Northeast Chinese Restaurant II is one of my favorite local Chinese restaurants. All of my favs are…read morenorthern Chinese. That means they can serve up some deliciously spicy dishes. But if you're looking for something milder, they're great at that, too. I think the large menu has been updated since my last visit. The first few pages include dishes that I would describe as "soul food." There's frog, beef tripe and pork intestine-- you get the picture. I never really got into that. On this visit, my friend and I picked Stir Fried Spicy Squid, Crispy Chicken with Crunchy Red Pepper and Bok Choy with Garlic. We were hungry. The veggies came out of the kitchen almost immediately. Crazy fast. We were grateful. The other two dishes took a bit more time. When you see all of the ingredients in those dishes and how finely sliced they are, it's no wonder. I loved the chicken dish. The chicken was a little crunchy but the red peppers were super crunchy. It was a bit spicy but deliciously so. I liked the peanuts and what looked like slivers of jalapeño peppers, too. The squid was also great. Here, I think they used more jalapeño peppers and spices. There was more heat to this dish but it was deceptive. The more I ate, the more I could gradually feel the burn. By the time we were full, I could feel my face starting to sweat a little. That was fun. The restaurant is clean and attractive with a remarkable amount of seating. The back portion is reserved for hot pots which I have yet to try there. The staff is friendly, helpful and bilingual. They will make suggestions if you'd like. This restaurant generally gets a bit noisy because it's where large Chinese families gather when they want to go on the town. That's a good thing. There's also a large screen tv that plays cooking shows. With so much going on, the customers seemed pretty happy.

Been here a bunch of times now and they never disappoint…read more The review is really that simple. It's going to be really good every time. Order something spicy and get excited. Also get the ribs!!!

The staff are friendly, even when they are clearly concerned that you may not understand the…read morecertainty of their closing time. I really like the decor, but I love the food. The sea bass with pickled peppers was delicious. My kid loved the crispy spicy chicken. My hubby ordered the tangerine chicken which he really liked from our previous visit. The sizzling beef could have used more seasoning, but the sauce was good. I enjoyed our tea.

If you're in the Capital Region and appreciate authentic Asian cuisine done right, Ala Shanghai…read morecontinues to set the bar. The fried sea bass with sweet and sour sauce was absolutely superb--perfectly crisp on the outside while still tender and flaky inside, balanced beautifully with that classic tangy sweetness that doesn't overpower the fish. And of course, the soup dumplings are always on point. Each one is delicate yet packed with flavor, with that rich broth that bursts out the moment you take a bite. It's the kind of consistency that keeps you coming back because you already know the quality will be there every time. What also makes this establishment stand out is the ambience. The atmosphere strikes that perfect balance--comfortable, lively, and welcoming without feeling rushed. You can tell the place runs on pride and discipline. The owner and waitstaff are always diligently moving, making sure every table is attended to and every guest is taken care of. That level of attentiveness is something you don't see everywhere anymore. For me, this has become my go-to Asian bistro in the Capital Region. Great food, strong hospitality, and a kitchen that clearly respects the craft. If you know, you know.

I ordered takeout so not sure about the inside ambience and facilities. Service was very fast but…read moreagain I ordered takeout out so not sure about wait staff. The food was ok, but not particularly more special than my local place I love. The egg drop soup was yummy and smooth. I thought the shrimp and broccoli would be a little more spicy than what I received, but it still tasted great.

Another fine dinner at Rain Modern Chinese Restaurant. Food,…read moreservice and ambiance was wonderful!

I am never disappointed whenever I'm here to satisfy my Chinese comfort food cravings. This is a…read moresimple and small eatery serving up tasty dishes that you'll come back for time and again. The overall ambiance is basic and clean. However, they are serving up big and bold flavors. Service here is always friendly and fast. I especially like that they offer complimentary hot tea, and it's really appreciated on chilly days! Actually, tea is my go to whenever I'm having Asian food. I am a creature of habit and mostly order my usual. On this visit I had spicy wontons, General Tso's chicken, stewed beef chuck noodle soup and eggplant with garlic sauce. All delish and certainly enough leftovers for another meal. You've got to try it! Side note, they have an attached private parking lot next to them and that's a plus!

My partner and I drive from NYC to Vermont at least once a year, and every single time we make a…read moremidpoint stop here. Taiwan Noodle consistently serves absolutely delicious food. The spicy wontons are our all-time favorite the sauce is incredibly flavorful, and unlike many places where the wontons are mostly dough, these are generously filled with meat. We also ordered the beef chunk soup and the salt-and-pepper fish. Even though I've been here many times, the salt-and-pepper fish was new to me on this visit, and it was fantastic crispy, perfectly seasoned, with little bits of fried garlic and a sweet-and-sour dipping sauce that was so good. If you're in the area, definitely stop by!

On a cold, windy day there is nothing like a bowl of piping hot soup. Absolutely nothing. On this…read moreparticular day, the wind gusted nearly 20mph and the temps hovered above 30 degrees. It felt brutal as the wind pierced through my coat. Winter still had us in its icy grip even if the calendar said that Spring was only days away. I was alone and I was happy to take refuge in the warm restaurant with its welcoming decor. There are pretty Chinese lamps at each booth as you enter. In the back, the large round tables were filled with families who appeared to be throwing a party. The server told me I could sit wherever I'd like. I chose the first booth. I was only too happy to come in from the cold and sit. Oh, the bowl of soup that I ordered turned out to be a dream come true! It wasn't just any soup. It was the Wonton Noodle soup lunch special at Shining Rainbow on Central Ave. in Albany. The menu is in both English and Chinese. After looking at the description, I thought I had an option to add some meat to the soup. So I asked for some roast pork. After I placed the order, a young man from the kitchen staff actually came out to ask me what kind of noodles I wanted in my soup: skinny, medium or wide. He spoke to me in Chinese. I must have really confused the staff because a second staffer also followed him out and he asked me exactly the same question in English. I was really surprised. I said to them in (Mandarin) Chinese, " Don't you usually use the thin noodles for this soup? I'll take what's easiest for you to prepare." So I realized later--after they'd gone--that I didn't actually answer their questions. I must have added to their confusion but they were so very nice and polite. About 10 minutes later, a server returns with a huge steaming bowl of soup. I'm still so cold and when I see the steam rising in the distance from the soup bowl, I'm smiling. He places the soup in front of me. It's a thing of beauty. It also had vegetables that I didn't ask for, but that's not a bad thing. I took one look into the bowl and expressed my shock, "Wow. It's huge." The server looked satisfied and walked away. Underneath the roast pork and bright green veggies, there were thin noodles swimming in soup. It smelled divine. But there were no wontons. Should I say something? No. Because this meal looked perfect. Despite the confusion that I might have contributed to-- I wound up with what I really needed--a delicious and healthy hot meal. I almost finished it, too. The servers packed the rest up for me. When the bill came, I wondered what it would be. The lunch specials which are offered Monday- Saturday are just over $10. Almost $11. Sure enough, that's what they charged me. I gave them a large tip. I think $5 or $6. They were just so nice. Perhaps I looked so cold and pitiful. Whatever the reason, it was an awesome meal that didn't break the bank and I hope I can order it again sometime with or without wontons.

Honey shrimp walnut and orange chicken is an excellent dish. A hidden gem at the heart of Albany.read more

The Plum Blossom has been a Troy fixture for decades. Same owner and family since it opened…read more Had lunch here on an early Monday afternoon with my mom. We were given hot tea, water, crunchy noodles and dipping sauces to start. The lunch menu had a variety of choices, including vegan. I ordered a starter of Char Sui. For main entree platters, my mom ordered the pan fried tofu dish while I ordered the cod filet with Thai eggplant. I paid for a different side, thin rice noodles, since I didn't want the rice that came with the platter. Finished our meal with a pistachio layer cake and hand dripped coffee. Everything was enjoyable; well balanced and deliciously seasoned. A wonderful variety of Asian flavors in more traditional dishes. It is ornate, and brought me emotionally back in time. The service is more like the 70s and 80s, before food service became a rush for quick turnover. If you are looking for a spot where you can relax and not feel rushed, enjoy unique interior decor, and flavorful distinctive cuisine come here for lunch!

Been driving by Plum Blossom for many years on drive from NH to NJ and then NH to Schenectady…read more Certainly eye catching exterior and I was not disappointed when I saw interior. Stopped for lunch and ordered sesame chicken. Tea, water and some snacking noodle with 2 sauces. The wonton soup was excellent with large pillowy wontons. The sesame chicken was right portion and fried chicken pieces were hot and crisp and sauce dark sweet and tangy. Pieces of chicken were not uniform which I liked. Great service, great food and the vibe was what I had always imagined it would be from driving by.

Ate solo on a rainy Monday after shopping at Trader Joes across the street…read more Large menu with a few photos and a hand written board helped when deciding what to order. I would like to return to try other dishes. I ordered Jasmine Green Tea, a cup of Hot and Sour Soup, and Singapore Noodles. A pot of tea arrived quickly which pleased me. I often judge a Chinese restaurant by the quality and taste of its Hot and Sour Soup. This soup was excellent in comparison. The broth was a good balance of flavors. It was just spicy enough. It had fresh mushrooms and tofu. Five Stars for the soup. When I saw the check later, I realized it was included free with my lunch. The Singapore Noodles was a large portion, but disappointing in that I could barely detect the yellow curry. The rice noodles needed more sauce or spice! The chicken strips were tender. There were onion pieces as well as scallions in it. Three Stars. But I will return. There are many booths in the restaurant as well as a long row of connected tables in the center for large groups. The restaurant was clean. One booth had four men who spoke only Chinese to the server. That is a sign that the food is good here. Server was efficient and helpful. Parking is right outside of restaurant in a strip of businesses that incudes Saigon Spring, a favorite.

I've had Eddy's on my list for a while and finally got the chance to stop by while near Clifton…read morePark. It was late afternoon and pretty quiet--only one other table at the time. The server brought over a large dry-erase board listing their specials, which aren't on the regular menu--a nice touch. The decor gave classic Chinese diner vibes--not fancy, but comfortable. I ordered quite a bit, planning to have leftovers: a pot of jasmine tea, scallion pancake, soup dumplings, cucumber salad, and sautéed green beans. The jasmine tea was fragrant and exactly what I was hoping for. The dishes came out staggered, which I appreciated. The cucumber salad was a great start--refreshing and well-seasoned. The scallion pancake, though, was a bit of a miss for me. It was very thin and came out so crispy it was tough to eat. The green beans were crisp and full of flavor, and the soup dumplings were a delicious, satisfying protein option. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try more dishes!

The good, the food was good and presented well. I should have taken a picture, it was Instagram…read moreworthy. The bad, the men's bathroom looked like it hasn't been cleaned in months. Not exaggerating, dust bunnies hanging from ceiling, a layer of something on porcelain. I would suggest takeout.

Got take out, so can't comment on ambiance or service. We're…read moregoing to try dining in some time soon and I'll update. The food was great! As other people have commented, the menu is not the same old Chinese-American in most places. The dry chicken with peppers and peanuts was great! I wrote "less hot" on the order form; not sure if that's what I got, but it was just right. It's going to be tough deciding whether to get that again or try something else. I also got sauteed bok choy that was perfectly cooked and had a nice light sauce on it. $12 is steep for that but there was quite a bit. Spicy squid kabob was way too spicy for me, though maybe if I ordered that less hot?