Reviews China Lake Restaurant

Others have mentioned the good quality of the food and the authentic traditional menu. I concur. However, the "grouchy Chinese woman" is also a treaure. Be warned, it is not a swanky place where high class manners and attitudes make you feel like you are a Kardashian. But do you want yummy food and someone whe is a character with an interesting memory waiting on you? Then come here!

For several years, my family and I have gone here every few months. The television is on, usually, showing a Chinese soap opera, tables are sporadically unbussed. Perhaps the chef is napping at a table? It's part of the show. You may not get a menu for awhile. Go get them yourself, they are on the counter. Help out a newbie who wanders in and sits without a menu for awhile when it's busy. It's ok..there are no rules here. (Other customers gave me a menu the first time I was here. We did the same with the next table. It was a charming pay it forward, game while we waited.)

Order the hot tea. It is perfectly infused with loose jasmine and it is lovely. After about 2 visits here, the owner/server remembered what we normally ordered. After about 5 visits, she informed me that she would order something from the traditional menu that I would like better than my usual choice. I trusted her and she was spot on. Loved it! She once told my husband that he should be done eating, that he had enough! She was right! She spills food and tea on the table. It takes awhile to get your food and your bill. She is human and she is the only server, her husband the solo cook. So, forgive the faux pas and live a little!

That neing said, the more you frequent China Lake, the more it feels like you are visiting family for a meal. I don't know about you, but to me, quirky can be good. Especially when you get freshly prepared, good quality food. Leave the buffets for the maddening crowds and sit and relax...maybe giggle a little, at the little gem that is China Lake.

One of two restaurants in the area that specialize in traditional, authentic Chinese food. The food is good and their prices affordable. Traditionally their service has been very unreliable. I once waited for 40 minutes and left without getting menus. After they moved and actually hired help I imagine it's gotten better. I can honestly say I haven't been back since Moon Star opened up, but I wouldn't be against going.

This place is a secret 607 gem! Very authentic Chinese food (they have two menus). My wife is from China and she always says how good the food is here. Service can be hit or miss, but the food is totally worth it. Our favorite is the crispy squid and the bean curd with vegetables.

Run by a husband and wife team, this restaurant is know among the Binghamton folks for its delectable selection of traditional Chinese food. Do not go there expecting General Tso's chicken or Beef and Broccoli. If you are unfamiliar with the menu, allow the lovely matron there to pick the for for you. They served quickly, and the portions were good for the rates. The serve rice along with each dish. Though they have available seating during this phase of covid reopening, you may want to check ahead before you go. In pre-covid times, it used to be impossible to get a table as a walk-in because of its popularity.

The best Chinese food place in the Binghamton area I'm not kidding. The only thing is that if you come during the dinner hour or lunch you'll probably have slow service. But everything else is great, they have snacks before and after your meal for free, and free oranges at the end.

ACTUAL authentic chinese food. Check the picture I attached of their traditional menu. They have a dish with jelly fish! Who even knew that was a thing!? Don't worry, they have the Americanized classics we have all come to know and love too. But even those are done in a higher quality way that separates it from your average Chinese place. Just take the egg rolls in the combo platters as a quick example. They have less cabbage filler and more meat and they do beef and shrimp instead of pork. Everything is super fresh. I watched them start cutting up snow peas that got delivered right in front of me. And they give you a fresh orange after the meal with your fortune cookie. It is just this little old couple. The husband cooks and the wife handles the business from what I could tell. Only downsides are it is a little more expensive than your average Chinese place and service is slow since it is just the two of them. But both of those are necessary sacrifices for a genuine and high quality operation. I am not sure if they have anyone for succession after their time comes, so eat there while you can.