Dai Kim Express

If I’m being honest, my experience at Dai Kim was disappointing from start to finish, and I really tried to give it a fair chance. I went in expecting a solid, comforting Chinese meal, and walked out wondering how this place has the reputation it does. It wasn’t just one thing that threw me off — it was pretty much every part of the visit stacking up until it was hard to ignore.

First off, the moment I walked in, the vibe felt off. Not in a dramatic way, but the place just didn’t feel welcoming. The lighting was weirdly harsh, the tables didn’t look like they were wiped down properly, and the whole dining area felt a little thrown together, like they hadn’t really put effort into making the space feel clean or inviting. I don’t need anything fancy, but at least make the place feel like it’s ready for customers.

Then came the service, which honestly might’ve been the most frustrating part. The staff didn’t seem rude, but they definitely didn’t seem interested. It felt like I was bothering them just by ordering food. I had a couple simple questions about the menu, and the person taking my order acted like answering was a chore. No recommendations, no warmth, not even a basic “take your time.” Just rushed, tired energy. I get people have long days, but when the whole experience feels like you’re being pushed through an assembly line, it’s hard to enjoy anything.

Now, the real letdown: the food. That’s where Dai Kim completely lost me. The main dish I ordered tasted like it had been sitting around for way too long. The texture was off — overcooked in some spots, weirdly undercooked in others, like it wasn’t heated evenly or wasn’t made fresh. The seasoning was bland, which made the whole thing super forgettable. Honestly, I’ve had frozen meals with more flavor and consistency.

The fried rice was probably the worst part. Greasy without any real taste, like they just tossed rice in oil and called it a day. Barely any vegetables, no actual seasoning, and it had that faint “old oil” smell that immediately kills your appetite. I kept taking bites hoping it would get better, but it never did.

Even the sides didn’t save the meal. The egg roll tasted like it had been reheated several times, kind of soggy in the middle and hard on the outside. The dipping sauce was watery and didn’t add anything at all. Every bite felt like a reminder that I should’ve gone somewhere else.

By the time I finished eating, I felt like I’d wasted money and honestly wish I’d just gone home and made something simple myself. I don’t expect perfection from every restaurant, but I do expect food that tastes fresh, service that makes me feel like a customer, and a dining area that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

Overall, my visit to Dai Kim was just… bad. Not terrible in a dramatic way, but consistently disappointing in all the small, important ways that make a place worth returning to. I walked in hungry and left annoyed, unimpressed, and pretty sure I won’t be going back anytime soon. If someone asks me about good Chinese food in the area, I’m definitely steering them somewhere else, because Dai Kim just didn’t deliver on anything that matters.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Literally the best in town I love that every time that I order food the customer service is amazing and the food a boom !! Definitely 💯 recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

10-03-2025 - Tried to order all last week. Dai Kim in Pasadena is out of business.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I ordered a big order and everything was to perfection and delicious 😋😋!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Charged my card $40.00 extra
Check your bank account

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Never had a bad meal here. Always fresh and food is always hot. Wish they were able to be open on Tuesdays but I understand they need a day off too.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Over $70 and not one thing tasted good. General tso and kung pao were both sweet, not even a hint of spice. Crab rangoons were overly sweet. Egg rolls had no taste. Beef and broccoli? More like broccoli in a beef sauce-where’s the beef?! Bourbon chicken was tasteless. No flavor on anything. Everything was bland and if I order something meant to be spicey I expect at least some of a kick. Food is way too expensive to be so disappointing.

I'm so glad ai found this place very good, moved to Glen Burnie a couple years ago and couldn't find good Chinese food. Finally tried this and loved it!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My kids and I ordered from this location on March 15. Two of my sons were standing in front of the beverage refrigerator asking me if I can get them a drink. I then heard the woman working at the register tell the young girl that was behind the counter to watch us so that we will not take a soda without paying. She spoke in her native language and I speak Chinese, so I understood what she said. Therefore, I refused to buy any drinks from there. My kids and I went to Dollar General instead, in which I purchased drinks from there. When we returned to the restaurant still waiting on our food, she asked the young girl if we had taken drinks from their refrigerator. My kids had Snapple juice, which by the way, this carryout restaurant does not sell Snapple nor was Snapple in the refrigerator. I will not be returning.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

My general Tso’s chicken and fried rice tasted like cigarettes, and there restaurant when you come in smell like cigarettes. I did not enjoy my meal at all could not even eat it, I had to throw my whole purchase away. I do not know if today was an off day for them but this is my first and last day purchasing any food from this place

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Good 👍👍

First time eating and i just love it, finally i find my chinese food place close to my house 😍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I ordered meat sticks and fried meat wontons. Got home and the meat sticks were jerky and the wontons were cheese not meat in which I ordered. Called to explain the food issues and just put on hold with no answer. I will never go there again!! Dia Kim has lost a customer

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 2

Best food , love it excellent service

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food is delicious… I just wish they stayed open later.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5