China Garden

This is my favorite Chinese cuisine place in Monterey. I usually order Chef's Special items, which…read moreinclude Sichuan Style dishes. This time, my partner and I got the Sichuan cold noodles, fish soup with pickles, and eggplant in garlic sauce. The noodles are a great texture, and the sauce super flavorful with a little sweetness and numbing spice. The fish in the soup is super tender, cooked to perfection. The soup has a little spice, but it's mild and balanced with the pickled veggies. The eggplant has so much flavor, sweet and umami. We also love ordering the Dandan noodles, cumin lamb, and shredded potato. These dishes are very similar to ones we ate while visiting the Sichuan province in China. They offer all of the familiar favorites as well like chow main, fried rice, and Mongolian beef (but I highly recommend trying some specials). The service is friendly and efficient. The food comes out quickly. You can also easily order for pickup on their website. The inside of the restaurant is cozy with plenty of seating. I will continue eating here whenever I'm craving Sichuan flavors (which is often).

Super good food very fast service they move some tables together so we can have large group of 8…read morepeople together The salt and pepper fish is amazing good value The ginger beef is very tasty and good quality of beef They have some parking in the back and you can enter through the back door so that helps if you can't find parking on the main street Simple, classic good vibe exactly what you want from classic Chinese restaurant nice decoration simple paintings on the wall. Everything is the definition of a good restaurant.

We had big party and they made it very good

Salt and Pepper Fish Fillets

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Inedible chile pods

Great Wall Restaurant

3.9(366 reviews)

0.1 mi

We stayed at a nearby hotel and we found this place. They were able to take our order and prepare…read moreour food hot and fresh quickly. We got the chicken with string beans, chicken fried rice, crab rangoons, egg rolls, orange chicken, and pork chow mein. Our favorites were the orange chicken, crab rangoons, and chow mein. The portions were generous and the 4 of us had enough for a couple meals. I'd definitely go here again!

Of all the Chinese restaurants I've eaten from, this is by far the cleanest and freshest restaurant…read moreI've been to. I was really surprised by the low ratings. We had the shrimp chowmein, crab rangoons, green beans, salt and pepper chicken and the steamed fish. Everything was delicious and this will be a spot we'll visit again when we're back in town.

BBQ Pork Fried Rice

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Szechuan Style Chicken Lunch

Tommy's Wok

4.0(767 reviews)

3.3 mi

I keep coming back for more!!! I tried new items, and I have fallen in LOVE with their wonton soup…read more The broth is so rich and full of wontons, meats, and vegetables! I can't wait to eat in person one day, I door dashed my food again, and the food always comes so fresh! I can't imagine how well the service in person is! This is hands down my favorite Chinese restaurant in this area! I love how the staff always marks off my items, and puts their initials! They really do care!

The food is good; but every time we order delivery they leave things out. Don't bother ordering the…read moremu shu because they don't bother including the pancakes, This has happened three times, we've even called about it. I didn't care about a refund, I just wanted them to get it right the next time. But they forgot them again. Now there will be no next time.

Szechuan Chicken

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The kitchen in rock and roll zen.

Chong's Szechwan Restaurant

3.4(269 reviews)

0.1 mi

Ordered so much delicious takeout tonight! Great portions!…read moreEverything was super fresh, meat was tender. Everything was super flavorful! We ordered: beef tomato chow mein, veggie chow mein, veggie egg foo young- the gravy on this was perfect for us! Beef with broccoli, green beans in a garlic sauce & pork fried rice! Yes! A lot of food but we had for lunch/dinner & looking forward to another couple of meals! So yummy & comforting! Looking forward to ordering again!

I would love to revisit this restaurant in near future. I was not expecting the food to be so good…read moreand price very reasonable. Me and my family came for a short trip Monterey Bay and as it was lunch time we were not aware of any restaurants. We just saw it on our way and being a Chinese food lover stopped our car just outside the restaurant and tried our luck. The restaurant was quit spacious and clean. They also have a space for some special occasions or banquet. I came here along with my 4 yr old kid. After settling down we order for dishes for lunch. And it's better if you tell them not to make it too spicy while placing the order. Food was too good and very flavorful and so was their service, they were quite fast.

HOUSE FRIED RICE

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PORK FRIED RICE

Chef Lee's Mandarin House

2.9(392 reviews)

1.5 mi

Dinner at Chef Lee's felt like a warm, homelike dining experience in a space filled with beautiful…read moreMandarin-style art. From the moment we walked in, it felt like stepping into a different world. The receptionist and servers were all courteous, welcoming, and very accommodating to our large group. We ordered soups and several dishes to share, and our favorites were the almond chicken and eggplant dish. The service was quick, the portions were generous, and everything arrived fresh and satisfying. Overall, it was a comfortable, enjoyable meal with great hospitality from the staff.

I don't know what happened to the food at chef Lee's. It is awful now. Maybe a new chef?…read moreWhen did they start putting raisins in the sweet and sour sauce, it was discusting. The mandarin fried chicken is supposed to be extra spicy, yet it barely had any flavor at all. The noodles in the chow mein were all two to three inches long, it was like theydid that on purpose, and there was absolutely no flavor. The fried rice looked like white rice tossed with frozen vegetables, and like everything else NO FLAVOR. These four items cost me $83 and some change. I have been going there for years. This will be my family's last time. Yuck

Chef Lee Dining Room

Sizzling Rice Soup

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Chef Lee exterior

Jack's Bao

3.7(209 reviews)

1.5 mi

The place is nice and clean. Thumb up. Food was decent and…read moreservice is fast. It is located right in front of hotel continental.

i went into this place with really low expectations. like any ethnic food in tourist areas, it's…read moreusually pretty bad. now before i give my review i do know what's up with bow. as a kid my grandmother who was born in china town would buy these from china town all the time and feed them to me as a kid. so i know what's good and bad and what bow should taste like. looking at some of the bad reviews i really don't think these people know what's up or maybe they been eating at Panda Express too much (you know real Chinese food‍‍) anyhow the bad first... it's pricey but this is a tourist area so you shouldn't expect anything less. waiting for it might take some time BUT they are fresh and hot even in China town they are only warm most of the time from sitting around for awhile. so the good... yes it's takes time but what would you expect from something made to order as a bow. i did order the red bean one because i was craving something sweet. now most reading this probably have no idea what red bean is but iykyk!! the bun was super soft and the bean was smooth. also my kid knows this type of bow bread as well and she won't hold back if it is bad. their first impression was "yeah good" so the bun is spot on the way it should taste. you also need to eat bow fresh for the best taste. because the longer you wait the worst it will taste. the bread will get hard fast. saw a lady in these reviews complain about no paper on the bottom of the bow. huh? they put paper on bow only when they are sitting too long... say in a pastry shop or when you order them to-go to bring to friends or family later in the day so it don't stick. they don't need it if you eat it right away. either way i give them a 5 out of 5 for the bow. 2 out of 5 for the price since you can get them in china town for $2 bucks but good luck in finding that around here so a totally fair price so stop bitching. but again very decent bow and would go back again for sure.

Clean, bright, and spacious

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Lucky Bamboo

4.0(126 reviews)

3.1 mi

The best House fried noodle combo and Fried rice combo on the planet! I highly recommend this…read moreplace. Delicious food and really nice people.

Ordered online for pickup about an hour before closing. Got the won ton soup with noodles. Flavor…read morewas just OK but not enough broth to add the noodles. Combo fried rice was same, just OK. Walnut shrimp was the most disappointing. One of our favorite dishes and it was inedible. Overcooked, hard and dry. Maybe freezer burned. Pecans(not walnut) were literally black and bitter. Not going back there.

Menu as of September 2023 - notice "Lucky Bamboo" isn't printed anywhere -

The front of the restaurant. It was mid day, and easy to get a table.

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The restaurant was in a good spot and I was walking, so I didn't notice too many parking spots.

Happy Dragon

3.4(191 reviews)

2.1 mi

I like this place. Their ginger beef is delicious. It's right up the street from my apartment so I…read moreorder it over the phone, walk up there, tie my dog up outside (who is happy to wait patiently as he knows they yummy bites he's gonna get), and go in to get it. It's always ready when I get there and the service is friendly. If you are looking for decent Chinese food give it a try!

I go to Happy Dragon while I'm washing my clothes next door…read more I eat while they're washing, go back and put them in the dryer and then go back and finishing eating. The appetizer plate is delicious. Served with sweet and sour sauce and hot mustard.

Front door sign

Wonton Soup

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Thai ice tea

Jim's Chinese Restaurant

4.3(747 reviews)

2.4 mi

Jim's is easily the best Chinese food in the Monterey Bay area…read more We live in Marina and the places here are "so so" . so we heard good things about Jim's and boy are we happy to have a great option that's not too far away. Everything we've tried has been great. And the service is excellent.

This place is the definition of a hidden gem…read more Tucked away in a random corner, it's easy to drive right past it and never think twice. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, and inside it's tiny tiny. maybe 6 to 8 tables total. Honestly, it could use some updates or a bigger location, but don't let any of that fool you. The second you walk in, you get that old-school family restaurant feeling. The kind of place that's been around forever, where the same family is working every shift and knows half their customers by name. No room for a Togo box hidden storage, no trendy décor, just people focused on making great food and taking care of their customers. The owner was incredibly kind and even brought us a complimentary order of their veggie rolls to try. They were absolutely delicious and such a thoughtful touch that made us feel genuinely welcomed. And the food? Absolutely incredible. Every single thing we ordered was packed with flavor, fresh, and cooked perfectly. Not one dish disappointed. It's the kind of restaurant that reminds you why local family-owned spots are worth supporting. If you're looking for fancy, this isn't it. If you're looking for some of the best food around in the Monterey area, this place is a 10/10 and well worth the visit. Don't judge this place by its location or appearance, the food speaks for itself.

Human beef and all white meat Kung pao chicken meal plus 2 egg rolls.

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More awards

Siamese Bay Restaurant

4.2(527 reviews)

0.1 mi

Visited Siamese Bay and it was a great experience! We are visiting from New York and this was a…read moregreat spot to enjoy some warm and tasty comfort food. The owner was extremely kind and welcoming and the ambiance was so beautifully traditional. We had chicken pad Thai, spring rolls, and chicken fried rice which was delicious. Would highly recommended!

This restaurant has been around since the early 80's. There's a photo of Clint Eastwood and the…read morefamily who owns the restaurant. This is one of his favorite Thai restaurants and frequented this establishment probably when he was the mayor of Carmel. According to the owner, Clint's son stops by from time to time. The menu had many of the typical Thai dishes. I thought I'd try something different. I wanted to try more but with my shellfish allergy, I was limited. They all sounded delicious though with crab filling and shrimp. We ordered: THAI SPRING ROLLS - small bite-sized rolls filled with silver noodles. Cute and crispy. Not greasy is always a plus! SPINACH - a vegetable dish you can order with your choice of protein. We went with tofu. The dish had thin slices of fried tofu and big slices of mushroom. Well-balanced, well-season and not overcooked. You can enjoy each ingredient as they're meant to be. CURRY NOODLE - I wanted curry and also wanted a noodle dish. This combined both of what we were looking for. We ordered this with pork. This was soupier than what I imagined. I wish it were drier or a thicker broth, but it was still good. THAI NY STEAK - This was our favorite. The steak was cooked medium, sliced and served with a stir-fry of mixed veggies. The homemade Thai sauce is what makes this dish so special. It's tangy with a little spice. So good! Food came out fairly quickly. Service was wonderful. The owner was very sweet and personable. He made us feel like we were long time customers. When we're back in Monterey we'd like to come back and try more dishes!

Interior

7. Shrimp Suit

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Wonderful Place . The man who I think may have been owner was very kind and friendly. I had soup and crab shrimp dumplings for

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Robert R.

Elite 25

17

113

96

2 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at China Garden, and I can honestly say that it's hard to find anything but positive things to say about this place. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere felt nice and cozy. The restaurant has a traditional layout that reminded me of the homey environment I experienced in China Town, San Francisco. It truly made me feel at home. Now let's talk about the food. We ordered the soup, sweet and sour chicken, and the house special fried rice. Every dish was bursting with flavor. The wontons were simply amazing, and the sweet and sour chicken had the perfect texture and balance of sweetness. However, my personal favorite was the house fried rice. It was absolutely delicious, and I would go back to China Garden just to have it again. The flavors were exceptional, and every bite was a delight. The service at China Garden was exceptional as well. Our server, Katie, brought a smile to our faces. Her joyful demeanor and warm hospitality made us feel like we were part of the family. She provided top-notch service and made us feel welcome every second. We truly appreciate her and the effort she put into making our dining experience memorable. We stumbled upon China Garden as a spontaneous decision, and it turned out to be a beautiful gem for our one-year marriage anniversary. It set the tone for a positive and memorable experience. We can't thank China Garden enough for making our special day even more special. In conclusion, China Garden is a restaurant that I highly recommend. From the welcoming atmosphere to the flavorful food and exceptional service, it exceeded our expectations. Whether you're looking for a taste of home or just a fantastic dining experience, China Garden is the place to go. read more

Fabio B.

Elite 25

28

57

73

2 years ago

Dive into Monterey's vibrant Chinese heritage, tracing back to the glint of the Gold Rush era. Despite this rich tapestry, the city surprisingly holds very few Chinese eateries. Yet, amidst this scarcity, China Garden shines brilliantly. Nestled in downtown, this spacious eatery boasts its own parking oasis. Inside, the decor is a visual symphony of red and gold, reminiscent of festive Chinese celebrations. Our server was a delightful blend of warmth and efficiency, swiftly guiding us from seat to sip to sumptuous dishes. As we eagerly indulged, the flavors whisked us away on a nostalgic journey. Our selections, Kung Pow Shrimp, Garlic Spinach, and Veggie Fried Rice, showcased freshness at its finest. Each bite revealed crisp vegetables, perfectly cooked and absent of the all-too-common salty or greasy pitfalls. Interestingly, the Kung Pow Shrimp was a milder affair than anticipated, challenging my assumptions about local spice preferences. And, to my surprise, chopsticks were nowhere in sight, hinting at a different Bay Area dining culture. But fear not, these quirks are mere footnotes in an otherwise great dining experience that has me already plotting my return, perhaps armed with my own trusty chopsticks. read more

David G.

0

1

0

15 years ago

Well, I'm not really sure what happened to this place, but when my family and I went to China Garden last night it was a mess. We always order the exact same thing off of the family menu but this time the won ton soup, which typically comes in a large bowl,( and is more than enough to feed the four of us) came in four small cups, with one won ton each. When I asked the waiter (a young kid that I have never seen before) about this he said that it would be an additional 8 dollars to get the large bowl. I told him that we are regulars here and we have never been served the cups vice the bowl and he told me that I didn't know what I was talking about. When the fried shrimp came out it was just six fried shrimp in a little saucer with no garnish, sauce or anything. I can't stress enough that this is not typical for China Garden, but my wife and I weren't willing to be disappointed for the entire dinner so we asked for our check and didn't bother with the rest of the dinner. And by the way, we still hadn't been served our drinks at that point even though we had asked several times. It was a terrible experience. I want the old wait staff back. read more

Joshua V.

1

27

0

1 year ago

Walking into China Garden in Monterey felt like coming home after four years. It was just as warm and welcoming as we remembered, with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The owner is an absolute sweetheart, and you can tell how much love they put into this place. The service was top-notch from the moment we walked in and the staff was super friendly The food was out of this world! It came out so fast, hot, and fresh, and every bite was more delicious than the last. We seriously felt like we had a feast, the portions were incredibly generous. We're already counting down the days until we can go back. This is more than just a restaurant; it's a true gem. Five stars, hands down! read more

Shuyan C.

3

8

0

11 years ago

I like the atmosphere which is spacious, clean, and airy. The service is very efficient, I don't need to wait for a long time. If I have a special order, they are willing to help me. Anyu is a sweet girl. Every time, when I have my meal there, she is really helpful. If you are a tourist, you don't want to wait for a long time to get your food at a restaurant, but want to have a better environment to talk over a meal, this is the best place to go. read more

Nettie Y.

15

3

0

6 years ago

AMAZING place!!! Service at the front was very friendly and bubbly!! We came crom out of town to enjoy the Vday weekend and came across this place our first night! We definitely recommend!! Food was not greasy, great serving sizes perfectly seasoned and well cooked!! If you're ever in the area and are having a craving come check them out!! read more

Debra P.

0

2

1

3 years ago

Great place, the food is wonderful. The service is quick and pleasant. The restaurant is really nice and has a great atmosphere. I will be back, and recommend it. read more

Ashley K.

150

6

25

11 years ago

I didn't like anything we ordered. Seafood was terrible ... Smelled SO fishy! The eggrolls had the weirdest spice to them and even the soup was passable . :-( read more

Mike W.

0

5

0

8 years ago

Their customer service is outstanding!! I literally can't get enough of this place! And the chicken is divine. Best Chinese in town. Don't miss out. read more

Megan M.

585

5

3

10 years ago

Good food! The service was INCREDIBLE! They were extremely nice and welcoming! The food came out very fast too which was nice.

Angelina R.

1

21

12

5 years ago

The food is great and the staff really is above and beyond friendly. Definitely coming back! For both great service and food.

C H.

0

1

0

8 years ago

The server almost yelled at me. The other one was very unprofessional. I will not go there again.

Jessie B.

144

159

4

11 years ago

Love, love, love the food as well as Yu! Never leave disappointed. Try the Mongolian Chicken!

Adowaconan M.

1

2

0

13 years ago

Good or excellent food, but really awful serve attitude.

Lily P.

0

50

4

14 years ago

good chow mein! And it's reasonably priced!

Chris F.

0

3

1

5 years ago

Loved it! I will be back next time in town.

China Garden - chinese - Updated September 2026

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(126 reviews)

The best House fried noodle combo and Fried rice combo on the planet! I highly recommend this…read moreplace. Delicious food and really nice people.

Ordered online for pickup about an hour before closing. Got the won ton soup with noodles. Flavor…read morewas just OK but not enough broth to add the noodles. Combo fried rice was same, just OK. Walnut shrimp was the most disappointing. One of our favorite dishes and it was inedible. Overcooked, hard and dry. Maybe freezer burned. Pecans(not walnut) were literally black and bitter. Not going back there.

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I like this place. Their ginger beef is delicious. It's right up the street from my apartment so I…read moreorder it over the phone, walk up there, tie my dog up outside (who is happy to wait patiently as he knows they yummy bites he's gonna get), and go in to get it. It's always ready when I get there and the service is friendly. If you are looking for decent Chinese food give it a try!

I go to Happy Dragon while I'm washing my clothes next door…read more I eat while they're washing, go back and put them in the dryer and then go back and finishing eating. The appetizer plate is delicious. Served with sweet and sour sauce and hot mustard.

Great Wall Restaurant

3.9

(366 reviews)

We stayed at a nearby hotel and we found this place. They were able to take our order and prepare…read moreour food hot and fresh quickly. We got the chicken with string beans, chicken fried rice, crab rangoons, egg rolls, orange chicken, and pork chow mein. Our favorites were the orange chicken, crab rangoons, and chow mein. The portions were generous and the 4 of us had enough for a couple meals. I'd definitely go here again!

Of all the Chinese restaurants I've eaten from, this is by far the cleanest and freshest restaurant…read moreI've been to. I was really surprised by the low ratings. We had the shrimp chowmein, crab rangoons, green beans, salt and pepper chicken and the steamed fish. Everything was delicious and this will be a spot we'll visit again when we're back in town.

Orient Restaurant

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Kung Pao Chicken lunch set (medium spice) with potsticker as choice…read more Egg drop soup cup was fine if plain. The potstickers were good but nothing to write home about. The chicken however was perfectly cooked with good flavors. Probably one of the better Kung Pao chicken I've had. On the affordable side. Would eat again. EDIT: given that my opinion of Chinese food on Monterey Peninsula is pretty meh, this Vietnamese/Chinese spot gives me hope that it's a bit of a sleeper.

Upon coming into Orient restaurant, I was greeted promptly and seated down very quickly. It wasn't…read moretoo packed, but it was busy. Every single time I heard the phone go off. It be about every five minutes. The food here is really good, kudos to the chef. Anything you get is probably really good. I ordered the orient fried rice, crab soup, the pho Tai, and another dish I completely forgot the name. Everything was delicious! I would def recommend coming here! Waitress was excellent and made sure we got everything we needed.

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Portions were generous and service was great. Awesome asian…read morefood I did have trouble fitting in the booth seating because I am a big guy so if you are big as well I suggest dining at a table

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Tommy's Wok

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I keep coming back for more!!! I tried new items, and I have fallen in LOVE with their wonton soup…read more The broth is so rich and full of wontons, meats, and vegetables! I can't wait to eat in person one day, I door dashed my food again, and the food always comes so fresh! I can't imagine how well the service in person is! This is hands down my favorite Chinese restaurant in this area! I love how the staff always marks off my items, and puts their initials! They really do care!

The food is good; but every time we order delivery they leave things out. Don't bother ordering the…read moremu shu because they don't bother including the pancakes, This has happened three times, we've even called about it. I didn't care about a refund, I just wanted them to get it right the next time. But they forgot them again. Now there will be no next time.

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