I am an Indian and had a hard time finding vegetarian options. Overpriced and not all options are authentic.

I called tonight for take-out. After placing my order, I was told that it would take a moment for my food to be ready. I interpreted "a moment" as 15-20 minutes, which is the usual turnaround time for take-out orders at most places. So when I arrived 20 minutes later, I was surprised when I was told again that it would take a moment - especially when I saw (the kitchen is open) that they hadn't even started cooking my orders yet! There were only 3 tables of diners at the restaurant, so it certainly wasn't because they were extremely busy. I finally got my order 40 minutes after I made the initial phone call, and nobody - not even the owner herself who handed me my order - bothered apologizing for the delay. Needless to say that I will never come back again. If you want take-out in a normal amount of time, do not call this place! read more

Food was decent (average) if you can tolerate the service. This was the single worst dining out experience I've had. Will advise friends to avoid this place. read more

Food is okay but service is horrible. I have dined in at Chin Dian in the past and the waitress was rude and unfriendly. Recently I tried to use a coupon there and had to argue with the owner to let me use it. Finally she said that she wasn't giving me my food if I wanted to use the coupon. I had paid through Groupon so I was out the money and she refused to let me use it....horrible experience with OWNER! read more

I was really amazed because I had read good reviews but this was hands down the worst Chinese or Indian or Malaysian food I've ever had. Meat quality was poor and sauces had a gelatinous quality and overseasoned. The fried dumplings were fine but the entrees are where the wheels came off. For cheap Americanized Asian food try village wok. read more

I ordered a fried rice yesterday without egg and only paneer but they still added meat to it. I took take out because I had to go catch a movie. When I opened the box it had meat and cafe was closed by then. Today I'm calling several times and nobody is picking up the phone. Really disappointing experience. There is no doubt the food is great but this is second time my order is messed up. read more

Great food. I had steamed dumplings, amazing. Indian Hot and Sour Soup, really complex spice, very good. Shrimp black bean as main entree. Very tasty. read more

This is my 2nd time here and boy oh boy I must tell you that the food is amazing. If you get a chance please check them out

This place is awesome. Not your typical Chinese or Indian fare - but rather a Chinese AND Indian twist. Obviously, t's called "Chin-Dian", get it?!?!? I've been here more than enough, that now I feel like I can finally give them an honest review. Chin Dian is a cozy little restaurant on the corner. Plenty of tables for two or a large group. They also have a little banquet room in the back. The owners are great and very helpful when ordering. The food selection is plenty and varied. For appetizers, I'm always good to go with the steamed dumplings and their spring rolls are some of the best I've had. For an entree, the Chin Dian Manchurian is spot on. Order it with the paneer. Cheese? Yeah, it's good. For most dishes, they'll ask you what spice level you prefer, too. Anything I've every tried, my taste buds have been impressed and somewhat surprised. Like I said, it's not typical and that is what makes this place good and why I keep coming back. Definitely worth a try! read more

Love everything about Chin Dian Cafe! Thank you for the amazing food, friendly service & hospitality!

Some of my favorite takeout and Asian food in town. I love, LOVE the pork hoagie. This may sound pretty random but it is fantastic, addictive and one of the (if not THE) best sandwiches in town! I also like the East River fried rice, chicken/chive dumplings, the delish soup with chicken, rice noodles, jalapeno, mint...This may be a random location for some but it's very worthwhile. Do order the pork hoagie! read more

Amazing small local place that has outstanding vegetarian options. Best cream cheese wantons ever, with delectable homemade sauce, veggie fried rice, chow fun... all are so yummy!! I have been going here for as long as they have been open as I work near by! The owners are usually there and pay attention to details. If you like it hot you have to specify very very very hot, they can do it, but most of their food caters towards the average american who cannot handle spice. Love this place and nice to know you are supporting local business! I usually get my food to go, if you are eating in, know they prepare your food as you order so it is not fast food. Be ready to sit and relax and enjoy yourself because no one is in a hurry. Free street parking too!! read more

LOVE this place! This is a very clean, sweet, lovely family-owned restaurant, serving fresh Chinese-Indian Malaysian food. Chefs Nina Wong and Thomas Gnanapragasam's dishes are a real tasty fusion of cultures. Though many dishes are typically hot, you can ask for mild versions, which are equally tasty (We've tried the range). I love their ginger tea, their Chili Chicken (just like the Chinese chicken dishes in India) and the zesty green beans. We have been there a number of different times for dinner and are always welcomed warmly by the owners, who now recognize us. They are very kid-friendly, doing all they can to make children feel welcome and happy as well. If you'd like a unique culinary experience with a modern friendly ambiance, dine here! One caveat: if it's really cold outside, you may need a shawl or sweater inside. read more

One of my pet peeves is asking for something that is supposed to be spicy and it is not. The Kwe Tieu Goreng was fabulous. I ordered it with medium spicy and it had some great spicy hot to it. Overall a great dish. I will definitely be coming back. read more

I decided to go to Chindian based on a review that said there was a good vegetarian selection, but found that to be so untrue that I left without ordering anything. If you happen to be some kind of pseudo-vegetarian who eats chicken, yes the selection is great. Otherwise... read more

I love this place! I just went there for the first time today and I am very excited to go back with my husband. My sister had the salad (delicious) and I had the curry noodle soup (unbelievable). It was one of those magical bowls that never got smaller the more I ate. I ended up bringing half home. The service was amazing, the food was fresh, the portions were more than big enough and the prices were great. Can't wait to go back! read more

I'm from Malaysia and am very picky abt "Malaysian" food. I had the Kwe Tieu Goreng and it was FANTASTIC! Tasted just like the ones from the hawker stalls in M'sia. Also had the calamari & it was also delicious. I'm from out of town and always am looking for Malaysian food and this rank up with the best of them. Definitely going back the next time I'm in town read more

I visited yesterday, March 20, and thought both the food and service were excellent. I had the egg rolls (since they were recommended by these ratings sites), as well as the spring rolls and madras chicken (also recommended). All were delicious, fresh ingredients and beautifully presented. And the owner/chef came around to make sure diners were happy with their food. read more

Both the food and service were good. I have had better Indo-Chinese but still this was good. Though the waitress took a wrong order but then corrected her mistake and gave us the additional dish for free. Overall, a good option if you want to have Chinese or Indo-Chinese. read more

Been there twice but only ate once. The owner was very rude to us on both occasions, and the second time we just walked out. She needs to change her attitude and not act like her guests are a huge inconvenience to her. Smart@ss comments like 'We are not a McDonald's' are not a good way to run your business when someone is asking you a simple question. read more

I LOVE this little place and honestly think it is one of the best places in town. I REALLY want to get the word out about it because I don't want it to close. It is no longer a market but only a restaurant. The ASIAN food here is AWESOME! The owner is a sister of the Rainbow Chinese people on Eat Street. Go Go Go Get a Pork Hoagie and the Chicken and Chive dumplings. MMMMMMmmmmmm read more

A wonderful gem of a restaurant with attentive service and wonderful food. It's our new favorite!

I have read nothing but good things about this place so thought we would give it a try. The BF ordered the sweet and sour chicken and I had the Kung Pao. His meal looked like an appetizer, and both of our chicken was dry and rubbery. The ONLY reason this gets 2 stars from me is the ginger iced tea and berry lemonade were delicious. I have no probelm paying those prices if the meal is great but we will definitely not be going back. The teahouse in Saint Paul is my ultimate reccomendation. Skip this place and go there. read more

Dishonest and rude owner! I bought a groupon, used it within its stipulations, and the owner at the end refused to honor it! I ended up paying full price (I'm not the type to walk out without paying even when I am in the right) but I do feel the need to warn people that this place is NOT one that operates in integrity! The food tasted good, but I have a sour taste in my mouth from being treated rudely and being cheated! The owner is really foolish, as I would have returned regularly to this place and they could have made a lot of money from me (and my friends!) over the years. But their shortsidedness and greed makes them lose out. read more

My husband and I decided to try Chin Dian on a Thursday at 5:00. We were in the mood for Chinese, and hadn't been too impressed with the other Chinese restaurants in our area. We ordered: Fried Chicken & Chive Dumplings Sweet & Sour Chicken, Gluten Free Chili Chicken Zesty Green Beans Mango Smoothie Tangerine-Berry Lemonade Atmosphere: 2 Stars. This is not the kind of place we'd go on a date; I'd be more inclined to get take-out. Even though the restaurant was empty, save for two other diners, I was unsure if I was to seat myself or wait to be seated, so I awkwardly stood by the front door for a few minutes until one of the cooks instructed me to pick my own spot. The dining area is unimpressive, but we were there to eat, not look at the walls. The cafe is INCREDIBLY FAMILY FRIENDLY which, for some, might be great... and others not so much. I believe we were waited on by the owners, and each time they came out of the kitchen, they had both of their kids with them (constant baby-on-hip while taking our order and interacting with us, older child awkwardly-though-politely standing next to them while they talk about the menu or bring food, etc). My husband and I are in our late 20s, and while we like kids and have no problem with them, we found it to be a little off-putting. Food: 3-4 Stars. The flavors in what we ordered were standard; nothing that I felt was spectacular, though. We each liked our entrees well enough to say we would order them again, but we'd pass on the fancy beverages and green beans for sure next time. I do feel that nearly everything is overpriced for what you get (the zesty green beans are $8.00. They're good, but that is ridiculous. You get probably an overflowing cup of beans that are sauced up with essentially garlic, ginger and soy.). The menu seemed to have plenty of other options that we both thought we'd try next time. Overall: 3 Stars. Honestly, it's very likely that we'll order take-out again, and possibly soon. The food was good, the service was friendly (even if it was a bit uncomfortable with the kids around), and it's close to home. For take-out, on just entrees, Chin Dian's a-ok by us. read more

Yet another great experience at my favorite local eating establishment. Hubby and I went there for the Valentines Day and enjoyed the divine grass fed beef with garlic and onion and chicken korma. The beef was moist and had a little kick to it, which I loved. The chicken was also tender with great curry seasoning. At the end of the meal, we were served a yummy crepe with fresh strawberries, cream and topped with drizzled dark chocolate and caramel. A good way to end the meal. I was impressed with the decor...red silks and candlelight. Very romantic. The rose petals along the walkway and stairs was a perfect finishing touch and showed the detail the owners put in to make it a beautiful evening for many to enjoy. Thank you, read more

Great place for lunch or supper. Until our office moved, it was our favorite for lunch. Now, we get there when we can for supper. Great fusion of Chinese and Indian ingredients and styles. I love the Tofu Shiitake Mushroom, the Green Beans, the Five Spice Calamari, the Singapore Chou Mai Fun, and the Spring Rolls. It is a wonderful place to bring a group and sample multiple dishes family style. Chin Dian Rocks! read more

Not sure how this place is considered "noise level: Quiet." We were there with a group of 7 and while the service was good, the space was so loud and full of echoes you could only hear the person directly next to you. The food was meh. Not going back. read more

Wow! I ate here for the first time last night and am hooked! The food is fresh and flavorful, and the dishes are varied and perfectly cooked. Many of the dishes are also available gluten-free. The service was friendly and prompt. Certainly listen to the waitress if she recommends the green beans as a side! Yum. read more

Just left ChinDian Cafe. Every SINGLE time we am there, we are wowed by the phenomenal food and incredibly friendly service. ChinDian is our go-to place for dining because it's ALWAYS good. Thomas and Nina make us feel like we are family and can almost read our minds before we order. Tonight, I was feeling a little under the weather and Nina made me some Chinese vegetable soup -- she knew exactly what I needed. I HIGHLY recommend ChinDian any day or night. read more

Went in to finally try this place with some friends and I had the mentality that I really wanted to like it due to my penchant for both Indian and Chinese food. while the food wasn't bad the real issue simply put was the attitude of our server Nina Wong, I know this is her name because she persistently and awkwardly forced one of her real estate agent cards into my hand and my friends. When ordering we had a few basic questions because this was our first time trying this establishment, we were greeted with a very short and discourteous non-response to any question, for example the dish I was ordering was a blend of Indian and Chinese cuisine so I asked if they used chili oil or what type of spice was used to make the dish spicy, she responded with a curt and sharp "just try it like is" with a scowl on her face as though she was speaking down to a child that was asking something foolish. to which I patiently and still politely responded "What I'm asking is do you use Indian style spices or Chinese style such as chili oil to make the dish spicy?" I asked because I can't eat the whole red pepper seeds in the Chinese type of chili oil that most Chinese places use. She responded this time with a worsening of her cold disposition squinting at me and furrowing her brow adding very sharply "we use cayenne to spice our food" with a tone that suggested again that she looked at people as foolish for asking her any questions and that no one should be asking her any questions. even my friends who came in to dine with me who are generally very pleasant natured and reserved commented that she came across as very unnecessarily rude. this type of attitude from her continued throughout the meal, not to mention the fact that when the other table of two that was in the restaurant left and we were the only ones left in the restaurant she rarely came to check on us, we even had to get up and go find her at the end of our meal just to pay because after waiting nearly 20 minutes she never came back to check on us or bring our ticket, she of course offered no apology for this. It wasn't as though someone in our party was rude or disorderly, in fact we were all in a very friendly and polite mood and even excited about trying out the restaurant. to be quite honest the whole dining experience was a bit embarrassing to be treated like that in public in front of friends for no reason, we all agreed that just based on the service we probably wouldn't be back. read more

Not really a family friendly place. We were looking a for a great local Asian restaurant that we could regularly do take out from near NE. But this WILL NOT be it. We arrived last night and a family, along with another couple arrived 5-10 minutes after we did, but they took their orders first (even after we told them we were ready to order). We finally ordered and our food arrived 40 minutes after we arrived. Not great when you have a 2.5 yr old. The menu said each dish a freshly made to order. We ordered 2 dishes (sesame chicken & chicken chin dian) and both were good. We asked for a small order of rice noodles and chicken for our child. When one of the owners brought our order she said, we can only make one size. It was just that...some noodles and little bits of chicken and a few stems of broccoli. THEY CHARGED US FULL PRICE ($12). Had I received that as my meal I would have sent it back. But of course we did not know until the bill came (or I had to go get the bill). The groupon we had covered that. I wanted to be able to recommend this place to our neighbors and friends in the area, but I will actually suggest not even trying. Service was poor (unfriendly and slow), but food is good a bit pricey. read more