New China Gate

We went there yesterday and it was closed to their closing hour. So we ordered a few dim sum and they were all cold and disgusting. One item never came. As we were eating, there was a c_ _kroach just hanging out on the wall. That did it.

Posted 08/30/09

When I started going to China Gate for dim sum 5 years ago, it was great: yummy food, friendly service, good prices. The last two times I went, I was grossly overcharged, one time had to wait at my table more than an hour to get the basic dim sum items (ha gow, cha shu bow) - while they were being served in the other aisle! - while repeatedly being offered chicken feet and steamed broccoli, and was treated rudely by most of the staff. It seemed there was a middle-aged woman running the operation, whom I hadn't seen before. I imagine she has taken over management of the place and doesn't like white folks, or something, but I will not go there any more for dim sum. There are lots of places in the ID to get it, and I don't need to pay way too much money to be mistreated and not get to eat.

Pros: the dim sum is good, if you can get them to serve it to you

Cons: seems to recently be anti-non-chinese: poor service, overcharged

Posted 04/14/08

First of all, the place is a bit dirty for me. I do not like the atmosphere at all! The dimsum selection is limited, not much to choose from. I have been to several yumcha or dimsum places in hongkong. So far this is the worst dimsum place that I ever been to. Me and my husband are still on the hunt for the best dimsum place in seattle. So far, Top Gun is BEST! :)
Genie of Seattle

Posted 04/11/08

Please ignore the comment given by gdmk on March 11, 2008. This person does not know what he is talking about - he calls the dim sum served in carts "appetizers"! Dim sum is why folks go to China Gate for lunch!

China Gate serves the best dimsum in Seattle and the waiters give very fast and friendly service.

I have eaten dimsum in the Chinatown restaurants of San Francisco, Vancouver and New York and even grew up eating authentic Cantonese dimsum in HongKong, so I know what I am talking about.

Know the restaurant's specialty before you go there to eat, and of course, know what you are talking about when you write a review!

Pros: fantastic dimsum and service - they even have a parking lot a few blocks away

Cons: the other food on the menu are average - depends on the cook for that day

Posted 03/14/08

The idea we had to go there for lunch was not a good one. We sat, after 10 min, had to ask 3 different waiters in order to get the menus while other waiters were trying to make us pick appetizers -that they weren't able to explain in english what they were- from a cart. No meaning in trying to remember what we had, because it was just horrendus. We told the waitress to change our glasses because they were filthy and received an equally filthy look. This thing does cannot even be classified as a restaurant ...

Cons: rude and slow service, terrible food, dirty

Posted 03/10/08

My husband and I love the dim sum at China Gate and go there a couple of times per week for lunch. It's always hot and fresh, and very reasonably priced. We've also had numerous dinners there also, and have enjoyed our many selections. The duck and lettuce wraps are especially yummy.The owner who is named Sonny is very personable and is always very happy to see everyone, he makes us feel very welcome every time we go there. I highly reccomend this restaurant. Ask for Sonny when you go.

Pros: Dim Sum...fresh and served warm. The owner Sonny...very friendly.

Cons: bathroom floors are sticky

Posted 05/13/07

We went there one evening when they weren't serving Dim Sum to our displeasure, as we had made the drive specifically for the Dim Sum. They had the dining area seperated and were obviously seating only white people in the front where we were seated. This wouldn't have been so bad, but we had to wait for 20 minutes to get our orders taken and it was another 30 before our soup came out. They got the orders wrong and brought us the wrong food. They were unapologetic and pretty rude. It was a very disappointing experience and we will never go back.

Pros: Free parking

Cons: Bad Service, Mediocre food

Posted 12/24/06

So glad we decided to check this place out after all. It appears to be the only place in Seattle offering dim sum in the evening and that's exactly when we were craving it! The service and food were great. The dim sum menu is slightly limited but they were willing to bring us a few yummy things not on the menu. From the fried bean curd to the bbq pork bun to the spare ribs, everything we ordered was tasty. The decor might disappoint some people but it's pretty similar to what I've seeb in average restaurants across Asia. We were stuffed with good food and the check was under $30 for two people; we'll def be back!

Pros: evening/late night dim sum, affordable, picture menu

Posted 11/07/06

I agree with some of the earlier comments about this restaurant. Poor quality in the food, dim sum. Seafood just not fresh. Dim Sum needs to be more modern with Hong Kong style. Wouldn't go back again.

Pros: nothing

Cons: food, service, not authenic

Posted 08/18/05

The dim sum and is delicious. The restaurant id full of color. Good and affortable prices.The best restaurant i ever been to.

Pros: Inexpensive,, Good parking, Good food

Posted 02/25/05

the food was delicious if you know what you are eating. If you go there you would kno how good it is do not judge what is on this web you just have to visit for yourself i would strongly recemend the bbq pork bun and the other marvulious food there is . China gate is a good place to hang out with friends or having a party

Pros: Good parking, Inexpensive, good food

Posted 12/29/04

After seeing China Gate rated an 8.7, I want to warn others... the food is WAY below average- non-spicy kung pao chicken with only tiny slivers of chicken and tons of celery (to save $$ no doubt) and my girlfriend's disgusting mushy tofu dish (what, no fried tofu???) along with WAY overpriced drinks ($8 mai tai anyone???) which the wait staff pushed on us a little too aggressively... Stay away.

Pros: OK atmosphere

Cons: , poor food, annoying staff

Posted 04/30/04

China Gate is one of the more authentic restaurants in Seattle--the food and service are great, if you know your Chinese food, are respectful towards the personnel there, and aren't obnoxious. And that is fair.

I am disappointed with the low ratings offered by others as they do extreme disservice to China Gate's reputation. I wouldn't be surprised if those who gave China Gate low ratings are ignorant of Chinese food and culture. You can't go into a restaurant and expect people to do things the white American way; if you want a pleasant dining experience, PLEASE choose to enter into the other party's world, rather than expect them to enter into yours.

Pros: Food! (authenticity), Value

Cons: Ambience a bit tacky,, but hey.

Posted 08/01/03

This place is everything one would expect from a classic Chinese-American karaoke experience. It's loud, there are older chinese business men living their own private Frank Sinatra-esque fantasies, asian twenty-somethings and various outsiders on any given night. I once attended the funnest, weirdest and wildest (over 21) bithday party there. Re: service, what can you expect from a place this busy and this crazy? They've seen it all. Be nice, they'll be nice back.

Pros: Karaoke, Crowd, Karaoke!

Posted 09/29/02