Insider Pages Reviews for China Harbor Restaurant & Bar

5 Stars: Cheap and great (by jooz)

jooz — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

This place has a great view, cheap stiff drinks on the weekend, and chinese food. i don't really like chinese food

5 Stars: Superb Service, Fantastic Food, Outstanding Overall (by Jean-Bob L.)

Jean-Bob L. — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:41:00 GMT

La madame and I were in ze town for a night, awaiting a transfer flight home to France, and we were both craving some local Oriental cuisine. I had heard about this place from a family friend who lives in Seattle, so we decided to try it out. The first thing I noticed was the breathtaking view - not only of the harbor but also in the grandeur of the restaurant. Although the restaurant was quite crowded that night, we did not have to wait longer than three or four minutes to be seated. Our waitress, Maggie, was especially friendly - she had her hands full at the time, but she still attended to us with the utmost respect. Though it wasn't necessary, she even offered to translate some of the names of the dishes into French for us! As for the food, I ordered the Almond Fried Chicken and my wife ordered the Deluxe Chow Mein, and both were prepared to perfection in both taste and appeal. The generous portion of tender chicken and almonds had just the right amount of crunch to it. My wife told me that, although her noodles were a bit greasy, it was barely noticeable. Both included a choice of a side dish - my wife and I chose the hot and sour soup. Though I am not a big fan of ze spicy foods, the soup had just the right amount of spice in it. Both meals were incredibly cheap, and I definitely recommend this restaurant to all who are fortunate enough to visit. Five stars!

5 Stars: China Harbor for an all-round good time! (by JTWang)

JTWang — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

I love this place. You can't ask for more from a restaurant with cheap, tasty, filling meals, multiple full-shelved bars, an AWESOME view (day OR nighttime), a spacious comfortable atomosphere, and a poppin' downstairs night club packed with beautiful people!!! 5 stars for an all around restaurant and good time!! Me and my buddies are definately making this place a weekly ritual.

5 Stars: China Harbor Is "Our" Spot (by wendy p.)

wendy p. — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:07:00 GMT

Firstly, I would like to point out that I am an American-born Chinese female who has tasted BOTH authentic Chinese food and the more Amarcanized versions, and my boyfriend is an All-American Caucasian male who ONLY likes "American Chinese" food. That being said, China Harbor is our favorite restaurant to visit that appeals to both my more picky Asian palate and his more Westernized one.

Let's start with appetizers: I absolutely detest pot stickers and egg rolls that are too greasy, so this restaurant is the place to go if you want fried food that isn't shiny or dripping with oil--sometimes ungreasy appetizers could be a problem, but let me assure you that the pot stickrs and egg rolls are extremely tasty and don't have the texture of dry/stale cardboard that other restaurant's ungreasy appetizers have. My boyfriend doesn't really care for soup, so we usually skip that, but there was once a large family sitting behind us who got the Hot n Sour soup (or is it sweet n sour?) and it smelled delicious and looked like they were enjoying it, so I ordered my own bowl (even tho I never really liked Hot n Sour soup), and it has become one of my most favorite soups ever... but only from China Harbor--weird, huh?

As for items off the menu, our favorite items are the Mongolian Beef, Chicken Chow Mein, the Eggplant dish, and the Almond Fried Chicken. (We also got a side of white rice for me cause I can't live without my bai-mi-fan!) The Mongolian Beef and Almond Fried Chicken were exactly the kinds of dish that my boyfriend loves--straight up Westernized, very tasty, nice and steamy, and all around good American... err Chinese food. If you're more into the more traditional kinds of textures and flavors, the Eggplant dish is absolutely perfect--it's not soggy like some places when they over cook it, or hard and acidic when other places undercook it. It is seriously THE Goldilocks of eggplant dishes with the perfect texture and invigorating flavors that compliment the acidity of the vegetable rather than numb it down or play it up. As for the Chicken Chow Mein, it's another dish that's not too greasy but also still has great flavors--this is a dish we always have to order. We tried the combination fried rice here a couple of times and although it was good, there was just too much food and has a little too many ingredients for my liking (but then again, I'm a straight-up, white-rice kind of person).

Moving on to the staff--there was this one nice hostess that no longer works there. I think her name was Nancy? Even though she is gone, there are still plenty of workers there who are SO incredibly nice and are always happy to see you/seat you (I'd suggest getting Dixon, Wu Mei or Maggie--they're the sweetest and also pretty funny!). MOST of the wait staff are also very quick on refilling drinks, coming by to check up on your meal, and are also prompt with ordering (although, I would like to point out that I usually get treated a lot better at most asian restaurants when I go to them with my boyfriend-haha!). No matter, MOST of the staff is very sweet and attentive (sometimes we get stuck with a couple angry, old asian dudes... so if you can, ask for your favorites!)

Now onto the negatives--as I pointed out, there are sometimes some unfriendly waiters--but this does not detract from the quality of the food. Also, because there is a disco or club or whatever outside of the restaurant, there could be loud music if you choose to dine later at night (you can avoid this though if you go earlier or even for lunch!) Ummm, oh yeah! The bathrooms are kind of... iffy. I mean, they're like any other chinese restaurants' bathrooms... but they could definitely use some sprucing up. Also, one thing I REALLY wish China Harbor would do is give us free refills on soda (since my bf is kind of a soda hound), but good thing is we get free refills on hot tea! Yeay!

As for the surrounding areas of China Harbor--it rests right up against the water so it is an ideal place to have dinner and watch the sunset afterwards. Overall, this restaurant is a great place to grab a meal--whether if on a nice date or at a huge family gathering, China Harbor is THE chinese restaurant that is sure to please everyone!

5 Stars: Best for Both Worlds (Asian and Americans Alike) (by wendydarlingpan)

wendydarlingpan — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Let's start with appetizers: I absolutely detest potstickers and egg rolls that are too greasy, so this restaurant is the place to go if you want fried food that isn't shiny or dripping with oil--sometimes ungreasy appetizers could be a problem, but let me assure you that the potstickers and egg rolls are extremely tasty and don't have the texture of dry/stale cardboard that other restaurant's ungreasy appetizers have. My boyfriend doesn't really care for soup, so we usually skip that, but there was once a large family sitting behind us who got the Hot n Sour soup (or is it sweet n sour?) and it smelled delicious and looked like they were enjoying it, so I ordered my own bowl (even tho I never really liked Hot n Sour soup), and it has become one of my most favorite soups ever... but only from China Harbor--weird, huh?

Our favorite items are the Mongolian Beef, Chicken Chow Mein, the Eggplant dish, and the Almond Fried Chicken. (We also got a side of white rice for me cause I can't live without my bai-mi-fan!) The Mongolian Beef and Almond Fried Chicken were exactly the kinds of dish that my boyfriend loves--straight up Westernized, very tasty, nice and steamy, and all around good American... err Chinese food. If you're more into the more traditional kinds of textures and flavors, the Eggplant dish is absolutely perfect--it's not soggy like some places when they over cook it, or hard and acidic when other places undercook it. It is seriously THE Goldilocks of eggplant dishes with the perfect texture and invigorating flavors that compliment the acidity of the vegetable rather than numb it down or play it up. As for the Chicken Chow Mein, it's another dish that's not too greasy but also still has great flavors--this is a dish we always have to order. We tried the combination fried rice here a couple of times and although it was good, there was just too much food and has a little too many ingredients for my liking (but then again, I'm a straight-up, white-rice kind of person).

MOST of the wait staff are also very quick on refilling drinks, coming by to check up on your meal, and are also prompt with ordering (although, I would like to point out that I usually get treated a lot better at most asian restaurants when I go to them with my boyfriend-haha!). No matter, MOST of the staff is very sweet and attentive.

As for the surrounding areas of China Harbor--it rests right up against the water so it is a great place to have dinner and watch the sunset. Overall, this restaurant is a great place to grab a meal--whether if on a nice date or at a huge family gathering, China Harbor is THE chinese restaurant that is sure to please everyone!

5 Stars: Superb Service, Fantastic Food, Outstanding Overall (by VeryPickyEater)

VeryPickyEater — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:00:00 GMT

My wife and I were in town for a night, awaiting a transfer flight home to France, and we were both craving some local Oriental cuisine. I had heard about this place from a family friend who lives in Seattle, so we decided to try it out. The first thing I noticed was its breathtaking view - not only of the harbor but also in the grandeur of the restaurant. Although the restaurant was quite crowded that night, we did not have to wait longer than three or four minutes to be seated. Our waitress, Maggie, was especially friendly - she had her hands full at the time, but she still attended to us with the utmost respect. Though it wasn't necessary, she even offered to translate some of the names of the dishes into French for us! As for the food, I ordered the Almond Fried Chicken and my wife ordered the Deluxe Chow Mein, and both were prepared to perfection in both taste and appeal. The generous portion of tender chicken and almonds had just the right amount of crunch to it. My wife told me that, although her noodles were a bit greasy, it was barely noticeable. Both included a choice of a side dish - my wife and I chose the hot and sour soup. Though I am not a big fan of spicy foods, the soup had just the right amount of spice in it. Both meals were incredibly cheap, and I definitely recommend this restaurant to all who are fortunate enough to visit. Five stars!

1 Stars: Dishonest about MSG (by djmichele)

djmichele — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

We thought we'd give this place a try. The food tasted mediocre, but the real problem was that I asked them if they put MSG in the food. The waiter said no. I told him I was allergic and he assured me there would be none. But there was so much MSG in the food I got sick on the spot, ended up ill all night. And the guy must have known.

Really a shame they would lie about it.

1 Stars: Worst "Chinese" food I've ever had!!! 0 Stars! (by babyrice02)

babyrice02 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I went here for a party recently and the food was extremely disappointing, to say the least. The food was COLD and the consistency was off in every dish that we were served. The egg flower soup had no flavor, all of the deep-fried food was soggy (not crispy), and nothing tasted like it was supposed to...and not in a good way! I love duck, but I couldn't eat more than a bite of the duck that they served. It had a deep-fried crust, but it was soggy, and then it was stuffed with taro! I couldn't even taste the duck, and the dish was disgusting. Most of the food that we were served went back to the kitchen with more than half of the plate remaining (at a table of 10), and no one wanted to take home any leftovers. Horrible food. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Even Safeway Chinese food is better than this place.

2 Stars: Average Chinese... (by cleah784)

cleah784 — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

So this place has okay food, the service was not too bad. You do get a lot of food for not much money, but haven't they heard of quality not quantity?? If you are looking for something quick and cheap this would be the place.

2 Stars: Cheap lunch menu (by elizabet1231)

elizabet1231 — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I've eaten here plenty of times in the last 6 years as I work just down the street. The food used to be okay but now it is terrible, the waitstaff rude and restaurant dirty. They still have the inexpensive lunch combo with prices starting at 3.95 and going to 6.95. You get plenty of food for your money and depending what combo ordered will get soup, bbq pork and egg roll. The food used to taste like Chinese buffet, expected due to the low cost but it was still good and hot. Now the food tastes like a microwave meal, not fresh even at peak lunch hour and often cold. I tried the sweet & sour pork and much of the pork was this strange unedible dark meat, once you picked off an inch of coating and found the meat. After my last experience, a year ago, haven't gone back but a couple co-workers get take out and said the food isn't great. However with cheap prices, plenty of parking and close to the office they'll still get the take out.

1 Stars: Please don't go...... (by ecolon)

ecolon — Sun, 13 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I was hoping for an amazing experience, considering this restaurant was on the water with a beautiful view. However, as soon as I entered the restaurant, I noticed how dirty the floors were & how the tablecloths didn't appear to have been washed in weeks. I decided to use the restroom & wash my hands, but I should have waited until after I ate, considering how disgusting it was & the fact that it immediately took my appetite away. Regardless, I hoped for the best when it came time to order my meal. Well, after I found a piece of a sugar wrapper in my rice, a long piece of black hair hair in my beef, and the fact that both my soup & noodles were cold, I decided it was time to leave. It shouldn't only be about making a dollar these days. What ever happened to doing everything in your power to make your customers want to come back? I will never return and I will ensure my family & friends don't give them a chance.

4 Stars: User review by beth81579 (by beth81579)

beth81579 — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

I think the food here was great! I really enjoy the sauteed string beans, the mongolian beef, and the general tsos chicken. Everytime I have been there the service was prompt and polite and I got everything I ordered. The fried rice is lacking a bit in taste so I recommend the white rice instead (and its only 75 cents a bowl!). Parking is free and easy to find and the food is great. Its not completely authentic but its fabulous. Also they let you call in orders for pick-up.

5 Stars: Atmosphere Plus (by Baxter B.)

Baxter B. — Tue, 07 Jun 2005 19:49:00 GMT

The China Harbor on Lake Union has the best view of any Chinese restaurant in Seattle. Its not just the view but the food is excellent. This is a great place if you have a large group, party or just want to go for a cozy twosome dinner. Either way, its tops.

3 Stars: Great Lunch Special (by Desiree H.)

Desiree H. — Tue, 24 May 2005 12:58:00 GMT

Whenever I go into this place we are some of the only customers. It is nice for the service. Order the lunch combos, it is enough for four people, and really cheap.

5 Stars: Food with a view (by Fionna D.)

Fionna D. — Mon, 25 Apr 2005 22:23:00 GMT

China Harbor has not just good Chinese food
but an excellent view of Lake Union. The prices
are agreeable and its big enough for large
social gatherings.

1 Stars: Worst Chinese Ever! (by kimyost4)

kimyost4 — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 01:00:00 GMT

This was the worst Chinese food I have ever had. My husband and I laughed that it was the worst restaurant in the whole city.

1 Stars: Service is way below par (by nikhilgore)

nikhilgore — Fri, 18 Jul 2003 02:00:00 GMT

I went there with my friend for lunch and we were given menus and asked to set ourselves. The service was very hostile and involved no smiling. Food was average and luch specials are cheap. Dont go here if you want a happy atmosphere.

1 Stars: Go elsewhere for your sweet and sour... (by Bruce_LeRoy)

Bruce_LeRoy — Fri, 18 Oct 2002 02:00:00 GMT

Service was lousy, food was below average, the only saving grace was the view...and watching the spiders crawl around outside the windows. Go somewhere else for your sweet and sour and almond chicken.