We stumbled upon this Chinese noodle shop in Oakland around dinnertime. The restaurant is fairly…read moresmall and has a clean public restroom for patrons to use. We ordered two noodle soups, string beans, spicy cucumber, and a potato appetizer. The handmade noodles were delicious with great texture, and the string beans were flavorful and came in a good portion. Just a heads-up: payment is required upfront (cash or card). The biggest surprise was the robot that delivered our food! Not something I expected to see here. If you're looking for a casual and welcoming Chinese spot with handmade noodles in Oakland, this place is worth checking out.

Texture of home made noodle was perfect Soup is slow…read moresimmered home made bone broth- one of the best I have tasted The meat - beef shank pork rib was perfect in taste and tenderness Service was impeccable As a foodie, this was a 5/5 experience

Locate close to Chinatown, but tucked in between two businesses. This restaurant has limited…read moreparking on the street, but there are parking garages in Chinatown if you're uncomfortable to park on the street. Slight bit of a walk, but you'll survive. The restaurant itself is pretty small, a little tight knit. Maybe that's due to location, but they have a reasonable seating arrangement for a narrow shop. I called in to place an order, and they were very prompt. When I got there, I was immediately acknowledged by not only the cashier/server, but also by one of the packing cooks to help expedite process. I order Spicy Wontons, and I must say, they are super flavorful. I would highly recommend.

Cute little place in Chinatown. Friendly workers!…read more The broth for both noodles were so good and not too heavy. I really enjoyed the clear broth- very fresh tasting. Meat for both spicy and clear broths were tender. The S&S ribs were very good as well. 100% will get this again! The wontons in chili were ok! Parking - street parking or underground parking at the Pacific Renaissance Plaza~

This was one of the first meals I ever had in Oakland! It is such a Chinatown staple. The Shan Dong…read morechicken, string beans, and sesame paste noodles are an elite combo. They do move the line along so be sure to check in on the Yelp waitlist if it's busy. Once you're seated service can be a little slow, so take time to enjoy your food and company and this institution!

We came to Shan Dong because people rave about the sesame paste noodles, and I'm happy to report:…read moreit lived up to the hype! The noodles are freshly made in house -- thick, chewy, hand-cut wheat noodles coated in a rich, nutty, slightly sweet sesame paste sauce. Fair warning, it's a heavy dish, so it's not something you'd want to finish on your own, but it was definitely worth it. We really enjoyed it. We also got the chive and pork dumplings, which tasted very fresh -- both the wrapper and the filling. They have a huge tube of chili oil on the table - now you know they're serious abut their food! Set your expectations right: this is an old-school, no-frills Chinese restaurant. The inside could use some updating (the chairs and tables included), and there's a table up front piled with stuff that probably should be stored in the back -- but likely isn't because there's no space. The service matches the vibe: not over-the-top warm, but their version of friendly is friendly, and it works. This is the kind of place where the food does the talking. Prices are good and not expensive. We came early and there was no wait, and you can find street parking nearby. Come for the noodles -- they're the real deal.

4.5 stars $26.52…read moreAngshim Katsu: sizeable and delicious. Juicy cutlets are perfectly cooked. They even have black salt on the table. Given the cost, I expected a one and done. But that will not be the case.

I would not recommend this place. The food was a bit bland and didn't meet expectations, especially…read moregiven the high price for pork/fish katsu and udon without meat (extra $8 for katsu). It feels more tailored to people with higher budget than ours. The ordering process is straightforward but impersonal---you have to order and pay first (either at kiosk or with a cashier), then find your own table and wait for your food. On plus side, the katsu came out crispy and the soup was hot. The katsu (pork or fish) is served with shaved cabbage, miso soup, and optional steamed rice, though some sides come with additional charge. The ambiance is casual, more of a fast-paced, eat-and-go environment rather than a relaxed experience.

Mensho is a very popular restaurant. This was my first time visiting, and I had a great experience…read more The food was delicious! The standout dishes for me were the Calamari, Karaage, and Daikon Salad. The Calamari was perfectly fried, and the seasoning was well-balanced. The Karaage was also perfectly fried, and the sauce was flavorful. The Daikon Salad was light and refreshing. I would like to thank our server, Noah, for his helpfulness in choosing our dishes and for the prompt service. I highly recommend it!

Unpopular opinion: wasn't my favorite. But that's all due to personal preference (aside from…read moreservice and a rocky start). The good: fresh, quality ingredients The bad: started with the host/wait list. I accidentally added my name twice for a solo diner. Host thought it was a mistake and completely removed me from the wait list and seated other parties that came in after me. Thoroughly confused - she didn't even call my name to confirm so I had to go up to her and ask. No apology either. Was seated at the counter where solo diners usually sit. Service was non existent. Server came up to me and ask "what would you like to order?" I've never been there before. No "hi my name is ... I'll be your server" nada. They're just a machine - people in people out. The ramen - broth was fine. The squiggly noodles aren't my favorite. Expected to have kernel corn but had corn ribs instead (good thing I'm good with chopsticks!) The charshu was just okay. Enoki topping was just ... aight. The nice touch was that they didn't put it in the ramen and served it on the side to preserve its crunchiness because it definitely needed the texture! It was loud, busy, and nothing spectacular about the dining scene here. $55 dollars later (ramen, 2 additional toppings, one box of sake) ... I sadly don't think it was worth it.

Located not too far from Paramount Theatre, there's very little seating. The place is also small…read more Ordering can be done on the self serve kiosk or at the front with a staff member. Food takes quite a while. Thai basil (4/5): flavor was good. Chicken was tender. Good amount of basil without it being too overpowering. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall GaiNoi is a small bustling place. Food take a while but they got quite a bit of customers and a small working staff.

Amazing Thai eatery. I came here two times already for an affordable dinner and it has got me…read morewanting to come back. It is an order at counter get served later kind of restaurant, but the quality of food is really good. The portion wasn't too heavy and flavor profiles were on point. My favorite was the veggie and chicken rice bowl, as it had the perfect amount of garlic and savory notes. The ambiance is very casual so this is meant for a low stakes meal. Self serve water is available as well.

Give this place a try guys! The price is amazing and real authentic guilin noodle. Parking is hard…read morebut the owner is a nice guy. 15 dollars for a bowl of noodle. Where else can you find a deal like this.

Good spot Would recommend…read more Very authentic and slicing and cooking of things from tripe to shank on pt. IMHO some of these are too authentic to go mainstream for the western customer.

Mini Pancakes Bahn Khot -- super fresh, fragrant and flavorful. I love the basil and mint that came…read morewith the roll. Every mouthful had a nice hint of buttery flavor from the pancake and then a hint of freshness from the veggies. Spicy Shaken Beef Pho -- flavorful beef broth, perfect amount of saltiness, lots of fresh beef slices. Super filling and warm! The food was delicious and fresh! Would come back and try their other dishes, their standard pho was yummy and flavorful!

Stepping into Me Va Con felt like entering a slightly more upscale Vietnamese restaurant. They've…read moreclearly put more thought into the decor and menu than you typically see at a traditional pho spot. We ordered the beef pho ($20), crispy spring rolls ($11), and beef carpaccio ($18). The pho was solid, with a clear, deeply flavored broth and noodles that were slightly al dente, which I personally enjoyed. That said, for $20, it didn't feel especially memorable. The crispy spring rolls were fine, but I prefer the ones I make at home, so I'd probably skip them next time. I was especially excited to try the Vietnamese beef carpaccio, and the presentation was beautiful. The beef was fresh, evenly sliced, and topped with baby greens, onions, crispy fried onions, and edible flowers. Unfortunately, the sauce leaned far too citrusy for my taste and overpowered the flavors I wanted to come through, such as fish sauce, vinegar, and sugar. I also think a little more fried onion and garlic would have made the dish more flavorful and satisfying. Overall, we had a decent meal with both highlights and misses. They also offer dishes like bánh khọt and bò lúc lắc, which may be worth trying on a future visit.