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    Uncle Lees Cafe

    4.1 (93 reviews)
    ModerateChinese, Seafood, Cafes
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

    Uncle Lees Cafe Photos

    UNCLE LEES CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for kids
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Shrimp
    Darian C.

    The noodles were great and were the favorite out of everything I got. I thought the texture of the noodles were good and I enjoyed them a lot. I thought everything was a bit salty and oily though. The fried fish and wings were crispy and fried well. The service was great and the food came out fast. It's a small shop but has plenty of seating.

    Sauteed Mixed Vegetables
    Bryan V.

    Absolutely incredible hole in the wall spot. The sautéed mixed vegetables was actually my favorite dish here. There was a good assortment of all my favorite veggies, and the sauce that it was cooked with was so savory and delicious. The pepper beef was cooked well and packed with incredible flavors from the bell peppers. As for the chili oil noodles, I'm very picky about them because some places can easily make them too greasy, sweet, sour, or salty... but the sauce was perfectly balanced in all aspects. The noodles had a wonderful bite to them, but I think it was more like one long noodle so be prepared to slurp and bite... I will definitely be coming back to try more dishes as I think I've found a new favorite!

    Chili oil noodles and vegetable egg rools

    Made an hour drive on Sunday about 3 because we saw it posted on social media, was not disappointed at all. Definitely must try the chili oil noodles, the noodles are chewy and covered with seasoning and oil..the veggies at the bottom of the noodles were cooked just right, there is a bit of heat, but not too bad. The twice cooked pork was very good. This plate definitely has heat, but again nothing that we couldn't work through. We forgot to order the green beans, but will make another trip to try those. The restaurant is small and clean, the staff is friendly and it didn't take long for the food to come out.

    Junel I.

    I made it a mission to try a new restaurant through a recommendation from work this weekend. That restaurant mentioned was Uncle Lee's Cafe. I was told I had to try it especially the oil splashed noodles which was a specialty. I visited the restaurant during a time where it was not busy. My family I were welcomed in and seated. It was a first visit for all of us but decided to pick a few things: cheese puffs, dumplings, double peppered beef, Chinese burger, egg drop soup, and of course the oil splashed noodles. Definitely the appetizers were flavorful and were great starters. A nice crunch to the cheese puffs, dumplings had the right amount of filling, Chinese burger was addicting too and the egg drop soup rounded out everything with simplicity. The double peppered beef packed the right amount of heat with a nice punch. Good spice and gave me moments where it really had me sweating haha. But the main reason for the visit, the oil splashed noodles was amazing. Very long and thick cut noodles with the right amount of spice and makes you want to go for more. I am reminiscing of it as I write this. Overall a very nice visit. What really drew me in was to hear the high praise from people at work saying, "the most authentic and best hand pulled noodles they had ever tried." I am in agreement with that statement and Uncle Lees Cafe is just that. Family owned, homey vibe and true to Chinese cuisine without a doubt. I just wished I did not have to share the noodles with family, it was that good. I noticed there were customers doing to go/pick up orders while we were dining in. I think they are missing out because I believe the food would be much more satisfying enjoyed right away from the kitchen. In short, I approve for sure and everything was delicious.

    Dhriti C.

    This is my boyfriend's favorite spot in Houston. The chili oil noodles are a must try. Because his family is vegetarian, we requested them to make a few dishes without meat and they were so kind to comply with our wishes. The staff is super nice as it's a family run restaurant.

    Dallas R.

    Oil noodles were so good. Paired it with the cumin beef. Our server was extremely nice and informative

    Stir fry green beans
    Krystal L.

    Uncle Lee's Cafe is a Chinese restaurant located in Richmond. They have some of the best noodle dishes. The shop is tucked away in a plaza, and offers a variety of dishes. I got the oil splash noodles, double peppered beef, and stir fry green beans. There are a hefty amount of garlic in each plate, and as a garlic lover, I absolutely loved it. The oil splash noodles consisted of long noodles drenched in a spicy chili oil sauce. The noodles were chewy and bouncy, and there was a hefty amount and can definitely feed two. The double peppered beef was soft and juicy and came with a bowl of rice. It paired well with the stir fry green beans, which were crispy and fresh. All the servings were greatly portioned, and the service was great! There are also a lot of seating, as well. Overall, the dishes here are flavorful with huge portions, and I would definitely come back to try more!

    Lily L.

    I finally found THE SPOT to get some Chinese cold noodles. It was so delicious, no other places my bf and I tried can beat it. The sauce they pour over is really clean, can be little more vinaigrette (just our opinion), and the chilli oil is not that spicy too, just adds more flavor overall. We also ordered the orange chicken, it was cooked the American way which was what exactly my bf was looking for. It taste like the one you can order from a china express fast food place. And oil splash hand pull noodle was 10/10. Super chewy and savory. Lastly, cumin lamb was our favorite too. It was not gamy, and the seasonings are all well grounded so you won't taste the annoying pieces of peppers. Service was fast and place has spacious seats. After dinner there is a Kroger next door where can take a walk to digest all the good food just ate.

    Chinese Burger
    Kristine L.

    Highly recommend not coming after the lunch rush. My husband and I came around 2p on a Sunday and service was pretty slow. I heard from the table next to us that they ran out of dumplings because of the lunch rush. They were still cleaning tables, remaking food, and re-organizing their kitchen. There are a few tables in the middle and booths on the side. The Chinese burger was okay in my opinion. The bread was soft and crisply but the meat is salty. This would be better with scallions and chili oil. The oil splashed noodles is a MUST and probably the best thing on the menu. The noodles are hand pulled, thick and chewy. They add just enough chili oil and veggies to make me want more! By far my favorite and worth the hype.

    Xian Cold Noodles
    Rachel J.

    NOTICE!! I talked to the owner, and Uncle Lee's has only been opened for 10 Months, and there's been a major revamp to the menu, quality of the food, and management. I'd heard through the woods that this is now many Chinese people's favorite place to get noodles since it's so authentic. The owner had recommended the Xian Cold Noodles & Oil Splashed Noodles. The Xian Cold Noodles are served cold in a spicy, sour dressing with cucumbers and bean sprouts. The noodles itself is very chewy and bouncy. The Oil Splash Noodles are made with hot oil that's poured over a mix of aromatics and spices. The noodles are handmade, long, thick, and also very chewy. It's all more filling than it looks. The total came out to be $28.88 including tax and tip.

    Amanda C.

    Came for a late lunch and I had just missed the crowd. This place was on my bucket list but is very far from where I live. This is a family owned business and the wife of the chef took our order and recommended a few items we normally wouldn't have tried but glad we did. I can't recall all the items but assure you everything we ordered was delicious. The servings are shareable therefore we had leftovers.

    Cheese puffs
    Kristin J.

    This was truly a hidden gem! I was told that this place had the best Chinese handmade noodles and I totally agree. The food was absolutely amazing, and I will definitely be coming back to try other items. The service was awesome and super helpful and helping us decide what to order.

    Chilly chicken. Orange chicken. Oil splashed noodles
    Thuy T.

    The orange chicken is so delicious and juicy. They used amazing white meat. The pieces were big. Been coming back. Tried the oiled splashed noodles and they were amazing. Good flavor and the texture is chewy and bouncy. Can't wait to try the other noodles!!

    Oil splash noodles before mixing together

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    2 years ago

    First time and the food was amazing! The staff was very helpful and extremely nice! I give this place a 10 out of 10!!

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    1 year ago

    Overly oily noodles and watched a roach slowly walk across the floor in the dining area from the kitchen. Just felt gross in there

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    1 year ago

    Food was tasty and great portion size. Price was very affordable. Location is great with lots of parking.

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    2 years ago

    Come early. We thought arriving upon opening was early. It wasn't. Come hungry. You'll be sure to thank me later. You're welcome.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Soooooo good!! Literally the best traditional Chinese food I've ever had!! All homemade! Highly recommend!!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    We enjoyed cold noodles and hot oiled noodles. It was very busy but they took good care of us. Will be going back

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    3 years ago

    Best shanxi food in houston with no competition. Not for foreigners tho. Very authentic noodles

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Good service. Great food. Staff always makes you feel welcome. A+++++++++++¥¥¥¥¥¥++++

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    4 years ago

    So glad they're open again! We've been a customer for 20+ years. No matter what we order it always tastes great!

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I love their cold noodles and meat dishes, very delicious. The people are nice as well.

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Good shit ! Whew you guys complains about so much little shit but when you want some goo d as take out food they're the ones to go to.

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    8 years ago

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    Hu's Cooking

    Hu's Cooking

    4.5
    (1.1k reviews)
    13.6 mi
    $$

    Look no further for authenticity, flavor, and complexity in Chinese cooking near the med center!…read more Though we opted for more "simple" dishes during this experience, you can judge a place by if they can do their simple dishes well. The mapo tofu is one of the best we've had outside of Bellaire with spicy, savory, numbing, and warmth that you expect from a good mapo tofu. Crispy popcorn chicken is a classic that's spicy, lightly fried, and crisp. It has an authenticity that other places around can't replicate and makes you keep craving more. The portions are also appropriate for their price. Service is incredibly quick, and you can order as you go and receive your dish within 10-15 minutes, regardless of how busy they are. As for the ambiance, it's loud, it's hectic, and it's simple... maybe a stretch, but makes me feel like I'm eating at a mom and pop shop in the heart of China. This place is definitely a go to if I'm convincing a friend of Houston's great food scene! Rating: 4.5/5

    I've been a happy patron of Hu's Cooking ever since they opened the year before the pandemic, but…read morebecause of their instant success and local renown from their excellent eats, speedy service, busy-but-not-crowded vibes (see: their 1000+ Yelp reviews) I've never felt the need to drop a review of my own - until just this week. On my most recent visit we ordered mapo tofu with pork intestines off the specials menu - a hybrid of two of my favorite Sichuan-style dishes. The blend of bouncy, savory morsels amidst tender, saucy tofu was at once revolutionary and so obvious; why hadn't I yet seen this at any other restaurant? And sure, innards may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's important for you to know that none of my past orders from the 50+ item menu have ever failed me, whether enjoyed in the restaurant or at home. Maybe you'd prefer the aromatic, classic, perfectly balanced three-cup chicken? Or the sweet-skinned duck, glazed so delicately that specks of sugar crystal threaten to jump off onto the plate as you pick up a juicy slice with your chopsticks? And if you're vegetarian, might you consider the punchy garlic eggplant or the wok-kissed string beans? I could go on. Do yourself a favor and come see for yourself, though I'd recommend parallel parking on the neighborhood streets behind the restaurant rather than the rocky parking lot, to save you some trouble. Bring friends and chow down family style - you'll need help covering as much of the menu as you can, but you'll definitely have to come back to try everything.

    Photos
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Spicy chicken, clear noodles with red pepper sauce, and stir fried green beans
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Open til 11:00pm on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat
    Hu's Cooking

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    Bamboo House

    Bamboo House

    4.4
    (737 reviews)
    28.6 mi
    $$

    IYKYK - this is probably the best Peking Duck I've had in Houston in a long time. I've done Peking…read moreCuisine for years and shifted to Arco for my duck cravings, but if you're willing to drive out to Humble (pretty much anytime you're in the IAH area), you gotta check out Bamboo House for the best Peking duck. And their other menu items are fire as well! We went on a Sunday late evening. We had a 9 pm airport pickup at IAH so it was a perfect opportunity to grab a spectacular dinner and make the 30+ minute drive out to IAH totally worth it. Parking lot wasn't too full so that wasn't an issue. While the neighborhood ain't River Oaks luxury, it ain't too scary either. We kept it simple - ordered a whole duck and Bamboo House Special Noodle with Beef. This place ain't cheap but the food is worth every penny. It was very busy that evening so it's not a well-kept secret but also proves that eventually, Houstonians will figure out where the good food is. The duck was near perfect. They serve the duck with the pancakes (as opposed to the buns like at Arco) which is my preference. The soup that comes with it was also extremely flavorful. And the house special noodles with beef - oh my. I swear it's just one really long noodle so you may be frustrated trying to divvy up the family style bowl, but the labor is worth it. So good... Can't wait for my next airport run so I can sneak in a lunch or dinner at this place. So many other menu items I want to try!

    If you are looking for the best Peking duck, look no further! Who would have expected to find the…read morebest Peking duck in Humble? I had previously visited the now closed Bamboo House on Westheimer and I remember being impressed by the food. I had to make an airport run and decided that it would be perfect timing to stop by this location. I highly recommend ordering the duck ahead of time, but we were lucky enough to snag one of the last ducks when we arrived around 7 pm on a Sunday evening. The waitress was super friendly and upbeat and the restaurant is older but well maintained. You can see where the food is being prepared/cooked and you can see ducks being cooked/warmed behind a glass window. The duck was absolutely spectacular with the perfect seasoned and tender meat accompanied by well rendered crispy skin. I love how the pancakes are paper thin and pair well with the scrumptious duck and other toppings. They also provide sugar and plum sauce as additional toppings which I thought was interesting but not my cup of tea. The duck soup was extremely flavorful and full bodied and went well with the duck. The noodles were also amazing with likely hand pulled noodles served with an abundance of tender beef and vegetables with a little Sichuan kick. I was intrigued by a strawberry chicken dish that I saw on the menu and I plan to try it the time. My diagnosis: hands down the best Peking duck in the greater Houston area!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Twice Cooked Pork Belly
    Twice Cooked Pork Belly
    Outside

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    Outside
    The Rice Box

    The Rice Box

    3.8
    (1k reviews)
    16.8 mi
    $$

    I enjoy Ricebox every time I go. Doesn't matter the location. I get the Honey Walnut Shrimp, Fried…read moreRice, Eggroll.

    Box of rice Haven't…read morebeen here in almost 8 years. 1st experience was great, second was terrible so I didn't go back. My friend Aurora wanted to meet Donna early dinner and gossip session and she really liked this place. (We tried having a team lunch at the Rice Village location during the cold front last Oct but they had no heat so we opted for a warmer place but she grabbed a to go on the way home) Here we are for a late lunch 3:45 pm on a Friday. Parking was none had to drive around the block and saw some movement and bam, someone was leaving. We ordered at the bar, staff was super nice and opted to sit outside. Did not realize they deliver to the table. Order: Mongolian beef combo with fried rice and egg roll $14.99 The food comes in takeaway style containers. Win. Mongolian beef (2.5/5) - slightly over sauced for me; beef was pretty tender and there were carrots and edamame which is not the standard so maybe that's what makes it fusion? Fried rice (3/5) - standard style fried with small pieces of bean sprouts which I love so that was a nice surprise Egg roll (3/5) - I assume it was chicken because I didn't realize there was a choice) - it was crunchy and soft on the inside which I like, and pairs well with sriracha (did not eat till I got home) They seem to do a whole lot of take away. The staff were nice and hard working. I was excited when they first opened bc they had chow fun on the menu and being HK Cantonese, I love that dish but when I ordered it the 1st and 2nd time eight years ago instead of bean sprouts they had cabbage and that alters rhe flavor tremendously. I see why it's popular among the people but just don't think it is for my taste.

    Photos
    The counter/bar area
    The counter/bar area
    The Rice Box
    The Rice Box

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    Cooking Girl - Montrose

    Cooking Girl - Montrose

    4.5
    (199 reviews)
    15.8 mi
    $$

    The food at the cooking girl restaurants in Houston is outstanding! I've been to multiple locations…read moreand they're all very good. The food comes out so fresh and hot. They prepared to order and as soon as the dishes stirred up, it comes out hot.!!!! highly recommend although maybe I shouldn't because it might get too busy and hard to get in!!!!

    I have wanted to eat here for months but I always passed it up because of how busy and small the…read moreplace looked from the outside. Today was my lucky day because there was plenty of parking spots and seats (although the parking lot is very small). This place is great! I understand the hype for sure. When you walk inside it's just about the smallest restraunt I've ever. Very cozy and cute vibe with smooth jazz playing on a speaker and we got our food very fast. I really enjoyed my time here. Dry Fried Green Beans 5/5- these are the best green beans I have had in my life! I am not exaggerating like I will be thinking about these green beans all week. Do not hesitate to try these. Perfectly salty and good amount of crunch still left. The flavors they used are just perfect. Colorful Beef 4/5- The texture of the beef was so tender and not chewy at all like other places. The flavor was bright and the bell peppers were cooked through well. The issue I had with this dish was the sichuan peppercorns. I was just eating and not really looking at it super closely so I got a mouth full of these peppercorns and wow it was actually horrible. Just beware because the texture of these things are god awful and I think that they should be taken out like how a bay leaf is removed before serving. It was just really intense and it almost ruined the dish for me honestly. Other than that a great dish. My mouth was so numb but worth it. Dandan noodles 2/5- This was my first time trying this dish anywhere and I did not really enjoy it at all. The sesame flavor was really strong and it wasn't really salted at all. Very strange flavor. I will not order this again, however I do believe that the execution on this dish is great. There was a lot of sauce and the noodles were cooked well. I just really wish I liked the flavor of this dish and that's a personal problem. This dish also made my mouth numb but the flavor did not make it worth it. I wanted to like these so badly but I just couldn't do it. I will be back!

    Photos
    The bar
    The bar
    Bao was Delicious!
    Bao was Delicious!
    Inside

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    Inside

    Uncle Lees Cafe - chinese - Updated June 2026

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