Northern Kitchen

7827 Portland Ave S, Bloomington
(952) 456-8681

Recent Reviews

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Reuel Thomas

It’s hard to find based on the that is posted on the building. However, once located it was an easy and quick journey to a table. I went once by myself and then two weeks later brought to coworkers. Both times I ordered the spicy chicken lunch special. It was served with a big bowl of steamed rice. The serving size was generous and I was offered more rice both times.

The sauce on the chicken was delightful. It was also actually spicy. The first time I couldn’t finish the whole plate and left quite a few jalapeños in eaten. (The second time I was better prepared and took my leftovers with me.) Again, it was spicy. I struggle finding food that is what
I would consider spicy, and this absolutely fit the bill. I will be returning, good food, quiet atmosphere and spicy.

Arthur Lord

What a find! The food is delicious and very generous portions (made to be family style). The spicy pepper chicken was spicy, flavorful, and the crispy schezuan peppers add the perfect punch. Definitely a 5 star Chinese restaurant.

AHO51

The staff was really nice and the food was amazing! Family style dish with a lot to offer, would definitely come back and our kids loved it!

Jay Shen

This is one of those low key hidden gem restaurants that serve authentic food without a doubt, because it's not only difficult to locate, but also relatively exclusive in terms of its clientele. I enjoyed everything I have had here so far and definitely appreciated the authentic aspect of the food they have. The only improvement I could suggest was the taste of a lot of their dishes, as flavors tended to be on the mild side. It doesn't mean their food is any less authentic, though, and I would recommend all that are looking for authentic Chinese food to visit here.

Individually, I ordered dishes that I would normally order in Chinese restaurants, so while I am not sure if there's anything I can necessarily recommend yet, I will say that I thought every dish I have had were above average in comparison to the same dishes I have had elsewhere. My favorite so far is the fried pork in scoop (锅包肉) and I don't even regularly eat pork. There was a nice layer of sweetness and sourness witht the sauce outside the pork pieces. The vegetable dishes like eggplant in garlic sauce (鱼香茄子), green beans with garlic (干煸四季豆), and Chinese cabbage (手撕包菜) are all tasty enough. The Chinese cabbage contained a lot of vinegar, and I bet some people would enjoy that. I didn't taste enough cumin in the cumin lamb (孜然羊肉) dish, but there was an abundant amount of lamb and I appreciated it. The spicy pepper chicken (辣子鸡) was very delicious and had the right amount of spice in my opinion.

There is a Relaxing Healthy Center that's connected to the restaurant and apparently that establishment has been very popular, especially in the evenings. I have not visited there yet but I heard that it was similar to saunas in China, and I would love to visit there soon. Regardless, this is a hidden gem, hole in the wall, type of spot and I would definitely recommend everyone.

Jonathan Beltran

Good appetizers

yang sun

Very authentic Northeastern cuisine and warm service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Candice Pierce

So, when I say "hole in the wall", I'm not being misleading or theatrical. It is tricky to find this place.

Food: Every time we've been here the food has been hot and our entrees have had the right amount of heat (spice) and the meat has been tender; tender to the point where I specifically note it.

Our most recent trip had us trying the cumin lamb and I'll be real I could eat that dish every day for the rest of my life and die happy.

Service: I'm weird when it comes to chinese food and waitresses (ers). I get that a lot of westerners might take issue with having to point to the dish they want to order but, in its own way, I take that as a positive sign. I've yet to be wrong.

The service was top notch. This is the kind of place that has real chopsticks for their place setting and no forks or cutlery so you'll have to ask. Very polite staff though.

Atmosphere: The dining area is clean and well kept. Zero complaints. Booths are spacious and numerous. Probably not the best place to bring a wheelchair but doable.

Would I be able to bring my daughter here? Yes, and we plan to for her birthday unless she swerves on us and wants italian. Noise levels are acceptable, lighting is mostly from a large front window, and the color scheme on the interior is laid back and mild.

Criticisms: So hard to find the place. You would not know there was a restaurant there without being directly told.

The only other caution I'd give is that the spice level is not for casual midwest temperments. It isn't a bad thing by any means, however, our cumin lamb was about as spicy as my husband could handle--I was feelin' it and the feeling was tasty and hot; loved it.

Pros: For what it is, a casual sit down chinese diner, it is peak. This isn't a dress up fancy type of establishment but the food is great, the service is good, and the overall vibe is chill. Will be going back.

tldr: Pay this restaurant a visit.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Cumin Lamb

Flaming Bean

The workers were amazing and very good entertainment!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Lishi Lao

It’s delicious. Even if we lost our wallet, the boss helped us put it away.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Bryan Mack

First time customer (takeout). Writing this while eating. It’s that good. Someone took some pride in making our dishes tonight. Just outstanding from such an unassuming place inside of another place. I didn’t order, so I don’t know what dishes these are, but both are beef. Very fresh, distinctive, and delicious. Please go and review - do not let them go out of business!

Food: 5

Chenyu Liao

Making customers pay credit card transaction fees is just criminal.

Lucy Yang

Ordered: Northeastern pulled skin, spicy and sour potato shreds, chicken rack, grilled fish. The portions of the food are large and the taste is very good, which suits my northern taste. A very cost-effective restaurant, I will come again.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: grilled fish 烤鱼

David Milian

People say the portion sizes have been getting smaller, and to them, I say "you cannot expect gigantic portions for such a cheap price." The portions here were perfect for my wife, myself, and 2 year old. Had a little bit of leftovers for the next day. I recommend the fried rice,orange chicken, and general tsaos. It's a mom and pop shop with just the husband and wife, so service can be a little slow depending on how busy they get, so be patient.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Falina

Authentic Chinese cuisine at a very affordable price. We have visited this place many times, and the staff has always been very friendly to us. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Liangfen

Wenjing Zhang

Authentic Northern Chinese cuisine! If you prefer American-Chinese food, this might not be for you, as the flavors are quite different!
I ordered stir-fried cabbage (I asked for spicy ones), sauerkraut with white meat, beef in sour soup, and shredded chicken. I particularly liked the first two and ate them all with nothing left. The last two were average and packed away. The pickled cabbage and white meat soup uses pork bone soup made from large stick bones, so it is very fragrant. I even finished the soup.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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