definitely my favourite anyway. I've tried a lot of different dishes from the menu and every one of them has been exceptional. My personal favourites are the hot and sour soup (divine!) and the twice-cooked pork. Berkeley is awash with restaurants but this is definitely the standout. Forget the gourmet ghetto, this little side street off Shattuck is definitely where it's at. Even better is the fact that it is right next door to two great places - the California Theater (a little dumpy, but charming) and Becketts, the best pub in the area. So you can really make it a good night out without venturing more than one block. One word of advice though: Plan on getting here either early or for a late dinner. Any other time and you will be waiting a long time to get a table. The place is just that popular. Even on week nights the place is usually full. Get there around five - five-thirty and usually you can just beat the dinner crowd. Enjoy! read more

This is probably the best Chinese restaurant in the East Bay. It is a little bit fancier than your usual hole in the wall Chinese restaurant, but you get what you pay for here. I came here on my birthday with a pretty big party (reservation for 12). The restaurant was packed since it was a Friday night, but I saw that my table in back was nicely marked and reserved. Phew. My favorite dishes for the night were the peking duck (duh) and the salt and pepper shrimp. Anything fried from that kitchen is pretty much a lock for excellence as we had a few fried food orders and all of them were excellent. Peking duck is good. Order it. Beer and wine only, but who really wants to get trashed at a Chinese restaurant?!?!?! Parking is typical Berkeley, so give yourself at least 20 min before arrival time to park. There is a pay garage across the street for those who hate to look. Overall a great experience and like I said above. The BEST Chinese restaurant in the East Bay! read more

As someone who is always skeptical about the Likert Scale and super rarely ranks anything with extreme scoring, Great China is one of the rare places where I would give out 5 stars. After 4 visits and a parking ticket, I can say that they are great in consistency with their quality of food. Though the place is not well kept and super crowded, I have to give them a thumbs up on authenticity. Let's just say that it was more authentic than what they even fed me on my China tour. I don't remember them taking reservations, so be there before you're already starving. Must try dishes: Double Skin: a cold and hot combo dish where strips of cucumber, radish, shrimp, sea cucumber, pork and mushrooms get tossed with mung bean noodles mixed with a lite wasabi like horseraddish vingerette. If you don't want it to be slightly spicy, ask for this sauce on the side. Peking Roast Duck: it's served with the pancake like it is supposed to instead of duck lips looking buns. read more

I have to give them 4 stars even though I often feel sick after having great china and the service is just terrible. It just tastes so good! I go here at least once a week, and when I skip a week, I can smell the hot and sour soup that comes with the lunch menu in my dreams. haha When I go for lunch, I usually get one of these. Mapo tofu, small double skin, pork dumplings, or shandong chicken salad. For special occasions, I get the duck. OMG, one of the best I've had. So crispy and flavorful. I like double skin for special occasions as well. Walnut prawns are pretty popular when you have many people. However, if you are with a friend or two friends, I wouldn't order walnut prawns.. It's hard to eat more than 3 prawns.. kind of oily and too mayonnaise tasting for me. I have a serious veggie-craving afterwards. :) Overall, the best place to go if you are craving for chinese food near Berkeley. read more

Delicious food! I went here with a group and (it felt like) we picked everything on the menu. Peking duck, eggplant in the spicy garlic sauce, sauteed crab with the buns, dumplings, pot stickers, cumin flavored lamb. I loved the cumin flavored lamb. I thought it was going to be tough as it would most likely be over cooked. It was cooked why more than I like but it was tender and I loved the cumin flavor. The Peking was really good but I have nothing to compare it to since it is the first time I have eaten it. The skin was really crispy so I guess that makes it good. : ) I was a little dubious about the crab because they mix in a raw egg yolk at the table, but I couldn't taste anything yolkie. It was good not my fave. Eggplant was delicious. The pot stickers and dumplings were ok but not great. read more

Though the name of the restaurant sounded like the other 1000 of them in town, this one offered exceptionally well prepared Peking duck! Make sure you call to reserve for one before walking into the restaurant. But it seems the quality of the duck is better on the weekend than on week nights. The skin of the duck was crispier in weekends. Then other Northern China dishes are also good such as double skin and the bread that goes with the fake crab meat (somehow I like the bread on the side better than the dish itself. The bread's very soft and freshly prepared.) Service was not the focus here and expect very hard to get the waitress attentions since they were simply short of staff all the time. No desserts were offered on the menu other than fortune cookies and oranges. 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

great food!!!! horrible...i mean horrible, outright the rudest service i have ever experienced!!!!! beware, when paying by cash, the mean ass owner (female) will scream at you and tell you to leave a tip, even when you haven't been given the chance to do so, she just automatically assumes you didn't leave one or you aren't going to leave one. on the other hand, if you pay by debit or credit card, be ready to see a forced 15% gratuity on your receipt even with a party less than 6 people, try 2 people. isn't against the law, or credit card fraud at least? i just had lunch today, with my sister, 7/12/2011, and i will never, ever, i mean ever go back there ever again, i mean ever again!!!!!!!!!!!!! (did i get enough ever's in?) read more

I live one block away from great china, when they open I was so happy, we tied the food and was great, in last 2 months I ordered sizzling rice soup and curry chicken and snow pea prawn, fist time the rice for sizzling rice soup was over fried and smell oily, I called them about it and they changed it, second time had to take it back because half of the rice on the bottom was yellow again, today for third and last time i ordered and ask not to put old rice in my surprise they put 2 old rice, the snow pea prawn was cold and snow pea was as good as you get it raw from refrigerator, I called back ask for manager and he said he wants to deliver the good one but I wasn't in the mood, i cant get it how they went so bad,?!! read more

A friend took a group of us here for lunch recently. Standard Chinese restaurant decor and the menu is pretty typical. Every thing we got was pretty good but the stand out dish is the peking duck. My friend had to call the day before to order it for lunch for a group of us. Let me tell you. I don't like duck. I don't like dark meat. I don't like gamey meat. But I would've stabbed my friend in the eye with my chopstick to get the last piece of duck at this place. It was perfectly cut into matchstick slices when it arrived at the table with perfectly crispy skin on the side and mushu to wrap them in. This is the only way I'll eat duck from now on. read more

The food is great. Here's what is a must order: Peking Duck: It's theie signature dish and by far the best in the bay area. The skin is crispy and the duck meat comes boneless. That's how Peking duck should be. Absolutely delicious. Walnut Prawns: It's different than other restaurants. The prawns have a light batter around it which is deep-fried . The sauce is creamier and kind of sweet. Great combo. Steamed Surf Clams: Put the sauce over the rice. It's good stuff. The downside: The wait is long unless you go early or late. And service is just okay. (Hey it's a Chinese restaurant). Place is tight. minus one star. Otherwise great place. read more