The Dumpling Lady

Kaitlin was amazing! Sorry if spelling is wrong. Greeted…read moreimmediately into a clean and spacious room. The food is ridiculously good! We have come twice this month...and it's only the 11th. Everything is great here! And outside life takes a short pause. The open windows give great light and people watching. There is a specials menu that is totally handwritten and looks amazing. That is next on our list

I visited Open Rice at Metropolitan with my daughter on August 15 after seeing several influencer…read morevideos promoting their dim sum cart. Unfortunately, the actual experience was nothing like the hype. First, parking is a nightmare. I would seriously add an extra 20-30 minutes just to find a spot. Once we finally made it inside, we waited another 30 minutes to be seated. After sitting down, it took close to another 30 minutes before anyone came to take our order, and then roughly another 30 minutes for the food to arrive. So you're potentially looking at well over an hour and a half of waiting and inconvenience before you really get to eat. And the dim sum cart that brought us there in the first place? We never saw one. They did have a dim sum menu that we could order from, but that was not the experience being promoted in the videos we had seen. The food itself was just okay. Nothing was terrible, but nothing justified the hype or the amount of time and hassle involved. If you've had good dim sum in places like New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, this isn't remotely in the same league. Between the parking, the long waits, slow service, missing dim sum cart, and average food, I genuinely don't understand the crowds. Hard pass for us. Once and done.

Inside

Gluten-free Singapore Rice Noodles dish

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Second floor for private events

Honey Bun's Cafeteria

4.0(121 reviews)

7.0 mi•Eastland

I order from them weekly i love love love this location. Everyone is so sweet always. I always…read moresmile when i come and see they are super busy :) I get the brown sugar oat milk tea. i know they get sick of my order haha !! Sorry but im absolutely obsessed!!! Also the Vietnamese Bun is the best :)

I've been ordering Bah mi sandwich from them sense the price was 3.99 and each year there was less…read moreand less meat this year beats all records ! Needless to say I won't be ordering my bahmis here again a spot in Indian trail is much better and they load it up !!!

Good buns & fried rice!

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Lam's Kitchen

4.0(480 reviews)

11.6 mi

I genuinely enjoy Lam's Kitchen. It's one of those places I'm willing to drive out of my way from…read moreUptown to Matthews for--and it's worth the trip every time. As a Bay Area foodie, I'm always searching for Chinese food that gives me that same feeling I get in San Francisco or Houston's Chinatown. Lam's comes close. The ingredients taste fresh, everything is made to order, the proteins are tender, and the flavors have depth without being heavy or overdone. This visit, I ordered the scallion beef, and it was excellent--tender beef, plenty of scallions and onions, and beautifully seasoned. I asked for something spicy on the side, thinking sambal or hot chili sauce, and they brought me chili crisp. Perfect. And yes, I know sweet and sour pork can sound cliché, but theirs deserves some respect. It's made with cubes of tender pork, bell peppers and pineapple, and the sauce isn't cloyingly sweet. The quality of the pork makes the dish. I'm already looking forward to the leftovers. Other favorites include the string beans with ground pork and the beef with broccoli. Both are stellar. They also have an extensive dim sum menu. It's ordered from the menu rather than served from carts, which means there's plenty more for me to work my way through. There's something comforting about eating here. Seeing families gathered around the tables enjoying Chinese food sometimes makes me a little homesick for meals out with my mom. Food has a funny way of doing that. The restaurant itself is clean, comfortable and nicely air-conditioned, with a large live seafood/lobster tank. Service is friendly and fast. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and there's an easy parking lot right outside. Lam's Kitchen has earned a permanent spot in my rotation. I'll happily keep making the drive to Matthews and eating my way through the menu. Life is too short not to eat well. Get out there and find your next meal.

Everything is always GREAT! The waitstaff treat you like FAMILY…read moreEven though there were 3 of us eating, there are always leftovers to enjoy the next day.

2.5 mi•South End, Dilworth

Fresh tank of two sizes of Lobster and Dungeness Crabs

Seafood bird's nest noodles

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Dim sum menu Aug 2026

O-Ku - Sushi Roll (??)...Tiny portion, and terrible presentation!

O-Ku

4.3(723 reviews)

Incredible service, outstanding fish, and a chicy-boob-boom vibe!…read more Probably the place to go number one for a fantastic sushi experience in Charlotte, this is definitely a place where a cool kids go, but you can be 100% DadBod and, as long as you're not in White new balance and cargo pants, they'll let you fit right in. The menu has so many great things on it, and skipping the tuna flight might darn well be criminal. You're gonna enjoy that quite a bit. The service team there is long tenure and really knows what they're doing. They just got a new general manager, and she's got great energy and standards of excellence around her. The AGM is the best dang manager you're ever gonna see! When I have close friends in town, who really want great meal, this is one of the places that we will for sure go. To a great walkable area and while the youngsters there tried to get all the tail feathers up a little too much, don't let that bother you. The restaurant knows what it's about and who it is serving ultimately

My daughter wanted an Omakase experience for her birthday. After reading reviews and comparing a…read morefew places, I decided on O‑Ku. We'd never tried Omakase before, but we've had other curated dining experiences. Upon arrival, we were seated immediately. Our waitress was pleasant, she started on beverages, and explained that the Omakase would be a two‑hour experience...totally fine. Within the first 20 minutes, our first dish arrived and it was excellent...But then...nothing. We waited, and waited, and waited. An entire hour passed before the next dish appeared. I pulled the waitress aside to check on the delay, she explained they had a sudden influx of customers but she'd ask the kitchen to move a little quicker. The food did start coming out after that, and the managers came over to address the delay, which I appreciated, but the damage was done. I wanted a memorable birthday experience for my daughter, and unfortunately it ended up being a bit of a disappointment considering the time and cost. The food itself was delicious, but poor pacing and lack of attention to the customer overshadowed the entire experience. I didn't ask for compensation but the managers took it upon themselves to comp my wine flight. I hope this was a one off experience but I can't say that I'll return to this restaurant.

Black Magic, Salmon Usuzukuri, Cucumber Maki, Top Shelf Roll

Red Dragon and Volcano Roll

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Red Dragon Sushi Roll?

Inchin's Bamboo Garden

3.4(166 reviews)

7.6 mi•University City

Maybe everyone didn't love their first experience here but we did! My only beef would be that it's…read morecold inside so take something with you if your cold natured. We went on a Sunday evening. We had vegetarians and meat eaters in our group. So we ordered up a bunch of different dishes. They have a bar, didn't really dabble much in that except beer for the guys as it didn't look like they had much of what we like, also ample seating inside and interesting decor! Service was pretty quick and good comes out fresh. We had the Chinese bhel which was huge ! Lots of good fixings in this but good flavor little spicy little sweet. The veggie lettuce wraps had a bunch of veggies in it served With a whole head of lettuce, mild flavor but good crunchy veggies. The crispy chili potatoes were awesome. Flash fried potato sticks covered in spicy sauce. Yum. The pan fried fish was also one of my faves. Light Smokey flavor but nice thin batter and good amount of spicy sauce. With the onions and peppers mixed up on top this was a winner. The tandoori chicken momos were my least favorite. Not much going on here and they looked like they were sitting out awhile. Not as fresh as all the other dishes we had. Not much filling either. The vegatrian manchow soup was delicious. Full of flavor and a little kick. I still added some chili garlic sauce and that brings it to another level. Lots of little chopped veggies in this with a nice brown broth. We also had another dish which I don't remember the name of but had a nice sauce with peppers and onions and chicken served with rice . Maybe the hot garlic with chicken. Also a great flavorful dish with lots of sauce and hits all the tastebuds . All our dishes but one was finished . We really enjoyed all the sauces too. Chili garlic and the momo sauce were great add ons. Great place for a Asian fusion dinner or lunch .

This was our first time here. Ordered Chicken fried rice, wings of Heaven and fried ice cream. The…read morefood was delicious and plentiful. Service was exceptional. Will definitely be back.

Monday night an hour before close

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Wan Fu Quality Chinese Cuisine

3.9(332 reviews)

10.2 mi

Wan Fu is stamped as the best Chinese spot in Charlotte and I'll Stan by that! Every time someone…read moreasks me where to get good Chinese food, this is the first place that comes to mind. The food is always consistent, and that's what keeps me coming back here. I visited during lunch, and they only had two servers working, so service was a little slower than usual. To start, I ordered the spring roll, then had the Wan Fu Scallops and the Singapore Rice Noodles. The spring roll was crispy and hit the spot. The Singapore noodles were packed with flavor and had a nice spicy kick. If you're not big on spice, I'm sure they can tone it down if you ask. The Wan Fu Scallops were tender and just as delicious. I've been here several times, and the quality never disappoints. Consistency is hard to find, but Wan Fu gets it right every time. If you're looking for Chinese food in Charlotte that's worth coming back for, this is the spot.

Yummy food attentive service and no frills in the place! Will enjoy as a new take out spot…read more Everything looked amazing as I looked around!

Interior bar

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Good Chinese food

Sun's Kitchen

4.5(194 reviews)

3.5 mi

An all time favorite place of mine that I've been a fan of since their first location! So happy to…read moresee how they've grown and created a beautiful space and resturant with their beautiful decoration, ambiance, and excellent service from the employees. Always my favorite place to go when I start to miss home and need some nostalgia and that home cooked meal feeling. My other favorite (not pictured) includes: Mango or watermelon jasmine tea, beef stew with rice, dan dan noodles, tornado potato, honestly any of the appetizer/street foods, home-made soy milk. Did I mention I loved this place?

After many years, I revisited this place for lunch at its new South Boulevard location…read more.. The new place was casual, yet chic and modern...and runs on this touch screen ordering process. I actually loved the bright, comfy vibe of the place. Thought it could use a bit louder music to fill the space. I ordered the Dan Dan Noodles, Rainbow Dumplings and this Mango Jasmine Tea drink...and they were all pretty good. Still, I was surprised how my bill totaled about 35 bucks. Normally, I'm not too surprised by the pricing (even for lunch), but it felt a bit high...given that everything was served on paper and plastic wares. I did like how they have these DIY take-home plastic wares accessible and ready to go...so some points for that! Overall, it's just a casual eatery...not a full scale restaurant. I prefer full scale service, complete with nicely plated presentations, but this type of DIY eatery is just something that's becoming more common.

Interior

Szechuan chicken dish @poprockphotography

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Eggplant @poprockphotography

BaoBao Dim Sum & Chinese Cuisine

Locally owned & operated

I was nicely greeted and given a table asap, the food came out quick and fresh, the drinks were…read moreamazing; the staff were so great, my waiter was Ahliya, she was great with handling my evening at BaoBao, i give this a 10/10 would come back .

Tried this place for the first time last week and it was better than expected…read more Everything was great. Veggies and spinach bun was a shareable appetizer of 2 buns. Kind of reminded me of the texture of spanakopita in a bun. They were generously filled and delicious. Yangzhou fried rice had a mix of scallops, shrimp, chicken and veggies. Portion was huge, husband could barely finish it. I ordered spicy wonton in chili oil, and mini spare ribs in black bean sauce dim sum. Loved them both. Seasonings and spice level were perfect. I'd order those again. We also got a selection of dumplings - pork and veggie shumai, steamed potstickers, and crystal shrimp dumplings. Loved all of them. I love the relaxed vibe here. Our server was attentive, professional and gave us space to enjoy our meal with minimum interruptions. We were greeted when we arrived and she waved goodbye when we left. While dining, I saw quite a number of takeout orders picked up by customers and dashers, which is something we'll definitely do in the future. The dining area and bar are in one big room with huge windows that make the space feel spacious and light. Even tho it's one big room, tables aren't crammed together. Music is low enough to talk at normal volume. We really enjoyed our first time here, plan to eat here again and highly recommend it if you haven't been.

Mural wallpaper (in ladies room) from China

Mapo tofu

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Hot and Sour Soup with calamari and crab rangoon.

Great Wall Of China South

3.3(268 reviews)

10.2 mi

Birthday Party. - Good Back room for it! 10 people and 4 Children - ordered Two PuPu platers to…read morestart out with.- They were good Ribs , egg rolls , crab ragoon and chicken wings. Brown Rice , and White rice were brought to the table. We had Chicken Fried Rice , Beef and Rice Singapore Noodles , Chinese Green beans and Pot stickers and Sesame Chicken. I had a great Mountain Chicken - very spicy and delicious Very Good Chinese Food !!

While quite bland, Great Wall South is a safe option for those that haven't developed their own…read moretaste preferences for Americanized Chinese cuisine (i.e. - people that aren't from larger cities) Ordered through DoorDash, so I can't comment on the service or ambience. ==The Good== Not a lot to love here. The pork lo mein, while also generally bland in the noodle and sauce department, had generous helpings of roast char siu pork that were decently flavorful. This was the only saving grace of the meal. ==The Bad== The wonton soup was lacking a bit in salt, which i understand may be a personal taste preference, but there also wasn't any particularly strong flavor from the wontons so the whole dish just felt dissatisfying. The sauce in the Mongolian beef wasn't very savory so it, too, came off a bit bland. To their credit, the cuts of beef were actually quite good and the vegetables were decent, but without a solid tasting sauce the whole thing falls a part. ==The Ugly== The teriyaki chicken skewers were just chicken with teriyaki sauce poured over them. It seems almost heretical that they didn't bbq these skewers in the sauce. This was the most disappointing part of the meal. Overall, pretty on par for restaurants that have long lost their passion for this game. If you've never had Chinese in Boston, LA or New York, you'll probably like this place. More well-traveled patrons should look elsewhere.

Dining Room

L: King's Tofu R: Shrimp & Scallop

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Lunch - Chicken with Broccoli (Extra Spicy)

Dragon Buffet

3.0(143 reviews)

8.6 mi•Steele Creek

Kevin, was very helpful and very nice thank you Kevin. He helped us quickly always with a big…read moresmile. Love it here very much.

Always hits! Consistently good food. Fast turnaround on the buffet. Have been going for YEARS! Seem…read moreto always make the same plates. LOL!! Good ice cream too!

Seating

Buffett line 2

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Menu chef specials

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

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

Austin B.

156

3 years ago

If you're a fan of authentic Chinese cuisine, you won't want to miss the Dumpling Lady at Optimist Hall in Charlotte NC. This food stall is a hidden gem, serving up some of the most delicious and authentic dumplings you'll ever taste. The menu at the Dumpling Lady is simple but flavorful, with a variety of different dumpling options to choose from. Whether you prefer meat or vegetarian options, there's something for everyone here. The dumplings themselves are made fresh to order, with a delicate and flavorful dough that's the perfect texture. The fillings are bursting with flavor, from the savory pork and chive to the deliciously spicy Szechuan-style chicken. But what really sets the Dumpling Lady apart is the exceptional service. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and they take the time to explain the menu and make recommendations based on your preferences. Overall, I would highly recommend the Dumpling Lady to anyone looking for an authentic and delicious Chinese food experience in Charlotte. The food is outstanding, the service is top-notch, and the prices are very reasonable. Don't miss out on this hidden gem in Optimist Hall! read more

Vannessa W.

Elite 26

636

923

913

2 years ago

The Dumpling Lady, located inside the lively and colorful Optimist Hall, offers a delightful experience with their steamed veggie dumplings. The filling, consisting of mushrooms, chives, tofu, and cabbage, was really good. However, I wish the mushrooms were diced much smaller for a more cohesive texture. One downside was the small amount of chili oil sauce. The parsley topping was a nice touch, adding a bit of freshness to the dumplings. I also had the steamed rice, which was as expected -- simple and well-cooked, like any good steamed rice. Overall, a solid place for dumplings with a few minor tweaks needed. read more

Sheryl M.

7 years ago

Ordered two menu items soup dumplings and noodles. DUMPLINGS: If you are looking for REAL soup dumplings, these are far from it. The dough is completely transparent (thin) with little to no filling inside. They had no flavor. The dumplings are $8.00 for only three dumplings which is very pricey for dumplings anywhere. NOODLES: The noodles were very flavorful and filling with a good amount of protein. Would NOT recommend dumplings but the noodles were good!? read more

Ashley K.

7 years ago

The Chicken dumplings was just awesome. I have never had such amazing dumplings. I follow the dumpling lady on instagram for her location and I make it point going to the location to to eat the chicken and shrimp dumplings. I totally just loved this food kart...Every time I visit them they are always busy and I have a huge line but they still manage to have my food ready quickly. Great place to eat!!! read more

Luna V.

6 years ago

Their dumplings and noodles are amazing! I started eating there when they were just a food truck and always their their pork dumplings. Their chili sauce that they use is AMAZING! One of the things I do think is a bit over is their pricing. for 10 - 15 dollars I can never be full with just one thing. I always have to get 2 things. I wish they were a bit cheaper or more quantity. read more

Jesus P.

350

3 years ago

Stopped by The Dumpling Lady at Optimus Hall, eager to try their offerings based on the buzz. While I appreciated the cool packaging, I was met with sub-par service and a cashier who could've been friendlier. Gave the pork and shrimp dumplings a go, but they didn't quite live up to my expectations. Hoping for a more positive experience on my next visit. read more

Ryan P.

7 years ago

Stopped by to have a quick lunch here. The line are really long so it must be good, right? Lol, it wasn't that good. The flavor and food quality is okay but the quantity is quite small for the price. read more

Jennifer M.

203

9 years ago

I loved my spicy noodles! They have great costumer service as well.. Had a little hiccup and they were quick to respond and help! :) The FOOD IS AMAZING TOO!!! :) read more

Veronica T.

6 years ago

Best dumplings ever!! These dumplings have so much flavor! The sauce the make it in is very unique and I haven't had dumplings like these in forever. read more

Takea G.

3 years ago

The place was great I love going to optimist hall. The wait wasn't long I just wish they had vegetarian soup dumplings.

Julia J.

4 years ago

They are awesome. Consistently highly recommended them to anyone. Its a must try. You will not be disappointed ever

Holden M.

417

123

2 years ago

Yes, vegan dumplings ! Funny that you want more words but only 3 words are sufficient, previously expressed.

Ken M.

10 years ago

You don't have an address for me to go to. I'd love to try your food but I don't know where its at. Ken

Wes S.

10 years ago

Love me some Dumpling Lady. Check their facebook for their weekly schedule. They're a local food truck

Robert M.

617

6 years ago

So flavorful and delicious. One of my favorite places to eat and now they have an actual location!

Vsu A.

7 years ago

Mild flavors, cold food. I expected it to be better because of reviews here. Disappointed!

The Dumpling Lady - szechuan - Updated September 2026

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The Dumpling Lady

4.4

(59 reviews)

We came here just for takeout & walked in during Sunday evening…read more The wait wasn't long, maybe 10 ish mins We got green beans, Dan Dan noodles & steamed dumplings for $35 before tip I ordered at the counter and it wasn't too crowded when I came in They have quite a few tables inside & were clean. It's a small casual shop The menu has a nice selection of dumplings, vegetables and noodles which I forgot to get a picture of From memory, they also have boiled dumplings in chili oil, spicy vegetables, smashed cucumbers and a few other items. I loved that they had a number of vegetables to choose from and plenty of non spicy options for my toddler Our pork belly dumplings were amazing & Dan Dan had just enough kick! Toddler approved of the garlicy green beans and the rice the meal came with There's some parking on the side street from the shop so that's where we parked this time

Some people like it. It is NOT for me. Dry dumplings. And a bit more gummy than they should be. The…read morechili oil needs flavor and not just be hot. The space is cramped and uncomfortable. I love Asian food and this did not feel authentic...at all. And it's counter-service so no one chats or helps or describes. Never going back.

Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles

4.4

(83 reviews)

I'll preface this review with the fact that our original plans (the day before a holiday) had to…read morepivot since the original place we had chosen was closed - Always hard to make plans when a holiday falls on a Saturday!! Friday afternoon - peak lunch hour, this place is tucked away a bit, but when we came in the doors, every table was occupied (except 1).... Which worked out for us. Menu and photos of the dishes online looked entreaging and I am so glad we tried this place. Staffers were quick to seat us (at the last table available), but very quickly you can tell how fast/efficent the service was here and the number of customers they crank through. No noodles this time, but I will definitely be going back if I find myself in the Matthews area for whatever reason. Eggplant w/Garlic Sauce is definitely a must try and their mongolian beef was tasty. Both dishes came with rice (and we shared). Intreagued to try the rest of the menu!!

The noodles had great texture since they were fresh but everything here was lacking in flavor. I…read moredon't know if it was toned down because this was NC or if the restaurant itself just didn't know how to make good Chinese food? I'm inclined to believe this was intentional and that they know what they're doing. The cucumbers were not good at all. The skin was tough and the texture of the cucumbers were rubbery rather that crisp and snappy. The dish itself lacked balance and was very heavy on the vinegar. It's important to note that the fried tofu add-on was excellent. They used soft tofu and it was fried to perfection. The service was standard. The food was brought out quickly. I don't know what I was expecting coming from the Bay Area. I think this place "works" but if you've got a real hankering for good Chinese food, this is not for you. (To echo what Evan Z. wrote. Thanks for the review, it definitely helped levelset expectations!)

Taipei Express

4.0

(258 reviews)

Nice service and good food. Family vibes, casual and friendly. I would go back here. Ordered fried…read morerice and some dumplings. Fresh and delicious

Hot day. Costco run complete. Charlotte traffic testing everyone's patience. That meant one thing:…read morecomfort food stop at Taipei Express. It was pushing 97 degrees outside, and after a long afternoon of computer work and errands, I finally stopped in for the crispy scallion chicken and pan-fried dumplings. Huge portions. Fair prices. Friendly people. Consistently solid food every single time. The best part today honestly might have been the air conditioning. They've got a cool, comfortable space to wait while your order is prepared, which felt amazing after baking outside all day. I forgot to take food photos because I was hungry and ready to get home, but trust me, they pack these takeout containers like a game of Jenga. Nothing spills. Nothing shifts. Everything is packed tight and thoughtfully. Only tiny downside: the dumpling sauce goes into the same container as the hot dumplings, so by the time I got home, it had softened the bottom a bit. Still, the dumpling wrappers are thick and crispy enough to survive the trip. Into the air fryer later they go. One warning: the parking lot can be chaotic since it sits right off busy Providence Road. Just be patient. Cars are constantly pulling in, backing out, blocking entrances, and today people were absolutely treating red lights like suggestions. Saw it multiple times, including a bus cutting across traffic when I had the right-of-way. Charlotte drivers... please relax a little. That said, the food made the trip worth it. Taipei Express is one of those dependable local spots that always comes through when you need a solid meal without spending a fortune. Life is too short to not eat well. Get out there and eat your way through Charlotte.

Bao and Broth

3.7

(229 reviews)

Boa and Broth is located in Optimist Hall. We tried a trio. All the flavors are outstanding. The…read moreBoa Buns are made fresh and are packed with such distinctive flavors. The service was amazing. Because it's in a food hall the ambiance is similar to the hall itself. We will definitely be back there try the different options as well as the Ramens they offer.

My husband and I stopped in here one Friday night for some bao buns. We got the KFC, the OG, and…read morethe Falafel... and the only one that was hot was the falafel. I really have enjoyed these bao buns in the past and was disappointed in the way these came out this time... Maybe the broth is better? Idk try it and let me know!!!

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle

4.7

(90 reviews)

Went to eat with my coworker who recommended this place as serving authentic Chinese cuisine. I…read morecould not pass up that opportunity as Asian cuisine is in my top three. It's very rare for me to do a review and not have pics to accompany it but from entrance to exit I don't think I liked my phone up once. Coworker's company was great but the food really made for a great experience. In addition to that having my coworker speak to the culture of the food made it all the more appreciated. I definitely can't say enough good words about the food and the service and the overall experience. Five stars is all I can give but if there were more this restaurant would well deserve it. Next time I'll have to get pics

This was our first visit to Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice. It was one of the best Asian meals I have had…read morein Charlotte. Perhaps the absolute best. They prepared our Ramen, dumplings and egg rolls as promised within 6 minutes. We had take-out and ordered once inside the restaurant. Everything was delicious! Everything inside looks clean and well organized but we didn't dine in. Customer service was courteous, polite and on point.

Honey Bun's Cafeteria

4.0

(121 reviews)

Soho Bistro

3.7

(207 reviews)

The food was so yummy! Fast for lunch. But what really made it great was Cory! Fast friendly &…read moreattentive to everyone walking in, doing Togos, and in the dining room! 10/10 will come back

Food: I would say average to above average Chinese food. The General Tso's chicken wasn't very…read morespicy at all, and the sauce was fairly thin, which I like as opposed to thick and super sugary. I do prefer white meat and this was one of those entrees that seemed to be made of mainly thigh meat. Service: excellent. There was one lady working all by herself when we went and she was funny and attentive. Despite her being the only one, service was quick and she was friendly. I am honestly surprised that the place was not more busy than it was given its location.

Menya Daruma

4.5

(219 reviews)

Holy Ramen!! What an…read moreabsolute find. This is, without exaggeration, the best ramen I've ever had -- the kind you dream about afterward, and then feel genuinely heartbroken over because it's five hours away from home. Why must the best things always be so far away from me?! But this spot has officially earned a permanent place on my "best of the best" list for my bestie's city, and I am beyond stoked to come back. Everything we tried -- every single bite -- was incredible. Honestly, no wonder there's a line out the door. This place has earned it.

We visited Menya late one Saturday afternoon in May for an early dinner…read more You order (and pay) via a QR code using the Toast app, so ordering is very simple. We started with the pork gyoza, which were delivered quickly and were delicious. For our entrees, I had the Tonkotsu Black with added braised tofu, and my husband had the Spicy Tantan. I don't usually like eggs in my ramen (because they are never cooked enough), but Menya cooked theirs perfectly soft boiled, and I loved the flavor the egg added to the soup. Both soups had complex flavors, and we loved them. The tofu was great--thinly sliced and flavorful, if a bit salty--but I am not sure I'd need it again. My husband thought his soup was perfectly spicy. A note about parking - if you can park in the lot in front of the building, you scan a QR code, and open a parking time block. (I believe Menya paid for a 2-hour block.) You then enter the information on an iPad at the back of the restaurant to validate your parking and start the clock. It was easier than I expected, and I'd definitely use this parking service again. And if you can't get a spot in the lot in front of the building, you can park on the neighborhood streets just one or two blocks away. All told, it was a great meal for a reasonable cost. We'll definitely return!

Panda's Den

4.2

(94 reviews)

I dream about the green beans....and the egg rolls. And wonton soup. Mongolian beef also in the…read moredreams along with sesame chicken and fried rice - oh my. There is also curry ok the menu that I'm excited to try. The staff is always great and the food is fresh. I love going at Christmas for the beautiful tree that's decorated.

Found my new Chinese spot! I think this might be one of the tops on my list in Charlotte. The staff…read moreis so nice, so makes it even better! The lo mein looked kind of bland to me at first, but upon the first bite, I was proven wrong. It wasn't super saucy like some lo mein, but the noodles were so fresh and bouncy, with a great savory flavor. The crab Rangoon were tasty (a little heavy on the cream cheese, but the price reflects that). Highly recommend the Chinese style green beans. Can't wait to try more items!! They have a very large menu and the to-go serving helpings are massive. Great deal and tasty food!!

Ho Ho Cherry House

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