Schmap.com supports the following browsers:
PC
 Chinese comfort food |
7330 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard (Suite A-102) San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 268 1168 |
This no-frills Taiwanese eaterie offers casual dining for good value and draws a steady stream of fans from all ethnicities, many of them on their way to or from grocery shopping at the Asian market, 99 Ranch, right next door. Service may occasionally be spotty, but the food here is tasty and authentic. Of note are the Beef Noodle Soup, Seafood Casserole and Pork with Dried Bean Curd. There is also a wonderful assortment of cold side dishes such as Drunken Chicken and Braised Bamboo Shoots. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Casual atmosphere with quick service |
2963 Jamacha Road San Diego, CA 92019 United States +1 619 670 3038 |
This restaurant is ideal for a rushed workday lunch. The restaurant is very casual, more appropriate for a single lunch or take-out meal than for a business dining experience. Guests select entrees from an order counter, with a la carte items already prepared. Popular choices include Broccoli Beef, Hot Szechuan Chicken, Mushroom Chicken and Vegetable Chop Suey. These items may be purchased at a regular size, large size or party tray. In addition to the a la carte selections, guests may request cooked-to-order specialty dishes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Vietnamese hunter's bounty |
7604 Linda Vista Road San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 268 3161 |
Housed in a former chain restaurant's discarded shell, this Asian gem offers foods hard to find outside of Vietnam. The decor is simple, featuring floral patterned chairs and Vietnamese folk art. Rare delicacies rule the day, including dishes made with deer and wild boar, plus an abundance of seafoods. Vegetarians will delight in the textured tofu offerings, which include chewy chicken-like Do Chay Kho, tofu complete with skin, molded from pure soybeans. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Spicy selections |
4140 Oceanside Boulevard San Diego, CA 92056 United States +1 760 631 4808 http://www.visitchins.com/ |
Attentive waiters serve traditional Szechwan specialties at this popular restaurant. Tea sets are on display in the simply decorated dining area. Tables are covered in white cloth and set with fine dishes. Pot Stickers top the appetizer menu, served with a homemade chili sauce. From the entree menu, try one of the spicy selections like Ku Ting Crispy Shrimp (batter-fried shrimp sauteed with walnuts in a spicy sauce). Not particularly fond of spicy foods? The menu has marks by each item that the chef can prepare in a mild fashion. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Mandarin and Szechuan specialties |
2236 Carmel Valley Road San Diego, CA 92104 United States +1 858 793 8478 http://www.chinacafe.signonsan... |
Located in downtown Del Mar, this restaurant draws countless customers for dine-in, take-out and catering needs. At first glance, the dining room is small. However, a royal staircase leads to additional dining areas. Pink linens, light green accents and bright carpet add a colorful flair to the dining room. The menu is vast and everything is highly recommended. Consider Pork Szechwan Style or Kung Pao Lamb. Meanwhile, vegetarians may enjoy Sauteed Bean Sprout or Broccoli Sauteed with Oyster Sauce. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Upscale Chinese Food |
4698 Convoy Street #C101 San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 650 3333 http://www.chinamaxsandiego.com/ |
China Max Restaurant is for seafood lovers, offering live seafood fresh from the tank. The restaurant blends western and Hong Kong flavors with traditional Cantonese cuisine for an innovative menu featuring delicious dishes such as Lemon Shrimp, Boston crab, Peking Duck and Lin Nam Beef. Offering patio dining and a private room for parties, China Max is a great place to visit for upscale Chinese food. The restaurant also has free parking. For a more detailed menu than featured on the website, visit www.sdreader.com. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ann |
|
Affordable Asian Cuisine |
4698 Convoy Street #C101 San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 650 3333 http://www.chinamaxsandiego.com |
China Max Chinese Restaurant offers you everything from poultry to pork and in between. They specialize in seafood and Shark's fin is popular with the crowd. You can order from the wide variety of beef, chicken, shrimp, scallops, oyster, crab, duck, lamb and bacon. Vegetarians should not be disappointed as this can cater to them just as well. The restaurant is cheap and reasonable. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ann |
 Photo: Ann |
|
Specialties of the Orient |
118 Leucadia Boulevard San Diego, CA 92024 United States +1 760 753 0565 |
Just a short distance from the coastline, this popular restaurant offers Chinese cuisine for your dining and take-out needs. While the restaurant is located in a shopping center, with a storefront entrance, do not let the outside deceive you. Once inside, guests are treated to first-class dining, surrounded by red, gold and black decor. Egg Rolls and Pork Stuffed Fried Wontons are popular appetizers. For your entree, consider Beef with Snow Peas Pods or Sesame Chicken. Vegetarians may enjoy the Stir Fry Vegetables with Tofu or Vegetable Chop Suey. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Hot location and delicious cuisine |
1020 West San Marcos Boulevard, Suite 142 San Diego, CA 92069 United States +1 760 471 6066 http://www.chinawokery.com/ |
Located along North County's Old California Restaurant Row, this establishment is frequented by locals seeking top-notch Chinese cuisine. A display of newspaper clippings, featuring the restaurant, is posted near the entrance. Inside, a bright mural covers one wall. Low lamps and bamboo decorations create a sophisticated Oriental ambience. From the menu, Orange Peel Beef combines marinated beef, red chillies and orange peel sauce, while Triple Delight offers sliced chicken, beef and shrimp, sauteed with vegetables. Vegetarian plates are available, including Tofu Country Style and Sauteed Broccoli. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Garden of delight |
3057 Clairemont Drive San Diego, CA 92117 United States +1 619 275 2888 |
Operated by the owners of Mandarin Plaza, this venue offers the same great food and value, just up the hill from Mission Bay. Pleasant decor and low prices make this spot a favorite destination for families, well-informed students and all penny-pinchers who appreciate good food. The "Dinner One" includes your choice of soup, a selection of appetizers, and one entree such as Cashew Chicken, Szechwan Beef or Sweet n' Sour Pork. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Best dumplings in town |
4619 Convoy Street (Suite F) San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 268 9638 |
As the name suggests, dumplings are the specialty at this small Chinese eatery nestled in the lair of Asian restaurants that is Convoy Street. Choose from a variety of pork, seafood or vegetarian dumplings, all homemade. The menu also offers noodles, rice, and a small selection of stir-fry dishes. You can stuff yourself for around $6. If you need to cater for a party, the restaurant also sells uncooked (fresh or frozen) dumplings by the dozen though advanced order is required. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: John  |
|
Mandarin and Szechuan delights |
11835 Carmel Mountain Road Suite 1305 San Diego, CA 92128 United States +1 858 673 2279 |
Silk plants and tablecloths provide the decor for this typical suburban Chinese restaurant. The operation is also modernized with two big-screen televisions, featuring sporting events or other mainstream televised activities. The menu features Mandarin and Szechuan specialties. The Pan-Fried Soft Noodles are served with beef, chicken and shrimp. Other popular specialties are the Vegetable Moo Shi and the Kung Pao Beef. A Chinese menu is available, featuring special dishes that the kitchen is able to prepare on that particular day. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
North County locals' secret |
2216 El Camino Real (Suite 108) San Diego, CA 92054 United States +1 760 722 8218 |
Tucked away inside a strip mall, this restaurant is easily missed by most tourists. Yet, those 'in the know' frequent this restaurant for its authentic Mandarin, Szechwan and Cantonese cuisine. Customers walk past a large fish tank to enter the dining area, which is small and cozy, with pictures of Chinese calligraphy to honor ancient traditions. The Chef's Specialties are customer favorites. Consider Szechwan Scallops and Shrimp served with water chestnuts, green onions, bamboo shoots and mushrooms. Plum Tree Beef is also popular, appealing to those with spicy tastes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Hong Kong influence |
2543 Congress Street San Diego, CA 92110 United States +1 619 291 9478 |
Predictably surrounded by Mexican restaurants in San Diego's Old Town, this fastidious restaurant thrives because of its attentive staff and attention to detail. Gourmet meals prepared by its Hong Kong trained chef range from the traditional choices of Chop Suey and Chow Mein to the exceptional Szechuan Curried Chicken or Shrimp and Scallops. The restaurant is highly touted by local food critics. Full service bar; free delivery with a $15 minimum order. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Great for night people |
3871 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 United States +1 619 291 9449 |
Got a craving for Chicken Chow Mein in the wee small hours of the morning? Or maybe you just have to taste an order of Pork Fried Rice? Whatever the reason, this place fits the bill with good, down-to-earth, tasty, unpretentious fare at fair prices. Recently remodeled, regulars think they took out some of the charm, but the food remains delicious. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Hong Kong flavor |
4609 Convoy Street San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 268 0888 |
In the heart of San Diego's Asian business district, restaurants here face tough competition and a clientèle who knows the food. This restaurant easily outdoes its competition and keeps its largely Asian client base coming back for more. Dozens of brunch time Dim Sum items delight the palate, and the live seafood is as fresh as it can get. The restaurant also offers traditional Chinese dishes, many reflecting the Hong Kong/Guangdong origins of the owners. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 No politics, just delicious |
3172 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 United States +1 619 295 2070 |
This eclectic restaurant claims to have a "dish for everyone." Hungry guests choose from dishes with origins from Mexico, India, the Pacific Rim, Italy or the United States. For breakfast, try an Indian dish called Utthupam, a crepe filled with lentils and rice. For lunch, try any of the delicious salads or pastas. At dinnertime, the Boeuf Amsterdam is a six-ounce filet mignon topped with a sauce of bleu cheese, white wine and onions. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jeff Cohen |
 Photo: desi rascal |
|
Landmark cafe |
738 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 United States +1 619 239 1621 |
This is a tiny been-there-forever, hole-in-the-wall Chinese-American diner, with startlingly low prices inscribed on the hand-written sign in the window. It has a low comfort quotient, but may be fun with kids or those wanting to eat very cheaply - especially at breakfast. The food is old-time Cantonese combined with diner-style American food. Sometimes the two cuisines are even served on the same plate. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Delicious Moo Shu |
2604 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 United States +1 619 232 1101 |
Located in downtown San Diego, this popular dining venue and its atmosphere put you right smack in the middle of China. The service is excellent and the food is authentic. You could easily feast on the wonderful Moo Shu Pork and nothing else. The pancakes are light and the pork is deliciously seasoned and well cooked. The menu also offers other traditional favorites that are equally satisfying. Entrees start at $8.25. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Best value buffet |
3760 Sports Arena Boulevard San Diego, CA 92110 United States +1 619 224 4222 http://www.mandarinplaza.com/ |
A brilliant kitchen creates fine Chinese cuisine made to order, or choose from the well-stocked, fresh buffet. The food here is excellent and well priced. For sheer value, the dinner buffet offers a wonderful array of items. These vary seasonally, but a recent visit offered Green-Lipped Mussels in black bean sauce, and Fried Won Tons in two varieties, one made with a dash of cream cheese and meat, the other a delicious, moist meatball. The buffet offers several soups, including an excellent Hot-and-Sour. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Mandarin and Szechuan favorites |
3861 Mission Avenue San Diego, CA 92054 United States +1 760 722 2793 |
This North County restaurant specializes in Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine, combined with a comfortable atmosphere. Both tables and booths are available for seating. Oriental pictures cover the walls and classical music plays overhead. A special lunch menu is offered, including Beef Broccoli, Garlic Chicken and Walnut Shrimp. All lunches are served with an appetizer, soup, salad, fruit and steamed or fried rice. At dinnertime, try Yu-Hsiang Beef (shredded beef, served in sweet and sour brown sauce). Another popular entree is Pork Chung King, which includes pork, cabbage and bell pepper. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Mei Leung |
|
Authentic Shanghainese specialties |
4681 Convoy Street San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 569 4833 |
This Chinese restaurant in a bright pink strip mall along Convoy Street serves up authentic Shanghainese cuisine along with the standard Chinese fare, all of it good and cheap. Typical Shanghainese dishes include the tender Braised Lion's Head Meatballs and the succulent Shanghai Five Flavored Duck. Or try the dim sum specialties such as Steamed Pork Buns, Leek Pancakes and Eight Treasure Rice. There is a weekday lunch buffet which offers a great chance to try many items. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Great food and menu |
10821 Via Cascabel San Diego, CA 92106 United States +1 619 224 3568 |
Some people who live as far away as L.A. have been known to travel to this eatery on a regular basis. It is definitely worth the trip because the menu is astounding! The restaurant offers more than 200 dishes on the menu and happily the dishes are all prepared without the dreaded MSG. Anything you order will be memorable, but if you have ever tasted the sweet-and-succulent Sauteed Lobster Tail, you too will travel from all points for an encore. The specialty is traditionally-prepared Peking Duck. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Vast assortment of Chinese favorites |
2820 Roosevelt Street San Diego, CA 92008 United States +1 760 729 0348 |
With an ideal location in downtown Carlsbad, this restaurant is popular for business lunches and relaxing evening meals. The kitchen is readily visible when customers pass through the front entrance. Guests sit in booths with pink tablecloths. Red, gold and black Oriental pictures decorate the walls, while low lamps hang from overhead. Lunch specials are available from 11:30a-3p, served with an egg roll, fried wonton, daily soup, rice and fortune cookie. The menu is gigantic for dinner specialties, ranging from seafood to vegetable dishes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Contemporary setting and traditional food |
4540 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92122 United States +1 858 458 9007 |
This restaurant combines a contemporary, trendy setting with traditional Chinese cuisine. Popular with the business crowd, cell phones complement this spot's decidedly urban decor. Heat lamps allow for year-round dining on an outdoor patio, although many guests simply prefer to dine at the full-service bar. Mu Shu Pork is a favorite entree, served with hoisin sauce and thin pancakes. Popular seafood options include Chang's Lemon Scallops and Orange Peel Shrimp. Traditional meals such as Sweet and Sour Pork and Chow Mein round out the extensive menu. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Sophisticated tastes |
7077 Friars Road San Diego, CA 92108 United States +1 619 260 8484 http://www.pfchangs.com |
Sophisticated and sexy decor is the background for potent drinks and 21st-century Chinese food offered here. If the mysterious, stylish architecture of northern China intrigues you, then you will enjoy the giant horse statues holding up the eaves and the replica guardian statues displayed museum-style between the tables. The slickly trained staff makes sauces at the table and delivers extraordinary Chinese dishes. The Peking Dumplings are outstanding; best enjoyed fried and anointed with a perfect lightly spiced sauce. There is a full bar and an extensive wine list. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Delicious Chinese food |
506 Horton Plaza (Horton Plaza Shopping Center) San Diego, CA 91107 United States +1 619 233 7800 http://www.pandainn.com/ |
This popular venue, offering mouth-watering Chinese food, is a quiet place on the rooftop of Horton Plaza. Featuring red and black decor, the contemporary restaurant is popular among local business professionals and shoppers. The Mandarin and Szechuan menu items include fresh seafood and vegetable dishes. Some of the specials include Orange Flavored Chicken and Sweet and Pungent Shrimp. The talented chefs claim to follow the four tenants of Chinese food preparation: color, fragrance, taste and completeness. And they definitely succeed! Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Ideal lunch spot |
3440 Del Lago Boulevard, Suite H San Diego, CA 92029 United States +1 760 738 9105 |
If you are working or visiting North County, this Chinese restaurant with popular Mandarin dishes is ideal for your lunch stop. Local business folks frequent this spot that offers phone-in and pick-up orders. The restaurant is small, hosting just a dozen tables for guests who wish to dine on the premises. The a la carte menu is particularly popular among take-out customers. Consider Orange Flavored Chicken or Sweet and Sour Chicken. Special orders are also available. Ask the chef to prepare Broccoli Shrimp or Kung Pao Scallops. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Dine in Oriental style |
8862 Navajo Road San Diego, CA 92119 United States +1 619 465 8190 |
Catch a glimpse of the Orient at this popular Chinese restaurant. Incredible Chinese artifacts cover the restaurant, including statues, plates and large paintings. Do not be surprised when the staff parades through the restaurant, covered by the ceremonial and colorful dragon costume. If your choice is ordering directly from the menu, consider Honey Walnut Shrimp or King Crab Legs (served with bean sauce). Try a glass of Japanese Plum Wine with your meal. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Sweet, Not Sour |
2877, University Avenue San Diego, CA 92104 United States +1 619 295 2610 |
Despite its North China name, this unashamedly Cantonese chop suey house still provides cheap family meals served on little silver-footed plates. Open since the 1930s, the interior is plainer than the ornate red-and-green chinoiserie outside would indicate. But this is Cantonese comfort food at its finest. Try the Almond Duck but ask for the more subtle "traditional" sauce instead of the standard sweet and sour. The waitress will smile and give you special treatment for the rest of the night. The selection of appetizers is a little sparse but you won't regret ordering the Chinese barbecued pork. -Kathleen Wilder Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Award-winning take out |
2508 El Camino Real San Diego, CA 92009 United States +1 760 720 6252 http://www.pickupstix.com/ |
The readers of San Diego Magazine selected this place as the 'best take out' restaurant in San Diego County. The favorite Chinese restaurant holds a broad menu, with its specialty lean cuisine and spicy entrees. In addition to take-out, catering and delivery are available. On the menu, the house specialty is Chow Mein. Another customer favorite is the Garlic Shrimp, including broccoli, zucchini, mushrooms, onions and water chestnuts. All entrees are served with steamed rice and a fortune cookie. The restaurant serves non-alcoholic beverages only. You need to call for delivery information. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
An eclectic paradise |
875 Prospect St San Diego, CA 92037 United States +1 858 551 5252 http://www.roppongiusa.com/mai... |
This trendy spot is frequented by La Jolla locals, who rave about the atmosphere as much as the cuisine. Named after a trendy nightclub district in Tokyo, the restaurant uses the ancient art of Feng Shui to create a balanced and peaceful decor complete with a 600-gallon tropical fish tank. The Asian Tapas menu offers Indonesian Tiger Shrimp Skewers and one most unusual dish, Mongolian Shredded Duck Quesadilla, served with spicy guacamole. Seafood fanatics may enjoy the Hawaiian Mahi Mahi on Kim Chee, complete with roasted banana sauce and pineapple salsa. Review © 2007, Wcities |
|
Succulent Chinese barbecue |
7330 Claremont Mesa Boulevard San Diego, CA 92111 United States +1 858 505 9888 |
Tucked away in the back of a shopping complex, this restaurant makes no pretensions to high dining. Instead it is typically loud and full of hungry patrons stuffing themselves from an array of dishes. In the take-out section on the side, recently barbecued fowl are strung up for the admiring. The chicken in soy sauce, roast duck and barbecue pork are all good. Almost every other kind of Cantonese and Szechuan dish can also be found here. Try the Rock Cod Filet with Black Bean Sauce or the Sam Woo Hot Pot. Review © 2007, Wcities |