Fresh User Reviews for Chinese in Canberra

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  8     

A local cheap and cheerful that's always good value. The menu is the usual Chinese fare but the veggies are fresh and the sauces aren't gluggy. One of the best dishes is the duck pancakes. They also have an excellent laksa at lunchtime.

May 14, 2012

4.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  3     

On your first time at this restaurant no one explains the way things work and it can be confusing for those that haven't travelled.

The food at 1300 Hot Pot is Ok (mainly because of its different concept to other restaurants) although you don't always get what you ask for. Once you get served it's hard to get anyone's attention to ask for anything else.

The biggest issue is they charge $10 per bottle for corkage even though they don't open the bottle, pour your wine or even give you a cooler to keep it cold. What's the reasoning behind paying for this if they do nothing re: your BYO drinks. Who decided on this exorbitant price? $3-$5 per bottle for doing nothing would be a more ethical price.

We need to voice our disgust for charges that are unreasonable by refusing to go back until they rethink this charge.

May 10, 2012

6.3 Average

Food  7      Ambience  5      Service  4      Value  9     

My mate and I thought we'd hang out here since we were both starving and he likes Viet food (I'm sorta sitting on the fence, as my heritage is Viet anyway hahaha).

He said his Pho was delicious, but my broken rice combination dish was so small portion-wise compared to his. Service wasn't all that flash either. For Vietnamese food, I'd say the prices are pretty good, but quality isn't too great.

Might go back again in a few days as I think I'll try the Pho!

May 07, 2012

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

I thought the value was good when I walked into the restaurant with my friend. The $20 deal per person All YOu Can Eat was not as advertised. They served us couple dishes on each of us and refused to serve more when we asked.

When I walked up to the counter one lady explained that because we did not take what they offered, they couldn't serve any food (they only offered tarts and sesame balls that looked like at least 2hrs old when we were there for dumplings) I argued her that they shouldn't have advertised their deal as all you can eat. She asked us back why we won't have any of the tarts.

I thought it wasn't worth arguing more so I paid her the money first then tried to inform her that their deal doesn't please customers in any way. She said "I am busy now" and walked away when there was only two tables being served. We called her back and told her this isn't a good service. Then all she told us was "if you are not full, come sit down or go away"

My opinion is that I have wasted $20 that I could have filled my hunger pleasantly. She only wanted people to have what they wanted to offer, take the money and have them out of the place. Would never recommend this place to people around me.

Apr 10, 2012

3.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  1      Value  3     

Had lunch with wife last week. We experienced the worst service in Canberra. Roast duck tasted like days old. Questioned to the owner regarding the food quality but she's extremely rude and refused to help or provided any solution to satisfy customers. Never go back.

Apr 03, 2012

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

We went there last night for our anniversary. We have been here a number of times over the past two years. We have never been disappointed. It has good food and character.

Mar 28, 2012

5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  6     

Some very good dishes, unfortunately, marred by disinterested service and tables crammed next to each other. It is worth visiting, but only if you know what to order and are not looking for a place to stay and talk.

Read the full review on my blog

Mar 24, 2012

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  9     

We popped in here early evening on a saturday night. Down from Sydney for the Renaissance Exhibition. Anyway, we loved our experience. The service is fast and typical of a chinese/asian eatery. So within minutes of ordering it all comes out and in any order.

Delicious and plenty of it. Had to ask for chilli paste, soy sauce and vinegar on table. We got there early and found a seat straight away but by 7pm it was filled up and still people were turning up. So book if you really want to go.
Would we go back? Yes, most definitely!

Mar 19, 2012

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  3      Value  4     

Bad service, they clear the water glasses before the guests can finish! And we went with interstate visitors who are food critiques.

Also just beware if you pay cash, the cashier forgot to stamp our bill as 'paid' and when we were leaving asked us to pay the bill, again! And didn't make apologies for the poor mistake they made either. Bad form. We won't be going back there any time soon.

Mar 17, 2012

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  9     

The food is high quality (better than your standard suburban chinese restaurant) and the prices are also quite reasonable.

Mar 10, 2012

7 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  8     

The dumplings were plentiful and delicious.

Mar 08, 2012

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

We went there with several diners who had dietary restriction and they were happy to listen to our groups limitation and advise us on some suitable dishes. All the food was delicious and was brought out at a good pace. Will be going back.

Mar 07, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  9     

A lovely little spot. Service is warm and welcoming, the tofu dishes are fantastic and the prawns large and fresh. In an area chock-full with Asian restaurants, this is fast becoming a favourite of ours.

Having visited East Kitchen 3 more times over the last month and after ordering tonight the spectacular sate king prawns hot plate, I must upgrade the Food's score to 10. Do yourself a favour and check it out: Go!

Mar 07, 2012

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  10     

Awesome dumplings and vegetarian steamed buns. Efficient service with a smile, large portions and tiny prices. This place is as good as the best dumpling places in Melbourne. Yummy!

Feb 16, 2012

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  8      Value  4     

Went here early January after hearing quite a few people raving about Sammy's. However, we found it average at best and overpriced for what it was. It was merely your typical run of the mill Chinese and Malaysian dishes for a higher price.

We don't expect too much at average-low priced Chinese restaurants and there was nothing really we could complain about in that area, food came on time, our orders were taken in a timely manner.

All in all, wouldn't go back because you can get the same quality and standard of Chinese food from any takeaway shop and at a lower price.

Feb 14, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  6     

Wildly popular eatery serving a combination of Malaysian and Chinese meals. The food is pretty decent (beef rendang, honey chicken, a chicken and potato curry, fried rice) with good size servings for a reasonable price.

But: If the aim of the waiters is to be rude, inattentive and arrogant, they succeeded admirably. And getting the food (all obviously main courses) delivered with lengthy delays between each one, and needing reminders before receiving the food, just isn't good enough. It must be something about the surroundings, an Asian restaurant next door seemed to have similar problems a year or two back, and we haven't been back.

Jan 29, 2012

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

This is the best chinese food in Canberra hands down. The staff here are lovely people and are very friendly. The yum cha on weekends is to die for, it is amazing. Keep up the great work!

Jan 27, 2012

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  5      Service  10      Value  10     

I have been taking my family and friends to this Restaurant for years now. Even my 6 year old daughter loves their cuisine. The PHO rare beef noodle soup is perfect and refreshigly light, the Shan Tung Chicken is also marvellous, a more chinese dish being dry chilli beef will not disappoint fussy eaters. Recently this restaurant was graded in the Canberra Times too harshly. This restaurant is a winner, it's value for money, great serving sizes alwyas consistent with the quality and has a relaxed atmosphere.

Jan 27, 2012

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  5     

So surprised that the line for yum cha is always out the door. We booked a table in advance and still had to wait to be seated. Chairs, tables, light fittings were all very nice, but the place was way too crowded for my taste. If they got rid of some of their tables and managed reservations better I might go back.

Jan 26, 2012

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  9     

We eat here regularly, if you go fairly early (say 6pm) it's a quick, cheap and delicious meal. If you go at 7:30 on a friday or saturday night though, you'll be waiting a long time for your dinner.

Jan 26, 2012