East Lake Chinese Restaurant

Reviews

• Lucille S.

  star star star star star_border 8 June 2026

  I was visiting some friends, when we decided to meet here for Saturday dim sum. The place is huge, it honestly looked like a banquet hall, with big round tables in the middle and booth style on the sides.
  
  SERVICE: the staff were friendly and quick.
  PLACE: clean. I wish the interior colours were brighter.
  
  FOOD: sesame balls, stuffed bean curd roll, pork shiu mai, steamed chicken feet, crispy taro root dumplings, crystal shrimp dumpling, BBQ pork puffs, curried baby squid, shrimp rice rolls, spring rolls, stuffed eggplant, stuffed tofu, deep fried squid spicy salt. Food was both tasty and plenty. It was also a cart service, so it was fast and efficient.
  
  The only downside, price per item seemed to be on the expensive side. However, we weren't in a huge city, so it understandable, almost.

• Susan M.

  star star star star_border star_border 7 June 2026

  Service has always been super friendly here and definitely five stars.  The dim sum is worth a visit (love the egg tarts) and I would rate it four stars but the rest of the food is just alright and overpriced and rated two stars.
  
  I'm not a fan of their egg rolls.  They use a spring roll wrapper which is very thin, crumbly and oily.  The filling is very bland and I didn't care for the sweet n sour sauce that it came with.  The General Taos is just OK.  They use breast meat, so the chunks are too tender.  The fried rice that comes with the combo platter is basically steamed rice with soy sauce (not fried at all).  The hot n sour soup is a winner.

• Jessie B.

  star star star star star 6 June 2026

  I have been coming to East Lake for more nearly 15 years. It is one of the only Chinese restaurants I'll go to! I have loved this place for as long as I can remember, both old and new management. This place actually serves REAL, AUTHENTIC Chinese food and not only that Westernized food. Sure, you can order your average Panda Express almond chicken here, but why would you voluntarily choose that instead of their traditional dishes, like yúxiāng qiézi bao(eggplant and vegetable "casserole")?
  
  But what they are clearly most renowned for is their amazing dimsum that NEVER fails to disappoint. I've tried countless number of dimsum places, and none of them measure up to east lake. The dànt (egg tart) is always up to standards and the sesame balls are to die for. The custard buns are so good that it's always a race to see who gets them first.
  
  The tea is also great. Instead of the oolong they start you off with, I recommend the chrysanthemum tea, for it is absolutely splendid!
  
  Whenever I come, I can always count on the waitstaff to be happy and cheery and friendly. I've been there so many times they all recognize me and I recognize them. They are the kindest people-please treat them well when you are there!
  
  The only complaint I have is that it's gotten so modernized. While I love the style and that it's brought so many customers in, I really wish they kept some of the aspects of the old design and kept some elements of traditional culture in there. Overall, this is the best place to eat! It is hands down my favorite restaurant, my go-to place to eat.

• Cory C.

  star star star star_border star_border 24 May 2026

  I was curious how this place would be after it reopened with new ownership.  The verdict: it's okay, but definitely overpriced.  
  
  The best dish we ordered was the walnut shrimp.  The shrimp was large, fresh, and slightly crispy on the outside.  The crunchy walnuts were perfectly sweetened and provided a good contrast to the saltiness of the shrimp.  This dish bumped the rating up to 3 stars from 2 for me.
  
  We also ordered fried pork chops in Peking sauce, assorted meat chow mein, and salted fish & chicken fried rice.  The pork chops were soggy, the sauce was too salty, and the onions underneath were not at all caramelized...they were barely cooked.  As for the chow mein, the noodles were chewy instead of crunchy - either they weren't fried enough or they were reheated.  The char siu (bbq pork) inside the noodles was old.  And finally, the fried rice was pretty bland.  
  
  I'd order the walnut shrimp again in the future, but not the rest of the dishes.  With the prices so high compared to similar Chinese restaurants, it's probably not worth it to me going back.

• Mayumi S.

  star star star star star 23 May 2026

  I reserved for 10 people but find out coming 2 more. They are changing table quickly so we can move before eat. Foods are all very good. I did order not particular Chinese food usually American people order because this is ESL class dinner party. All student said to me food are all good! we had  fantastic time for almost 3 hours. We are all full. Any way Not many leftovers this time ... all student loved food .. I am so happy to introduce here to everyone!! I forget to get receipt to remember waitress name( very sorry she was very good and nice )2 more food came but forget to take picture...I will come back very soon actually I came here yesterday for lunch...