This place was great and exactly what I expected. Local and family run. Really friendly workers and fast service. Food is made to order, delicious and super well priced. Will be coming back again and again!
Don’t let the exterior fool you, the food is simple but delicious, everything is made fresh, the cook is a sweet old man, there’s a lady who occasionally serves you while singing Chinese opera (if she likes you). Best for takeaway but stay if you want to people watch, they get a wide range of loyal customers.
Great affordable Chinese food, like it used to be! Dont mind the decor, the food is on point.
Bens is located in the industrial part of Oakland in between produce markets. When I arrived I was happily welcomed. Excitement and enthusiasm. I observed when one employee came in - he washed his hands first and was equally inviting. I had the #26 fish with hearty veggies over rice in black bean sauce. Yum yum. I cannot believe I missed this hidden gem. You will NOT be disappointed! Bring cash, a good attitude and appetite. Come see what I mean. Only open a few hours a day. May want to call ahead. 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾😁 ENJOY!
No nonsense Chinese lunch dishes. Family run business with Ben still cooking away. With the black bean chili sauce on the side, the flavors are classic chinese.
Im giving this restaurant a 1 star rating because the customer service they gave me today was horrible. I got there a little before 1, and the lady said the wait would be about 30 minutes and 2 more people after me came in and ordered and left before me when I got there way earlier.Not only that but I waited for like an hour waiting for my food so I decided to just leave and get a refund.
Bens is the best, no frills dining in the produce district next to Jack London Square. Love the mapo tofu and Singapore style rice noodle. Tableside fermented black bean sauce is a must.
I had the good fortune to stumble upon this humble, unassuming gem whilst prowling the Jack London area for a quick tasty bite. It took no more than five minutes to safely order, wait for my food, and be on my way with a tasty container of veggie chow mein for a price I thought impossible these days in the Bay Area. Highly recommend, will definitely be back whenever I’m in the neighborhood.
Small place but family owned and really good chinese food. Was treated very well by owner! I told him it was my first time there and he welcomed me very warmly and even asked my name. Will definitely come back in the future when in the area. And great prices for generous portions
I just love this place!!! Always in heaven in this place. All freshly made and the black bean, jalapeño ginger sauce is to die for! Best to get there early because it gets really packed! Im so addicted that I go there every week! Food is great...family owned...service with a smile. ..always feel like Im family! Did I mention that they serve you a huge plate & its cheap! Love it!
Ive been going here for at least 20 years. It has zero ambience, but quite good Chinese food. Very good value. The family that runs it is super nice. Dont forget the awesome spicy black bean sauce.
The best value-price in whole Jack Londons district. Sometimes it takes some patience to wait for a Wednesday chicken special, but its worth it. Very nice and friendly staff. Low prices and delicious Asian food.
Very very nice people that own this place my food is always good hot to order and they black bean sauce its really good make the food pop and is reasonable
Excellent Chinese food with a wonderful story:) the couple that works there has owned and operated the restaurant since before I was born and they never miss a beat. The food is cheap, but delicious. If you are in the area and craving Chinese food dont miss out on this place. You wont regret it
Best wok style Chinese food in Oakland. The dry rub wings are the best! Id give it a five star if it had a better atmosphere but the food is great.
Best Chinese food in town. Excellent. Homemade hot sauce is to die for. Family owned and very friendly staff. Everything is cooked fresh when you order it.
Good, simple, delicious. Had fresh veggies and chicken in brown sauce. The chili sauce is homemade and awesome.
Food is delicious Fresh tasty, don’t let the location fool you. I’m from Phoenix, AZ. Will be back for sure.
Love this place. Family owned and run. Delicious fresh and consistent. Its all about that chili sauce!!!
Perfect perfect. Just a small little joint that serves up awesome Chinese food. Pot stickers out of this world. Thank you Ben!!
Very delicious and very fresh vegetables!! Highly recommended if Ur in the area!! 👍
Wonderful people lovely food what more can you ask for ive been going there since i was a kid and never had any complaints the food is delisious and the family staff is very nice and respectful i recomend you try this spot if you havent already low prices and food is amazing hands down .
Delicious food at very reasonable prices. Owner is very friendly. Be prepared to wait at peak times, this place is very popular.
Chicken chow mein is my favorite, especially with plenty of the spicy black bean paste. So good!
Why do you close so early it’s only 215pm 😔
This place is tucked away in the vegetable market section of Oakland and walking distance from Jack London Square and they serve delicious home cooked Chinese food.
Amazing food and friendliest owners. Dont be fooled by the basic interior you could pay three times more and it wouldnt be as delicious
Best asian food in town the food is delicious awesome place to go have lunch you go there once and youll be hooked
Yummy seafood chow fun at a reasonable price. Zero ambiance but friendly service
Very good lunch. Cash only, four table restaurant. Very friendly and delicious.
Super slow service called in my order 20 minutes prior and still waited 20 minutes for my food ? Ridiculous service
Excellent food; usually a 10-15 minute wait, but absolutely worth it
Friendly owner and Great beef broccoli over rice.
Love the food and awesome, personal, and friendly service
Delicious food and cheap, good customer service
The salt and pepper wings are the BOMB!
Cheap and very good food.
Love the house chili sauce
Great Chinese food, the best!!!
Affordable good food.
Great food awesome service
Good
🔥black🔥bean🔥chicken🔥
The best in town
The coolest place
Hidden gem
Total reviews rating 4.8
56 Reviews for Bens 2024:
Review №1
2023-08-31 20:55:29Loved this place! I was visiting from Korea and I needed some Asian food with rice. The place is small and simple but Ben and the other perosn working there were very friendly. They offered hot tea, and more rice! Food was good and the prices were reasonable. I highly recommend!
Review №2
2023-05-22 19:09:59Really good food, very fresh. I ordered the chicken fried rice as takeout, chicken was fresh and juicy, not overcooked and the taste was spot on. Goes well with the included hot sauce which is mildly hot.Ambience is not great as it is a warehouse neighborhood, recommend food as takeout.
Review №3
2023-07-27 05:56:20The restaurant is old and melancholy. In the kitchen, an old man is wok-warming. Can get hot tea for free.
Review №4
2023-05-01 21:14:09I got this beautiful lunch for $10.50, one thing folks, CASH ONLY. The gentleman who took my order was soo nice and the food is really good. They have lots of regulars so you know it’s good.Will be coming back for sure.
Review №5
2023-03-03 05:03:48Yum! Hole in the wall gem. Food is fresh and delicious, I ate my whole plate in one sitting. Ben was cooking up the food, friendly waiter, no wonder they’ve been open so long. Cash or PayPal/cash app only.
Review №6
2022-04-19 22:51:15Our lunch here was fantastic. The food was superb. David, the guy who greeted us and waited on us is truly a friendly person, and his dad, Ben is cooking in this wonderful hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Well be back! We had Bens fried rice, and Bens Chow Mein. Both were delicious, and the topper is the chili sauce they make in-house.Yum!
Review №7
2023-10-25 16:11:52Delicious food at great prices; The chicken fried rice is phenomenal. The restaurant itself could seriously benefit from a renovation and perhaps more outdoor seating.
Review №8
2022-11-15 16:09:42Excellent AUTHENTIC Chinese food in Oakland!If you are in the area I highly recommend you pay this small mom and pop restaurant a visit, food will not disappoint, prices for quality and size of the dishes are also great! Will be returning.
Review №9
2023-08-04 00:12:11I absolutely love there noddles, I give them a 5 star just for the noddles and special sauce, and there rice is good, I not sure about every thing else on the menu.
Review №10
2019-12-18 20:55:16First time here, ordered the mapo tofu with pork, hasn’t even come out yet, and the owner is offering me free sides of the Wednesday special fried chicken strips...Mapo tofu comes out... very different style than Im used to, more stir fried fresh veggies with slices of pork and tofu... but delicious and huge! For the price, it’s kind of unbelievable!