Checked out Taste of Shaxian in San Mateo on a Sunday night and honestly was shocked there was no…read morewait. You just scan the QR code to order from your phone which I love cuz its super efficient and you dont have to wait for someone to come over. The food came out pretty quick too, like maybe 5-10 mins after we ordered. Portions are huge. I got the crab roe noodles and the braised beef shank with rice. To be real the crab roe noodles were pretty mid and lacked flavor, but the beef rice was delicious!! It had braised beef, egg, tofu skin, corn and some veggies. The sauce they use for the beef makes the rice so tasty, I mixed the crab roe sauce into the beef rice and literally the rice was 10 times more delicious. I feel like the crab roe rice would be way better than the noodles I ordered. Overall, definitely a good spot for a quick filling meal.

It's been awhile since my visit. Met up with my friends for lunch on a weekend. I parked two blocks…read moreaway at a meter in front of the park. We ordered the braised chicken clay pot, spicy wonton soup, beef pan fried dumplings, crab roe noodles, braised beef potato noodles, bok choy with garlic. Definitely too much food for 4 people. We wound up taking some of it to go. Everything tasted good, would like to come back and try their other offerings. Atmosphere was good, service was friendly. Probably my first time having Fujianese food. Very flavorful, the potato noodles were probably my favorite.

Most authentic chinese skewer restaurant in the bay area! I called ahead for a reservation and they…read moreanswered in CHINESE by default, thats how authentic this restaurant is. They have skewers of intestine, tripes, skins, and of course your typical pork/chicken/lamb/beef. No matter what you like, you'll definitely find something that suits your taste! They also have amazing non-skewer dishes like duck blood glass noodle, eggplant, etc. All the dishes are a hit. Would avoid the quail as it was a bit dry, the beef skin was also a miss. Favorite is the pork and lamb skewers!! Love the chinese-style seasoning. Expect to spend 30+/person to be full, each skewer is around 2-3 dollars. Ambiance is a fancy chinese restaurant vibe.

Came here with a group of five for an early dinner on a Saturday afternoon (4PM). There was plenty…read moreof space inside since it was a winky meal time, and there was no wait. It was quiet when we first arrived, but it gradually filled with more people and chatter. Parking was easy; I was lucky to find street parking right in front of the restaurant. The interior is cute and themed like China in olden times. I liked how the food was served on long platters with little candles underneath to keep everything warm, which made sharing easy. Two of my friends were trying Chinese skewers for the first time. We ordered everything through a QR code, and the system was straightforward. The menu being visual online helped made ordering easier. The food came out in good timing. The staff was helpful whenever we had questions about what certain items were. Water refills were easy to flag down. The cucumber salad was a huge portion and so refreshing. We wish the cold potato salad was a bit softer (it was crunchy). We didn't find anything too spicy. For the skewers, everything was juicy and well-seasoned. The flavoring was great. My personal favorites were the beef and lamb sticks which were tender. We also tried items like gristle, gizzard, and gluten (yum!) We ended up spending a little over $30 per person after tax and tip. Overall, this was a fun group meal and I'm glad it was a good introduction for my friends who hadn't tried this style of skewers before. I'd recommend it!

Hands down the best Cheung Hing around. Dining here is good because the location is a fair size,…read moreclean and bright. Service is always consistent and the servers are friendly. Recently I stopped to pick-up dinner with the plan to have leftovers. I called my order in and was quoted 40 minutes for my order to be ready. My order consisted of salted fish and chicken fried rice (this location has the best around SF and the peninsula), bitter melon beef, chicken chow mein, Thai style fried vermicelli (my favorite dish here), salt and pepper chicken wings. We also received a complimentary bbq pork fried rice. Everything was fantastic and we had plenty of leftovers for a few days.

Technically located in San Mateo but really so in Bel-Mateo(between Belmont and San Mateo). Cheung…read moreHing is an old school Chinese restaurant where the fresh Duck is hanging right there for you to pick up. The interior is dated but the food is authentic and not too oily. I usually pick up the aforementioned Duck and some pan fried noodles, maybe some rice porridge on colder days. Service is solid and they're a good option in the local area.

Needed a lunch spot that wasn't a three hour wait (lol Whisper) - and this place seemed to call to…read moreus. Upon entering, I noticed that it is a sister restaurant to the Lazhou Noodles but before we could change our minds, the hostess sat us (lol). I went with the main beef noodle soup, and we also tried the dry noodles with spicy beef. I was expecting the food to be very similar to their sister restaurant - BUT the food here was so much better I was SO surprised. The broth tasted better, the noodles were higher quality, and the beef was also much more tender and had less gristle. it made me wonder if it was a fluke or if this location was just that much better as this restaurant was also much more crowded versus the other locations. I can't wait to come back and bring friends, and though San Mateo is parking is not as friendly, the food experience definitely makes up for it!

One of our favorite go-to noodle houses whenever we are in the San Mateo area. It's not a huge…read moreplace but overall very clean. Noodles are hand pulled and made directly in front of you through a glass window where you can view your noodles being made. You can select from a variety of noodle textures and sizes. The noodle dishes are separated between soup and dry noodle versions. For the soups, recommend the Lanzhou hand pulled noodles soup or sichuan braised beef stew noodle soup. For the dry noodle, our favorite is the chilli oil noodles with wide noodles. For appetizers, the spicy wonton is really good. Their spicy sauce has just the right amount of kick and is mildly sweet. While they also serve dumplings, I kind of feel there are dumplings are just average --- stick with the noodles!

Food was OK, service and ambience could definitely be better. I think they might even have a pest…read moreproblem.

Great place for delicious and comforting Chinese food. My new go to order place for party trays (2x…read morealready) that delivered in flavor and pricing. The owners are so kind and pick up was quick, food was hot and ready on time! I ordered 7 small trays for 23 ppl, and it was more than enough! They offer 3 tray sizes. My family enjoyed everything! I definitely will be back!

Wow, pleasantly surprised by how good the food is here. Ordered takeout over the phone and food was…read moreready by the time I got there (15min). Spicy bullfrog - generous with bullfrog servings and taste was on point Lamb skewers - minimum 2 skewers per order with a good amount of meat per skewer. Spicy cold jelly - The cold jelly was a good refresher after all the spice. Love the texture. Duck blood curd - a little stingy on the duck blood curd. Probably pass on this.

Tasty food and fast service. The flavor is very authentic. The roast duck hotpot is spicy and…read moreflavorful! It has some veggies in it too. Will order again when I go back!

Honestly, I never had high expectations for "Yunnan cuisine" in the U.S., but Ping's Bistro…read morecompletely proved me wrong--and I'm happily so. From the first visit, it was clear this isn't an "Americanized Chinese restaurant," but a place that truly understands Chinese cooking, technique, and flavor. What impressed me most were the mushroom dishes. Being able to enjoy mushrooms with such depth and complexity in the U.S. is already rare. The aroma isn't built from heavy seasoning, but from the ingredients themselves, fully brought out. The flavors are clean, natural, and incredibly fragrant--the kind that lingers and keeps you wanting more. It immediately brought back memories of authentic Yunnan flavors. Even more impressive were some of the seemingly ordinary stir-fried dishes. At first glance, they look simple, almost unassuming. One bite in, though, and you instantly understand what real wok hei is. That smoky, high-heat flavor can only come from a skilled chef using proper equipment and precise timing. It's not greasy or overpowering--just deeply aromatic and perfectly balanced. Simple, yet elevated. Overall, this is a restaurant that doesn't rely on gimmicks, fancy plating, or social-media hype. Everything is driven by pure technique and respect for ingredients. Each dish has a clear identity and leaves a lasting impression--not something you just photograph and forget, but something you actually remember. In the Bay Area, where Chinese restaurants are everywhere but truly great ones are rare, Ping's Bistro is a place I'd gladly return to again and again. If you're looking for something different, want to experience real wok hei, or simply appreciate honest, well-executed Chinese cooking, this spot is absolutely worth a dedicated visit.

We made a reservation for a party of 9 and they gave us a private room which was nice since we were…read morecelebrating a birthday. You order on an iPad and the server will come in after to confirm the choices you ordered. If you like spicy mala food, this is the place to try! Everything we ordered was mild spicy since some people in our party couldn't handle spicy well and it was still kicking but with good flavor! Everything we ordered was honestly delicious. I can't remember the names, but definitely order the full fish soup, the fried rice and and the cauliflower with lotus root. The only downside is the servers mainly speak mandarin and super quick! But they do understand English and the iPad can be converted to English.

If you are looking for a spot that carries the "Shanghai native" approved restaurant, this is one…read moreof it. I've visited many times, and the consistency of the authentic flavors keeps me coming back. The menu is a deep dive into Shanghainese classics. My personal recommendations: ​The Staples: You can't go wrong with the Xiao Long Bao, Stir-Fry Rice Cakes, and the Sweet Spare Ribs. The Spicy Pickled Stomach and the Small Shrimp are favorites of mine. Their Cold Noodles and Yellow Croaker are excellent representations of the cuisine. ​If you visit during the week, check out their lunch specials. ​Service & Timing The kitchen is generally quite efficient. While a few specific items might take a bit longer to prep, most dishes arrive at the table surprisingly fast. Just be prepared for a crowd--it gets very busy during the lunch rush! ​There is a small, limited parking lot behind the restaurant, but it fills up fast. ​If there is an event at the San Mateo Event Center, street parking becomes very challenging. Plan to arrive a few minutes early or visit on a non-event day to save yourself the headache. Whether you're a fan of traditional Shanghai comfort food or just looking for a solid Chinese lunch, this place is a must-visit. It's officially approved by my friends from Shanghai, which is the highest praise a restaurant can get!

Little Shanghai Restaurant makes the best Shanghai style chow mein! This is also known as Shanghai…read morefried noodles at other places. I've ordered the noodles several times for take out and have eaten at the restaurant once. Having it fresh is the best, but sometimes take out is my only option. The dish is so flavorful with a generous amount of pork and veggies. You have to try the Shanghai fried pork buns! They're amazing, but definitely made to be enjoyed 'dine-in' or else you lose that crispy fried crust if you take them to-go. The meat inside is so juicy when they're fresh. As an appetizer, the pig's ear with five spice was my favorite. They also give you a small tray of peanuts if you dine-in. The restaurant itself is quite small but the tables are spaced out enough where you don't feel like you're right next to the other parties. The service is consistently sharp, and there is a genuine sense of gratitude for your business every time you walk through the door, even when I'm just picking up a to-go order. I definitely want to try more of their Shanghai Dim Sum the next time I stop by.

Tang Bar is easily my favorite malatang spot in the Bay Area right now. I've tried quite a few…read moreplaces, and this one really stands out in terms of both quality and flavor. First off, the ingredients are noticeably fresh. The veggies are crisp, the meats taste clean, and everything looks well-maintained at the self-serve bar, which already sets a good impression before you even start cooking. There's also a great variety, so it's easy to customize your bowl exactly how you like it. I went with the Szechuan classic soup base, and it was honestly one of the most authentic versions I've had outside of China. The broth had a deep, rich flavor with that perfect balance of spice and the signature numbing Sichuan peppercorn kick. It wasn't just spicy for the sake of it--it had real depth and complexity. Another highlight is the value. If you spend over $20, you get free dessert, and they offer coconut milk sago and bingfen. Both are super refreshing and help cool things down after the heat from the malatang, which is a really nice touch. Overall, it's well worth the price for the quality you're getting. Great food, solid portions, and a satisfying experience every time. I'll definitely be coming back again in the future and would recommend it to anyone craving authentic malatang.

popular malatang place with a sleek interior & fresh ingredients! the vibe here is more self-serve,…read moreas you pick your malatang ingredients, then grab your own water, utensils, and sauces. once you've given them your bowl to be cooked, you'll find a spot to sit and pick up the food when it's ready. it can get crowded here, so try to grab a table as soon as possible! a few things set this place apart for me - i like how fresh the ingredients look and the variety of soup and dry pot flavors. they have the standard malatang broths, but they also have a spice-free chicken broth, a pickled veggie broth, and four dry pot flavors. they also have no minimum weight limit so you can get a really cheap meal if you're a light eater or just not hungry! unfortunately, i do think their ingredient bar is set up kinda weird - it's a little strange that the veggies and other non-meat items come after the meat and seafood. it feels a little gross to me, but everything still looked clean? the food itself was quite good though. i got the chicken broth and i really enjoyed how savory and deep the flavor was. it wasn't too greasy or heavy either. the ingredients were all very fresh tasting and i always enjoy the customizability of malatang. solid spot with great ambiance for a lunch or dinner, especially for groups or individuals with diverse tastes/preferences!

I hardly ever get Chinese food out because I am always disappointed. But this place has really good…read morefood and it tastes like it is made with love. The older lady who brought out my food was so sweetest and thanked me for my patronage . I will definitely return to this place again!

Hate leaving negative reviews but this was probably the first meal I've ever thrown away. The…read moregenerals chicken was just skins or tendons or who knows if it was even chicken. When you skimp on actual meat it makes me think what else are they skimping on... and I couldn't go on. Tossed the whole meal