We have been coming to Jin River for spicy Chinese foods since 2015. Great location, next to the block, right by Rockville town center area.Their dishes spices are not the spiciest but the SiChuan flavor is authentic. From meats to fish to all sorts of Chinese pastries are all very delicious. Also don’t forget to try their smoked duck meat, one of my favorite.The customer service has always being friendly and attentive. Pricing is reasonable.The restaurant has been here forever, but it does not seem like any renovation has been done on it, so looks dated both inside and outside.There are plenty parkings out front and around, BE AWARE, only the ones right in front of the restaurant with no pay parking signs are free.Others are all pay to park.Do recommend by @winedinenvacay
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mapo Tofu w Minced Beef - Hot & Spicy 麻婆豆腐, Beef Chow-Fun Shrimp or Chicken 干炒牛河, Egg Drop Soup, Orange Chicken
Starr D.
We have been coming to Jin River for spicy Chinese foods since 2015. Great location, next to the block, right by Rockville town center area. Their dishes spices are not the spiciest but the SiChuan flavor is authentic. From meats to fish to all sorts of Chinese pastries are all very delicious. Also don't forget to try their smoked duck meat, one of my favorite. The customer service has always being friendly and attentive. Pricing is reasonable. The restaurant has been here forever, but it does not seem like any renovation has been done on it, so looks dated both inside and outside. There are plenty parkings out front and around, BE AWARE, only the ones right in front of the restaurant with no pay parking signs are free. Others are all pay to park. Do recommend by @winedinenvacay
Gabe Seiden
Excellent Sichuan food. Large portions. Great service. Reasonable prices. Will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Soup
Jeff B.
When you are seated, they immediately bring over a pot of hot tea. I love it, even though I'm not especially a hot tea fan. I like the old-school approach to Chinese restaurant service. The menu is diverse including a number of items with animal and fish body parts that I don't ever see myself consuming. But, in addition to having a great hot and sour soup (one of the best I've had - spicy and rich, with a nice amount of mushroom and Chinese vegis for each mouthful), and good steamed dumplings, their Dan Dan noodles are delish and they have other apps that are more exotic and I will try over time - just not with fish heads or animal intestines (which they have). For entrees, I typically get eggplant with a garlic sauce, but have gone with a group before and tried everyone's entrees - honestly, not a bad one or even weak one in the mix. One warning is the service. The service is good. However, when you order apps and entrees, don't be surprised if the entree comes out first. It seems like you order and they cook everything - and bring it out in the order it's ready. So, if you want soup and apps and THEN entrees, make sure you order things over time. I don't want to criticize the service for this, but to warn you and let you know how to deal with their approach. The portions are huge and we often bring lots of food home. The place can get crowded as it's very popular. Price point is nice, too. There's a Peter Chang across the street (the subject of another of my reviews). Peter Chang is more expensive and I just don't get the attraction with this restaurant right across the street. I guess it's the ambience. Sichuan Jin River is not fancy and if you eat at the lower tables (right side of the restaurant), it's like sitting at a diner with the tables tightly together. The left side is a bit nicer, with tables a bit further apart and more attractive surroundings on the walls.
Cherry T.
I enjoy both the food and prices at this restaurant. They serve delicious dishes, and the staff, especially the boss at the front desk, are always friendly and helpful when taking my orders.
Mohammad Amin Tadayon
I liked their Sichuan Beef Noodles soup. It was very tasty.I think the quality of their chicken in their stir fried minced chicken can be improved.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Ty Lassiter
Had an awesome dinner here! My family of four was originally going to go to Bob's Shanghai 66 but decided to try this place instead. Dont expect fine dining with white table cloths as this is not it, however the food here was AWESOME! We had the Singapore noodles, ham/shrimp fried rice, sauteed green beans, crispy salty fried shrimp, General Tso's chicken, and a pork dish that I asked for Andy (our waiter) to recommend. From his recommendation I needed something not too spicy as my two kids may not have liked it. I cant remember the name of his recommemdation but it was spot on like all the other dishes we ordered. Make sure you bring your appetite as the portions here are rather large, which Im definitely not complaining about. We had enough to box up three take home containers at the end of the night. I paired my meal with a Sapporo beer, my wife had a ginger ale, and my kids had canned soft drinks. We arrived somewhere between 5:30-6:00pm yesterday (Saturday January 27th, 2024) and were seated immediately. The smaller booths that seat two were pretty much full but parties larger than two sit in another area which is where we were seated. Within about 20 minutes of us being there the place was pretty much packed, so obviously we got there right in time. Will definitely be back as this is definitely a diamond in the rough. Great job Andy and crew!!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Ty L.
Had an awesome dinner here! My family of four was originally going to go to Bob's Shanghai 66 but decided to try this place instead. Dont expect fine dining with white table cloths as this is not it, however the food here was AWESOME! We had the Singapore noodles, ham/shrimp fried rice, sauteed green beans, crispy salty fried shrimp, General Tso's chicken, and a pork dish that I asked for Andy (our waiter) to recommend. From his recommendation I needed something not too spicy as my two kids may not have liked it. I cant remember the name of his recommemdation but it was spot on like all the other dishes we ordered. Make sure you bring your appetite as the portions here are rather large, which Im definitely not complaining about. We had enough to box up three take home containers at the end of the night. I paired my meal with a Sapporo beer, my wife had a ginger ale, and my kids had canned soft drinks. We arrived somewhere between 5:30-6:00pm yesterday (Saturday January 27th, 2024) and were seated immediately. The smaller booths that seat two were pretty much full but parties larger than two sit in another area which is where we were seated. Within about 20 minutes of us being there the place was pretty much packed, so obviously we got there right in time. Will definitely be back as this is definitely a diamond in the rough. Great job Andy and crew!!!
Very solid. Definitely get the sichuan green beans. Lamb is also excellent. Food comes out fast, portions large.
Billy T.
I came here a ton as a kid and came by fairly recently with my family for the first time in over a decade. I'd say, overall, it was hit or miss. I unfortunately don't know the names of too many of the dishes I ordered in English, as many are traditional Chinese dishes. However, the classic dishes that I remembered as a kid are just as good as they used to be. A couple, on the other hand, were fairly mediocre. Big fan of the hai xian guo ba, but the tofu dish that we got was fairly average. Service is good, so no complaints there. This is a fairly authentic restaurant, so keep that in mind (all the servers speak fluent Chinese).
Sonya H.
Truly cannot recommend this place enough -- Sichuan Jin River is my new go-to for authentic and delicious Chinese food! They have a wide array of my childhood classics, and they certainly take the "Sichuan" in their name seriously, so be prepared for some heat (and some numbing)! I came with a group of four on a chilly, rainy DMV evening, the perfect weather for some hot Chinese fare. We got an array of seafood and veggies, including their Whole Fish & Bean Jelly in Hot Sichuan Sauce, Mapo Tofu (without the pork), Stir-Fried String Beans, and Crispy Rice Cake & Vegetables in White Sauce. It's hard to pick a favorite from that list since every single item was executed to perfection. As far as the proteins go, the fish was delightfully tender and perfectly seasoned; the Sichuan hot sauce absolutely packed a punch and paired wonderfully with the steaming white rice. I appreciated that the kitchen allowed us to modify the mapo tofu to take out the pork, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to try it! Like the fish, the tofu was super tender and the hot, numbing sauce was perfect. The veggies were equally delicious -- the string beans were crispy on the outside and soft in the center, with a great char from the wok and a huge punch of flavor from the blackened garlic. Both the crispy rice cakes and vegetables were certainly crispy; the veggies were fresh and not too overcooked, and they paired wonderfully with the light white sauce. If you do order this one, definitely try to eat it quickly, though, as the crispy rice cakes will lose their battle with the sauce after 10-20 minutes and get a touch soggy. Not only was everything delicious, but it was also super affordable! Our individual bills (not including tip, but including tax and two other meat dishes beyond what I listed above) came out to ~$20! Not bad at all for a DMV restaurant and a pretty hefty meal. So if you're craving some authentic, no-frills Sichuan food at an affordable price point, definitely give Sichuan Jin River a try!
Elizabeth R.
Authentic Chinese dishes that are fairly priced for how large the portions are! Fast service and good space for big parties. We loved the green beans, fish with ginger scallion, pork with bean curd, and the cumin lamb. Skip the appetizers and the white rice is not the best but works fine.
Tiffany T.
Oh wow!! Sichuan Jin River is the place to go for authentic Sichuan food. I lived in Sichuan for half a year and visited a couple more times after that. I really miss the food and eating here brought me right back! Everything I had from the Dan Dan noodles to the fish and Sichuan green beans were delicious! The chili oil and spices were on point, and the ingredients were fresh and tasty. I would recommend going with more people so you can try multiple dishes...OR keep everything for yourself As for the service and ambiance, I liked how it was a family-owned Chinese restaurant. Service was not like American restaurants, but that's what was great. The servers were nice and they also mostly left us alone to eat. I highly recommend you give Sichuan Jin River a try. If you like spicy authentic Chinese food, come here.
Our favorite Sichuan in DMV!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
i love this
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We have been coming to Jin River for spicy Chinese foods since 2015. Great location, next to the block, right by Rockville town center area.Their dishes spices are not the spiciest but the SiChuan flavor is authentic. From meats to fish to all sorts of Chinese pastries are all very delicious. Also don’t forget to try their smoked duck meat, one of my favorite.The customer service has always being friendly and attentive. Pricing is reasonable.The restaurant has been here forever, but it does not seem like any renovation has been done on it, so looks dated both inside and outside.There are plenty parkings out front and around, BE AWARE, only the ones right in front of the restaurant with no pay parking signs are free.Others are all pay to park.Do recommend by @winedinenvacay
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mapo Tofu w Minced Beef - Hot & Spicy 麻婆豆腐, Beef Chow-Fun Shrimp or Chicken 干炒牛河, Egg Drop Soup, Orange Chicken
We have been coming to Jin River for spicy Chinese foods since 2015. Great location, next to the block, right by Rockville town center area. Their dishes spices are not the spiciest but the SiChuan flavor is authentic. From meats to fish to all sorts of Chinese pastries are all very delicious. Also don't forget to try their smoked duck meat, one of my favorite. The customer service has always being friendly and attentive. Pricing is reasonable. The restaurant has been here forever, but it does not seem like any renovation has been done on it, so looks dated both inside and outside. There are plenty parkings out front and around, BE AWARE, only the ones right in front of the restaurant with no pay parking signs are free. Others are all pay to park. Do recommend by @winedinenvacay
Excellent Sichuan food. Large portions. Great service. Reasonable prices. Will definitely return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Soup
When you are seated, they immediately bring over a pot of hot tea. I love it, even though I'm not especially a hot tea fan. I like the old-school approach to Chinese restaurant service. The menu is diverse including a number of items with animal and fish body parts that I don't ever see myself consuming. But, in addition to having a great hot and sour soup (one of the best I've had - spicy and rich, with a nice amount of mushroom and Chinese vegis for each mouthful), and good steamed dumplings, their Dan Dan noodles are delish and they have other apps that are more exotic and I will try over time - just not with fish heads or animal intestines (which they have). For entrees, I typically get eggplant with a garlic sauce, but have gone with a group before and tried everyone's entrees - honestly, not a bad one or even weak one in the mix. One warning is the service. The service is good. However, when you order apps and entrees, don't be surprised if the entree comes out first. It seems like you order and they cook everything - and bring it out in the order it's ready. So, if you want soup and apps and THEN entrees, make sure you order things over time. I don't want to criticize the service for this, but to warn you and let you know how to deal with their approach. The portions are huge and we often bring lots of food home. The place can get crowded as it's very popular. Price point is nice, too. There's a Peter Chang across the street (the subject of another of my reviews). Peter Chang is more expensive and I just don't get the attraction with this restaurant right across the street. I guess it's the ambience. Sichuan Jin River is not fancy and if you eat at the lower tables (right side of the restaurant), it's like sitting at a diner with the tables tightly together. The left side is a bit nicer, with tables a bit further apart and more attractive surroundings on the walls.
I enjoy both the food and prices at this restaurant. They serve delicious dishes, and the staff, especially the boss at the front desk, are always friendly and helpful when taking my orders.
I liked their Sichuan Beef Noodles soup. It was very tasty.I think the quality of their chicken in their stir fried minced chicken can be improved.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Had an awesome dinner here! My family of four was originally going to go to Bob's Shanghai 66 but decided to try this place instead. Dont expect fine dining with white table cloths as this is not it, however the food here was AWESOME! We had the Singapore noodles, ham/shrimp fried rice, sauteed green beans, crispy salty fried shrimp, General Tso's chicken, and a pork dish that I asked for Andy (our waiter) to recommend. From his recommendation I needed something not too spicy as my two kids may not have liked it. I cant remember the name of his recommemdation but it was spot on like all the other dishes we ordered. Make sure you bring your appetite as the portions here are rather large, which Im definitely not complaining about. We had enough to box up three take home containers at the end of the night. I paired my meal with a Sapporo beer, my wife had a ginger ale, and my kids had canned soft drinks. We arrived somewhere between 5:30-6:00pm yesterday (Saturday January 27th, 2024) and were seated immediately. The smaller booths that seat two were pretty much full but parties larger than two sit in another area which is where we were seated. Within about 20 minutes of us being there the place was pretty much packed, so obviously we got there right in time. Will definitely be back as this is definitely a diamond in the rough. Great job Andy and crew!!!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 4
Had an awesome dinner here! My family of four was originally going to go to Bob's Shanghai 66 but decided to try this place instead. Dont expect fine dining with white table cloths as this is not it, however the food here was AWESOME! We had the Singapore noodles, ham/shrimp fried rice, sauteed green beans, crispy salty fried shrimp, General Tso's chicken, and a pork dish that I asked for Andy (our waiter) to recommend. From his recommendation I needed something not too spicy as my two kids may not have liked it. I cant remember the name of his recommemdation but it was spot on like all the other dishes we ordered. Make sure you bring your appetite as the portions here are rather large, which Im definitely not complaining about. We had enough to box up three take home containers at the end of the night. I paired my meal with a Sapporo beer, my wife had a ginger ale, and my kids had canned soft drinks. We arrived somewhere between 5:30-6:00pm yesterday (Saturday January 27th, 2024) and were seated immediately. The smaller booths that seat two were pretty much full but parties larger than two sit in another area which is where we were seated. Within about 20 minutes of us being there the place was pretty much packed, so obviously we got there right in time. Will definitely be back as this is definitely a diamond in the rough. Great job Andy and crew!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Very solid. Definitely get the sichuan green beans. Lamb is also excellent. Food comes out fast, portions large.
I came here a ton as a kid and came by fairly recently with my family for the first time in over a decade. I'd say, overall, it was hit or miss. I unfortunately don't know the names of too many of the dishes I ordered in English, as many are traditional Chinese dishes. However, the classic dishes that I remembered as a kid are just as good as they used to be. A couple, on the other hand, were fairly mediocre. Big fan of the hai xian guo ba, but the tofu dish that we got was fairly average. Service is good, so no complaints there. This is a fairly authentic restaurant, so keep that in mind (all the servers speak fluent Chinese).
Truly cannot recommend this place enough -- Sichuan Jin River is my new go-to for authentic and delicious Chinese food! They have a wide array of my childhood classics, and they certainly take the "Sichuan" in their name seriously, so be prepared for some heat (and some numbing)! I came with a group of four on a chilly, rainy DMV evening, the perfect weather for some hot Chinese fare. We got an array of seafood and veggies, including their Whole Fish & Bean Jelly in Hot Sichuan Sauce, Mapo Tofu (without the pork), Stir-Fried String Beans, and Crispy Rice Cake & Vegetables in White Sauce. It's hard to pick a favorite from that list since every single item was executed to perfection. As far as the proteins go, the fish was delightfully tender and perfectly seasoned; the Sichuan hot sauce absolutely packed a punch and paired wonderfully with the steaming white rice. I appreciated that the kitchen allowed us to modify the mapo tofu to take out the pork, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to try it! Like the fish, the tofu was super tender and the hot, numbing sauce was perfect. The veggies were equally delicious -- the string beans were crispy on the outside and soft in the center, with a great char from the wok and a huge punch of flavor from the blackened garlic. Both the crispy rice cakes and vegetables were certainly crispy; the veggies were fresh and not too overcooked, and they paired wonderfully with the light white sauce. If you do order this one, definitely try to eat it quickly, though, as the crispy rice cakes will lose their battle with the sauce after 10-20 minutes and get a touch soggy. Not only was everything delicious, but it was also super affordable! Our individual bills (not including tip, but including tax and two other meat dishes beyond what I listed above) came out to ~$20! Not bad at all for a DMV restaurant and a pretty hefty meal. So if you're craving some authentic, no-frills Sichuan food at an affordable price point, definitely give Sichuan Jin River a try!
Authentic Chinese dishes that are fairly priced for how large the portions are! Fast service and good space for big parties. We loved the green beans, fish with ginger scallion, pork with bean curd, and the cumin lamb. Skip the appetizers and the white rice is not the best but works fine.
Oh wow!! Sichuan Jin River is the place to go for authentic Sichuan food. I lived in Sichuan for half a year and visited a couple more times after that. I really miss the food and eating here brought me right back! Everything I had from the Dan Dan noodles to the fish and Sichuan green beans were delicious! The chili oil and spices were on point, and the ingredients were fresh and tasty. I would recommend going with more people so you can try multiple dishes...OR keep everything for yourself As for the service and ambiance, I liked how it was a family-owned Chinese restaurant. Service was not like American restaurants, but that's what was great. The servers were nice and they also mostly left us alone to eat. I highly recommend you give Sichuan Jin River a try. If you like spicy authentic Chinese food, come here.