50 Best Chinese Restaurants near San Carlos

“My wife and I stumbled into the restaurant when we were in the area for an appointment. Good prices, very good quality ingredients, and we were very pleasantly surprised with how much we enjoyed our lunch - hot and sour soup, pot stickers, dumplings, and beef soup noodle (which was brisket and excellent). Really nice server too. We will be back.“

“A lovely white tablecloth setting. Great service and delicious food. A lot like Wings in San Jose which is out of business now😭. So yes I love that we found King Chuan Restaurant 😍“

“Super comfortable and nice place to dine in! The people are super nice and our meal was so delicious! They have a lot of vegetarian options to select from. We really enjoyed our whole meal, from the crispy rice soup—so yum to the onion pancakes, the sizzling tofu dish and hot tea! Thank you so much!! We look forward to coming back again and bringing some friends too :)!“

“It’s more like cafeteria style. It’s a bit too casual for me because it’s a dim sum place. You walk up to a screen and punch the items you want and then tap to pay and you pick an available table and the waiter will bring your food from the kitchen. Everything is paper-plated or plastic containered.

Now the positive, the food has a very Cantonese culture to it. I had spareribs over rice, a rice wrap thing, and some real pork buns.

And, oh, no hot tea. All cold and sweetened teas in a bottle.“

“Smaller older restaurant food delicious

Lunch special GRAST DEAL

We love Mongolian beef 4.5/5
Mongolian lamb 4.5/5
Kung pao chicken 4.5/5
Fried rice 5/5
Chow mein 4/5
Chow fun 4.4/5

Walnut shrimp 3/5 ok not great“

“I love momos , fried corn , noodles & fried rice ...“

“Family friendly spot with delicious food that arrives fairly quickly. It's surprisingly affordable given how comfortable the restaurant seating is. I love getting the small side dish of jampong (red soup) since I can't finish the entree version myself. Also a great spot for groups since the dining area is really large. We always get the Jajangmyeung, Jamppong (spicy soup), and the fried pork or chicken.“

“Giving 5 stars for their free drink.

ordered the duck and mushroom soup, pan fried buns, and their combo D which included wonton soup and noodles with peanut sauce

duck and mushroom soup was the worst thing we ordered. $10 for a tiny pot the height of a toilet paper roll, but narrower and with thick walls. would recommend to those who like stringy and still half dried mushrooms.

the pan fried buns were good, though they were on the oilier side. very fragrant, and tasted delicious with their vinegar.

the wonton soup was the best out of everything ordered and tasted quite delicious, but the wontons themselves were low quality—they were small, which is fine, but the filling tasted like fish balls and not actual meat.

the noodles were a bit disappointing. they were soggy and the sauce was probably something you could make at home with peanut butter, soy sauce, and sesame oil. their menu says that the pictures are for reference only, and that's very true. the noodles looked completely different from the picture on their menu, whether it was portion size, color, or even noodle shape.

they had complimentary side dishes and the spicy tofu skin was great. nobody told us they were available, though, and we found out when we were going to use the restroom.

true rating is overall 3 stars, not great or incredibly authentic, but also not the worst“

“Omg this might be the best chinese skewer place in the Bay. The flavor is amazing and the decor is so on point too. I love the veggie skewer options they have (must get a-choy and chives) and the meat skewers are tender too. I really wished they had a fried rice addition since that would go so well with the skewers.

I would recommend you join the waitlist before coming in person since it’s usually really busy. I would come back here many times!!“

“After my friend took me here, I came back the very next day and bring my other friends. It's a hidden authentic chinese restaurant. Food is very good. Price is very fair or even on the cheaper side. Dish portion is big.. The parking is a little bit not easy during busy hours. Only one lady serves the tables. She was quite busy.
Very happy knowing this place and will be back.“

“I’m here to spread the gospel: this is the best Chinese food in the entire Bay Area. The vegetables are super fresh, you can tell on the first bite. Yes, the publicity is not… flattering. But: the food is undeniable, and the entire place super clean and well cared for. I find any excuse to drive down south to eat here. Long live Chez Xue.“

“Was visiting Cali for a couple of days and my cousin recommended I check out Malatown Express. You can really taste the flavor and freshness in the food. The entire restaurant was perfectly clean, and their attention to customer service was outstanding. Kevin, in particular, provided excellent customer service and attention, frequently checking on our table to make sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area!“

“The to go food is extremely good it seems only the locals know this hidden GEM sorry to spoil it and tell everyone I guess you're just gonna have try it for yourself I'd definitely recommend this great Chinese food to go I hope this place gets well known they've been there for over 15-years and nobody really knows who they are!!!!“

“What a great find. We just flew in to San Francisco... took an exit because we were starving. Stumbled upon this gem. Great food... service was exceptional... really friendly people. I wish they were in Utah!
Their potstickers are unmatched!“

“Food is wounderful and not that expensive… worth it….😃“

“Ok. If you're looking for fine dining, iDumplings is not for you, full stop. BUT if you're looking for a hole in a wall, great quality food, friendly staff, and located at downtown Redwood City, this place is for you. I need to come here more often. It's so yummy, they make the wrappers from scratch for the dumplings, the dishes are not overly greasy (which I like ALOT), and it's affordable. Give me a place like this any day. Thanks iDumplings!“

“味道好！價格合理！好吃！服務好！“

“We enjoyed the green peppercorn fish. It was pretty sour. If you order large they let you pick four additional side items like tofu, cabbage, mushrooms, or noodles. I wouldn't recommend that you get the barbecue as the barbecue meat didn't look the same as in the photos. I think Tai-Er, which is down the street, is better quality but this is a good place for a quick bite.“

“I travelled from Riverside County to come eat at this restaurant and have heard such great reviews about it from my relatives and friends who live all the way in China! It was worth the drive and we will definitely be back again. Each dish is unique and they also have gluten free options as well as requested options. (My f5 year old is Gluten free).The bamboo and mushroom dish had a hint of sweetness with an undertone of spice, the Chong qing 🌶spicy chicken was mouth watering, along with the eggplant 🍆 dish, dry stir fried fish, and glass noodles with pork! I enjoyed every dish and my kids enjoyed their shrimp fried rice dish and greens as well. Our family is a foodie family and we love ❤️ traveling far and near to try dishes from around the world. The Chef came out and greeted us and was So kind. The staff was very attentive and friendly with our children. I would highly recommend this establishment. Thank you!! 🙏💕😁“

“has your typical chinese-american items like beef broccoli but also some more unique fusion-style dishes. the pineapple bun sandwiches caught my eye & the tingly spicy was a creative take on a spicy chicken sandwich with chinese ingredients. the fries were crispy & well-seasoned but too oily for my liking. the meal was good, although i’d imagine their other stuff is more impressive.“

“Yan gon is a family own Burmese restaurant on broadway Burlingame. The owner and the entire staff were extremely friendly , attentive , courteous . helpful, and welcoming . Their dishes are delicious . I have tried their Burmese Style Curry Lamb , Singapore Street noodles, Deep fried Chicken Wings , and Wor Wonton Soup. All four dishes were delicious, but my favorite is the won ton soup . This soup is perfect , it's so healthy and brothy. The broth is so rich that left a long lasting mouthwatering and coating sensation lingering in my tongue. The wontons are so tasty , juicy , and flavorful with the right amount of , I believe was pork , ginger , garlic ,chopped onions , sugar, salt , pepper , and shrimps . . The shrimps were very tastey and fresh . It didn't have that strange scent of ammonia or fishy smell like spoiled shrimps . The restaurant is simple , bright , clean , casual ambience with ample seatings. I have been here many times and got seated right away. No wait . This restaurant is a must try if you have the craving for Burmese food or just want to try something new.“

“Has been the dumpling spot for us going on two years now. We come here about one a month-ish but LOVE this place. One time my boyfriend and I ate 50 soup dumplings between the two of us. It was amazing.
Another time, we were coming back from half Moon Bay and decided to give the frozen dumplings a try. The guy who’s always there (don’t know his name sorry!) gave us directions on how to do it and even gave us some paper to line the pan with so they wouldn’t stick. We super enjoyed them at home! On our visit to go pick up the frozen dumplings, we met a man there who says that he’s from Napa and stops by whenever he’s in the area. (Wow!)

Our faves are: Pork Soup dumplings, Pork chive, and Chicken Corn dumplings 🥟
Thank you for all the yummy dumplings!
-Nina & Camden“

“The best Chinese food my daughter and I have had in a long time. She’s says it’s the best she’s EVER had, and she loves Chinese food. I recommend this place 💯“

“It was my first time visiting here, and I came with my friend. We both had the Wuhan noodles the lady working there recommended us, and it was so delicious! She was also very kind and helped us by explaining the way to eat it. The atmosphere was nice with a warm atmosphere and had mostly families dining in.“

“The food is absolutely delicious! The staff is friendly and helpful. One of my favorite places to go when in town. Highly recommend.“

“Some of the best hot pot I have had and the customer service was great“

“look for the 3 item specials but also the cho chow mein, Mongolian beef and beef noodle soup are all really good. fast service and friendly.“

“Asked the server for recommendations, and he cordially recommended some dishes for us to try. Asked another server for an extra pair of chop sticks, and yet another one heard and brought the chopsticks over right away. The servers looked like they enjoyed working there, and the restaurant was spacious and comfortable.
The food was delicious! The recommended Napa cabbage pork dumplings were amazingly delicious, prompting us to buy some frozen dumplings home ($11.99/15pcs) at the end. The pickled cabbage beef noodle soup was delicious as well. The noodles were softer than al dented (as I like it), and the 2 types of beef were both tender. The soup was a little too salty to be drunk by itself though. Also got the mixed salad without spicy, which was very garlic forward. Unfortunately, the tofu sheets were a little harder than I would've liked, but the flavour was still good.
All in all, highly recommend this restaurant for their dumplings! I cooked the beef lamb fish frozen dumplings yesterday and as long as you're careful not to break the skin, it'll be moist and delicious. If you're close to the airport during meal time, definitely give this place a try!“

“Ordered a number of dishes, including the dan dan noodles and fried noodles. Both were great, but very surprised by how good the latter was! Also ordered the spicy oil dumplings (紅油抄手）and Chinese beef pancakes. Both were excellent! Also loved their soy milk!

Paid under 100 with tips and taxes included, excellent value for money!“

“Absolutely loved this place! The food is outstanding — fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. The restaurant is spotless, and the ambiance is just perfect: calm, comfortable, and really inviting. It's the kind of spot where you can actually relax and enjoy a meal without the noise and chaos you find elsewhere.
What really sets it apart is the ordering experience — you order right from your phone, which is both seamless and genuinely fun. It feels modern without being gimmicky. Highly recommend to anyone looking for great food in a clean, peaceful setting. Will definitely be back!“

“A family run Hunan spot tucked by the Crystal Springs center, cooking the regional menu rather than the Americanized one. The Mongolian chicken and the curry beef are the orders, both under fifteen dollars. Note the hours, closed Saturdays and Sunday evenings only. Thank you for keeping the home style going. Five stars.“

“great food. good service“

“We’ve been coming here for over a decade, and the quality has been consistently outstanding. Truly authentic Cantonese cuisine, with a warm vibe that works equally well for small dinners or large group gatherings. It’s easy to book, the staff are super accommodating, and they don’t just serve food, they tailor dishes exactly to your requests. Reliable, delicious, and welcoming every time. Highly recommended.“

“We had such a wonderful dining experience here! The seafood was incredibly fresh and beautifully presented. The oysters were especially impressive, fresh from that morning, and the geoduck was crisp, sweet, and delicious. The crab was rich and full of roe, the shrimp were excellent, and the beautifully marbled beef was tender and perfect for the hot pot. Even after we were completely full, the oyster omelet at the end was so good that we somehow found room for more!

What really made the evening special, though, was the service. Vivian was incredibly warm, friendly, and attentive. You can tell that a lot of care goes into both the ingredients and the presentation of every dish. Our whole group felt very welcomed and well taken care of.

Fresh ingredients, generous portions, beautiful presentation, excellent service, and a wonderful atmosphere for gathering with family and friends. We will definitely be back. Highly recommended!“

“Great food, can be busy during dinner time. So show up early.“

“I've come here many times now over the past year or so, and would highly recommend. The food is fresh and delicious, consistently high quality. Similar Chinese restaurants often make me feel a bit queasy after, I think because of the quality of the ingredients, but I've never had this issue here. Good price too.“

“It’a a Chinese restaurant with open kitchen that is pretty neat - by itself the place deserves a five star!
The dish is tasty and my favorite is the sauteed noodles or Chao Mian which has a great sensation coming from the wok’s high temperature induced Maillard reaction - it’s called Guo Qi 锅气.
Service is pretty good here - owner and staff are friendly and helpful.“

“quite good and competitive price. Missing Taiwan a lot!!“

“This is a classic Hong Kong style cafe or “tea restaurant” (茶餐廳), a relative unique style of Chinese cuisine invented in Hong Kong by fusing western cafe and Chinese style cooking. If you ever want to find such an eatery in the San Francisco Bay Area without flying 8000 miles to Hong Kong, this is your place. The food, and especially the service are absolutely top notch. Perhaps even more precious is the community vibe the restaurant staff manage to create. From the moment you step into the restaurant to the moment you leave you will meet authentically courteous, efficient and caring service from Selena, Sunny, and others. The combination of a family restaurant and high quality cooking plus pleasant ambience will likely make this restaurant a highly desirable gathering place going forward for local residents, as well as visitors from afar, for the unique east-meet-west Hong Kong tea restaurant experience. A remarkable place for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner.“

“We did a walk in around 10:40 so there were plenty of tables and parking.

We had dimsum brunch here and ordered the standard: siumai and hargow which had slightly different names on the menu but did have pictures. Overall it was delicious and the pieces are large.

Pro tip: if you want to order from their main menu, you’ll have to come after 11 especially for their specialties like the duck.“

“food place for family and hang out“

“In the heart of downtown San Mateo, MY Dumpling has emerged as my preferred destination for exceptional culinary experiences at an affordable price. Having visited this establishment on three separate occasions, I can confidently assert that every aspect of the dining experience is exceptional.
The restaurant exudes a sense of cleanliness and orderliness. The food is served promptly, and the staff is exceptionally courteous and attentive. The original and spicy dumplings are particularly noteworthy, while the spicy wonton is a must-try. The salt and pepper fish is an exceptional dish that stands out as one of the best I have ever tasted. The garlic string beans complement the garlic noodles perfectly. The beef rolls are exquisite, and I find that the menu offers a wide variety of delectable options.
In conclusion, MY Dumpling consistently delivers on all fronts, making it a highly recommended establishment for food enthusiasts seeking quality and value.“

“Got the hand pulled noodle; wide and spicy. Noodles were perfect! Spicy is “American spicy” so not as hot as what you’d get in mainland China but flavor was good. I think it could have a bit more sesame tho

Solid dish. Good price overall. I want to try the lamb chops next time“

“Came here for dinner and ordered the special for two. We were seated right away, which is always a great start. The service stood out—our hostess was incredibly friendly and attentive, checking in on us throughout the meal.

Food came out quickly. The soup wasn’t quite my personal style, but the entrees more than made up for it—everything tasted fresh, well-cooked, and flavorful, and the meat was especially tender.

Overall, a really pleasant experience with warm service and solid dishes. Would definitely come back!“

“とても美味しくて，良かったです“

“You go here for the food, not so much the atmosphere. I had the pan fried noodles with bean sprouts and soy sauce, as well as the egg tofu with pea sprouts.

Both were so yummy! Big portions, well-seasoned and skillfully cooked. Would def come again.“

“This is a takeout spot located in a business park, so it can be hard to find. However, their dim sum is pretty good and it's definitely a good value for how much you get. Our favorites are the pork buns and siu mai. The hao gar are pretty good, too. The bean curd is a little hit or miss, but they're packed full of filling. Pickup process is interesting as you ring a doorbell and someone will come bring out your order. They can be flexible with pickup times, though it depends on how many orders they have to fill. Parking can be a pain, but on weekdays it's not much trouble finding a spot along the street.“

“I absolutely love Ping’s Bistro! I’ve been to a lot of Chinese restaurants, and this place has some of the best dishes I’ve ever had. The cauliflower is incredibly flavorful and perfectly cooked—it has the perfect balance of crispiness and seasoning. My favorite dish, though, is the mushroom and ham. It is honestly the best I’ve ever had in my life. The flavors are rich, comforting, and cooked to perfection.

The food tastes fresh, the portions are generous, and every dish we’ve tried has been consistently delicious. The staff is also friendly and welcoming, making the whole dining experience even better. If you’re looking for authentic, high-quality Chinese food, I highly recommend giving Ping’s Bistro a try. I’ll definitely be coming back again and again!“

“This is a good old Cantonese place. It has been my family go to back in the days. Now a day, they don't have that much business. We do stop by ever so often to get our OG food fixes in. Some of their servers is a bit rude, but don't mind them. This is just how they work.“