Shanghai Garden - Seattle

Great chinese food, I only eat seafood there but the quality of food is fantastic.

Pros: Every thing

Cons: too far

Posted 10/09/09

oily, cold and very disappointing. We've been here at least 6x over a period of 5 years and their food did not change. Mostly, out-of-towners want to try Shanghainese food, but each time we try, we are disappointed by the quality and the price. Trust me I am chinese and know my chinese food. Someone is putting high reviews to ramp up their rating.

Pros: quick to give bill

Cons: food

Posted 07/21/09

nothing chinese about the menu. If you want to have real chinese food, don't bother go there. ordered 4 dishes. All tasted like cheap chinese buffet dishes. If you want to grab a quick bite, maybe.

Definitely not going back. There are a couple of restaurants around the blocks that are way better than this one.

Pros: fast; service is ok

Cons: taste like cheap chinese buffer

Posted 03/25/09

We've been here twice before and will return again. Our favorite is the House Special Barley Green Hand Shaven Noodles with shrimp, chicken and squid. Food is served very quickly, is hot and always delicious.

Posted 12/27/08

Went in thinking I might have found a place to have the soupy Shanghai dumplings in Seattle but alas...they were chunky, not soupy at all with a thick outer skin that made the whole dumpling taste like an overcooked meatball. The dumpling is supposed to have a thin outer skin with a soupy inside that bursts with flavour when you bite into it. NOT! Big disappointment.

The hot and sour soup and the Ma Poh ToFu was OK.

Would not go back.

Posted 12/13/08

Hard review. I was expecting so much based on previous reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. I have yet to find really good, authentic chinese here. I am used to chinese from Vancouver, Toronto and NYC, so perhaps I am too spoiled. Anyway here it is: Busy. Rushed meal at the end. Mediocre to poor service. (too forever to get our order in and then were didn't see the wait staff until they tried to rush us out). Food was good, not great. Kind of bland, nothing special. Not even close to NYC chinese. Best thing on the menu was the dumplings. (which were good) Definately kid friendly (or just a lot of kids in the restaurant) All in all a big disappointment.

Pros: Kid friendly

Cons: Service, food, price

Posted 11/08/07

I went here with a friend who raved about the freshly shaven noodles and their dumplings. I was disappointed on both accounts. Way too doughy. Dumplings should have a thin "skin" not gummy as these were. The vegetables were over cooked.

I'd take Hing Loon (same street on the east corner of the block) or 663 Bistro (SE kitty-corner from Hing Loon) over Shanghia Garden any day. Granted these places feature Hong Kong-style cuisine, but the quality is so much better.

Posted 10/25/07

I've been to Shanghai Garden several times now. Every time I go, no matter what day of the week of time of day, I'm always seated right away, and my food always arrives much faster than expected. The menu is extensive, with many many options for my vegetarian companion. I particularly recommend the barley-green hand-shaven noodles. The texture is amazing. I crave them all the time! And I usually have enough left over after becoming pleasantly satisfied for lunch the next day. A lovely bonus.

Posted 08/12/07

I went there for mother?s day and the service was not the best. I don't know why. Maybe it was because we are African American. (why is it that when I go to a place I have to think about that?) I felt like they we're rushing us out. We have four children. No one ever asked us what we needed. The water boy did give us water but pretty much I had to ask several times for them to remove plates and napkins from the table. I noticed no one else's table had plates piled high etc. They kinda pushed the check on us and when I said I wanted to order more they actually looked disappointed. I ordered fried ice cream for the kids and they kinda threw it on the table at me. I kept wondering what I was doing wrong. I found a large damsel fly (cooked) in my food. I didn't say anything. But considering the bad service, I should have. I found it kinda pricey and the portions were not as large as I thought they where going to be. All in all it was an OK experience. Maybe it was the mothers' day rush, who knows. Maybe they felt we we're staying too long and weren?t spending enough money, who knows. (I left a decent tip at 20%) But considering I had a family of six it was still pretty economical. And luckily they (the rest of my family) didn?t seem to notice these things and had a good time. That?s all that really mattered. But I had to sit there wondering what the heck was going on. Kinda ruined it for me. Why can?t I just go to a place, order, eat and pay and not feel like a second class citizen?

Posted 05/12/07

I'm not a chinese food person really but whatever i ate in this place i loved it. My favorite is mu shu pork or chicken doesn't matter it is delicious. I love that plum sauce in it. And that green chowmein with anything i love it.. the service is really fast, sometimes you have to wait for a table but believe me it takes only 5 min after you order and always in the same taste. Waitress love their job and treat you like you are a guest in their home.. I love this place..

Posted 01/03/07

Lots of Chinese people in the restuarant - a good sign. Authentic food, very fresh and quick. Mushu pork was excellent, hand shaven noodles very good.

Posted 12/23/06

This is still my favorite for everyday, I "need" Chinese. It's the hand shaven noodle. I'm a fan for trying them everywhere, but the barley green hand shaven noodle here is just so full of comfort and goodness, I DO feel healthy eating it (the menu touts that the barley green is for "health"). I like it in the soup with the bok choy and plump shrimps and carrots swimming around. Another fav is the pea vines. MMMM. They come out sauteed in a garliky sauce that isn't heavy or greasy. I don't think it's the "best" Chinese I've had, but it's the most consistent on the items I have grown to love. Some of the dumplings don't float my boat, but the special dumplings with the pork filling and "soup" are divine. It's also great for families and kids. I can say that I have never had a bad experience, and will always be a patron. One really nice thing~ if you order to-go, it's fast, but if you arrive early they even give you a cup of tea to warm you while you wait.

Pros: Inexpensive, Hand Shaven Noodle, across the street from Uwajimaya

Cons: Parking during Arena Games

Posted 11/16/06

Westernized Chinese food, with an eye for blandness as to not scare away there clientele. Food here is horrible. The noodles are gummy and overly starched. The flavors in the entrees seriously lack any depth and authenticity. Underspiced and full of "gravy" like sauces really ruined my experience. I was sad to have to inform my non-asian co-workers that this is bad Chinese food.

Cons: Food

Posted 09/21/06

Shanghai Garden was alright a few years ago but they changed chefs a year or so ago and it's gotten worse. People who go are newbies to the International District because there's lots of better places!

Pros: better ambience than most...

Cons: food is so so

Posted 08/12/06

The food here is so bland. It has be westernized to say the least. For those who do not enjoy chinese cuisine, but would like to go to "Chinatown" this would be it. So many other choses close by. No flavors, just clean. Look at the customers and then you'll see if this restaurant is "authentic". Laughable that the editor's choice for best chinese is this place. What next, PF Chang's is good chinese food?

Cons: food

Posted 07/09/06

This restarant is EXCELLENT!!! Now I know why they are highly recommended. Food is different than your typical greasy, salty chinese food. Unique style and flavor. I love the crispy sweet chilli shrimp, triple delight and the famous hand shaven noodles. Fresh and nutritious ingredients catering to our health conscious society, best of all no MSG (which makes me feel tired and my mucsles weak). Might want to make reservations, usually busy especially during peak lunch and dinner hours. I have also visited their sister restaurant in Issaquah, equally exceptional. A MUST try!!!

Pros: authentic, unique, flavorful and nutritious...

Cons: parking, lines during peak hours

Posted 06/08/06

Hand shaven noodles, great sauces, great fried bean curd. Service is fast at lunch, it gets busy so make sure to take a number. This is not a romantic place but the food is awesome. Great for families, take the kids and the grandmas. Service can be a bit abrupt but thats ok, the food comes out very quickly. Good portions, could quality food. Sauces are much tastier than Judy Foos Snappy Dragon or Black Pearl. Tao Ho is a huge favorite of mine in Kenmore, this is place is better. People who complain about having to wait are being silly, you wait because people love this place. Spend $7 for a great lunch special. Big knock on this place, they don't serve diet coke.

Pros: Sauces, Hand Shaven Noodles

Cons: No diet coke

Posted 03/28/06

Shanghai Garden is by far one of the best Chinese restuarants in the area -- despite sometimes impolite and hurried wait staff and a busy interior, their food is always consistently delicious. I reccomend picking up their Moo Shu Pork and Barley-Green Chow Mein with an order of Chicken Fried Rice -- and then taking it all to go to eat at home. I have eaten here on many occasions and have never been disappointed by the food.
I was most impressed when, two of the times I went in near closing time, all of their kitchen staff sat down at a big table and ate dinner together from dishes they had prepared for themselves -- that spells "authentic" to me.
Delicious, convenient, and wonderfully prepared -- Shanghai Gardens is a near 10 in my book.

Pros: Delicious food, Family atmosphere

Cons: Pricier Chinese, No Easy Parking

Posted 03/21/06

Shanghai Garden serves consistently delicious and memorable dishes. Try the sugar pea vine (sauteed greens with a touch of garlic), the corn or barley green pot stickers (handmade dumplings filled with chicken and shrimp, served with a tasty jalapeno dipping sauce), the "house special barleygreen hand shaven noodles chow mein", and the Sizzling Triple Delight platter. You will embark on a wonderful Chinese meal that is not to be found elsewhere--and not to be missed. Dining with four or more people is the best way to enjoy a variety of dishes. Or, for larger groups ask for a table with a lazy susan - it seats about 10. But do not let this scare you away - dinner for one or two can be just as enjoyable.

Posted 03/02/05

We had a good experience at Shanghai Garden, going there for the first time after visiting its sister restaurant in Issaquah. The food is unusual - our favorites are the steamed meat dumplings as an appetizer, with hand shaven noodles and crispy beef with sweet and sour garlic sauce. Yum! The hot and sour soup is also very good - but quite sour, so watch out! Park at Uwajimaya, across the street, if you have some Oriental grocery needs. That way, you don't have to search for street parking.

Pros: Unusual dishes, Tasty, Reasonable cost

Posted 11/12/04

Compared to other Chinese restaurants available in the Seattle area, this is on of the better ones in my opinoin...but you have to know what to order. Not all their dishes are good. I highly recommend the bean curd with chef's special sauce. It is excellent.

Pros: Food served quickly

Posted 10/14/04

My last dinner at this restaurant a month ago was v.disappointing--What I have been feeling is that thereI a gradual degradation in their food during that past 2 yrs; I think it is getting less authentic" and more bland or to Caucasian tastes.

I am Chinese-American and until the past yr felt this was my 1st choice in SEATTLE. But the hand-shaved noodles were gummy, ma po tofu was ordinary and not spicy at all, and garlic chicken seemed like sauce had come out of a can.

A gripe I have long kept to myself but will finally share: every time I have asked about whole fish, they never have it, yet it remains on the menu. ..

Pleasant atmosphere with the large fish tank. Service is very efficient, tho impersonal.

Posted 09/03/04

We were thoroughly disappointed by a dinner visit to Shanghai Garden. The "salt and pepper spare ribs" were essentially inedible, and it wasn't even a dish of spare ribs (instead it was a plate of pork strips). Crispy Garlic Chicken was below-average, way too garlicky. We ordered 3 dishes that were supposed to be hot and spicy but none of them was prepared in that manner. Too expensive and not a good experience. We would recommend a hole-in-the-wall place on the corner of 12th and Jackson called Sezchuan Cuisine if you're looking for authenticity (delicious and spicy).

Cons: , Tasteless

Posted 07/16/04

My family goes here often, weeknights and weekends, and we're always warmly welcomed, even when they're rushed. The food is delicious. Most memorable are the corn potstickers and barley green hand shaven noodles. You can park in Uwajimaya's pay lot for two hours for free if you shop there and spend at least $10; it's just around the corner and a convenient spot to pick up everything from massaman curry paste to sushi to humbao.

Pros: corn pot stickers, hand-shaved noodles, affordable

Posted 06/15/04

A friend recommended Shanghai Garden to me and now I know why. It's one of the best Chinese food restaurants in the Seattle area. The food is nicely prepared and quite flavorful. I highly recommend the barley-green hand-shaved noodles. Also, the crispy prawns with chili sauce. The prices aren't cheap, but it's worth it. The parking situation is a drawback... finding a spot on the busy streets of the International District can be a real challenge.

Pros: fast service, great food, big menu offering

Posted 03/15/04

My favorite Chinese restaurant in Seattle! The menu has many vegetarian options. Ingredients are very fresh and prepared with a light hand, and the hand shaved noodles are definitely worth coming back for. The decor is admittedly utilitarian, but the food more than makes up for it.

Pros: vegetarian options, great seafood, near public transit

Posted 10/17/03

On Tuesday 29JUL03, our group of ten arrived for a specially prepared meal. The menu was custom-crafted from classic Shanghai dishes suggested by a HongKong Shanghainese plus dishes from the regular menu. Helen Su, owner, was very helpful and mothered the meal, start to finish. The Tsingtao beer was quite cold and served in chilled glasses. The servings were generous and artistically presented. The most stunning dishes included: geoduck, pork thigh with seaslugs, eel, jellyfish, black moss soup, drunken chicken. Don't be shy when you check the menu or the specials; the dining experience is fun, flavorful and reasonably priced. The lunch specials too are big bargains. TSE TSE !!

Pros: quality ingredients, precision cooking, Shanghai specialities

Cons: parking can be far

Posted 07/29/03

Shanghai Garden is a comfortable place with a great selection of dishes. Service is friendly & the food is very good. Try one of the versions of hand-shaved noodles for a unique treat.

Posted 07/17/03

Some of the best Chinese food I've ever had. I walked 3 miles from my hotel to eat there.

Fried quid was fork tender and no grease to be found. Green noodles with pork were excellent.

You must try the black moss and bamboo fungus soup. Extremely smooth with deep subtle flavors.

Pros: value, exotic food

Cons: cheap interior

Posted 07/16/03

My boyfriend decided to eat here after reading the reviews. So we decided to try a few entrees. I see why the hand shaved noodles are such a hit, they were incredible. The sauce was extremely flavorfull and the chicken was moist, tender and flavorful. The two other entrees we chose were also very good. We didnt want to eat too much, due to the fact that we wanted to enjoy it later tonight. The helpings are plentifull and the service was accomodating. However, never asked for refill on beverages, in exception to the water.

Pros: Great Food, Expedient Service, Friendly Atmosphere

Posted 04/17/03

This would have to be my favorite restaurant. I highly recommend Sesame Chicken, but the whole menu is full of excellent choices!

Pros: Great Food, Inexpensive, Nice Service

Cons: Crowded

Posted 02/27/03

We went to Shanghai Garden Restaurant for dinner. It was a party of four. The restaurant looked elegant and had very nice decorations. Not a very big restaurant but the food was so far the best. My favorite dish was the General Tso's Chicken. They made the best one so far and I have tried very many places.

If you have been to many chinese restauarant and haven't been so satisfy, I would give this one a try.
I would reccomend this restaurant to anyone.

Posted 02/09/03

I have been here twice and both times were very good. I think this is an outstanding restaurant and the service is very friendly. The vegetable potstickers are absolutely to die for! The value is very good too! Two of us ate for only $24.00! That was with ordering steamed rice, 2 entrees, and an appetizer.

Posted 12/25/02

Every body was raving about this restaurant, but i didn't find the food all that good. the service wasn't bad bat i usually care about the food.

Posted 11/08/02

The hand shaven noodles and the sauteed pea vine are incredible every time...!

Posted 10/29/02

Never tasted such fab-u-lous chinese food! Everyone should try this place.

Pros: Delisious, Low Prices, Friendly People

Cons: Parking

Posted 08/14/02

First off I have to say that 90% of Americans have NO IDEA what good Chinese food is. I lived overseas and got a taste of the best. So most of the ratings in this category disturb me, because many of these places I've popped in and walked right out. But Shanghai Garden is one of the few places I'll eat at and feel good about throwing my money their way. They do most things well, a few things fabulously. The service is often unsatisfactory, but the food is pretty consistent.

Pros: damn good noodles, pretty authentic

Cons: rude, unattentive, a bit pricey for I.D.

Posted 08/06/02

The hand shaven barley green noodles rock! I prefer them with shrimp, but the soup version is lovely also.

Posted 08/04/02

My husband is extremely picky about trying new food. It took him 4 years before he would try anything beyond teriyaki chicken at any restaurant we went to. But when he finds something he likes, he'll order it at every restaurant - but we'll only return to that restaurant if he approves of its preparation. That said, Shanghai's General Tsao's chicken and fried rice have won him over. We try different restaurants to find the perfect fried rice or General Tsao's, but none compare. I love the crispy beef and hand-shaved homemade noodles made by the chef.
Service is great. It's generally pretty crowded. Alcoholic beverages are not the best.
But the food...Excellent!

Posted 07/30/02

I was never a huge chinese food fan, having had many meals loaded with msg and corn starch, until I ventured into Shanghai Garden. This restaurant is by far my favorite restaurant in Seattle all the way around and is the place I take all my visiting relatives and friends to for a satisfying, more for your money meal. The service is also fab and the waitstaff are always right there refreshing your drink or tending to any other need you may have. I must recommend all the barley green dishes they serve which are freshly prepared daily and the mooshoo shrimp is wonderful. Enjoy, I know I do!!

Pros: food, ambience, service

Cons: not so great parking, one toilet restroom

Posted 07/28/02

Easily the best Chinese in Seattle, with special kudos reserved for the Crispy Shrimp with the Sweet Chili Sauce. Lunch specials are a great value, but suffer from a super high meat: vegetable ratio unless you specifically get a vegetarian dish. (People, please...how but a few stems of broccoli thrown in there??)

Posted 07/27/02

Everytime I've eaten there both in Seattle and in Issaquah the food has been excellent! I love the barley green potstickers and the crispy shrimp with chili sauce.

Pros: Great Food

Cons: Generic Character

Posted 07/24/02

This has become our regular haunt for dim sum, and Shanghai Garden seldom disappoints. Try not to go during peak hours (11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), or you'll be waiting for a table. The food is delicious, the service is fine (especially for a dim sum restaurant), and the prices are moderate.

Posted 07/21/02

I recently moved here from Boston and have yet to find decent chinese food. In a final attempt, I got a book on the area and visited the Shanghai, as it had been highly rated.

The food was horrendous, the service.......non-existent. After motioning for the check, we waited 10 minutes-then went to the front to pay the manager. She seemed very surprised we didn't want to take the rest "to go". I honestly don't know what people in this area consider "good chinese food".

Pros: NONE

Cons: Bad food, Bad Service, Dirty tables/utensils

Posted 07/16/02

Simply the best Chinese in Seattle!
Try Orange beef, Shrimp w/ black bean sauce, or Shanghai Noodle!
Lunch specials are great value - hot & sour soup is the best I've tasted in Seattle.
Great pleace to go with a bunch of fried and have a family style dinner.

Posted 06/13/02