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    Chu Mai

    4.2 (156 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Chu Mai Takeout or Delivery

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    CHU MAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Intimate
    Classy
    Upscale

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    Recommended Reviews - Chu Mai

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    Menu
    Lamont W.

    So let's talk about Chu Mai. First let me say I really wanted to give this place 5 stars but I had to deduct a star. The restaurant is really nice and clean, the decor is dope and they have a full bar. The service was A1 and I'll gladly be returning to this restaurant. Our waitress was spot on with every recommendation that she provided us. They did not miss on a single dish that we ordered and thats impressive. My favorite was the Lobster and Shrimp Cheung Fun. The only reason this is not a 5 star rating is because the kitchen over cooked our Steak. Other then that it was a great meal. Pho-Spiced Steak 8/10 Lemongrass Pork Steak 9/10 Lobster/Shrimp Cheung Fun 9/10 Crispy Rice Cake w/Beef Tartare 10/10 Oysters 8/10 Taiwanese Fried Chicken 8/10

    Fried rice w/ crab
    Austin N.

    Overall it was good. As a Chinese-American myself, I liked the concept of a modern take on Chinese food, but if I actually wanted Chinese food I'd go to a traditional restaurant. And it was a little pricier than I expected. Food: 4/5 My favorite dim sum is shrimp cheung fun and Chu Mai's Lobster and shrimp "cheung fun" was certainly a take on it.. It was extremely sour and too vinegar-y. The fried rice with crab was delicious and worth the price. The ginger ice cream was hands-down the best. It was refreshing, sweet, and spicy, a perfect way to end the meal. Service: 5/5 All the waiters frequently checked-in and refilled water. Ambiance: 4/5 Cool, sleek, and modern vibe. The restaurant was not even half full but it was so loud with the music turned up. I enjoyed my dinner at Chu Mai, but I probably wouldn't go again soon. Also, how can they be named Chu Mai and not serve Siu Mai! I love siu mai and wished it was on the menu.

    Crispy rice bites, curry chicken and beef tartare
    Lauren S.

    4.5/5 rounding up to 5 Came here on a Friday night and it was pretty busy. We were a party of six adults and two babies, this spot is very lively and maybe not as food kid friendly as it has limited items for kids to eat. The service really stood out. Our server was kind, attentive, and stayed on top of everything despite how busy it was. The kitchen was clearly backed up, so the food came out gradually, starting with appetizers and then each dish arriving one at a time as we ate. We ordered the Duck Liver Mousse, Egg Salad, Chili Eggplant, Lobster and Shrimp Cheung Fun, Spring Congee, Garlic Black Bean Fried Tofu, Fried Whole Fish, and Lemongrass Pork Steak. Everything was delicious, unique, and beautifully presented. I do wish the dishes had come out closer together, but there was a small upside. Since each plate arrived separately, everyone at the table got a chance to focus on and share each dish, which made it more interactive. It did make for a longer dining experience overall. The menu leans spicy, and some dishes cannot be adjusted to be mild, so that is something to keep in mind. Overall, it is a great spot with flavorful and creative food. I would come back, ideally on a less busy day if possible, and would love to try the desserts next time since we did not get to them on this visit.

    Marcel M.

    Very pleasantly surprised to stumble upon Chu Mai. The place is absolutely beautiful inside and the service and food both match the high standard they set with the decor. We were blown away by the rice bites (with curry crab), the fried rice and the pork entree. All of them bursting with flavor. But surprisingly (and i never thought I'd say this) but the SALAD stole the show! It was so amazing, I've never smiled so much eating salad. Please get the Celtuce salad and thank me later. Also the service was incredible, I can't remember her name but she had pink hair, a bunch of tattoos and was really sweet! Oh! And the portion sizes are large! We happily left with many leftovers! Must try Food: 4.7 Service: 4.8 Ambiance: 4.8 Marcels foodie score: 4.76

    Fried whole fish
    Lisa H.

    The first time we came here was about 2 years ago and remember really liking it so I was excited to come back. The ambience and drinks are great here however the service was lacking. Food took longer than normal. The also forgot one of our small plate dishes and had to cancel it. The main entrees were a disappointment though-especially the friend fish. The fish fried in a batter and was way too much batter and not enough fish. It was too sweet for my liking. If I come back, I'd only order drinks and food off the small plates as I felt they were the best.

    Lolla rosa salad
    Lauren S.

    Made a reservation for 2 on a Thursday night. There were definitely people there but I was surprised it wasn't busier since they are also the owners of Kru! We sat at a 4 person table near the window and we were immediately greeted with menus and water. Our waitress was incredibly kind and attentive from the start and explained the entire menu. We started with drinks - I got the boy with the dragon tattoo which was delicious! Not too sweet, not to sour and beautifully presented. We ordered the Crispy Rice bites off the special menu with the lobster, citrus, and reserve caviar. It was AMAZING - I probably could have eaten multiple but wanted to save myself for the rest of the food. We ordered the Lolla Rosa Salad with fried tofu, the Lobster & Shrimp "Cheung Fun" and the Roasted Half chicken. The salad was delicous, we loved the cheung fun and the half chicken was perfectly seasoned. It was more than enough food for the two of us! They ended up bringing us Ube ice cream as dessert for a belated birthday celebration too. Really, really enjoyed it and looking forward to going back!

    Mushroom congee and laksa curry egg noodles
    Claire Y.

    As huge fans of Kru, it was exciting to hear the chef endeavoring to another restaurant. The restaurant ambience and decor is beautiful, elegant while maintaining a business casual/casual atmosphere with a peep into open kitchen and friendly service. Every dish we ate tasted decent but if you're looking for high taste-to-value ratio, this place is definitely on the pricy side and one can likely find something that fits the flavor profile and will satisfy the craving of their offerings for 1/3-1/2 the price vs at Chu Mai. For example, Taiwanese fried chicken on the menu has very similar taste profile to popcorn chicken that one order at a boba shop. Laksa curry is $50, likely based on the fact it comes with 3 scallops and 2 shrimp, but for the same price at any Chinese restaurant can get 3x size lobster/seafood noodles to feed a family. Overall, I think this is a nice option for those wanting a nicer dining experience but likely more for special occasions than a frequent meal experience based on the price and value. Props for providing a tan yuan offering for Chinese lantern festival today, way to go!

    Soft shell crab and cold noodles
    Ed Y.

    This place was pretty good. Appetizers were great.. the entrees were less so. the server was excellent & the overall ambiance was nice. modern and more fancy, but not too fancy.. you don't really need to dress up for a meal here. Most of the dishes are intended to be shared & eaten family style, so go with a group. Our server was helpful in letting us know how much food was appropriate for our group size. She was very warm and attentive. I liked that they gave a quick little spiel to describe the dishes as they hit the table. on to the food (also, make note that the menu posted on their website is not up to date.. so check out the toasttab online ordering for a more up-to-date menu).... - chili eggplant (Fried Eggplant tossed in honey-doubanjiang aioli, candied cashews, fresh mint, pickles, chilies): best dish of the night. it brought all the flavors... sweet, salty, spicy, tangy.. I loved the fresh mint.. definitely get this... even if you aren't crazy about eggplant. - popcorn chicken with house-made ranch sauce: this was a solid dish. just good popcorn chicken. the dipping sauce was good enough.. didn't really taste like ranch (less tangy), but it paired nicely with the chicken. - soft shell crab & cold noodles (chilled sichuan chili-fish fumet, bean sprouts, shaved celery, salted turnips, trout roe): tasty dish. you can't really go wrong with soft shell crab.. and there was some additional crab meat as well. this wasn't a very good dish for sharing (though, the portion size was) since it is rather soupy & can get a bit messy to eat. nonetheless, a good dish. - charred napa cabbage (garlic oyster sauce, vietnamese furikake, perilla, radish): this was another goodie. it was actually a soup dish in disguise. they chop up the cabbage into bite size pieces, and it all sits in a yummy broth. just make sure you douse your cabbage bite in the broth before consuming since that's where most of the flavor is. - garlic black bean tofu (english peas, crispy tofu skin, pickled chilies, celery leaves, cilantro, thai chili aioli): this dish was just okay. the black bean tastes like black bean. the texture of the tofu was a little off-putting; it was unpleasantly firm. I'd pass on this one. - whole fried snapper (Fried fish filets with head and tail, tamarind sweet and sour sauce, cabbage, pickled citrus, rau ram, fried garlic): this one was kinda disappointing. I love a whole fried fish, and I liked that they mostly de-boned it, but the sweet and sour sauce was not to my liking. it was a bit too sour & just not great. the sliced kumquats just added to the overly acidic flavor. - grilled lemongrass pork steak (Grilled Lemongrass Pork Shoulder Steak with Nem Nuong, "Green Sauce", Carrot & Daikon Pickles, Cabbage-Herb Slaw): this one was a little disappointing as well. better than the fish, but still not great. they slice the pork, which is nice; however, the pork itself was a little too chewy... the slices were quite a mouthful to eat in a single bite, but the meat was too chewy to easily break apart... and even when popping the whole thing in your mouth, some of the pieces were just too chewy. not sure what cut of pork this is, but it probably should've been cooked a bit more (and I'm actually someone who thinks that if your pork isn't pink, then it's overcooked). I did like the char on the outside though, and the green cilantro sauce & chili oil were a good pairing. - white rice: it's rice.. but I just thought I'd mention that a single $3 serving can easily serve two people (and our waitress was kind enough to mention this)... well, I guess if you really like to eat a lot of rice, then one person could eat one order..... and, you'll definitely want to get some rice if you order the fish or pork dishes. I'd like to come back some time and try out some of the other dishes. I appreciated the inventiveness/originality of the dishes. and, I liked all the fresh veggies that garnished most of the dishes. if all the food was as tasty as the "smaller plate" dishes, then I would've given this place 5 stars, but the middling "larger plates" knocked a star off... but don't let that deter you. this place is still definitely worth checking out.

    Tartare
    Tiffany D.

    Came here for dinner and had reservations, so we were seated right away. I came in with high expectations. The ambiance inside was lively but quite loud. That makes sense to why the drinks were quite stiff. I understand why many of the older guests chose to sit outside on the patio, where it was much quieter. Danielle was wonderful. Even though she was handling a large party, she remained attentive and checked on us regularly. Food-wise, it fell short for my Asian taste buds, which tend to prefer bolder and more layered flavors. For starters, we had the tartare, which was enjoyable and very flavorful. For the main entrées, we had the beef carpaccio, but it unfortunately missed the mark. The vegetables on top were visually appealing, but flavor-wise it lacked depth. It needed extra mint or perhaps to be wrapped in a sesame leaf to give it more bite and contrast. Next, we tried the lion meatball with veggie fried rice. The meatball was dry and had a grainy texture. It needed more fat in the blend for better richness. Pairing it with a baguette or even a savory donut stick would have added a nice contrast in texture and flavor. I'm usually not a fried rice person, but I kept eating it because it was the only dish I genuinely enjoyed and found well-seasoned. It wasn't the traditional wok-hei style fried rice; instead, it tasted fresher and lighter. I understand and appreciate the direction of the flavors and dishes, as they seem intentionally designed to be more subtle, calming, and approachable for American palates. However, from my perspective and personal preference as someone who enjoys stronger Asian flavors, it lacked the "wow" factor I was hoping for.

    Great experience! Highly recommend 10/10. Delicious cuisines, good vibes and excellent customer service! Get the fried rice

    Complimentary champagne
    Lily Y.

    Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Been eyeing out the new Vietnamese restaurant since it opened. I was excited to try out this place for our anniversary, but yet had a lower expectations, since homemade Vietnamese food has always been my best experiences thus far. Reservations were amazingly a breeze. Location is downtown, and parking can be challenging, so give yourself a little time. Inside the restaurant, we were breath-taken by the beautiful modern architecture. Our server was very friendly, and very helpful, wish I remembered her name. We started our order with some cocktails and we received complimentary champagne too. The cocktails beats my expectations so far, really gives that strong speakeasy quality drinks, which we love. Can't go wrong with any cocktails of choices, try them if you can. The appetizers, we ordered the special tuna with Cavier and quail eggs; must try them if you steak version too. 5/5 Kumamoto oysters were very good 5/5 Beef tartare 5/5 Braised Pork belly 4/5 Custard medley 5/5 Fried rice 5/5 Fried fish 4/5 Mushroom congee 5/5 Dessert: Pear Ube pie 4/5 Egg tarts: 4/5 Cocktails 5/5 This place beats my expectations so far for an Asian Vietnamese fusion restaurant. I would be back to try their seasonal menu.

    Melon blush margarita
    Evelyn L.

    I was really impressed by this restaurant! The dishes were unique and fresh. The flavors infused were delicious. Service was great and quick! The space was very elegant yet relaxing to enjoy with friends and family. I would definitely go again! The Melon Blush Margarita was amazing as well as a cocktail. I didnt get photos of the desserts but I will say these were interesting. I felt like they were trying to put a lot of things together in one dessert and it wasn't bad but I think keeping it simpler would be better. We got the dark chocolate mousse and the panna cotta? I think I can't remember what it was called and I only liked one ingredient from each. But I would recommend this spot either way!

    2025 Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge Participant
    Bridget W.

    Had an ok experience at Chu Mai, but not one I would hurry back for. I wanted to love it but sadly left with disappointment in the air. I'm always curious when a meat-centric restaurant participates in the Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge because it can be such a hit or miss delivery. Chu Mai was somewhere in the middle. The restaurant has a nice vibe to it and a hip aesthetic. This is the kind of place you go for a date night or a celebration. There was even a sighting of a certain well-known morning show host. Service was friendly and efficient. One server patrolled around just filling water glasses. The upscale Asian food, however, wasn't a stand out. The best dish we had was the Lo Bak Go | Turnip Cake. We both agreed it was tasty, and wished for $16 it was more than an appetizer portion. The Lotus Root & Wood Ear Mushroom unfortunately lacked flavor, like it was missing a key ingredient. Sadly, even the peanuts couldn't save it. The Congee tasted (and looked) like most of the ingredients repeated from our first two dishes thrown on top of porridge. The menu made no reference to spice, so it was surprising to find a mysterious addition of hot peppers, which made it too spicy for my dining companion to enjoy and had to be sent back. All in all I wouldn't rule out Chu Mai completely because I did really enjoy that Turnip Cake, but I'd have to see some different plant-based dishes that feature more flavor to bring me back.

    Fried rice with seasonal vegetables

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    Ask the Community - Chu Mai

    Hi, does this restaurant charge any fees or have an automatic gratuity?

    Hello, we do not add automatic gratuities to any checks unless it has been discussed in advance for buy out of our entire restaurant space or utilization of our semi-private dining area.

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    Stopped in on our way back to Reno on a road trip. I most certainly can recommend this cozy and…read moreclassy Hong Kong Asian restaurant. Established in 1939, the menu is delightful, the food is fantastic. Coming back for more as soon as we can. Best Chow Fun outside of Hong Kong, and having been been to HK often. Didn't have reservations, so we ate at the bar. The bartender 'Eddie' provided us excellent service. Everyone was friendly. This restaurant has great food and classic style. 5 solid Stars!

    It's not for me. Frank Fat's essentially is a fancier version of P.F. Chang's, but with slightly…read moremore "authentic" Chinese food. It's good, but the flavors are not true to authentic Chinese cuisine. While some of the dishes (Veggie Fried Rice) have that authentic flavor, the others (Fried Chicken) are just not good or done right. In fact, don't get the Fried Chicken. As for the pies, the Banana Cream Pie was awesome. Actually, it was borderline Epic. The Chocolate Cream Pie was a miss. Too much cream and the chocolate didn't go well with the crust, which was too salty. While the banana pie hide the bad crust, the chocolate wasn't able to. The service was excellent. Prompt, attentive, and done well. The restaurant itself mimicked a very narrow club/ bar with some tables and dining behind. Felt like a darker and more expensive P.F. Chang's. I'd only go back for a slice of the Banana Cream Pie ($10), to go.

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    Sunrise Chinese Restaurant

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    The honey shrimp is the best thing here. I come back time after time. It is perfectly seasoned,…read morecrispy, and tender. The sauce is sweet, savory, and thick. It is very easy to eat, and you can't stop eating it. It is everything that you would want. It's so crispy that you don't even need the walnuts. It stays crispy for a long time. It's fresh every time. Everything else is alright.

    Second try with this restaurant. This time I wanted to try the salt and pepper fish. While I was…read morewaiting, 3 other people ordered the fish as well, and it gets good reviews here on Yelp, so I made the trip to Mack Rd at night once again. The good - my order was prepared quickly, and the amount of fish was very generous. The fish was tasty and spicy. The house chow mein that I also ordered had decent (read below) flavor. The bad - the salt and pepper fish had a great batter, but I feel they're battered too much, and the actual fish piece inside is tiny. My house chow mein didn't have a single shrimp in it. Lots of beef, which was good, but the char smell from the beef was the only thing you could taste on the noodles. It's almost like the chef cooked the noodles on whatever the beef was cooked on. The noodles we had ordered from here a month ago had very good flavor, but not a one note beef flavor. There was a lot of beef and chicken in the house chow mein, but zero shrimp means the cook either forgot or they didn't have them and thought it would be ok to add more beef. Either way, I paid extra for my selection, and didn't get it. Am I Pissy? Yes. Am I honest? Also a Yes. 3 stars this trip, probably my last.

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    Take-out only.
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    New Hong Kong Wok

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    Stopping by one of my go to restaurants when in the neighborhood. Unfortunately the one item I…read morewanted, they sold out. I always come here for the curry beef stew chow fun but they sold out of fun, so rice it is. I must've come at the right time because the restaurant was just clearing out of the early diners, the restaurant was packed. How fortunate for coming by after the huge dinner rush, but that didn't last, the later came right after me, The rice was acceptable but definitely not as good as fun if they didn't run out.

    Absolutely garbage..... Am I allowed to say that? I grew up eating at New Hong Kong Wok and it used…read moreto be a family favorite for years where we ate lunch multiple times a week or have dinner every weekend. Its been so bad the past decade that we decided to give it another chance. Different management, different chefs, different everything basically. The fried flounder was so fried that I could not separate the bones, not only that, you could barely get any meat out of it. Our table had nine people and they only provided 6 buns with our peking duck. I thought they didn't have enough steamer space and was going to bring more but nope. The shrimp in their salted egg pumpkin and shrimp dishes was overcooked and their deep fried pig intestines were extremely stinky. Their portion sizes downsized like crazy and it's so bad that we didn't even finish any of the dishes. The best dish was a stir fry cauliflower dish that I could make at home. It was supposed to come with pork, but I only saw itty bitty pieces of meat. The service was also super bad and slow. I was eating their fried rice and bit on a piece of broken yellow plastic with multiple sharp points. Prior to that, I was feeding my toddler the rice so THANKFULLY it didn't go to him. When we told the server, which was an older lady with glasses and bangs, she's like oh... then she took it to the kitchen and pretended that nothing had ever happened when she came back out. Shes been there for years, and I remember seeing her when we were regulars. I wasn't expecting anything, except for some accountability. I used to love this place so it's pretty sad to see how much it went downhill.... This business needs to be scrapped. The current 3 stars is giving them too much credit and it must have been due to when they used to be good, in the past.

    Photos
    New Hong Kong Wok
    New Hong Kong Wok
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    Chu Mai - panasian - Updated June 2026

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