Top Chinese Restaurant in Livermore
Yin Yin Restaurant
2083 First St, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
Over the last couple of months, Yin Yin has supplanted China Garden as my go-to for Livermore Chinese food. The quality of the food ranges from mediocre to fantastic. Our standard order typically includes the Yin Yin Chow Fun, Chicken and Corn Soup, some form of fried rice (either Yang Zhou or Fu Zhou), and a random fourth item.The Chicken and Corn Soup is pretty standard - its on par to China Garden. The Yang Zhou Fried Rice is also pretty standard - the reason why it stands out is because I cant recall eating it at any East-Bay Chinese restaurants (its something I would have ordered years ago from Fortune House in Sacramento or random South Bay Chinese Restaurants). I was pleasantly surprised by the Fu Zhou Fried Rice - there wasnt a description on their menu system, but Googling it returns a description of gravy on fried rice; the gravy ended up being saucy-seafood mixture, which is absolutely delicious. The Yin Yin Chow Fun is executed well - the noodles are neither mushy nor undercooked, flavors are right, and the ingredients (chicken, shrimp, BBQ pork, and broccoli) are spot-on.The mediocre items are the deep-fried foods. Ive tried their eggrolls and salt and pepper tofu - in both cases, its more fried batter than anything else.We typically order through GrubHub, but it looks like Yin Yin uses their own internal delivery person. Hes great! GrubHub usually reports a 55-65 minute wait, but the food has always been delivered within 30 minutes. Hes always masked up, and waits (6+ feet away) at the porch until someone gathers the delivery.
China Garden Restaurant
1536 Railroad Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
For the past year, China Garden has become my go-to Chinese restaurant in the Tri-Valley. Pre-pandemic, I use to go onsite for their lunch specials - the lunches are a strong value at around $10 and included an entrée, fried rice, chow mein, soup, salad, and spring rolls. The food is good, comes out fast, and the restaurant is clean. The wait staff is really nice too; for example, the times Ive taken my Kindergarten-aged son for lunch, the primary waitress whos on the floor has been very playful towards him. These lunch specials are pretty standard fare for most Chinese restaurants that cater to American audiences.During the pandemic, Ive been taking advantage of their delivery services for dinner. This worked out pretty well given its given me a reason to try some of the other items on their menu that I probably wouldnt have considered because I of my penchant for lunch specials. My new standard items include Spicy Crispy Tofu, Mapo Tofu, Chicken and Corn soup, and the Combination Chow Mein. Im especially pleased with their Mapo Tofu, which reminds me of my moms cooking and hits just the right spice levels.Regarding deliveries, theyre inexpensive at $2 within a certain radius (I think its a little bit more if its further out). The delivers are always the same two people - they are consistent with speedy deliveries, wearing masks, waiting 6+ feet away after ringing the doorbell to ensure that the food is collected, and generally just being pleasant.
China Pavilion Restaurant
1460 N Vasco Rd, Livermore, CA 94551, United States
It was our first time eating at China Pavilion. They were open during labor day holiday. We were in route for home from camping when hunger struck. Reviewers said food was good so we took a chance. There were six of us. After realizing we could order from the lunch menu, we ordered accordingly. Every dish came with hot & sour soup, fried wonton, and steamed white rice. The soup had plenty of flavor, a certainly good starter. Wonton was freshly fried and rice was steaming hot. Brown rice was an available option too. Anyways, everyone chose a different dish including pork ribs with black bean sauce, spicy egg plant with pork, honey walnut prawns, and Kung Pao chicken. Additionally, we also ordered house combination chow mein, and garlic stir fried spinach to share. I personally ordered curry chicken. Although others said their food was good, mine was questionable. There were more water chestnuts than chicken. The curry taste was also bit mild for my taste. I did taste the pork ribs and found it hard. Other dishes were great. So, their food is not consistent were some are good, and others not much. It almost seems like they have a couple chefs and one is better than the other. The restaurant was clean, with minimal decor. Its brightly lit by large windows, typical of shopping mall structures. The staff was friendly making sure we had water, and tea always. Service was quick and painless otherwise. We spent almost $100 for our meal. Its worth a follow-up visit the next time we are in the area.
Panda Express
4223 First St, Livermore, CA 94551, United States
Arent all Panda Express restaurants pretty much the same? This location has pedestrian Chinese food, at best. Unfortunately, the prices are high enough that I would rather go to an authentic Chinese restaurant.Tonight, the line was long. We spent over $50 without drinks to feed three adults and two children. The floor was filthy. The employees were surly. They obviously didnt want to be there.
Li Cha Tea (T4 Livermore)
4010 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
I will never go here again - went here for the 1st time today and I cant believe how rude one of the staff members was from the moment we walked in. 15 people in the establishment and the cashier yelled at us to put masks on. We clearly didnt see the the note on the door but to be THAT upset and yell at us in front of so many, was unprofessional. Being it was our first time there we were so embarrassed because we werent aware that it was still a requirement to put masks on and if not you get yelled at for not having done so. Then when ordering, my daughter didnt know what she wanted (again, first time here) and the cashier couldnt control her rudeness. Instead of being polite she had an attitude because we ordered the wrong Boba item. She treated us like were were an inconvenience vs being a customer. She also couldnt hear my daughter when she ordered so my daughter pulled her mask away from her mouth (still on and covering) and the cashier told her to put her mask on. I would have walked out she was so rude but we were there with friends and I didnt want to make a scene. I went to pay and noticed it asks for tips and they had one that said wow (as in wow, great service) and that was a 20% tip. Thats what I gave her, a wow not because she deserved it but because wow you treat your customers so horrible and not welcomed that I just said it outloud, wow to make a point. Not to mention she watched me put my pin in so I covered the pad with my wallet. Uncomfortable. Be better T4 - never again will I support you and well be sharing with our friends and family.
Panda Express
3010 W Jack London Blvd, Livermore, CA 94551, United States
Eat here at your own risk. Super gross. No concern of public food safety. I witnessed an incident that showed a total disregard of hygiene and public health at this Panda Express: an employee working behind the glass shield (the only person who scooped food items for customers) took her friends kids leftovers to behind the counter, and used the tongs for the fried noodles to scrape off their leftover to a trash bin. Then she used the same tongs to put new noodles (from the fresh pot) in the kids used boxes.She then continued to serve customers using the same tongs. I could not believe what I witnessed. Now, those fresh noodles had been contaiminated by other customers dirty plates and leftovers. I called her out and she denied and lied. Asked for a supervisor and was told none at the store.I walked out without ordering. They refused to admit such wrongdoing and did not throw away the contaminated food. Instead, they kept serving them as if nothing had happened.If your boss allows you to give your friends free food, use clean plates. It is not okay to use the serving utensil to scrape off ppls leftover and then use the same utensil to serve food to the public. It contaminates the food and could spread foodborne illness.
Panda Express
2100-a, Portola Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
Its okay... Its panda express so you know what youre getting but compared to others, its not that great.I live one block away so I really wish this place was better than it is. The first couple weeks they had some problems with portion sizes; namely that they always seemed about half what they should be. It hasnt been much of a problem since then, yet the food never quite measures up to what I expect from Chinese restaurants or Panda Express in general. Its hard to pin down but it always seems like they need more sauce, or less breading or... something.Ive come at all times of the day and I cant remember the last time it tasted fresh, which seems odd because it has to be at some point. Still, I frequently find dishes are only a few scraps away from empty so that may have something to do with it.Overall, if you want something in walking distance, it will do, but dont go out of your way to get here. Theres another panda express on first street with which Im extremely satisfied.
Uncle Yus at the Vineyard
39 S Livermore Ave #125, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
High priced Chinese food and it was not authentic. Wonton soup did not have fresh wontons. Fried rice had ham in it! What? Ham? Mongolian beef was served with steamed broccoli. Who does that? Thats not Chinese. Thats American Chinese. If you want to be the best authentic Chinese restaurant in Livermore, you better up the quantity of food for the price and select better sides for your main dishes. Who serves spinach in wonton soup. Use Bokchoy, its more authentic. People who eat there doesnt know any better thats why they continue to dine at this fake Chinese restaurant. .
Mings Garden
136 S Vasco Rd, Livermore, CA 94551, United States
Highly recommended. First time here, will definitely be back. Had wonton soup, potstickers, bbq pork chow mein, lemon chicken, and broccoli beef. Everything was flavorful and the meat was tender. This is one of the better Chinese restaurants in Livermore.
China Villa
4022 East Ave, Livermore, CA 94550, United States
The price is very reasonable and the quantity is good, my wife and I come here from Tracy. China Vila is a family family operated restaurant, the servic is friendly and always made certain out tea pot is full and warm/hot. We are looking forward to return here. My son told me about this place. the price is less then the other larger Chinese restaurants located in the newer business center/malls