As a self-proclaimed foodie and someone who runs their own food business, I'll admit my standards are high. To me, a great presentation and a beautiful atmosphere are wonderful, but at the end of the day? Nothing can replace pure, authentic flavor. ​Well, Fat Dragon in Virginia absolutely blew me away. ​From the second we walked in, the experience was seamless. We had a party of eight with no reservation, and they sat us immediately. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambiance was great, the portions were incredibly generous, and the staff was friendly, attentive, and completely on top of their game.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Drinks arrived fast, and the entire meal flowed beautifully without a single hitch. ​But let's get to the real highlight of the night: the Tsingtao beer-battered mushrooms. ​Oh my goodness, they were out of this world! Perfectly fried and crispy on the outside, incredibly juicy on the inside, and dusted with a spicy Sichuan cloud that made them completely irresistible. They were so good that even my father--who isn't a mushroom lover at all--couldn't stop eating them! ​For my main course, I had the Fei Lone steak, and it was absolutely sublime. Tender, perfectly prepared, and packed with flavor. ​[[HIGHLIGHT]]If you appreciate amazing service, a great vibe, and food that actually delivers on taste, do yourself a favor and check out Fat Dragon.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I'll definitely be thinking about those mushrooms for a long time! read more

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We arrived on a Thursday around 8 pm. The parking here is street parking, which is hit-or-miss. We parked within a half-block, so it was not a long trek. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The entryway is interesting and provides some shelter from the rain, allowing you to manage your umbrella before entering.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We were seated within seconds, and our server, Liza, came by very promptly with some water for our table. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I felt slightly anxious at first, being that we were in a cozy two-top amongst the fray, but it subsided quickly because everyone was respectful and reasonably quiet.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered the veggie spring rolls to start, and I had the Chinatown Ramen, and my partner had the Chicken Fried Noodles. The appetizer was hot, savory, and spicy with the duck sauce and hot mustard mixture. If you like milder sauce, do not mix it. The entrees came out within five or so minutes of the appetizers, which seemed quick for a busy night. The ramen was spicy, hot, and filling. I was only able to finish about half. We will be enjoying those leftovers tonight. My partner said that her noodles and chicken were well-seasoned and delicious, too. Looking around the restaurant, it is clear that they support the local LGBTQ+ community, and it is even labeled as a Safe Space on the beautifully manicured, makeshift chalkboard/menu/posting board. The clientele and staff alike seemed warm and kind, based solely on limited interactions and observation on my part. If you are looking for a traditional American-Chinese food restaurant (think buffet-style items), this is likely not the place for you. There were no mishaps or snafus with our orders. Liza performed her duties well, and I can surely recommend this restaurant to anyone who doesn't mind a mix of Japanese and Chinese cuisine. read more

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About food I give 3*, but cocktails get 5* I had Dragon Ria as cocktail, Superb. Tempura Golden Prawn and even the rice was too ordinary. Still I will not give up hope, will go again and try other food. Service was very good. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was also good.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Golden Prawn - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Walked in here for early dinner. It was a nice spot with a bar. Our server Eve was very nice and attentive. The numb numb pepper steak was good. Beef was tender and the vegetables were cooked nicely as they were still crunchy. The shrimp and kimchi fried rice was also good. Food was very good though not the 5-out-of-5-delicious-type to me. read more

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I stopped into Fat Dragon for a weekend lunch while walking through Scott's Addition one day. It was very busy at the bar, as to be expected on the weekend for brunch, but the bartender checked in with me when they could, which I appreciated. I ordered the calamari and miso soup. The calamari was very gummy and almost undercooked. I didn't really enjoy that dish. The miso soup was good, can't really go wrong with miso soup. I also got a beer, which was great! Again, can't really go wrong with a beer. I will maybe go back to try another dish, but Fat Dragon did not really wow me. read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Calamari and Miso Soup - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Service a food was great! We had the wonton soup and steam chili dumplings as a starter, both were absolutely delicious! The main course was Fei-Lone Beef and Sesame Shrimp, both were great! Will be returning in the future! read more

Fat Dragon. It sounds like the boss's name of a crime syndicate. Well, I will say that Fat Dragon is most definitely worthy of a visit. I have heard from coworkers that Richmond and Fredericksburg are on a come up in offering great food spots to check out. On a weekend trip heading down I-95 we usually stop at a spot in Richmond and Fat Dragon was the selection. It was Friday night and parking might be a bit tight in this area, but we lucked up and found parking within 100 feet of the building. Score!!!! Starting off this place offers great American Chinese cuisine and to the next level. The bar in this place was different as many Chinese places do not have a bar from my experience. To wet my lips, I ordered a Mandarin Samurai. Yes, I know bar is in the name but was not expecting the crafted concoctions on their menu to be this good. It's a sneaky little drink that tastes so good you will be slamming them back. For appetizers of course I went with the calamari, and the spouse surprisingly went with spicy dumplings (steamed chili dumplings). Both were great. The chili dumplings had a little kick but nothing crazy. The dumplings were packed tight with porky goodness, and I highly recommend you use a fork or stab your chopsticks in because they are hefty. The numb numb pepper steak was the winner of what I should get game I find myself playing all the time. A big thank you to those back their cooking. My steak was a perfect medium rare. They need to teach some higher end steakhouses how to cook a steak. Very flavorful and the amount of steak was more than plentiful. I had leftovers and will let you know that even the next day just throw some noodles on the leftovers, and you are set. More than worthy of your time and money and I can see myself going again if in the area. read more

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This was a great dining experience. The food was worthy of telling others about and planning your next trip back, even before you leave. Located in an area with street parking, you better read those signs or come back to a love note on your windshield from the city. The parking enforcement did not come to play! We were able to find parking right down the street and it was perhaps a one minute walk to the door. While reservations aren't required, they do help during the peak periods. We had about a 30 minute wait after giving a name and phone number to be paged when a table was ready. [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is a bar and bar seating. A lot of high top tables and some booths. This is a good set up for solo dining, date night and group dining.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Thanks Fat Dragon for offering a military discount. The service was attentive and the wait for food was decent. Eric, our server was personable and gave the right amount of attention without being bothersome. I ordered the chili oil dumplings and they were so good. My entree of chicken with rice noodles has a yellow curry flavor profile and was a generous portion for me. It also reheated well. For my adult beverage, the honeycrisp mule was different and I enjoyed it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Seated along the window area, I'm glad it wasn't cold. You are in close proximity to others, but it was good vibes and never an issue.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] With options to dine in, carry out and on food delivery platforms if you want it brought to you. There are televisions mounted with various sporting events on so you can keep up with your team's progress or lack there of. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The bathrooms needed some love. It was pretty dark when we dined but I got old eyes so insert shoulder shrug.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I look forward to going back and having the chili-oil dumplings again. The other options on the menu are on my mind and I intend to explore the menu more in the future. I do feel confident telling others to dine here. At the time of this review, there were no surcharges automatically added to your bill. The food and service were on point so tipping generously was a no brainer. Shout out to all the workers there that were so welcoming. read more

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Came here on a whim without first looking at reviews and there's no regret in my decision to dine here . Got fried mushrooms and jalapeño fried rice and man, was it delicious. the spicy level is tailored to your liking. I will definitely be back to try more things in the menu . 9/10 read more

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Yay! I officially LOVE this place. It's usually bustling on the weekends but during the week it's not bad. They have a decent happy hour. My ABSOLUTE favorite thing is their chili dumplings. Not kidding, these are so incredible and worth the hype. On happy hour, they are $7. I got the kung pao chicken today. It wasn't bad but it's not my favorite. I absolutely enjoyed it. It's definitely not really what I expected and I thought it would be spicy. It was not. Still pretty good though, I just found the texture and flavor profile a little off. My friend got the tangerine chicken which she enjoyed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The ambience in here is pretty cute, however it's dimly lit unless you sit by the windows.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The customer service was amazing. Always have great service here. I definitely recommend. I love their shrimp and kimchi fried rice, their beef jalapeño fried rice, and numb numb steak. Those are a 10/10 read more

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We were stopping in Richmond for the evening and were looking for a good restaurant that would appease the whole group. I stumbled upon this place and I'm so glad this was our stop! We had wonderful, kind, and patient service. The menu selection was great and there was something for everyone. I tried the dumpling, chicken roll (which was my favorite!), wonton soup, and fried rice. Everything was fantastic. My mom loved her meal and my dad loved his fish dinner. We really had a great experience and would love to come by again! read more

Fat Dragon has been a local establishment for me ever since I moved here the end of 2019. While I don't go often, I have warm feelings when I think of it. I especially think of how much my friend with celiac enjoys this place. This makes me think they offer a lot of gluten-free options. My fiancé and I decided to dine here Monday night. I think I've only ever done take out. Parking wasn't too hard to find, I was able to get a spot on Blvd in front. It's in Scott's Addition so there is a lot of street parking around. [[HIGHLIGHT]]They have a lot of indoor seating available.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love what a safe space this restaurant is. They share this all over the walls. They have two gender neutral single stall restrooms too.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We started with the chili steamed dumplings. You have to order these, they're so delicious. The QQ in these dumplings were amazing. And the kick was yummy. I'd order these again in a heartbeat. We decided to share the Guangdong Honey BBQ Ribs full rack. We were only two people so had leftovers. While they were nice, they were just ok. I think we were hoping for more flavors. It was a bit sauce heavy with the veggies drowned in sauce. Otherwise it was good. The people who work here were very kind. I'm excited to come back and try other things on the menu. read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Guangdong Honey BBQ Ribs full rack - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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When we initially planned to be here at 3, we didn't realize they closed between lunch and dinner. Someone was nice enough to poke their head out to let me know and we were back in time for dinner service to start. Or server was great. I asked for recommendations for a set drink and since my friend got in before me, he recommended what she'd already ordered. After trying it, I definitely agree on it being a recommendation! The Mandarin Samurai was dangerously fruity and delicious! They do tend towards spicy and whole in not the biggest fan of spicy food in general, the server knew enough to answer questions about how the good was served so I could order food I very much enjoyed. My beer battered mushrooms were enough for a meal unto themselves and the spring rolls were amazing. Since the mushrooms were so plentiful, I had some leftovers I'm looking forward to later. Either the manager or owner came out to check on us while we were eating and we had to compliment everything we'd received as well as it server for his service and recommendations. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place, especially since it's right next door to an amazing tattoo / piercing place, river city tattoo. If you're killing time before an appt, this is a great place to kick back and eat read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Beer Battered Mushrooms & Canton Spring Roll Shrimp - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Disclaimer, I got my food to go. I can't provide any feedback the service or vibe. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I will say that when I went to do pickup they had great music playing and there was alot of people inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] On food alone my meal was only OK. I did the sesame shrimp, vegetable spring rolls and green beans. Out of the three the green beans were the best. The shrimp flavor was great but texture was a little off. Reserving full judgement until I can get back for dine-in. A Richmond native suggested the restaurant so I would try again with suggestions from a native. read more

Fat Dragon is a worthy stop for happy hour in Scott's Addition. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The vibe is chill and welcoming, a bit loud but nothing crazy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I ordered a gimlet on my most recent visit and it was quiiiite strong. Their food is pretty good too - I've had their fried rice once before. Fast service at the bar as well. read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Gimlet - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Food is always fresh and delicious. Every server I've has been professional and friendly

THE DAMN DUMPLING SAUCE. I don't know what is in it, but give me a straw and let me have my wayyyyyy. It's legit the best sauce I've ever had. I put it on all my food that evening. The rice dishes, the dumplings, the green beans.... GIVE ME MORE. Servers were awesome, price was good, conversations were flowing... I'm not from VA but I will def be coming back next visit read more

Checked in and we were told a 50 minute wait. About 30 minutes later a table was available but there was a reservation at the table 1 hour and 20 minutes later. Asked if we could make that work and we said yes. Kat G. was our server and did a great job. Very pleasant! Appetizers were excellent, chicken egg rolls and pork potstickers. Garlic chicken was great. The Tangerine chicken was a bit disappointing. Chicken was overcooked. Dry all the way through. Would go back but definitely would order something different. read more

Excellent service! Great Happy hour deals! We tried every appetizer and I loved the fried eggplant. Try out the sides. The bok choi is yummy, the salad is great. The wonton soup was not as flavorful as I would have liked. But my friends LOVED the choice of cocktails Z read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Rarely do you find a chinese restaurant that is also a bar -- which lends this place a unique vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The cocktails were good as was the food. Though if you are someone who craves spicy food the pepper icons next to the menu items are not indicative of high spice. I have a mild spice tolerance and found it barely spicy. read more

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From start to finish, I loved everything about my experience at Fat Dragon. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The space is smaller than I expected, but it works. It gives off a trendy bar vibe with an edge.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Now to the food. Hands down, some of the best Chinese I've had. I went with the dumplings and a drink to start. The dumplings were the best I've ever had with a slight kick to it. I tried the pepper steak (and let me be clear, I don't normally order that) because it was highly recommended. This wasn't your typical takeout version. This was elevated, next-level... tender filet mignon pieces, perfectly cooked and full of rich flavor. I was shocked in the best way. I loved every bite. Of course, I had to try an espresso martini (you know that's my go-to), and it did not disappoint. Smooth, bold, and exactly what I needed to start the meal. I sat at both the table and the bar during my visit. The service was great either way, but the bar is definitely where it's at if you can grab a seat. More interaction, better energy, and just a great overall vibe. This place has officially earned a spot on my favorites list. If you haven't been to Fat Dragon yet, do yourself a favor and go. You won't regret it. read more

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[[HIGHLIGHT]]Great ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] But knowledgeable Foodies will be undewhelmed. The highly-touted spicy dumplings were closer to overly-thick Eastern European dumplings with hot spice than finely-wrapped Asian delights. Equally recommended Chicken Tangerine had chunks of quality breast meat, but the citrus seasoning was as ordinary as any low-grade chinese carryout. If this place was the neighborhood delivery, I might use it as a back up; but as a place to eat out, come for the people-watching, the food is meh. read more

Great Chinese food located in the Scott's Addition area near a number of great breweries. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fat Dragon had a modern and trendy indoor with a bar and big screen tv (playing football).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered Chinese food for 7 people and it came out fast (~20 minutes), was reasonably priced (about $20 per person), and the staff was friendly and helpful in making recommendations. read more

I've been going for years when they opened, but haven't been in maybe a year or two. Went for lunch today and it was a 5/5. We ordered our usual favs and the consistency of flavors for each dish made us happy. They haven't changed and we love that! It didn't have to taste any better, because it has always tasted great. Fast service, which is great for lunch and an amazing server. We don't come to the fan as much, but so glad we made the trip. read more

Flew into Richmond and was happy to find a restaurant still open later at night. When we walked in we were seated quickly, and presented with a pretty solid drink menu with options of local beers and other drinks. I decided to order the wonton soup and some canton spring rolls. Both were exactly what I needed. My boyfriend ordered the chef Zhao's chicken which he ordered with some added spice and I tried and it was good. It's a cute spot and the server was super friendly! We talked about other restaurants in the area to check out too. I would definitely recommend stopping here read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Chef Zhao's Chicken - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

We came here on a Sunday evening and were sat immediately. We ordered the Kung Pao Chicken ($17.70), Beef Jalapeno Fried Rice ($14.70), and Firecracker Shrimp ($12.50). I was surprised at the portions given and everything was flavorful. The Kung Pao Chicken was a bit spicy and came with a side of rice. The restaurant is dimly lit with loud music playing. There is a bar to the left of the entrance where patrons can sit at the bar, or stand around the tables to drink. read more

My husband and I agree that this was by far the BEST Chinese food we have ever eaten. We ordered the Numb Numb Pepper Steak and it was cooked to perfection (we ordered medium rare). So tender and so yummy. You've got to try it if you like steak. We also ordered the hot and sour soup. So delicious and perfectly seasoned. For an appetizer we ordered the crispy chicken rolls. At first we weren't sure about the green apples on them, but we were blown away at how tasty they were and the balance of sweet and savory the apple brought. Absolutely worth it. We ordered online and picked it up. My husband was in and out in less than 3 minutes, and all the food was hot when he got home. Parking is a nightmare but if you risk it, payload is worth it. read more

I thought about using my chopsticks to stab my husband when he took the last green bean appetizer! The food is really THAT good! He already said "this would be a great place to come for your birthday! " hint hint. Order everything you can and take leftovers home to relive the food experience. The Food is a 5-STAR experience, but [[HIGHLIGHT]]the parking, the wait, the crowded tables and the noise was a 4-Star.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The wait was painful, we were hungry when we arrived and waited nearly an hour on a Friday (no reservation option for groups less than 6). Despite that, it was worth the stomach growling pains. We had cocktails- the something slinger was nice and the rest of my crew liked their espresso martini and French beer. But the food. Did I mention the FOOD? Green bean appetizer, the best eggplant ever - fried with amazing spices and sauce. The NumNum pepper steak was YumYum. My husband got the seafood dish and was very happy. We WILL be back, but will definitely come earlier or later! read more

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Chili oil dumplings were amazing! They had a nice selection of beers on draft. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Very friendly staff. Ordered our entrees to go and maybe it's because of the drive home, but the fried rice smelled like feet and had a slightly soured taste. So that's a bummer read more

Nice bar and restaurant. I enjoyed. The fat dragon tofu was delicious. Fast service. Small restaurant but with bar setting. read more

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Anywhere that does happy hour on weekends is a friend of mine. The drinks and appetizers stand out the most to me, but the entrees are still great too. The service is always super fast, and you never have to wait too long to be sat even if there's a line. read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I went last Friday, and is it the place to be on a Friday! It was full, yet they did a great job of making sure everyone was seated in a timely manor! The drinks were so good! I had an espresso martini! We got multiple dishes to share as a table and not one disappointed. We did the tangerine chicken, goyza, shrimp, and the bbq fried rice. Each delicious in their own right! I sometimes have issues at restaurants with food allergies but they were very accommodating! read more

Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Chinese Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Food and drinks are good. Host and service team are always great. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance is fantastic[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Omggg!!! I am so happy I gave this spot a try!! I was driving by and saw the crowd and checked out there menu online and called in a order. The best decision I've made all day!! Other than the parking and the small shrimp received in my shrimp and broccoli This place is Stellar! The atmosphere at the bar was full of dope energy. Everyone looked as if they was having a Grand time in here. Too bad I opted to pick up my food. I was so tempted to just grab a seat at the bar and get a drink before I hit the road lol. Although I thought my food was a bit pricey, when I got home and was able to taste the food, I was able to appreciate the quality and quantity that was put into my order. at this point I was fine with the price Ive paid. The food had maddd flavor! Every bite was delicious! I will definitely come back and this time I will dine in and try there cocktails. read more

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A co-worker of mine had hyped up this place for takeout enough times that it was about time I checked it out. My first warning is literally EVERYTHING is spicy, but if that is your thing then you are barking up the right tree. Fairly good pricing for three dishes that we ordered (although most were off the appetizer menu, but still plenty of food). I loved loved loved the chili dumplings - they were just what I was craving that night. The firecracker shrimp was a sleeper - generous portion for what we paid, and wonderful sauce that came alongside. The mushrooms were also a good solid portion and SPICE-ARIFIC if there is such a word. My favorite Chinese takeout in the city so far! read more

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We had a fantastic dinner at Fat Dragon this week. Service was attentive without being intrusive. (Good job, Mike M). The restaurant is loud with a good bar crowd - great vibe. Our table of three shared two entrees (Enter the Dragon and Fat Dragon Tofu) and three appetizers (ginger salad, chili dumplings, and firecracker shrimp). This meal was a bargain at $55 before tax and tip. The best deal I've encountered lately was the $3 ginger salad with tender greens and a semisweet ginger dressing. I was surprised by the number of chili dumplings, I had anticipated one each but we each had two. The chili sauce was spicy deliciousness. The Firecracker Shrimp were lightly breaded and tender. Enter the Dragon was loaded with seafood. It was as if the broccoli was there only to add color. The Fat Dragon Tofu was flavorful and firm. read more

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The food is amazing. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Fun and trendy place,[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service is good. If you want the real deal this is the place to go! They also have happy hour! read more

Best tofu fried rice I've had in Richmond. I asked the server if I could make some substitutions, and he was so nice about it. Highly recommend. read more

Great experience food was great fresh, the drink was really good had a little kick. I would definitely recommend. read more

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Finally. We moved here from Austin a few months ago...Richmond is no Austin for foodies. But then we found Fat Dragon. No reservation, arrived on a Friday night. Wait wasn't bad...20 minutes or so and there's a long stand-up slab by bar to stand and get drinks from the bar. Hapoy Hour was happening! We got negronis and chatted w 2 bartenders to side w/o even a seat at bar. So friendly, and great advice on some local brews I followed up with later. There was a great guy that even confirmed same recs and served us 2nd time. So friendly and the vibe was so Austin for the whole place--unique, happening, bustling, and simply quality! We got seated and I have to shout out the green beans appetizer--the best!!! I'll get it every time! I had a cray good beef ramen while my wife had some chicken entree and we had some dumplings, ginger salad, kimchee--there was no end to flavortown. Some of the best Chinese I've had...only a couple places in my life rank this high for Chinese, but in a super-hip, great music, artsy but trendy...not sure how to describe...but simply relevant. Our server was stellar too. I just am in awe after 5 bad sushi places (the top 5 on Richmonds lists)...we thought we were in purgatory...there may not be good Japanese Ramen or Sushi in Richmond, but we now feel great knowing we've nailed down this place along w a surprising Korean BBQ place and acceptable Thai. We are a little challenging having traveled internationally a lot, incl. several trips to Japan, Korea, S. and C. America, Europe--even Russia for me--matters not. This place is 5 stars! read more

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