Top 100 Chinese Restaurants (Overall Excellence) (2012)
Top 100 Local Favorite (2012)
(2011)
Top 100 Overall Excellence (2010)
Top 100 Overall Excellence (2009)
Top 100 Best Decor (2009)
Comments(49)
Reviewed by:
wadarobin on:
2019/2/28 20:17:29
Just got our order and they forgot one of the items. They said we weren't charged and asked if we wanted to come back and get it. Did not say sorry and didn't offer to comp. We only ordered 4 things so it shouldn't have been a problem...
We live in the neighborhood and have been going for years but with zen garden across the street, we won't be coming back. Too bad.
Reviewed by:
ilikepooh2 on:
2018/3/3 18:11:13
Very disappointed . Today was second time it took very long time to receive our lunch. No soup at all. When we said something the waiter was going to bring AFTER we had finished eating. Waiter said he would give us double next time. Sure like he will ever remember. Food is good, just very disappointed in service we received today and our last visit.
Reviewed by:
lolopalacios31 on:
2018/2/10 15:03:36
The food is good but they take so long to give you your order I call and do my order they say 15 mn, I came pay and still need to get for 20 mn more.. .! So disappointed
Reviewed by:
John D. on:
3/28/2013 11:51:00 PM
Top place in the area so far. Great food. Great service. Tucked away in an older strip mall... I cant wait to go back again.
Reviewed by:
Christina S. on:
3/28/2013 10:45:00 AM
I think this is one of the best Chinese restaurants I've ever been to and it happens to be right in my neighborhood! The food is good, the service is prompt. They can get very busy on certain nights, but it is well worth the wait.
Reviewed by:
Cindy C. on:
3/23/2013 7:51:00 PM
YUM! I have only been here a few times but each time I was very satisfied, and full. The honey walnut prawns are amazing! Cashew chicken is incredible!They have great service. Our drinks never ran out. Very attentive and prompt. Even though there were many people coming and going picking up their take out orders ours come out quickly.Go and check them out. you won't be sorry!
Reviewed by:
Casey L. on:
3/20/2013 5:50:00 AM
Gloopy hot and sour soup. Everything was pretty sub-par and greasy. I so wish there was a good Chinese restaurant around here.
Reviewed by:
Terri N. on:
3/20/2013 3:39:00 AM
Finally tried Ming's based on literally endless positive recommendations, plus ya know I AM the Potsticker Queen. ;) Very glad I finally did! True I am easily won over by nearly any Chinese restaurant but I have run the gamut and know the good from the bad. And Ming's be good.The interior is quite a bit smaller than expected from the outside, but it adds to the nice casual atmosphere. Décor inside is very pretty!Based on recommendations, we enjoyed the Kung Pao Trio and Honey Walnut Chicken, and of course led off with the potstickers. The Kung Pao trio, traditional Kung Pao with beef, chicken and shrimp, was very tasty and I must say was actually almost better the next day as leftovers. Which is high praise - the flavors only got better with time! The Honey Walnut Chicken was truly fried to perfection, not greasy at all, and very pleasingly sweet. I announced to my friend after my first couple bites, "Yep, I'm gonna be overeating for sure!"Potsticker rating - 6/10. The filling was delicious, classic pork and veggie, seasoned beautifully. Lower points for me though because the dumpling appeared to be deep fried as opposed to pan-fried/seared. Not real impressed there - makes for a greasier dumpling, and doesn't allow for the doughy/crispy texture counterplay.I look forward to returning and trying more of the recommended dishes, like this epic ginger chicken!
Reviewed by:
Bernardine F. on:
3/20/2013 2:09:00 AM
I was surprised at how good this place is. I have enjoyed their food twice now. Their food is well prepared and service is great. We did take-out and the food was as wonderful as when we had it at their restaurant. I'm not a big Chinese foodie but I would recommend them for sure.
Reviewed by:
REBECCA P. on:
3/6/2013 11:52:00 AM
I don't come here to feel warm and fuzzy. I come here to get damned good Chinese food. They always get the order right, and even though I feel like I'm in line to see the Soup Nazi when I pick up the order, the food is the best I've found so far in the Pleasant Hill / Martinez area.
Reviewed by:
Peter C. on:
3/4/2013 4:54:00 AM
Great food, Prices are reasonable, & Service wasn't top-notch, but it was good (due to it being busy during dinner time so that's understandable). The owner was very friendly and welcoming.About the food, It was very good, we tried the hot & sour soup (which was perfect except that we thought it would've been better without shrimp since it the taste of the shrimp didn't mixed well with the soup), fried rice (yummie), crispy ginger chicken (wasn't a fan of this...). We will come here next time and try some more complicated dishes.Definately would come here again & we glad to tried this place out & is satisfied with the food & services!
Reviewed by:
Jenn N. on:
3/2/2013 4:29:00 AM
Had delivery 3 time after we moved to Concord, delicious every time! We have tried the honey walnut prawns (my fav), ginger prawns, lemon chicken, salt and pepper chicken, barbecue pork fried rich and wonton soup, all so good!
Reviewed by:
tabisky c. on:
3/1/2013 11:30:00 AM
Very rarely do we go back to the same restaurant within a week, but Ming's was the exception. The food is served in generous portions and there is always leftovers to enjoy the next day. The prices are very reasonable (about a third of what we would pay for sushi at a Japanese restaurant).The place is busy, but service is prompt. Truly one of the best Chinese restaurants in the area.
Reviewed by:
Francesca L. on:
3/1/2013 6:39:00 AM
HONEY WALNUT PRAWNS!! Get 'em. They have just the right amount of sweet glaze and crispy batter. The prawns are a good size too. Pretty much, this dish was perfect. My favorite out of everything ordered.I also enjoyed the following:- Hot and Sour Soup = be warned though...it's very spicy!- Crispy Ginger Chicken = the chicken had a light ginger taste to it- Vegetable Fried Rice = typical fried rice- Reasonable prices- Generous portion sizes- Making fishy faces at the cool fish swimming in the aquarium next to my table5 STARS!
Reviewed by:
Mena R. on:
2/27/2013 4:57:00 PM
I think next time we'll try delivery. We went on Sunday at 4pm. Started as only table but the place filled fast. One server for all the tables (almost full by the time our food arrived) and 2 people working to go. Finally one if the to go people started bussing tables and picking up a little of the slack. So...3 stars for service. Food was good, fresh and tasty. Mongolian beef on of the best we've had, ginger chicken was great. Satisfies that need for sweet and spicy but not overly sweet (like sweet and sour or lemon chicken). Fried rice good, chow Mein good and I felt good about giving the fresh veggies to my kid(no weird sauce, all fresh)!
Reviewed by:
Phillip H. on:
2/27/2013 6:24:00 AM
The food can be very good. We went to dinner and sat for 45 min. before we got up and left. They were too busy filling take out orders to serve diners anything. The take out is good though.
Reviewed by:
J D. on:
2/26/2013 2:25:00 PM
This place is pretty authentic... best chinese food I've found in the area.Other reviewers mentioned them not answering the phone, long waits, unpleasant staff - this is part of the authenticity. The only thing that would make this more authentic would be a cash only policy. Fortunately they do take credit cards here, just not AMEX.They are always busy - it would be great if they expanded.The food is very good and worth the wait... if you have the time. If you're in a rush, go elsewhere.
Reviewed by:
Lauren M. on:
2/26/2013 3:41:00 AM
I used to live across the street, so i have eaten here a few times. Every time I went in the older guy that takes orders was on the phone and not very welcoming. What i have noticed is that he is friendlier with some people and not others. The food is ok for the price but i definitely prefer Uncle Yu's over Mings
Reviewed by:
Valerie H. on:
2/22/2013 7:45:00 PM
This is still my favorite Chinese food in the area! The owner is super nice and very helpful. I have dined at the restaurant twice (although I have gotten food to go many times). The first time was on a Saturday night right around dinner time. It was packed, they squeezed me and my friend in at a table with another group. I thought it might be awkward, but the people they sat us with were nice but not overly chatty like we were their new best friends but gave some good recommendations as we were first timers! On my second visit it was a late afternoon visit, so it wasn't very crowded. Both times service was quick and the food was hot and fresh. Most times I call in my order and pick it up. I still need to try the crispy ginger chicken everyone raves about! I would recommend Mings to anyone looking for a good chinese spot. Don't pass up the Honey Walnut Chicken or the pot stickers!
Reviewed by:
Marcey B. on:
2/15/2013 8:45:00 AM
So...I've gone here by recommendation from my brother of search for good Chinese in Pleasant Hill. I've gotten take out all the time and on a weekend in the afternoon, the owner and staff are pleasant.Now I've gone three Friday's in a row and you are lucky if your phone call is answered, and when it is you wait 45 minutes to show up and wait some more to be ushered through a cramped space to be treated by the owner like an episode of the soup natzi. Now this is all tolerable when the food is to die for and I'd agree it has been... until today. I called earlier than usual and the honey walnut prawns were burnt and the exclusively on meat chow fun was nothing but veggies and mushy to the point that it all went in the garbage. :(
Reviewed by:
Chantha K. on:
2/15/2013 7:36:00 AM
I love how the host has such a great humor. He greeted us and made us felt very welcome. Was our first time here. Service was excellent, food was nice and fresh. The only reason why I didn't give this place a 5 star was because it took way to long for our food to come out. Which was understand able seeing that it is pretty busy and it gets pretty pack. But definitely this places has been added to my list and I would highly recommend my friends to this place.
Reviewed by:
Allen B. on:
2/14/2013 6:25:00 PM
The one thing i noticed is that the place was pretty full. A lot of people getting the take out or waiting for a table. I SEE WHY!!!! This place is THE TRUTH! i had the fried prawns and pot-stickers for an appetizer. the pot-stickers were perfect! the prawns were crispy but not greasy. then the food came. WOW!! the cashew chicken, hunan ginger fried chicken, broccoli beef, combination chow mein.....EVERYTHING WAS GREAT!!! they have a new customer in me and my family. so happy i found this spot.
Reviewed by:
Meli P. on:
2/11/2013 5:58:00 PM
This was the best Chinese food I've ever had. Everything was delicious. Honey walnut prawns, salt and pepper fish, and my fave, beef chow fun! Yumm-o! Keep it up.
Reviewed by:
Johnny L. on:
2/11/2013 4:49:00 PM
We have only had delivery from them, never ate in the restaurant itself. If dining in is as good as their delivery, they may get a fifth star from me.Delivery is so fast, I thought the dude must have cooked it on my driveway. None of it arrived soggy, all very tasty.Ya feel me??
Reviewed by:
Liza S. on:
2/7/2013 11:25:00 PM
We ordered delivery and it came super fast. I ordered War Wonton soup, which includes shrimp, chicken, beef and it says vegatables but they must have forgotten most of those. The wontons were broken and chopped up. My spring rolls were greasy. The Orange Beef was overcooked and also fell apart, it tasted old. The squid in black bean sauce was favorless.I was really excited to order from here, because of the reviews, but was deeply disappointed. Maybe it was just an off night or an off chef, I hope so.
Reviewed by:
Harry B. on:
2/2/2013 12:30:00 AM
Awesome! Why I have to drive into Pleasant Hill to get good Chinese food is beyond me as we live in Concord. Just like Zens across the street they offer delicious food that's not overly saturated with corn starch and sickly sweet heavy sauces. We tried the Mongolian lamb, Basil prawns and the Singapore noodles with a hint of of curry. Cant wait to try the crack infused ginger chicken and honey walnut prawns!
Reviewed by:
Karen D. on:
1/27/2013 2:16:00 PM
Hands down the best Chinese food. We only order from them. They are also always so nice and their lunch menu is very reasonable.
Reviewed by:
Misha M. on:
1/22/2013 1:40:00 AM
Great food and great service. Had potstickers, skin was a little thicker than normal, but delicious. Main dish was general's chicken and was best I have ever had. Would go back in a heartbeat. Salt and pepper chicken is a must!
Reviewed by:
Kitty T. on:
1/16/2013 10:50:00 PM
Ordinary Chinese restaurant. Nothing special. Fast take out service.
Reviewed by:
Andrew I. on:
1/16/2013 12:32:00 PM
Ming's!!! Haha I go here once a week, no joke.It's not that they have the most unique menus or the most traditional chinese food. But really there is absolutely nothing to complain of this place. Cheap good food, large portions!! Their food is not greasy and is always consistently great!!I love to bring large groups of people here, the service is on par for Chinese restaurant (yeah you know what I mean), and the food comes out very fast. Out of the dozens of times I've been here, there was only one time when they brought the food out longer than usual, for some reason they had one less chef and surprisingly so many people were here. The place is always adequately packed, but usually little to no wait. The restaurant is medium size, but I guess it's enough for them.Overall, this is the place to go to for good Chinese food and will satisfy those who are Orientals, as well as the majority of people in this locale. I've never walked out less than adequate and less than satisfied!!
Reviewed by:
Joe O. on:
1/16/2013 9:13:00 AM
I miss Oakland Chinatown.Ordered the Crispy Ginger Chicken...it should be named the Soggy Sour Chicken? The Hunan Chicken tasted basically the same as if they all had the same base sauce and equally soggy. But people love this place.Maybe it was a bad day...but if that is a bad day it is way too inconsistent for me.
Reviewed by:
BB L. on:
1/10/2013 1:06:00 AM
We were looking for a good take out chinese food restaurant in the Pleasant Hill area and after browsing Yelp we decided on Ming's.The food was pretty good and our order was ready in about 15 minutes but there was 1 thing that caused them to lose a few stars.After we ordered about $38 worth of food, 2 hot and sour soups, an order of beef and asparagus (which was $11.95 compared to $7.95 for beef and broccoli), deluxe chow mein, and kung pao chicken I asked the man behind the counter if our food came with white rice or if it was extra, he said do you need it for 1 or 2 people, I told him there was 2 of us and he said no problem. He tacked on $2 for the white rice.Really Mings??? $2 for white rice with $38 worth of food? Are you guys that hard up that you need to charge for white rice?I would think a staple of Chinese food like white rice would come with the $38 worth of food we had already ordered. It's like going to a hamburger joint and they charge you for lettuce and tomato on your burger. Very low class.I also asked the older man behind the counter for a takeout menu so next time I could order from my house and not have to wait, he handed me a refrigerator magnet and muttered some website in Chinese which my GF and I could not understand. It wasn't the Ming's website cause they don't have their menu on there.Way to go Ming's, I don't like when a restaurant nickel and dimes me for the basics, it's low class and ghetto in my eyes and for that I won't ever go back and you cost yourself 2 stars on my review.
Reviewed by:
Leticia D. on:
1/7/2013 12:00:00 AM
...the Hubby, my Chile & I were looking for a good Chinese food restaurant since moving to the area. I looked on Yelp while I was on Bart & ran across Ming's Chinese Restaurant. When I say the BEST ever ~ beautiful decor, excellent customer service, superb clean bathrooms & mouth watering food (We ordered Fried Wontons, Pot Stickers, Broccoli Beef, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Sweet & Sour Pork, House Fried Rice, Generals Chicken) ~ I do mean the BEST Chinese food we've ever tasted! We will definitely be back again... And again... And again!!
Reviewed by:
Vince S. on:
1/3/2013 11:38:00 PM
This place is SUPER delish.If you're looking for Panda Express you better express your a$$ outta here quick.It's got that small town feeling, which I love, and it's PACKED so you know it's good.We got the hot and sour soup, walnut prawns, lemon chicken, and combo fried rice. All of which was really good. I definitely hate it when Chinese restaurants drown their honey walnut prawns in mayo, but this place makes the prawns crisp, with a thin layer of mayo glaze on top. #nomnomIt was a weekday, and we only had a party of 2, so we were seated quickly. Our final bill was around $40, not terrrible! Maybe make a reservation if you have a bigger party on busier days.
Reviewed by:
Andrea N. on:
1/3/2013 10:21:00 PM
It takes a lot for me to be a repeat restaurant customer because I love to try new places, but I've eaten her twice in one month! So good. A great example of what you're going to get is the fully-loaded wonton soup. It's not a couple wontons floating in water like you might get somewhere else. It's chock full of wontons, meat, shrimp, and veggies! I kind of want to eat it right now actually, now that I mention it...
Reviewed by:
Jenny R. on:
12/24/2012 8:56:00 PM
Very yummy Chinese food. I know of a few places in SF that could top it, but not many. I'm so glad we live within delivery distance!
Reviewed by:
Gregory S. on:
12/18/2012 11:33:00 AM
Ming's is the best Chinese American food ever! Ok maybe not the best ever, but the best I've found outside of San Francisco. Keep it simple, you must order something fried- Fried crab wontons, lemon chicken, or crispy ginger prawns. They know how to fry food! Also if you're not a fan of fried have the chicken with mushroom or beef with snow pea.But you must try something fried from Mings!
Reviewed by:
Walt B. on:
11/17/2012 12:06:00 AM
So far the best Chinese food outside of San Francisco I've found.The owner is very nice, always offers me water when waiting for my take out.The Wor Won Ton Soup is fantastic, the broth has a ton of flavor, and the won tons are perfectly cooked. I LOVE their fried rice as well.To be honest there is nothing at Ming's that i've had that I have ever been unhappy with. It is a little out of the way for us, but the food is so good it's always worth the drive!
Reviewed by:
Alexandra R. on:
11/2/2012 6:17:00 PM
A pretty typical chinese restaurant, not bad, quick service, extensive menu. I was surprised to see the amount of non-Asian people eating here, but it made sense when I saw the 4.5 star rating and connected it with it's location.As suggested, the ginger chicken is good. White meat, which I enjoyed. Sizzling rice soup was pretty average but yummy. I'd order it again.The beef dish I ordered was not something I would order again. I don't know what it was but the quality of the meat was just really off.Shrimps were large, cooked well, and I'd definitely like to try another shrimp dish next time I come, if I do.I'd come back again if I were in the area, but I feel like there are many other Chinese restaurants that are the same quality, if not better, than Ming's, especially in the Pleasant Hill/Concord area that isn't so far out of the way (from the freeway at least).
Reviewed by:
Vero H. on:
10/31/2012 9:02:00 AM
Mings...bing!Love their hot & sour soup, Potstickers, and they have the best salt and pepper fish. I eat here at least twice a month.
Reviewed by:
Megan L. on:
10/10/2012 8:18:00 AM
I am completely disappointed. Not only with the food but the customer service.The deliverer instantly stuck his hand out for the money, when I paid he practically tossed the food out at me and waited as if he had earned a tip...and rolled his eyes at me when I told him to have a good rest of the day. Instantly lost a star for that.I was shocked but I went to get everything out...It looked and smelled wonderful...but when I looked closer I realized I only had four containers. I order 5 dishes.I opened them up to see what I was missing, only to realize that half of what I had gotten was incorrect. I asked for Chicken Chow Mien, Sesame Chicken, pot stickers, Spring Rolls, and Walnut Prawns. (a normalcy for me, I hate beef...and Prawns are my favorite) I had been given Egg Rolls, pot stickers, BEEF chow Mien, and a beef and asparagus dish. Another mark down in my books...if you're going to charge me for something, make sure I get what I paid for. Cheap food or not.When I called them to see it I could have my food corrected, the teller was very unhelpful and seemed to be to preoccupied to care...she told me she would calm me back when the driver showed up...they had to make sure I wasn't "lying". First off, you never tell a customer that, second off...how would the driver know? Is he peaking into my food?! Disgusting...Id rather not know that.I waited an hour for her to call me back before I gave up and called. There was nothing they could do for me, I paid for food and they messed up everything...I don't eat beef, I refuse to...so I basically just paid 30 dollars for pot stickers, Egg Rolls, and a coke.The egg rolls weren't cooked all the way through, and the pot stickers were burnt and blackened on some. I tried the Chow Mien (before realizing it was beef) and it was blan and oily...I tried to ignore it, then I tasted the beef.I am not one to completely judge a place by one experience, I will try again...but actually go into the store, so they can't tell me I was lying about my food. I wouldn't recommend having the food delivered at all.
Reviewed by:
Matt F. on:
9/15/2012 4:42:00 PM
This is really good neighborhood Chinese--not fine dining Chinese food. We had Mu Shu Pork, Crispy Ginger Chicken, DeLuxe Vegetables, Beef Chow Fun and Hot and Sour Soup. The soup. the vegetables and the Mu Shu were the standouts. The crispy chicken was good, but didn't have a lot of ginger flavor we felt. The Chow Fun would have been great, too, but it was a little scorched, so minus one star for that.Service was attentive, friendly and on occasion funny (I was offered a job based on the way I rolled up my Mu Shu pancake).Three of us came and left completely stuffed with leftovers to go. The above plus a glass of wine and two beers came to $52 (tip not included). We will come back!
Reviewed by:
S. D. on:
6/7/2012 8:46:00 PM
I grew up walking distance to Chinatown so I have pretty high expectations. Ming's is fine, just your standard suburban Chinese restaurant. Heavy on frying and deep fat frying. Even the potstickers are pan fried and I prefer the fried/steamed style although the flavor was good.Generous portions, inexpensive pricing which is what probably 80% of the customers want in Chinese food. Fast service and a clean dining room.The Mongolian beef was 40% onions. I would happily pay $1 or $2 more per dish and get more meat or bean sprouts, less onions.If you are feeding a big crowd or a group of hungry teenagers, this would be a good choice. Quantity over quality.
Reviewed by:
thome6700 on:
2010-12-21
Ming's is our favorite Chinese restaurant. We drive from Clayton and it's worth the drive. The food, service and decor are outstanding. I highly recommend it.
Reviewed by:
mbentley.mary on:
2010-10-27
The food is consistently delicious at Ming's. The servers and Ming remember us and know exactly what we want to order. Fast service and friendly people.
Reviewed by:
yeltneb6494 on:
2010-10-27
Great food, fast friendly service, great decor and clean restrooms. Ming is great, very customer oriented and works hard at making his restaurant a place you want to frequent. A great value.
Reviewed by:
dndwesdorf on:
2010-10-21
It's hard to beat this small friendly chinese restaurant for great food and price. Serivce is excellent. It make you want to go back time and time again, which we do. And since they redecorated, it is even more pleasing to the eye as well as satisfying to the stomach.
DDW
Reviewed by:
Stephanie L. on:
2008-09-22
A small restaurant that is not to exciting for decor. The room is about 20x15 The food will bring you back and also the price for lunch is great The owner is always there with a pleasant smile and always wanting to make sure you are pleased. ...?
Reviewed by:
Anonymous on:
2008-01-05
Strangely enough, it seems difficult to find quality, affordable food in this part of the bay area. Ming's is very good and not badly priced at all. Their chow mein noodles are excellent, and their house fried rice has shrimp, chicken, and beef in it....so yummy! I definitely recommend this restaurant.?
AVG:(4.2)
