Jade Cathay Chinese Restaurant
1339 N First St, San Jose
(408) 392-9388
Recent Reviews
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very bad customer service
Service: 1
There were flies in the soy sauce. It got all over my rice. Unfortunately I didn't notice until after my first bite.
EDIT: the staff agreed to comp the meal and I agreed to up the review score. But the image is still a real image of the rice I ate.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 3
The food here was delicious. I came here with my family for lunch. The service was phenomenal. The food was very delicious. We a couple different things such as the barbeque pork bun, the siu mai, the beef rice noodle roll, and a vegetarian fried rice. All of it was amazing.
The atmosphere was really nice. I can't wait to go back with my friends and family.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum
Please stay away from this restaurant. When I called to speak with the manager to complain about the waiter’s terrible attitude, they blocked my phone number. The male waiter with dyed yellow hair said, “I treat customers like this every day and you’re the only one who gets mad.” When a restaurant’s waiter doesn’t even know how to behave like a decent human being, it’s not worth spending your money there.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
A Hidden Gem with Outstanding Dimsum and Dedication
I visited Jade Cathay on a busy Wednesday afternoon, and despite the packed dining room and an understaffed floor, this place still managed to impress me.
Let’s start with the dimsum—absolutely incredible. The siu mai were juicy, flavorful, and perfectly steamed, with that ideal balance of pork and shrimp that melts in your mouth. The BBQ pork buns were a highlight: soft, fluffy exteriors with rich, sweet-savory char siu filling that had me craving more. And the beef chow fun? Hands down one of the best I've had in the area—tender slices of beef, perfectly chewy noodles, and that unmistakable wok hei flavor that’s so hard to find these days.
Even though the restaurant was clearly short-staffed, I still feel service were very attentive. As someone who has worked in a busy restaurant myself, I could see the mental and physical effort they were putting in to keep everything running. It takes real dedication to stay composed and still provide good service under pressure—and they absolutely pulled it off.
I'll definitely be back again. Not only for the amazing food but also to continue supporting a restaurant where the team truly cares. Highly recommend Jade Cathay for anyone looking for authentic, high-quality dimsum with heart.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum, Buns, Beef Chow Fun 乾炒牛河, Pork Buns, Shrimp Dumpling, Noodles
First of all, I want to say that the food here tastes very good, and the prices are reasonable—these two aspects deserve a 5-star rating. However, the service attitude here deserves a infinitely negative score. There was a male server with dyed yellow hair whose attitude was absolutely terrible. I've been in the U.S. for over 10 years, and this is one of the worst service experiences I’ve ever had. After our family was seated, I reached out to him, signaling that we needed some water and children's utensils. He was pushing a cart to deliver dim sums and made eye contact with me at least five times, but not once did he respond—not even a nod. Later, he went to talk to a female server, and I signaled again another four to five times. He continued to ignore me like I was invisible. Then, when he pushed the cart past our table, it was like he had amnesia or had gone blind, completely oblivious to the fact that I had already tried calling him about ten times. I stopped him and asked, “Did you hear me calling you? Did you see me signaling to you? You should at least acknowledge me, not pretend you didn’t see anything.” He had no remorse whatsoever—not even a single "sorry." Instead, he gave a smug, sideways smirk and said, “I didn’t see,” then just walked away. There were only two servers in the entire dining area—this man and a woman. If the male server deserves a score of -100, the female one would get -99. I understand that lunchtime can be busy, but that’s no excuse for poor service and arrogance. I advise everyone to stay away from this restaurant. No matter how cheap and how good taste the food is, if it leaves you feeling this angry, it’s just not worth it.
Absolutely horrendous unprofessional and pathetic customer sevice where we entered the restaurant at 8:03 pm and were offered only take away because they were short staffed in the kitchen while only 3 partys sitting inside the restaurant. If they are going to turn back customers 30 mins prior to closing time they should adjust their opening hours. The receptionist at the front also lacked any empathy and was completely poker faced absolutely not cut out for any human interactions. Please update your websites and train your staff. You ruined my wedding anniversary dinner plans and I will NOT recommend this place to any customer looking to enjoy a night out.
Service: 1
My family and I went here for Father’s Day and our server Grace was the best! She was so friendly and the welcoming. The service was also very fast. The food was amazing and we’ll definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Offered a great variety of interesting dishes and comforting favorites. Very glad we stumbled upon it!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
If you're craving delicious Chinese cuisine in a cozy and welcoming environment, Jade Cathay Restaurant truly stands out. This delightful restaurant combines a warm ambiance with a diverse menu that satisfies both traditional and contemporary tastes.
A highlight of the dining experience is undoubtedly their Dim Sum, served fresh and teeming with variety. Personal favorites include the Baked BBQ Pork Buns, BBQ Pork Pastries, and the flavorful Salt and Pepper Fish Fillet—each dish is crafted with care and packed with mouthwatering flavors. Other offerings, including an array of fried rice, fresh vegetables, hearty porridges, and a variety of seafood dishes, are equally delightful and packed with flavor.
The service at Jade Cathay is equally exceptional. Grace, the ever-cheerful owner, adds a personal touch to the experience. Her warm smile and thoughtful gestures, like surprising long-time customers with extra treats, create an atmosphere that feels more like visiting family than dining out. Conversations with Grace are as enjoyable as the food itself—her dedication and kindness leave a lasting impression that warms the heart.
With its blend of delectable dishes and a genuinely welcoming vibe, Jade Cathay is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking authentic Chinese cuisine. Highly recommended!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very good dim sum and the beef chow fun is one of the best I have ever had in the bay area. I recommend the sponge cake, which is still still made by the traditional method. I am impressed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent place been several times and consistently good food and service. Food made fresh and quick. Would highly recommend for dining in or take out.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum, Bayfuntong Shrimp Dumpling, Beef Chow Fun 乾炒牛河, Noodles
The Mongolian beef was tasty. But the chow mein was dry. Meh 😒 big servings.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 2
Great experiences every time I visit here: yummy/tasty dishes always come hot and fresh. Kind and attentive service!
Large portions but on the expensive side so you definitely need to go with others when trying their dim sum items. Plenty to choose from by using their QR code to order. Check your items print out because the app is a bit sensitive and it’s hard to tell if the order went through. I couldn’t tell from the app. It’s pretty quick with plenty of parking and seating.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum
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