Loud, delicious, mildly expensive, but probably the best place around for a large Chinese group if you're not doing dimsum. Great variety, good portions, everything's super delicious. Go here! read more

We had been to Chef Zhu many times since their opening and for the first couple years I have to say their quality and taste were consistently great--you could trust you'd have excellent Chinese food here (5 stars initially--my original food photos). However, the past 2 visits this month (May 2026), we noticed the dishes had way too much oil and some of the items were different in the way they were prepared (like wine chicken). The last visit on a Sunday, one of our guests asked the staff if the chef had changed and it turns out that the Original Chef Zhu was taking a break and not working (or possibly retired?). We also noticed some of the staff were different/new employees that we didn't recognize. I think they may have changed ownership or at least the original chef was not there. I am hoping it was temporary because it was clearly different than before. ------TL;DR----- Pros: large menu, easy parking, lots of tables so usually not a long wait, staff are friendly Cons: inconsistent dishes possibly suggesting a change in the chef (temporary or for good, not sure) Bottom Line: ask for much less oil (half oil) or none (even when we asked for less oil it was swimming in oil), hopefully the original chef returns read more

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Honestly we had gone to the restaurant with a lot of hopes after reading the reviews. However the restaurant falls short on dish taste, service and food quality and hygiene. Not coming back. read more

We've been here twice for lunch, and this review is based on these visits. The first time, we obtained the last table in the dining room; the second time, we were one of only four occupied tables. SERVICE (2/5) On both visits, Service was fair at best -- inattentive and hard to find our server. FOOD (3/5) The Lunch Specials look great on the menu, and we've ordered: Scallion Braised Beef (3/5); Szechuan Chicken (3/5); Sautéed Shrimp with Vegetables (2/5). Sorry, but not impressed. [Full disclosure: I've experienced the best of Chinese cuisine in China, New York, and San Francisco.] AMBIANCE (4/5) The dining room is well-lit with large windows in front of the restaurant. In the Chinese style, red is the predominant interior color. The kitchen is open to the dining room. Parking is easy in the shared parking lot. read more

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Chef Zhu is the best Shanghainese restaurant in San Diego. Recently took my large group of friends here and they all agree it was absolutely delicious! They only have one large table that can fit 16 adults (tight squeeze though). The have about 4 other large tables that can sit up to 12 adults comfortably. The group favorite were the steamed fish, eel, crab & rice cake dishes. The food comes out super quick and hot, so our group wasn't stuck eating 1-2 dish at a time. Parking lot is HUGE too, so no issues with parking at all. Highly recommend if you have a huge party and need some great asian food. read more

Chef Zhu - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

Food here was great! Very authentic. Gave me the freshly made feel with the authentic oily Chinese food that I love. They kindly kept msg out upon request and kept our waters refilled which is a rarity for an Asian restaurant, super grateful! Prices can definitely be on the higher end, probably $3-5 higher than market value, which I politely would suggest they adjusted to bring in more business. Overall food was great, portions were very generous! read more

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Wide variety of chinese dishes!!it will take a little while to read through and make decisions! Great ambiance! Everyone can find something they like. We chose an Imperial Fish dish and Kung Pao Shrimp. Both equally flavorful! We asked for brown rice. We will return. read more

Got lucky on a Saturday night with no wait. We had our usual dishes honey Walnut Shrimp, Cashew Chicken, veggie Fried Rice, Shanghai Pan fried noodles and Beef with Broccoli. Our servers were very attentive. My only complaint is that the cashew chicken had some chewy pieces in in that I wish were not served to us. My family said I was the only one to experience this bother wise the food was delicious as usual! read more

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Chef Zhu offers a budget conscious lunch, so this review applies only to the lunch special, not the much more extensive and glamorous regular menu. The first time was very disappointing. There were three of us in my group, all ordering different dishes. Each was just fair, and the service close to non-existent. I returned a second time, thinking it's possible the first experience might have occurred on a rare off-day. Sadly, it was the same disappointment. Twice is enough for me. I won't be returning. read more

The food and service were both great! Food is fresh and comes out quick. It was on the oilier side but was still super flavorful. We're super happy with this place and will be back! We even saw someone in the corner go through the vegetables and hand pick them. They also have lunch specials which are a great value. There is a special menu that we were interested in but I think it's only available on weekends so keep that in mind! read more

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We went here for lunch to celebrate a birthday on a weekday. Service was mediocre and so was the food. The place was a little fancier in decor than other Chinese restaurants. Though prices were a bit high for portion sizes and since there was no lunch specials. We did like the hot and sour soup. It has a lot of flavor and they didn't skimp on the ingredients. The kung po chicken and onion pancakes were ok. We did like the eggplant with tofu and the Singapore rice noodle dishes. read more

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The food was fine. Be aware that Tips are calculated on the after-tax total. The service was poor: the appetizer didn't arrive after I had finished everything else. When I tried to cancel it, the waitress said it was still being made and suggested I get it to-go (it was the wine chicken, a cold dish typically prepared in advance). I then watched her peel the plastic wrap off a cold plate before putting it in a to-go box. Why is a freshly prepared dish wrapped? She then changed her story, claiming the kitchen had prepared it without notifying her.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

Chef Zhu - Shaoxing wine chicken - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

Prices very high for the quality and plates were small. Flavor mediocre. Menu selection is satisfactory but considering availability of Chinese food in Southern California could improve. read more

I was surprised to find an authentic Shanghainese restaurant outside of the Convoy area. This restaurant is the perfect place for large parties. When our family from LA visits - we have been taking them here and it's a total hit! Pro Tip: They do not have live fish listed on the menu, but you can ask the waiter and see if they have any on the day of. Their price for live fish is extremely fair, but supply is very limited. Probably available on Fridays and weekends when there's more folks. Service is exceptional. Even though they are busy - the waiters keep things moving and is happily provide service even after all the food is delivered. read more

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I was very tempted not to write a review about this place, but upon thinking about it more - figured others will hear about it sooner than later. My parents were raving about this place after my uncle took them here. This place has the best Chinese food I've had since moving from New York. Their Lion Head dish is juicy, moist on the inside and flavorful. Almost every dish we got was flavorful. There also was a duck dish where it was not dry but moist. Their portions are generous compared to other Chinese places in the area that we frequented. The other day I barely got any lamb from a cumin lamb dish where it was 20% meat and 80% veggies from another restaurant ($25). It pales in comparison to the cumin lamb we got here. The only thing I thought was mediocre was the soup dumplings. Otherwise everything else was tasty. They serve some crispy wontons as an app if you want it. I would recommend dining in rather than take it as takeout. Service is fast, restaurant itself is nicely lit with a good amount of booth and table seating. I did not dine with being gf df sf in mind here, as the smells were too irresistible. read more

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I was quite surprised at how good this place is. We came on a weekday night for dinner at the recommendation of friends. The inside is quite large and seats many. We were promptly seated. We ordered four different dishes, and were very happy with what we got. Would come again for an easy dinner. read more

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An authentic, classy Chinese restaurant NOT on Convoy or in a typical Asian town, like Mira Mesa??? YES!! Chef Zhu is the hidden gem that everyone should try for true, delicious Chinese food. The interior is decorated tastefully modern and naturally red all around (color of good luck & fortune with Chinese families). The service was fast and friendly from the moment we sat down until we left. We never had to ask for more water. They helped us box our leftovers securely when we finished. Tina, the owner, came by several times with her joyful smiles and warm greetings, thanking us for coming in to eat. She even brought us delicious golden sesame balls for dessert, on the house! I truly appreciated the attentiveness and family feel of Chef Zhu. I would recommend this restaurant again and again to all my family and friends. read more

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I've only ever gotten takeout here but I'm a fan. It's nice to be able to get good authentic Chinese without having to trek down to Convoy st. Pork dumplings and salt pepper calamari are my go to. Both times I've been here, they've had a lot of other takeout orders. read more

Chef Zhu - Dumplings - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Been wanting to check out this place long time. When we went in, the place was pretty empty. The service was slow but food came out pretty quick. Two of dumplings I ordered were pretty bad.... Very blend. But their chicken Lomein, eggplant and honey walnut shrimp were really good. There were tiny flies flying and one landed in one of our dumpling sauce... I hope it was just thus time because I want to come back and try more food read more

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Definitely one of my favorite spots for Chinese food!!! Growing up with Shanghainese cuisine, this place brings back SO many childhood memories. Highly recommend to come here if you're looking for Shanghai specialties. The restaurant is bustling with groups so make a reservation if you have a big group! Highlights: -Yan du xian - SO rich in flavor! True perfection. Every time I sip this soup, I realize I'm crazy to even try to cook it myself. -Lion's Head meatballs (shizitou) - fantastic texture, flavor, AND comes with a little cabbage to make you feel better about all the meat on the table. -Tea smoked duck - flavor is on point. -Garlic pea sprouts (doumiao) - how does a restaurant stir fry veggies so perfectly!? -All cold dishes - malantou, kaofu, xunyu. I love them all! Brings me right back to Shanghai family dinners. Service was insanely FAST and so attentive. Servers get straight to you and have almost all the plates out around the same time. Chinese people definitely mean business when it comes to filling hungry bellies! read more

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This is my family's favorite Chinese restaurant in our area. You can either order with the staff or scan the QR code menu on the table to order from online. The staff is bilingual and can accommodate both English and Chinese speakers. Food came pretty quickly and they even gave us a free slice of cheesecake to celebrate someone in our party's birthday. - Wonton Strips w/ sweet and sour sauce: 3/5 simple, complimentary appetizer - Fried lamb with cumin: 4/5 definitely tastes better when it's hot, lamb was tender - Braised pork with preserved veg: 4/5 I don't like the preserved vegetables as much but the pork is good - Sliced fish with black bean sauce: 5/5 classic dish that just simply hits the spot - Double mushroom tofu: 5/5 my favorite dish! The tofu is so soft and tender on the inside and lightly crispy on the outside - Stir fried Chinese yam: 3/5 we asked for everything to be low sodium and all the other dishes were just right, however this dish was pretty plain read more

The owners of Chef Zhu has been a long time, San Diego residence, and have opened numerous restaurants all over San Diego. They serve authentic Shanghai style meals. But I can tell they have adopted their menu a little bit where some of the menu items might not be Shanghainese, but it is still very authentic Chinese. The portions are absolutely massive, it is a family style dining environment, where the food is meant to be shared. The servers are very kind and super attentive, this is a great restaurant to bring your entire family even if you have a baby. The owners are really kind people if you speak Chinese, and they are here to make sure you have a great time. Parking is super easy, there is plenty of parking available in the lot. This is my family's go to restaurant whatever we crave Chinese food. read more

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Very spacious but can get packed, no reservations so come in early and get your name down. The star of the show was the beef in chili oil! All the mains were very flavorful. The appetizers left a little to be desired. The hot and sour soup specifically wasn't very hot. Would definitely recommend and I'll definitely be back to try more items off the menu read more

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I'm slightly biased because this restaurant is a couple of miles from my home and thus easy to access. The food is very homey and heartwarming. They have also started providing free chips that are freaking *delicious*. I'd recommend the meatballs. read more

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Superb Szechuan food! The Peking duck was a generous portion. Perfect for 3-4 people! And it came with 4 fluffy Chinese buns. Make sure to dip everything in that amazing duck sauce. The staff were incredibly friendly, and the restaurant's traditional ambience made me feel like I was back in Hong Kong. A fantastic dining experience all around. read more

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The food is always really good. The staff is always friendly and they sometimes serve egg foo young which is my favorite.

I ordered the chow mein which is made with vermicelli noodles? The taste was like burnt car oil. Ordered the beef and Chinese broccoli that didn't taste good either. The fried rice and chicken was ok. Won't be ordering again. Should've just had a granola bar instead. read more

Decent chinese food options here. Their cabbage pork belly was the standout from what what we ordered. It was perfectly cooked, not too salty, and good portions. It shocked even my mother who is visiting from Toronto and there's much better chinese food options over there so that says a lot. We also tried the shanghai chow mein, it was not bad , was hoping for thicker noodles but the flavor was there. I was not accustomed to so many diff proteins in it (chicken, beef, and i think pork slices). We also got the singapore curry vermicelli, that was not bad too but it was a tad on the salty side and it didn't help as they used chinese sausages instead of bbq char siu. Given how close this is to my home, I'd be interested in coming again and trying other items on their menu. read more

FAIR WARNING!!! At first, the food was epic! Then I noticed that sometimes when I ordered, and I like specific dishes, one day it would be great and the next it wouldn't be. (I was for a while, a regular takeout customer.) When I talked to someone there about my experience, I was told that someone must've swapped my food, which I had had a service deliver. Because of the unique situation involved, there is no way on God's green earth that could've happened. After that, I ordered another takeout order, hoping for the best. I got really, really sick. I hadn't eaten anything else from anywhere else, not even my kitchen, other than the takeout from Chef Zhu. Thinking that the two might be connected, I decided that for my own safety and good health not to ever go back. read more

Excellent friendly service. Lots of yelling could be heard in the dining room Chicken with Mushrooms was a disappointment, as the only type of mushrooms in the dish were canned. The Eggplant Garlic dish was swimming in too much oil on the plate. Would not order again. read more

Best Chinese food I've had in San Diego. HIGHLY recommended. Every time I eat (or order) from Chef Zhu I am overwhelmed with the quality of the food. read more

Updated review where we got the meatballs, the steamed pork belly and a soup with pork belly, tofu skin and vegetables. All of it was pretty good. Service was also prompt and attentive (water refills were quick), and the interior was spacious with plenty of tables. read more

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Visited Chef Zhu in San Diego. It's a Shanghainese restaurant, though the menu has a variety of Chinese dishes beyond just Shanghainese specialties. Overall, the food was a bit salty for my taste, but the rice cakes were really good and probably the highlight of the meal. There aren't many Chinese food options nearby unless you're willing to drive farther, so it's a convenient choice if you're local. The staff were friendly and the restaurant was clean and well-kept. I'd probably try a different place next time, but it's not a bad option if you're in the area and craving Chinese food. read more

I visited the fambam and decided to head out here for father's day. Chef Zhu looked like a recent addition to list of Asian restaurants in San Diego. I always enjoyed Shanghainese food and the restaurant was situated in a large plaza with plenty of parking. Honestly, I thought we had a pretty decent meal. The chicken was a tad too salty and the fried rice was a little dry. Aside from that, a lot of the flavors were on point and it wouldn't get much better elsewhere. The vegetables we ordered was healthy and delicious. read more

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Nice seating, friendly staff, authentic food and yummy taste. Recommended for everyone. read more

Chef Zhu - Chinese Near Me - San Diego, California

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This place is like my Chinese family's home cooking I had growing up! Such nostalgia in the dishes from the ma po tofu, eggplant, hot spicy fish, and the decor. Plenty of round tables with lazy susans to fit families. Friendly servers although they could be more attentive. But whatever, it works and I love this place. read more

I had been super eager to try this restaurant given the reviews hyping this place prior to its opening. But I would say that even though I am glad I gave this place a try, I did not eat anything that would bring me back for a second trip. Salt & pepper chicken wings ($11.99): This was my favorite dish of the entire meal. It was deep fried to a perfect level of crunch. I really enjoyed the topping of salt, pepper, toasted scallions, and chili flakes. I am not someone who tolerates spicy food, but this was just the right amount of heat to augment rather than detract from the flavor of the chicken. Meat was tender and moist. Salt & pepper squid ($11.95): Generous portion for the price & the same flavorful topping was used as for the chicken wings. The squid meat was tender. But the batter was not very crunchy at all. I actually took it home intentionally as leftovers so that I could airfry it to an appropriate level of crunch. And I did! So I wish it had been deep fried to a crunchy state to start. Beef chow fun ($18.95): My opinion on this dish is equivocal. The meat is tender and plentiful. The portion size was decent for the price (compared to other San Diego restaurants). I think I just don't like the noodle style because these noodles do not absorb flavor well & make the dish more bland. But if you are a lover of chow fun, I think you would find this a good dish. Soup dumplings (called Shanghai style steamed bun on menu) ($12.95): Pass. The meat and broth have good flavor. And the skin is clearly handmade. But the skin was too thick. The top part of the dough didn't steam all the way through, and overall the skin was chewier than I would like. Ambiance: Airy and elegant. Any event (family celebration, romantic date, casual outing) would be appropriate here. Parking: Unlimited free parking in a shopping center lot Service: Attentive and efficient read more

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Delicious! Will 100% be back. Grabbed takeout for Christmas Eve dinner. They were very accommodating, especially considering how busy they were. Nice little joint with great food. Everything we ate was awesome. read more

Chinese food was delicious. Approved my grandma. See photos - fried garlic chicken, fish, pork with tofu read more

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We've been many times (both to-go and eating in) and have enjoyed almost everything we've tried: potstickers, cream cheese wontons, lettuce wraps, orange chicken, moo shu pork, short ribs, cashew chicken, lo mein and green beans! Stay away from the wonton soup and green onion pancakes -- mediocre at best. We've been a couple times when service was less than stellar, but the good definitely outweighs the bad. Happy to have them in the neighborhood! read more

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