Love Love Love their Dim Sum. Try the fried chicken and shrimp dumplings. Come early, they start getting busy around 12:30pm
(5)
Nancy L.
Do not order the T-bone steak with broccoli from here. It was well done, tough, and not very tasty!!!
(2)
Rosalita E.
Every time I visit my grandfather in NJ, we eat here for both dinner and dim sum. He and his girlfriend are regulars, so the staff know them. The food is consistently excellent and the service is attentive and friendly. Prices are reasonable as well. It is great to find a place out in the suburbs that serves authentic and fresh Chinese food. Last time we went, we got fresh bass, which was excellent. We also got a shrimp, broccoli and walnut dish that was even better than the version I had recently in Boston's Chinatown.
(5)
Keith S.
By far the best chinese food in the area!!!, The only problem i have with this place is the loud "fake" manager trying to laugh at everything HAHAHA. it kind of bothers me. The food is awesome. the service is great. Its BYO and the dim sum on the weekend is good also.
(4)
Melissa M.
Even though I don't live that far from NYC, it still isn't the most convenient place to have to trek to when I'm in the mood for Dim Sum. Luckily there are a few places in the area that would take care of my craving, West Lake being one of them. My bf and I came here one weekend for their Dim Sum. The strip mall that West Lake lies in is a very busy one so it might be hard to find parking up front, but they have more parking in the back. We arrived around 12:30 PM and even though the place was packed, we were seated immediately. West Lake looks like your typical Chinese food place with their decorations and set up. The tables are very tightly packed so if you're claustrophobic, you might have a problem. We didn't order anything off the menu and just stuck to the dishes being offered on the carts being wheeled around. The staff does a pretty good job of making sure they get to everybody. We ordered a bunch of dishes. Overall, nothing stands out. The food is okay. Not as fresh as in Chinatown, but we're in Matawan so what do you expect. Still good enough to satisfy my Dim Sum cravings.
(3)
Amanda g.
Each time I'm lucky enough to have dim sum I ask myself why I don't do it more often. I went to West Lake with a few friends this afternoon after a grueling workout and it was perfect. The carts kept coming around stocked full of every kind of shrimp concoction you could want. The congee was delicious and they even prepared a special order of chive buns for us. The dining room was small but not overflowing - our small party didn't have to sit with randoms like we've had to do at other places. I can't wait to share this place with more people in my life!
(5)
Rachel D.
Authentic Chinese food in Monmouth County? I know, I'm shocked too! Delicious dim sum comparable to New York, London and San Francisco. Delicious, fresh, tasty. Been coming here for over 12 years and am always happy with my food. However, "American" Chinese food is not great - only the authentic Chinese is worth 5 stars. So steer clear of beef and broccoli and try Shanghai Beef. Salted Shrimp for an app, veggie dishes and seafood dishes all fresh and yummy. It's a little overwhelming sometimes because I don't speak Cantonese or know what dishes are authentic and good, so I get recommendations from Yelpers.
(5)
John H.
I say come here for dim sum on weekends! Week days their lunch special is just like any other Chinese take out. If you want something different come for dim sum.
(5)
Tara W.
Love me some West Lake! Believe it or not, from Hoboken, it's more convenient than going to Chinatown and just as good! Look around you- a few whiteys but mostly Chinese. That's how you know you're in the right place. They recently expanded into the space next door and the service wasn't negatively impacted. They have excellent dim sum that is always hot and fresh with a good selection. They serve it on weekends and holidays. I've also been for several banquet-style dinners and they provide excellent service.
(4)
Zao Z.
Possibly the best Chinese restaurant in Monmouth County. Having recently spent more than half a year in China, I can say that this restaurant's food is as authentic as the food I ate in Hong Kong and Guang Zhou. The restaurant serves the standard Cantonese main dishes as well as very good and reasonably priced dim sum on the weekends. The restaurant also serves the stereotypical "American Chinese" food which I find to be better than most of the take out places in the area. The prices are very reasonable. (the specials are a steal) The setting is upend hole in the wall. It is clean and presentable with some Chinese flair. It is New Jersey, you can't expect much. It is comparable to the restaurants in the area. They recently added a separate addition which can host private events. Service is similar to Chinatown. They are very polite, but I guess it could be hard to understand them at times. If you speak Chinese, it very easy.
(5)
Justin B.
Gave this place a number of tries. Rude, inattentive service. Food that is inconsistent from poor-mediocre. Won't be going back.
(1)
Jose F.
I had dimsum yesterday july 12 Saturday, the food was good BUT the service was awful. short staff, some waiters did not speak English, they were fast in taking out the empty dishes but Very Slow in bringing what you requested. I requested a pitcher of water with ice with 3 different waiters and finally the 4th time we got our water but no ice. after spending almost $170.00 we would expect to get a better service. Probably TAKE OUT will be better.
(1)
Lucky C.
One of closest places when you want that NYC Chinatown food. The dim sum is one of the best in Middlesex. The service is always good and the quality always fresh. We also go for dinner from tie to time, and have o say try he green string bean in garlic stir fry very good alittle bit of a kick but good. The snails in white sauce very good! The pan fried noodles delish.... And don't forget the beef chow fun dry! (Chinatown style) very good! And of course you have your basic Chinese dinner order steam fish, Peking pork chops, deep fried flounder, and chicken in sizzling plater. The It's can go on and on but these are the items I order when we go and never a disappointment always walk out happy. Oh BYO always! ;)
(4)
C R.
I don't have dim sum that often, but I did like the dimsum when I went here. Originally, I wanted to go to Shanghai Bun, but that was full, so we came here instead. I was seated immediately on a black friday afternoon around 12:30pm. We only had a few dishes because neither of us were that hungry. We had some bun filled with reddish meat stuff, shrimp dish, some fried crab ball thing and some other. I don't know what these things are, but they're still good. In the end, it came out to about $21 for 2 of us. Would definitely recomment to others and I am willing to come back. I've also been here one other time for dinner. I don't really recall how the food was, but I do remember saltiness. But, still good food.
(4)
Chrystal C.
I have only been here for dinner, but when my family and I want to switch up our Chinese restaurants and go somewhere not around Edison, we come here. Try to come early, because even though they expanded the space, oftentimes tables will be full and lines will start forming. I noticed that a few parties made reservations ahead of time. The parking lot is also a bit small. Service is pretty good, but my family and I are never demanding. Just keep the tea and ice water coming, and they do! I love NYC Chinatown Cantonese food, and I can get it here. Price-wise it is a bit more expensive than in Chinatown - granted, it's suburbia so I am not going to complain too much, and the food is consistently good (but not outstanding like that in Chinatown). We love their seafood dishes (lobster and crab, anyone?!), the garlic sauteed snow peas (my favorite and sadly cannot be replicated at home due to my weaksauce non-restaurant stove top), and my Cantonese comfort food: the fried pork chops smothered in that sweet/sour/tangy red sauce (jing du pork chops). There was only one time we were disappointed, and that was when we came on a hot summer day, ordered a steamed fish, and it was not fresh. My mom and I know our fish, so we called them out on it. The manager was very nice and explained that in the kitchen, since the outdoors was ninety plus degrees, the kitchen itself was well over one hundred so the raw fish may have spoiled. Anyway, we got a small discount off our bill but the fish was $28 so we were a bit irritated.
(4)
James N.
This restaurant serves authentic Chinese food... fried rice and egg rolls are not at the top of their menu.... the cliental is mostly Asian and the things on the menu are not typically found in the traditional NJ Chinese restaurants. If you are looking for real Chinese food without going into NYC China town, this place is in our backyard...
(4)
Jen C.
I've been here quite a few times every time I visit family in NJ. I've had their dim sum and their dinner. The quality of food is pretty good. They have a good variety of dishes for dim sum and they have a large menu for dinner. I prefer coming for dim sum though. The restaurant got a bit bigger since the last time I saw it. They have enclosed section which is pretty good if you have a large party. It also has a tv in there but I'm not sure if they use it. The service is pretty good. They come by often to clear plates and refill our tea. I'll definitely come back here again.
(4)
Christine C.
Usually dim sum places are packed on Sundays by 11, 11:30. We arrived around 11:15 and it was nearly empty, which we were happy about - no waiting! (The lines started around noon.) Unfortunately, we found that they don't have the full menu of dim sum items available until around noon, so we ended up having a couple dishes and then waiting around until a few of our favorite dishes (like egg tarts, puddings, desserts - but also savory tofu dishes, etc) started coming around. The food was very tasty - unfortunately I'm no expert in Chinese food so I'm not the most discerning when it comes to dim sum. We had beef tripe, crab balls, the long beef dumpling things, fried tofu with shrimp on top, among some other dishes that I can't recall. If I'm in the area, I would eat here, but won't be making any special trips here either! PS, M-F all small, medium, and large dishes are only $2.50!
(4)
Adam M.
Upon suggestion by my friend we checked out this restaurant on our way home from Buyrite in Cranbury (thats a dont miss for ANY beer fan BTW). We walked in and theres big tanks in the back of the dining area in the chinatown style, lots of tables both small and big ones with lazy susans, and best of all...full of actual Chinese people :) We ordered the spring rolls, Ginger/Scallion Lobster, Snow Pea shoots and Orange beef. The spring rolls were good....u dont find PORK springrolls often. The snow pea shoots were great nice n garliky, and the orange beef was good, a lil spicey (as requested) but not too much, but what took center stage was the lobster, which was phenominal. This place is going high on our suggested Chinese joints list, this is THE cantonese spot in CNJ for us now. lol I'm not sure but I THINK I saw some stuff about DimSum ontheir menu, and a nice dim sum is always good..rushin ppl for delectible little plates is a great way to get out that frustration on sunday hehe It's BYOB but there is a store in the same strip and they're more then happy to let you bring whatever you want in alcohol-wise, altho this isnt really a place to get hammered....having had it now we know what beers to get in cranbury and bring with to pair with the seafood :) Service....one becomes accustomed to a certain kind of service in Chinese restaurants...but not here! Service was great. Everyone was friendly, attentive (they were constantly refilling my water...which is rare in this type of place), and had no problem with any of our specifications or special requests. We cant WAIT to bring our families and friends here....if they can take the ride for a meal....its worth the wait though!
(4)
Austin D.
We went for dinner on a Saturday night and this place was packed. Which is why I was happy that we made reservations. However, the management apparently didn't understand the concept on reservations being used to "reserve" a table. So while we waited with the rest of the crowd the manager was very rude whenever we asked about the wait. After half an hour we walked out...
(1)
John T.
You know a Chinese restaurant is good when everyone EATING in the restaurant is Chinese. Really good food, but definitely pricey for what it is. My favorite is the prawns with chili & salt, but everything I've tried has been good.
(4)
Howay Y.
Excellent food! Most people will agree that my mom cooks the best home made Chinese food there is. My wife and I went with my parents today for lunch and it was the first time I felt like I was eating mom's home cooked meal at a restaurant! Even my mom, who is very picky when it comes to eating out, loved it! Will definitely be going back!
(5)
Kelly N.
great experience!!! we seated near restroom. we asked for change the seat. rude waiter told us, this is the only table they have. and the hair in ur food. disgusting! will not go there again., my frd, if u pretty sure u want to have this kind of experience, go to west lake.
(1)
John M.
Outstanding spot for dim sum. Every bit as good as going to Chinatown. Dim sum carts were bountiful and circulated frequently.
(4)
Jessica C.
I went here once with my mom when it wasn't very full and we were served dim sum by a couple of very polite waiters and waitresses. But, when we came back another time when it was busier, they would keep passing up our table, and a lot of the waitresses who didn't seem to pleased to have white people in the establishment (or maybe it was the way I was sitting or something? I'm unsure) kept charging me for large plates when I would pick out three shrimp dumplings, or the plate of the three flat noodles. I didn't think those were large... I was very surprised that, after only 3 dishes, the tab came up to almost 30 dollars. :/ I didn't think that still happened, it might've just been bad luck for me, but once I realized where they were stamping for our dishes, I paid and scrambled out of there right quick. never went back
(2)
Lauren L.
Most authentic Chinese food found to date in Central NJ. I'm getting this out of the way, I'm Chinese. I've grown up on the food in Chinatown in NYC and use to go there every week to visit my grandma. I've travelled all around to Boston and San Fran and nothing has compared to the food in NYC. When moving to the 'burbs, I was saddened by the thought of generic chinese food and having to trek into the city to get some good grub. I have to say thanks to the reviewers, this is legit. I truly felt like I was in a restaurant in chinatown. The ambience of families at their round tables chatting away and eating. The waiters hustling and bustling and yelling in chinese to each other. The food was great. Lots of authentic items to choose from such as lobster in black bean sauce, shrimp with walnuts, and much much more. I'm looking forward to returning again to get a little taste of chinatown only 20 mins away.
(4)
Alexander W.
Excellent and fresh seafood and vegetables, very interesting atmosphere, knowledgeable and attentive service, and reasonable prices. A mostly Cantonese menu which was as good as most of the Chinese restaurants I've experienced in New York. Seemed pretty busy on a Sunday night, so might want to make reservations if coming at a peak time.
(4)
D F.
How a game of word association would go down at West Lake (meal style) I'd say "Hot and sour soup" Your Answer: "Average. Run of the mill." I'd say "Steak with chinese brocolli" Your Answer: "Sizzling. Tender. Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness" I'd say "Sauteed Mini Bok Choy" Your Answer: "Garlic. Oil. Adorably bite sized."
(4)
Mitchell R.
Food was good not great to me. I grew up eating Chinese food all the time especially at a place called Wong Key at 113 Mott in NYC. I morn the day they closed. Spare ribs not tasty at all and weird portion of 7 for $13 bucks way too expensive. Service not attentive at all. I will try again especially want to go for dim sum. Let you know what I think next time.
(3)
Nancy L.
Went there with a group of friends for Dim Sum yesterday; comparing to some other Chinese restaurants nearby, this place is pretty decent. When compared to others in NYC/Flushing Chinatown, however, West Lake is very average.
(3)
Elaine L.
This place is always packed, and with Chinese people so you know it's a good sign. Dim sum is excellent -- fresh and still warm. Prices are better than Crown Palace's dim sum. Get here early because this small place fills up quickly. If ordering other dishes a la carte, you still get it in a timely manner despite the kitchen being very busy cooking dim sum for the carts. Dinner is also excellent. I've been here many times for dinner. Eggplant with garlic sauce is sweet yet with enough of a spicy kick. Shrimp with mayo contains jumbo shrimp, not regular-sized shrimp. Can't go wrong with any of the seafood dishes -- scallop, conch, fish, lobster -- all taste very fresh. Their strengths aren't just limited to seafood -- their curry beef casserole and pork chop in sweet & spicy sauce are also quite memorable. Highly recommended for authenticity of taste at reasonable prices and excellent service (the wait staff and manager all visibly work their butts off but they never get snappy from the pressure).
(4)
Meerkat H.
we've been there 3 times for the weekend Dim-Sum... WE LOVED it! The staff is always in a rush but its worth it the food is fresh and delicious, expect a wait if you go on a Sunday... If you're still skeptical about it.. GO TRY it, it is totally worth the wait and I can assure you you will enjoy it. The ingredients are fresh and extremely well prepared.
(4)
Pat G.
Decent food and the atmosphere definitely has a real Chinatown feel. Its also so incredibly loud in there on weekends that you can barely hear the person sitting next to you. I also must comment on the comical, yes, comical, service. Only ONE guy in the entire restaurant, presumably the manager, speaks English and takes the orders. For such a large restaurant, that is no easy task. He is always running around. I don't know how he hasn't had a stroke or heart attack yet. The other servers do not understand a lick of English. Whenever you ask them for something, they will smile and say "Yes", and then disappear never to be seen again. That said, they have never messed up an order, so its not all that bad.
(3)
Ashley L.
Pretty authentic food. Good for dinner and dim sum. There isn't much parking in the plaza but there is plenty in the back. Owner is very friendly and knows our family pretty well.
(4)
Jannie H.
Best Dim Sum place that I've had so far in the East Coast. Definitely comparable to Seattle/Canada Dim Sum. My tummy was so satisfied that day, that I left a happy girl back to North Carolina where authentic Chinese food is limited due to that fact that I live in a military town. I really enjoy the chicken feet. Yum. I guess the one thing that determines if a dim sum place is worthy is if the chicken feets are cooked properly, and it does help that this place is crowded with Asian people on the weekend for dim sum. =)
(5)
Elliot K.
Loved it. Unique versions of some classic dishes. The service was top notch. The staff was very attentive. This has to be the best Chinese Restaurant in our area...
(4)
Eric N.
This is one of the best Chinese Restaurants in Monmouth County, and I'm lucky to only live ten minutes away. It's located at the end of a small strip mall on Hwy 34 in Matawan. There is limited parking in front but overflow in the rear. It's BYO. The interior is nothing fancy, with the typical red color theme. They have several very large tables with 'lazy susans', making it very convenient for a large group. In the back of the restaurant are several fish tanks with assorted live seafood. Lobsters, several types of fish, shrimp, crabs. etc. If you see something you like, ask the waiter and they can suggest different preparations. That being said, West Lake's specialty is fresh, super authentic Cantonese style seafood. Although they specialize in seafood, they still have all the other traditional Cantonese dishes. There are (2) menus there. The traditional americanized menu and a chinese menu with traditional chinese dishes. Don't worry, there is translations to tell you whats on it. Ask for both menus. Some of my favorites include their Peking Duck, Chili Pork Chops, whole pan fried flounder and their fresh Asian vegetable and noodles dishes. By the way, they also have Dim Sum on Saturdays and Sundays. Finally, they have great lunch specials. The restaurant gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
(4)
Sean C.
If you don't want to go up to New York for a good Chinatown dinner this is the place to go. Compared to Crown Palace, West Lake's food and price is tastier and cheaper. Try to get seafood when you come here, since this is a seafood restaurant. I will admit though, that one of my favorite dishes here is the beef and bittermelon with black bean sauce. I do realize that bittermelon is an acquired taste so don't try it if you've never had it before (it's.. well, bitter.) I'm actually unsure if they have this dish on the English menu. When you're seated you can see the fish tanks in the back holding that night's entrees alive and oblivious. The place is decently decorated. A typical Chinese restaurant ambiance. You get peanuts, pickled radishes and hot tea when you sit down (none of that crispy chips with sweet red sauce, thank god.) Aside from the bittermelon dish, I like to get a steamed whole fish. The fish is cooked fresh and just right. Also, the fried dungeon crab is good as well. It is lightly battered and fried with chile and pepper. I'm also a fan of the clams in black bean sauce. Basically come here for authentic Chinese cuisine and try to order seafood. I give this a high rating because this is really the best place to go around this area for Chinese seafood. You can come in a big group or just by yourself and there are dishes to meet both demands. I have no complaints about the service. They are friendly and helpful. They always offer help if you're confused about what to order. Here is their website: westlakeseafood.com I tried putting it into yelp's business info but I'm new to this and I guess a lot of people have to put it in?
(4)
Michael W.
Pretty good food. I like getting the shrimp & egg with rice.
(3)
KELLY Y.
I was spoiled to have enjoyed fabulous Chinese food in Chinatown, NY and in Brooklyn. When I moved into NJ every single Chinese restaurant was a disappointment. Then finally I discovered West Lake. OMG this is the best Chinese food in NJ. Awesome variety of dim sum. Plus fabulous and authentic entrees too.
(5)
Andrew C.
Went last night after reading reviews here. Very good Chinese food. Will be back.
(4)
Greg B.
Awesome food - fresh and expertly prepared, with consistency in quality that's rare in dim sum. It rivals the best in Chinatown in NY. Good service overall, though the staff is often harried because of the big crowd. One of the best dim sum in NJ, at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended.
(4)
Ginger L.
Best Chinese food I've ever had. Ordered take-out & couldn't believe how good the pepper steak & General Tso's was. I can't wait to try something a little more complex & their dim sum!
(5)
John D.
Do you love, I mean truly love Chinese food? Do you yearn for sensational Authentic plate licking Chinese food? If your moo is goo and your pork braised with traditional Asians veggies, look no further in CNJ. This may very well be the best around. The adjective Authentic gets boasted about as often as Obama makes campaign promises, however in this case they mean it. Always stress authentic if you happen to be non Asian and you will be blown away. Having dined here dozens of times in the past 10 years I can attest to the quality as A+. Lunch specials especially the squid with mixed veggies & braised pork fat over preserved cabbage is divine. Whole cooked fish with sauce options are exceptional. I dream about the Hot & sour soup. All lunch specials are less than $10 for an ample amount. Dinner a lil more. Perhaps the best dim sum brunch in New Jersey that I've experienced. I've been to Hong Kong and I'm not saying far eastern quality or bizarreness , but about as close to it in NJ. Quite a freshly made variety along with all my favs like: chicken feet, snails, shumai options, clams, bok choy, eggplant filled with crab, hot peppers under chicken, sticky buns, dumpling options, sticky filled rice all being rolled throughout in the steam carts. Relatively small dining room with fish tanks to keep the kids entertained. Very clean. Great service & brewed tea options. Priced well. BYOB bonus. You will have to wait during prime times. Why are you still reading this review? Get over here.
(5)
Doc B.
Showed up with reservations. Turned away because of a party, told there never was a reservation. Oh, please. Bye,
(2)
Peter L.
This place is indeed on par with other authentic Chinese dim sum place in NYC, which probably speaks volume about this place. Two friend of mine and I arrived near its closing hours during a weekend. The interior does convey a typical dim sum place atmosphere, except being a little smaller than usual. Despite the fact that its was about to close, food was still nice and warm, except the serving is comparably smaller in contrast with other dim sum places. The service was reasonably attentive but maybe due to the fact that it's towards the end of the day, one of the waitress somewhat tried to hard-sell some of the dim sum to us, which is greatly quite annoying. And the bill, it's slightly pricy, but given that it's no where close to a major population (?), this is still place worth stopping by if you happen to be on the way. 3.5/5 Recommended.
(4)
Stephy S.
My go-to Chinese take out. The food is always delicious. The only issue is on rare occasions, I guess depending on the cook, the dishes can be just "OK." There is a credit card limit as well. I like the dinner combo plates, it comes with fried rice and your entree, as well as a spring roll. This is enough for 2 people.
(4)
Syvan T.
My boyfriend and I came here because his friend had brought him some West Lake Chinese duck that came with sticky buns earlier in the week and he really liked and was craving it. The staff was very nice. My boyfriends duck was delicious in his opinion (I don't eat duck). I got chicken with broccoli and it was kind of bland and in a white sauce. The portions were very small for the price. Unless my boyfriend gets that craving again, we can probably do better.
GREAT dim sum! Fresh and flavorful food that will leave you satisfying that chinese food craving. I come here on the weekends every now and then for dimsum. While I love the food, I believe the service can vary wildly depending on time and how busy they are. However even with the hit or miss service I still come because I love their food!
(4)
K K.
The food here is on par with restaurants in Chinatown and that says a lot. It is authentic Chinese food. Everyone here is friendly and so unlike the wait staff of those in other places where they don't speak English and aren't very nice. The manager walks around and makes sure that everything is according to standards. He takes pride in the food that is served. Westlake has quality food that doesn't make your stomach hurt afterwards or have you gulping water for the rest of the evening. I noticed that almost every table ordered the Peking duck and we regretfully did not. I'm going to guess that it's good if everyone has one at their table. We ordered the Roast Chicken (Cantonese style), Stir Fry Silver Fish Delight, Chives with Salty Fish and Salt and Pepper Pork Chops. The roast chicken had the best crispy skin that wasn't greasy, but juicy. The stir fry is chives stir fried with mushrooms, carrots, little fish, squid and jelly fish. It's got the chewiness of the squid, crunch if the chives and carrots, soft texture of the mushrooms with a fresh crunch of water chestnuts and jellyfish. The salt and pepper pork chops were crunchy with so much flavor. A bit much on the fatty part of the meat, but the breading was delicious. If you can't make it to Chinatown want great good with great service, go here.
(4)
Mike C.
Talk about genuine chinese food. Great for families who enjoy chinese food.
(4)
La L.
We weren't impressed with this place. We typically eat at the Thai place next door but decided to give them a shot since they're always busy. The food was pretty bland and the moo shu chicken tasted a little off. We aren't sure why and are hoping we don't get bubble guts. It unlikely that we'd return. Despite the great reviews, the food is way far off of what you'd get in Chinatown. I think people in this part of Jersey are dying for good Chinese food. Sheesh, I'd hate the taste the food at a mediocre spot. The service was friendly though.
(2)
Patricia T.
I always see a steady flow of customers here yet I have never had a friend refer me. My husband and I were thinking of take out but then thought why not dine in. It was a Saturday night. First let me say I've rarely been in such a loud place. My husband agreed and felt it was the acoustics. Everyone was screaming at each other. (He never complains and his motto is suffer in silence) I was in the mood for pan fried flounder but was told it would be $26. In fact most plates were up there so I settled for steamed chicken with ginger sauce. That was 15. It came out quickly with the looks of gelatin on it. Listen I cook with chicken feet and love it but this was rubber with bland flavor. I tried to eat it but I was paying for this? The waiter only wanted to argue with me and kept repeating I explained what this was and that it would have bones. The bones were no problem for me it was the quality of the dish. By the way both of our entrees included no vegetables!! He was eventually pushed aside by a smart woman who tried to get something I would like. Let me also add I've been exposed to very authentic Asian food and am not stuck on the usual American take out choices. I tried my husbands dish so very dry and tasted like someone threw chicken an black beans in a burnt skillet and heated it up. Now let me be fair I heard and saw some great food coming out and other customers seemed pleased. For my husband and I we probably won't return.
(2)
Betty L.
Westlake restaurant offers the best Chinese food in New Jersey. Their seafood is fresh and fantastic. It's clean and the staff is very quick and attentive. This is the only restaurant in NJ that offers my favorite dish "Bean Curd in Szechuan Style" It's made with ground pork, tender silken tofu covered with a delicate white spicy sauce which you eat over white rice. It's a must try. They also offer dim sum on the weekends but it can get a little hectic there if you go too early and if you go too late they won't offer as much of a variety. I normally make reservations because I usually go with large groups and I hate standing around waiting. This place is a must try for authentic Chinese food.
(4)
Kurtis P.
We got food to go so I can't really speak to the restaurant/service end of things but from the food we got we won't be coming back to check out that end of it. We ordered a few staple dishes, ie lo mein, general tso's, fried rice, egg rolls, etc... Everything tasted very bland. There was little to no flavor in anything. The food seemed very mushy, almost like they over steamed everything. Not quite what the usual, fresh fare of other Chinese food places typically is. Way off from the more authentic dining experiences we've had before, here in the states and in Asia. There a few other places in the area that are much better.
(3)
Sharon T.
This is pure authentic Chinese food. In JERSEY (wtf?). Deep on a dead route, where centers look like isolated ghost towns, there is an small, amazing canton seafood restaurant that dominates some of Chinatown's "finest", all put together, in the name of West Lake Chinese Seafood. I don't quite remember my first experience here from four years ago, but I was blown away this second time. Everything here is delicious. I normally don't eat every dish served on the table, but I JUST couldn't stop eating, especially the assorted seafood in taro nest. Extra crispy fried taro, yum! By the end of the night, I have became the skinny version of Kirstie Alley.
I come here occasionally, and the food is pretty good. This place has an interesting history, originally starting out as hu lu something, then turning into Xiong Mao (aka Panda ?House?), before finally becoming this iteration as West Lake. The food is not bad, especially their eggplant. The pan fried noodles I had were a little bit disappointing, but almost all of their dishes are above average. It is fairly authentic and has a lot of offerings not available at other places. All in all a pretty good place with slightly high prices which can be justified by above average food.
(4)
Bob S.
Authentic Chinese...just look at their customers. Nuff said. But I'll go on...the shrimp and walnuts is great. Tonight I had the grouper and garlic with veggies, some kind of candied pork chop...garlic spinach, excellent. I say I think because Chinese isn't a strong language for me..it's a fun place to visit. The roasted duck smiles too.
(5)
Jack E.
The food was good ribs need improvement . This is real Chinese food authentic . I came all the way from Middletown . Better than crownpalace . Or any other local place by me . They have to step up the service . Every time you needed something you had to ask fit it . Water , knife , menu , etc ... Things that should be standard in service . But all in all the good was good . The waiters work hard but need a little more training on table service if they get that this place will be top notch place .
(4)
Crystine W.
West Lake Seafood Restaurant pleasantly surprised us. They were able to accommodate us on very short notice (we were a party of 20 and we only called a few days before) and their food was very authentic! It's hard to find places outside of Chinatown (NY versions) and Asia that serve Chinese food so close. Their Shrimp w Walnuts (also sometimes referred to as Mayonnaise Shrimp), Peking Duck and the Snow Pea Shoots with Garlic were delicious. There were some other things we tried as well and they were good, but these three things were the best. Their portions lean towards the small-regular sizes; this may have been one of two times I left a Chinese restaurant feeling semi-hungry. Also, our server was one of the sweetest i have ever had. He was really attentive and took care of all our needs.
(4)
JW U.
This Authentic chinese food will make you feel like you were transported to Chinatown, NYC. Nelson runs a quality restaurant but when he is not in the house things just are not the same.
(5)
Sean W.
My girlfriend's parents live near by and were born in China. This is their favorite local spot. It is BYO with no corking fee that I know of. I have not had a bad dish on the menu. The westlake soup is a fantastic way to start. You really can't go wrong. For Dim Sum the selection is pretty good for the location. Everything tastes great and the price is good.
(4)
Edward R.
When a waitress from Sunny Palace told us that the dim sum was better at West Lake we of course listened and tried it this Sunday. We arrived about 11.15am and the dining room was only half full but several large family tables kept the waitstaff and 4 well stocked steam carts busy. The Hong Kong style dim sum while not breaking any new ground was large, delicious,and expertly prepared and unlike Sunny Palace all came out at the same time so table turnover is quick and efficient. Service is a bit brisk and the ladies behind the steam carts speak little English but if familiar with dim sum that fact is little hindrance to an excellent meal. Prices are good also as 3 hearty eaters left full with a small doggy bag for less than $15.00 each with tip. I like the fact that the diners that morning were overwhelmingly Asian whose tables were overflowing with some very aromatic dishes that appears on an additional menu that accompanies their dim sum and can't wait to delve deeper into their offerings. A solid find and highly recommended.
(4)
Margaret Z.
Best dim sum I've had on the East Coast so far. Can't speak for any of the main entrees though, but hope to come back to try some! The dim sum here is pretty affordable and there are usually a lot of carts going around for quick service and lots of variety. I haven't experienced a wait yet, but it does get busy. Everything tastes really fresh and authentic... my favorites include the sticky rice, pork buns, and "zha liang" - flat noodles with fried dough on the inside. If you don't see a typical dim sum item on the cart, ask the attendants because they sometimes will have it in the kitchen, just not readily available. The only reason I give 4 stars is because it can also take a while for these items to make their way out from the kitchen, and communication with the servers can be hectic. All in all, a great place for a weekend morning meal. Ample seating for large groups/families or just for two.
(4)
Justine G.
To find better Chinese food, you'd have to go to Chinatown. My family has been going to West Lake for years, it was so wonderful when they opened up so close to my parents house because they could now get quality, authentic Cantonese food without the drive. It's a little pricier than Chinese places in the area, but that's only to be expected since they're cooking with better ingredients and the restaurant is more upscale than your typical strip mall Chinese greasy spoon. If you have a large group, this a great place to take them. Big round tables with a lazy Susan in the middle to pass around delicious family style dishes. I've never left here feeling anything but satisfied. My favorite dishes are the prawns in Grand Marnier sauce with candied walnuts and the pan fried noodles. Stay away from your standard American Chinese dishes, like sesame chicken. While those types of dishes are good and will likely be better than would find at a standard Chinese place, the traditional seafood and noodle dishes are where West Lake shines. My super mean and picky Chinese grandma even likes this place! I've also been to the dim sum a few times and it was also great. All the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, but closer to home. Just point to whatever looks good on the carts and enjoy.
(4)
Kim E.
Some of the best Chinese seafood restaurants, like Seven Seas outside of Washington DC, have put the kabosh on their best dish, Dungeness Crab with Ginger and Scallions. So when I saw that West Lake had Dungeness on their menu, I decided to stop on a recent afternoon drive to NY. It was a bit off the Turnpike and finding it in a woebegone shopping strip was a bit frustrating, and initially disappointing. It didn't look like it was going to be much and we had taken a significant detour to get there. But it was spacious and comfortable on the inside. The lunch specials all looked good and the low price almost prompted me to order one. The first thing I noticed about the service was that the wait staff didn't ask a lot of stupid questions. They brought the hot tea automatically, for example. They didn't ask if you wanted chop sticks or rice, they just brought them. I liked that. When I asked if they had the dungeness crab for lunch, it was no problem. They had it and it was absolutely delicious, as good as any I have had- and its my go to dish in Chinese Seafood. Overall I had to rule West Lake a hidden gem, because of its poor location and off the beaten track aspect. It turned out to be totally worth the effort.
(5)
Douglas L.
Your average sit-down-type Chinese restaurant with slightly more traditional dishes. I've eaten here on several occasions.
(3)
German F.
Being Chinese with a fine palate for chinese food after living in Flushing NY for many years, I was impressed with West Lake. Comparatively taste wise, their dim sum is the best in Central Jersey and I have been to Avenel, East Brunswick, Edison and Marlboro for dim sum. Dim Sum is offered on weekends and major holidays. Dinner is also very good with a wide selection of seafood. This is very obvious when majority of their customers are chinese. The staff is friendly and courtious. Parking is very convenient.
(5)
Eric Y.
food was okay. waiters are always rude.
(3)
Samantha P.
Hands down THE BEST dim sum I have EVER had. Really authentic, and it was hot unlike some places I have been. We must have tried 10 different things and every single item was amazing - my favorite was the shrimp wrapped in some kind of dumpling wrapper. Wish I could go every weekend, good thing I'm only a 5 minute drive away!
(4)
Jim L.
Good Cantonese style food. I come here a lot for the dim sum too.
(4)
A T.
I believes their dim sum is the best in surround area. Sometimes we went there with a group of friends for dinner, always ordered the roast chicken with Cantonese style and Fried groupie fillet with hot chile. Their quality is good and is BYOB!
(4)
Alex Z.
This is the only truly authentic Chinese restaurant I have been to outside of a big city. It may not be the best of the best, but it's getting up there: the food is good, very reasonably priced, and very authentic. I especially like the noodle soups: simple, subtle, and with generous quantities of meat, noodles, and veggies. As others have observed, seafood dishes are particularly good: very fresh and with liberal quantities of seafood. Service was also very good. This place is a gem--and truly an unusual phenomenon for its authenticity in such a suburban location.
(4)
Keira S.
The food was pretty bad. The service was so cold and impersonal. The restaurant has a very generic feel.
(1)
Sharon H.
This is a great restaurant in an unassuming strip mall. The dim sum on weekend is wonderful, better than I have had in Chinatown in NYC! Their soups are wonderful and you will find many different varieties. I just love their Peking duck and lobster with ginger sauce. Prices are very reasonable. Love it!
(5)
R L.
I have been going here for dim sum and initially I was planning to go to a Thai restaurant for dinner but they were closed and since we're in the area, we decide to give their dinner menu a try. Since they are known for their seafood, we started out with salt & pepper Oysters as an appetizer and they were fresh and delicious. For our entree, we ordered a pan fried flounder and the fish was huge, at least two pounds. The fish was fresh and cooked perfectly and serve with soy sauce & scallions. The waiter even de-boned the fish for us. I also order an authentic Hong Kong style pan fried noodles with chicken and it was really good too. If you are in the area and in the mood for frh seafood, give them a try.
(4)
L K.
Most authentic Chinese around. For a little piece of Chinatown, go to West Lake. Superior seafood dishes and extremely friendly staff. Look around- almost everyone who eats here is Chinese- an excellent sign. Great family style dinners and yummy dim sum on weekends. Packed on the weekend, so don't be surprised if there's a wait- reservations recommended.
(5)
Raymond W.
Really good local restaurant with pretty fast service. Closest thing to Chinese food without having to go to Chinatown. Serves dim sum on weekends and 3 plate dinners during the week. My parents are extremely loyal especially since we are only minutes away.
(5)
KC L.
I expect this place to be a classy place since this place was Zagat rated. Not as classy as I expected but not like hole in the wall either. The food was pretty good. I expect this place to have a lot of Chinese but it was a mix group. Then again it was snowing that day so maybe that's why. The price can be a few buck cheaper. I tried the Shrimp Fried Rice and it was pretty good but I don't understand why the rice was darker then expected. Not a 5 star place and I don't understand the Zagat rated.
(4)
Eric G.
Great dim sum.
(5)
cori b.
They have a special cash only take out menu. For less than $30 you can feed a family of 4. Amazing!
(4)
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Address :Pinecrest Plaza,1016 State Rt 34 S
Matawan, NJ, 07747
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Cynthia S.
Love Love Love their Dim Sum. Try the fried chicken and shrimp dumplings. Come early, they start getting busy around 12:30pm
(5)Nancy L.
Do not order the T-bone steak with broccoli from here. It was well done, tough, and not very tasty!!!
(2)Rosalita E.
Every time I visit my grandfather in NJ, we eat here for both dinner and dim sum. He and his girlfriend are regulars, so the staff know them. The food is consistently excellent and the service is attentive and friendly. Prices are reasonable as well. It is great to find a place out in the suburbs that serves authentic and fresh Chinese food. Last time we went, we got fresh bass, which was excellent. We also got a shrimp, broccoli and walnut dish that was even better than the version I had recently in Boston's Chinatown.
(5)Keith S.
By far the best chinese food in the area!!!, The only problem i have with this place is the loud "fake" manager trying to laugh at everything HAHAHA. it kind of bothers me. The food is awesome. the service is great. Its BYO and the dim sum on the weekend is good also.
(4)Melissa M.
Even though I don't live that far from NYC, it still isn't the most convenient place to have to trek to when I'm in the mood for Dim Sum. Luckily there are a few places in the area that would take care of my craving, West Lake being one of them. My bf and I came here one weekend for their Dim Sum. The strip mall that West Lake lies in is a very busy one so it might be hard to find parking up front, but they have more parking in the back. We arrived around 12:30 PM and even though the place was packed, we were seated immediately. West Lake looks like your typical Chinese food place with their decorations and set up. The tables are very tightly packed so if you're claustrophobic, you might have a problem. We didn't order anything off the menu and just stuck to the dishes being offered on the carts being wheeled around. The staff does a pretty good job of making sure they get to everybody. We ordered a bunch of dishes. Overall, nothing stands out. The food is okay. Not as fresh as in Chinatown, but we're in Matawan so what do you expect. Still good enough to satisfy my Dim Sum cravings.
(3)Amanda g.
Each time I'm lucky enough to have dim sum I ask myself why I don't do it more often. I went to West Lake with a few friends this afternoon after a grueling workout and it was perfect. The carts kept coming around stocked full of every kind of shrimp concoction you could want. The congee was delicious and they even prepared a special order of chive buns for us. The dining room was small but not overflowing - our small party didn't have to sit with randoms like we've had to do at other places. I can't wait to share this place with more people in my life!
(5)Rachel D.
Authentic Chinese food in Monmouth County? I know, I'm shocked too! Delicious dim sum comparable to New York, London and San Francisco. Delicious, fresh, tasty. Been coming here for over 12 years and am always happy with my food. However, "American" Chinese food is not great - only the authentic Chinese is worth 5 stars. So steer clear of beef and broccoli and try Shanghai Beef. Salted Shrimp for an app, veggie dishes and seafood dishes all fresh and yummy. It's a little overwhelming sometimes because I don't speak Cantonese or know what dishes are authentic and good, so I get recommendations from Yelpers.
(5)John H.
I say come here for dim sum on weekends! Week days their lunch special is just like any other Chinese take out. If you want something different come for dim sum.
(5)Tara W.
Love me some West Lake! Believe it or not, from Hoboken, it's more convenient than going to Chinatown and just as good! Look around you- a few whiteys but mostly Chinese. That's how you know you're in the right place. They recently expanded into the space next door and the service wasn't negatively impacted. They have excellent dim sum that is always hot and fresh with a good selection. They serve it on weekends and holidays. I've also been for several banquet-style dinners and they provide excellent service.
(4)Zao Z.
Possibly the best Chinese restaurant in Monmouth County. Having recently spent more than half a year in China, I can say that this restaurant's food is as authentic as the food I ate in Hong Kong and Guang Zhou. The restaurant serves the standard Cantonese main dishes as well as very good and reasonably priced dim sum on the weekends. The restaurant also serves the stereotypical "American Chinese" food which I find to be better than most of the take out places in the area. The prices are very reasonable. (the specials are a steal) The setting is upend hole in the wall. It is clean and presentable with some Chinese flair. It is New Jersey, you can't expect much. It is comparable to the restaurants in the area. They recently added a separate addition which can host private events. Service is similar to Chinatown. They are very polite, but I guess it could be hard to understand them at times. If you speak Chinese, it very easy.
(5)Justin B.
Gave this place a number of tries. Rude, inattentive service. Food that is inconsistent from poor-mediocre. Won't be going back.
(1)Jose F.
I had dimsum yesterday july 12 Saturday, the food was good BUT the service was awful. short staff, some waiters did not speak English, they were fast in taking out the empty dishes but Very Slow in bringing what you requested. I requested a pitcher of water with ice with 3 different waiters and finally the 4th time we got our water but no ice. after spending almost $170.00 we would expect to get a better service. Probably TAKE OUT will be better.
(1)Lucky C.
One of closest places when you want that NYC Chinatown food. The dim sum is one of the best in Middlesex. The service is always good and the quality always fresh. We also go for dinner from tie to time, and have o say try he green string bean in garlic stir fry very good alittle bit of a kick but good. The snails in white sauce very good! The pan fried noodles delish.... And don't forget the beef chow fun dry! (Chinatown style) very good! And of course you have your basic Chinese dinner order steam fish, Peking pork chops, deep fried flounder, and chicken in sizzling plater. The It's can go on and on but these are the items I order when we go and never a disappointment always walk out happy. Oh BYO always! ;)
(4)C R.
I don't have dim sum that often, but I did like the dimsum when I went here. Originally, I wanted to go to Shanghai Bun, but that was full, so we came here instead. I was seated immediately on a black friday afternoon around 12:30pm. We only had a few dishes because neither of us were that hungry. We had some bun filled with reddish meat stuff, shrimp dish, some fried crab ball thing and some other. I don't know what these things are, but they're still good. In the end, it came out to about $21 for 2 of us. Would definitely recomment to others and I am willing to come back. I've also been here one other time for dinner. I don't really recall how the food was, but I do remember saltiness. But, still good food.
(4)Chrystal C.
I have only been here for dinner, but when my family and I want to switch up our Chinese restaurants and go somewhere not around Edison, we come here. Try to come early, because even though they expanded the space, oftentimes tables will be full and lines will start forming. I noticed that a few parties made reservations ahead of time. The parking lot is also a bit small. Service is pretty good, but my family and I are never demanding. Just keep the tea and ice water coming, and they do! I love NYC Chinatown Cantonese food, and I can get it here. Price-wise it is a bit more expensive than in Chinatown - granted, it's suburbia so I am not going to complain too much, and the food is consistently good (but not outstanding like that in Chinatown). We love their seafood dishes (lobster and crab, anyone?!), the garlic sauteed snow peas (my favorite and sadly cannot be replicated at home due to my weaksauce non-restaurant stove top), and my Cantonese comfort food: the fried pork chops smothered in that sweet/sour/tangy red sauce (jing du pork chops). There was only one time we were disappointed, and that was when we came on a hot summer day, ordered a steamed fish, and it was not fresh. My mom and I know our fish, so we called them out on it. The manager was very nice and explained that in the kitchen, since the outdoors was ninety plus degrees, the kitchen itself was well over one hundred so the raw fish may have spoiled. Anyway, we got a small discount off our bill but the fish was $28 so we were a bit irritated.
(4)James N.
This restaurant serves authentic Chinese food... fried rice and egg rolls are not at the top of their menu.... the cliental is mostly Asian and the things on the menu are not typically found in the traditional NJ Chinese restaurants. If you are looking for real Chinese food without going into NYC China town, this place is in our backyard...
(4)Jen C.
I've been here quite a few times every time I visit family in NJ. I've had their dim sum and their dinner. The quality of food is pretty good. They have a good variety of dishes for dim sum and they have a large menu for dinner. I prefer coming for dim sum though. The restaurant got a bit bigger since the last time I saw it. They have enclosed section which is pretty good if you have a large party. It also has a tv in there but I'm not sure if they use it. The service is pretty good. They come by often to clear plates and refill our tea. I'll definitely come back here again.
(4)Christine C.
Usually dim sum places are packed on Sundays by 11, 11:30. We arrived around 11:15 and it was nearly empty, which we were happy about - no waiting! (The lines started around noon.) Unfortunately, we found that they don't have the full menu of dim sum items available until around noon, so we ended up having a couple dishes and then waiting around until a few of our favorite dishes (like egg tarts, puddings, desserts - but also savory tofu dishes, etc) started coming around. The food was very tasty - unfortunately I'm no expert in Chinese food so I'm not the most discerning when it comes to dim sum. We had beef tripe, crab balls, the long beef dumpling things, fried tofu with shrimp on top, among some other dishes that I can't recall. If I'm in the area, I would eat here, but won't be making any special trips here either! PS, M-F all small, medium, and large dishes are only $2.50!
(4)Adam M.
Upon suggestion by my friend we checked out this restaurant on our way home from Buyrite in Cranbury (thats a dont miss for ANY beer fan BTW). We walked in and theres big tanks in the back of the dining area in the chinatown style, lots of tables both small and big ones with lazy susans, and best of all...full of actual Chinese people :) We ordered the spring rolls, Ginger/Scallion Lobster, Snow Pea shoots and Orange beef. The spring rolls were good....u dont find PORK springrolls often. The snow pea shoots were great nice n garliky, and the orange beef was good, a lil spicey (as requested) but not too much, but what took center stage was the lobster, which was phenominal. This place is going high on our suggested Chinese joints list, this is THE cantonese spot in CNJ for us now. lol I'm not sure but I THINK I saw some stuff about DimSum ontheir menu, and a nice dim sum is always good..rushin ppl for delectible little plates is a great way to get out that frustration on sunday hehe It's BYOB but there is a store in the same strip and they're more then happy to let you bring whatever you want in alcohol-wise, altho this isnt really a place to get hammered....having had it now we know what beers to get in cranbury and bring with to pair with the seafood :) Service....one becomes accustomed to a certain kind of service in Chinese restaurants...but not here! Service was great. Everyone was friendly, attentive (they were constantly refilling my water...which is rare in this type of place), and had no problem with any of our specifications or special requests. We cant WAIT to bring our families and friends here....if they can take the ride for a meal....its worth the wait though!
(4)Austin D.
We went for dinner on a Saturday night and this place was packed. Which is why I was happy that we made reservations. However, the management apparently didn't understand the concept on reservations being used to "reserve" a table. So while we waited with the rest of the crowd the manager was very rude whenever we asked about the wait. After half an hour we walked out...
(1)John T.
You know a Chinese restaurant is good when everyone EATING in the restaurant is Chinese. Really good food, but definitely pricey for what it is. My favorite is the prawns with chili & salt, but everything I've tried has been good.
(4)Howay Y.
Excellent food! Most people will agree that my mom cooks the best home made Chinese food there is. My wife and I went with my parents today for lunch and it was the first time I felt like I was eating mom's home cooked meal at a restaurant! Even my mom, who is very picky when it comes to eating out, loved it! Will definitely be going back!
(5)Kelly N.
great experience!!! we seated near restroom. we asked for change the seat. rude waiter told us, this is the only table they have. and the hair in ur food. disgusting! will not go there again., my frd, if u pretty sure u want to have this kind of experience, go to west lake.
(1)John M.
Outstanding spot for dim sum. Every bit as good as going to Chinatown. Dim sum carts were bountiful and circulated frequently.
(4)Jessica C.
I went here once with my mom when it wasn't very full and we were served dim sum by a couple of very polite waiters and waitresses. But, when we came back another time when it was busier, they would keep passing up our table, and a lot of the waitresses who didn't seem to pleased to have white people in the establishment (or maybe it was the way I was sitting or something? I'm unsure) kept charging me for large plates when I would pick out three shrimp dumplings, or the plate of the three flat noodles. I didn't think those were large... I was very surprised that, after only 3 dishes, the tab came up to almost 30 dollars. :/ I didn't think that still happened, it might've just been bad luck for me, but once I realized where they were stamping for our dishes, I paid and scrambled out of there right quick. never went back
(2)Lauren L.
Most authentic Chinese food found to date in Central NJ. I'm getting this out of the way, I'm Chinese. I've grown up on the food in Chinatown in NYC and use to go there every week to visit my grandma. I've travelled all around to Boston and San Fran and nothing has compared to the food in NYC. When moving to the 'burbs, I was saddened by the thought of generic chinese food and having to trek into the city to get some good grub. I have to say thanks to the reviewers, this is legit. I truly felt like I was in a restaurant in chinatown. The ambience of families at their round tables chatting away and eating. The waiters hustling and bustling and yelling in chinese to each other. The food was great. Lots of authentic items to choose from such as lobster in black bean sauce, shrimp with walnuts, and much much more. I'm looking forward to returning again to get a little taste of chinatown only 20 mins away.
(4)Alexander W.
Excellent and fresh seafood and vegetables, very interesting atmosphere, knowledgeable and attentive service, and reasonable prices. A mostly Cantonese menu which was as good as most of the Chinese restaurants I've experienced in New York. Seemed pretty busy on a Sunday night, so might want to make reservations if coming at a peak time.
(4)D F.
How a game of word association would go down at West Lake (meal style) I'd say "Hot and sour soup" Your Answer: "Average. Run of the mill." I'd say "Steak with chinese brocolli" Your Answer: "Sizzling. Tender. Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness" I'd say "Sauteed Mini Bok Choy" Your Answer: "Garlic. Oil. Adorably bite sized."
(4)Mitchell R.
Food was good not great to me. I grew up eating Chinese food all the time especially at a place called Wong Key at 113 Mott in NYC. I morn the day they closed. Spare ribs not tasty at all and weird portion of 7 for $13 bucks way too expensive. Service not attentive at all. I will try again especially want to go for dim sum. Let you know what I think next time.
(3)Nancy L.
Went there with a group of friends for Dim Sum yesterday; comparing to some other Chinese restaurants nearby, this place is pretty decent. When compared to others in NYC/Flushing Chinatown, however, West Lake is very average.
(3)Elaine L.
This place is always packed, and with Chinese people so you know it's a good sign. Dim sum is excellent -- fresh and still warm. Prices are better than Crown Palace's dim sum. Get here early because this small place fills up quickly. If ordering other dishes a la carte, you still get it in a timely manner despite the kitchen being very busy cooking dim sum for the carts. Dinner is also excellent. I've been here many times for dinner. Eggplant with garlic sauce is sweet yet with enough of a spicy kick. Shrimp with mayo contains jumbo shrimp, not regular-sized shrimp. Can't go wrong with any of the seafood dishes -- scallop, conch, fish, lobster -- all taste very fresh. Their strengths aren't just limited to seafood -- their curry beef casserole and pork chop in sweet & spicy sauce are also quite memorable. Highly recommended for authenticity of taste at reasonable prices and excellent service (the wait staff and manager all visibly work their butts off but they never get snappy from the pressure).
(4)Meerkat H.
we've been there 3 times for the weekend Dim-Sum... WE LOVED it! The staff is always in a rush but its worth it the food is fresh and delicious, expect a wait if you go on a Sunday... If you're still skeptical about it.. GO TRY it, it is totally worth the wait and I can assure you you will enjoy it. The ingredients are fresh and extremely well prepared.
(4)Pat G.
Decent food and the atmosphere definitely has a real Chinatown feel. Its also so incredibly loud in there on weekends that you can barely hear the person sitting next to you. I also must comment on the comical, yes, comical, service. Only ONE guy in the entire restaurant, presumably the manager, speaks English and takes the orders. For such a large restaurant, that is no easy task. He is always running around. I don't know how he hasn't had a stroke or heart attack yet. The other servers do not understand a lick of English. Whenever you ask them for something, they will smile and say "Yes", and then disappear never to be seen again. That said, they have never messed up an order, so its not all that bad.
(3)Ashley L.
Pretty authentic food. Good for dinner and dim sum. There isn't much parking in the plaza but there is plenty in the back. Owner is very friendly and knows our family pretty well.
(4)Jannie H.
Best Dim Sum place that I've had so far in the East Coast. Definitely comparable to Seattle/Canada Dim Sum. My tummy was so satisfied that day, that I left a happy girl back to North Carolina where authentic Chinese food is limited due to that fact that I live in a military town. I really enjoy the chicken feet. Yum. I guess the one thing that determines if a dim sum place is worthy is if the chicken feets are cooked properly, and it does help that this place is crowded with Asian people on the weekend for dim sum. =)
(5)Elliot K.
Loved it. Unique versions of some classic dishes. The service was top notch. The staff was very attentive. This has to be the best Chinese Restaurant in our area...
(4)Eric N.
This is one of the best Chinese Restaurants in Monmouth County, and I'm lucky to only live ten minutes away. It's located at the end of a small strip mall on Hwy 34 in Matawan. There is limited parking in front but overflow in the rear. It's BYO. The interior is nothing fancy, with the typical red color theme. They have several very large tables with 'lazy susans', making it very convenient for a large group. In the back of the restaurant are several fish tanks with assorted live seafood. Lobsters, several types of fish, shrimp, crabs. etc. If you see something you like, ask the waiter and they can suggest different preparations. That being said, West Lake's specialty is fresh, super authentic Cantonese style seafood. Although they specialize in seafood, they still have all the other traditional Cantonese dishes. There are (2) menus there. The traditional americanized menu and a chinese menu with traditional chinese dishes. Don't worry, there is translations to tell you whats on it. Ask for both menus. Some of my favorites include their Peking Duck, Chili Pork Chops, whole pan fried flounder and their fresh Asian vegetable and noodles dishes. By the way, they also have Dim Sum on Saturdays and Sundays. Finally, they have great lunch specials. The restaurant gets very busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
(4)Sean C.
If you don't want to go up to New York for a good Chinatown dinner this is the place to go. Compared to Crown Palace, West Lake's food and price is tastier and cheaper. Try to get seafood when you come here, since this is a seafood restaurant. I will admit though, that one of my favorite dishes here is the beef and bittermelon with black bean sauce. I do realize that bittermelon is an acquired taste so don't try it if you've never had it before (it's.. well, bitter.) I'm actually unsure if they have this dish on the English menu. When you're seated you can see the fish tanks in the back holding that night's entrees alive and oblivious. The place is decently decorated. A typical Chinese restaurant ambiance. You get peanuts, pickled radishes and hot tea when you sit down (none of that crispy chips with sweet red sauce, thank god.) Aside from the bittermelon dish, I like to get a steamed whole fish. The fish is cooked fresh and just right. Also, the fried dungeon crab is good as well. It is lightly battered and fried with chile and pepper. I'm also a fan of the clams in black bean sauce. Basically come here for authentic Chinese cuisine and try to order seafood. I give this a high rating because this is really the best place to go around this area for Chinese seafood. You can come in a big group or just by yourself and there are dishes to meet both demands. I have no complaints about the service. They are friendly and helpful. They always offer help if you're confused about what to order. Here is their website: westlakeseafood.com I tried putting it into yelp's business info but I'm new to this and I guess a lot of people have to put it in?
(4)Michael W.
Pretty good food. I like getting the shrimp & egg with rice.
(3)KELLY Y.
I was spoiled to have enjoyed fabulous Chinese food in Chinatown, NY and in Brooklyn. When I moved into NJ every single Chinese restaurant was a disappointment. Then finally I discovered West Lake. OMG this is the best Chinese food in NJ. Awesome variety of dim sum. Plus fabulous and authentic entrees too.
(5)Andrew C.
Went last night after reading reviews here. Very good Chinese food. Will be back.
(4)Greg B.
Awesome food - fresh and expertly prepared, with consistency in quality that's rare in dim sum. It rivals the best in Chinatown in NY. Good service overall, though the staff is often harried because of the big crowd. One of the best dim sum in NJ, at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended.
(4)Ginger L.
Best Chinese food I've ever had. Ordered take-out & couldn't believe how good the pepper steak & General Tso's was. I can't wait to try something a little more complex & their dim sum!
(5)John D.
Do you love, I mean truly love Chinese food? Do you yearn for sensational Authentic plate licking Chinese food? If your moo is goo and your pork braised with traditional Asians veggies, look no further in CNJ. This may very well be the best around. The adjective Authentic gets boasted about as often as Obama makes campaign promises, however in this case they mean it. Always stress authentic if you happen to be non Asian and you will be blown away. Having dined here dozens of times in the past 10 years I can attest to the quality as A+. Lunch specials especially the squid with mixed veggies & braised pork fat over preserved cabbage is divine. Whole cooked fish with sauce options are exceptional. I dream about the Hot & sour soup. All lunch specials are less than $10 for an ample amount. Dinner a lil more. Perhaps the best dim sum brunch in New Jersey that I've experienced. I've been to Hong Kong and I'm not saying far eastern quality or bizarreness , but about as close to it in NJ. Quite a freshly made variety along with all my favs like: chicken feet, snails, shumai options, clams, bok choy, eggplant filled with crab, hot peppers under chicken, sticky buns, dumpling options, sticky filled rice all being rolled throughout in the steam carts. Relatively small dining room with fish tanks to keep the kids entertained. Very clean. Great service & brewed tea options. Priced well. BYOB bonus. You will have to wait during prime times. Why are you still reading this review? Get over here.
(5)Doc B.
Showed up with reservations. Turned away because of a party, told there never was a reservation. Oh, please. Bye,
(2)Peter L.
This place is indeed on par with other authentic Chinese dim sum place in NYC, which probably speaks volume about this place. Two friend of mine and I arrived near its closing hours during a weekend. The interior does convey a typical dim sum place atmosphere, except being a little smaller than usual. Despite the fact that its was about to close, food was still nice and warm, except the serving is comparably smaller in contrast with other dim sum places. The service was reasonably attentive but maybe due to the fact that it's towards the end of the day, one of the waitress somewhat tried to hard-sell some of the dim sum to us, which is greatly quite annoying. And the bill, it's slightly pricy, but given that it's no where close to a major population (?), this is still place worth stopping by if you happen to be on the way. 3.5/5 Recommended.
(4)Stephy S.
My go-to Chinese take out. The food is always delicious. The only issue is on rare occasions, I guess depending on the cook, the dishes can be just "OK." There is a credit card limit as well. I like the dinner combo plates, it comes with fried rice and your entree, as well as a spring roll. This is enough for 2 people.
(4)Syvan T.
My boyfriend and I came here because his friend had brought him some West Lake Chinese duck that came with sticky buns earlier in the week and he really liked and was craving it. The staff was very nice. My boyfriends duck was delicious in his opinion (I don't eat duck). I got chicken with broccoli and it was kind of bland and in a white sauce. The portions were very small for the price. Unless my boyfriend gets that craving again, we can probably do better.
(3)Samantha L.
West Lake is one of my favorite authentic Chinese restaurants in NJ. Some of our favorites included: 1. Roasted Chicken with Preserved Mustard Green - chicken with crispy skin and garnished with sweet, preserved mustard green 2. Stir fry silver fish delight - silver fish stir fried with leek, chinese celery, white radish, mushroom, squid, jellyfish, garnished with dry scallop 3. West Lake Soup - thick soup with ground beef, cilantro, white eggs, scallion, and mushroom 4. Sautéed Snow Pea Leaves - snowpea leaves sautéed with chopped garlic 5. Steamed Whole Fish - Black striped bass steamed with ginger, scallion, and soy sauce Our meal came with sliced oranges and a bowl of sweet red bean-tapioca soup. They are also running a promotion - When you spend $100, you get a free lobster voucher to use within the month of December.
(4)Jed S.
GREAT dim sum! Fresh and flavorful food that will leave you satisfying that chinese food craving. I come here on the weekends every now and then for dimsum. While I love the food, I believe the service can vary wildly depending on time and how busy they are. However even with the hit or miss service I still come because I love their food!
(4)K K.
The food here is on par with restaurants in Chinatown and that says a lot. It is authentic Chinese food. Everyone here is friendly and so unlike the wait staff of those in other places where they don't speak English and aren't very nice. The manager walks around and makes sure that everything is according to standards. He takes pride in the food that is served. Westlake has quality food that doesn't make your stomach hurt afterwards or have you gulping water for the rest of the evening. I noticed that almost every table ordered the Peking duck and we regretfully did not. I'm going to guess that it's good if everyone has one at their table. We ordered the Roast Chicken (Cantonese style), Stir Fry Silver Fish Delight, Chives with Salty Fish and Salt and Pepper Pork Chops. The roast chicken had the best crispy skin that wasn't greasy, but juicy. The stir fry is chives stir fried with mushrooms, carrots, little fish, squid and jelly fish. It's got the chewiness of the squid, crunch if the chives and carrots, soft texture of the mushrooms with a fresh crunch of water chestnuts and jellyfish. The salt and pepper pork chops were crunchy with so much flavor. A bit much on the fatty part of the meat, but the breading was delicious. If you can't make it to Chinatown want great good with great service, go here.
(4)Mike C.
Talk about genuine chinese food. Great for families who enjoy chinese food.
(4)La L.
We weren't impressed with this place. We typically eat at the Thai place next door but decided to give them a shot since they're always busy. The food was pretty bland and the moo shu chicken tasted a little off. We aren't sure why and are hoping we don't get bubble guts. It unlikely that we'd return. Despite the great reviews, the food is way far off of what you'd get in Chinatown. I think people in this part of Jersey are dying for good Chinese food. Sheesh, I'd hate the taste the food at a mediocre spot. The service was friendly though.
(2)Patricia T.
I always see a steady flow of customers here yet I have never had a friend refer me. My husband and I were thinking of take out but then thought why not dine in. It was a Saturday night. First let me say I've rarely been in such a loud place. My husband agreed and felt it was the acoustics. Everyone was screaming at each other. (He never complains and his motto is suffer in silence) I was in the mood for pan fried flounder but was told it would be $26. In fact most plates were up there so I settled for steamed chicken with ginger sauce. That was 15. It came out quickly with the looks of gelatin on it. Listen I cook with chicken feet and love it but this was rubber with bland flavor. I tried to eat it but I was paying for this? The waiter only wanted to argue with me and kept repeating I explained what this was and that it would have bones. The bones were no problem for me it was the quality of the dish. By the way both of our entrees included no vegetables!! He was eventually pushed aside by a smart woman who tried to get something I would like. Let me also add I've been exposed to very authentic Asian food and am not stuck on the usual American take out choices. I tried my husbands dish so very dry and tasted like someone threw chicken an black beans in a burnt skillet and heated it up. Now let me be fair I heard and saw some great food coming out and other customers seemed pleased. For my husband and I we probably won't return.
(2)Betty L.
Westlake restaurant offers the best Chinese food in New Jersey. Their seafood is fresh and fantastic. It's clean and the staff is very quick and attentive. This is the only restaurant in NJ that offers my favorite dish "Bean Curd in Szechuan Style" It's made with ground pork, tender silken tofu covered with a delicate white spicy sauce which you eat over white rice. It's a must try. They also offer dim sum on the weekends but it can get a little hectic there if you go too early and if you go too late they won't offer as much of a variety. I normally make reservations because I usually go with large groups and I hate standing around waiting. This place is a must try for authentic Chinese food.
(4)Kurtis P.
We got food to go so I can't really speak to the restaurant/service end of things but from the food we got we won't be coming back to check out that end of it. We ordered a few staple dishes, ie lo mein, general tso's, fried rice, egg rolls, etc... Everything tasted very bland. There was little to no flavor in anything. The food seemed very mushy, almost like they over steamed everything. Not quite what the usual, fresh fare of other Chinese food places typically is. Way off from the more authentic dining experiences we've had before, here in the states and in Asia. There a few other places in the area that are much better.
(3)Sharon T.
This is pure authentic Chinese food. In JERSEY (wtf?). Deep on a dead route, where centers look like isolated ghost towns, there is an small, amazing canton seafood restaurant that dominates some of Chinatown's "finest", all put together, in the name of West Lake Chinese Seafood. I don't quite remember my first experience here from four years ago, but I was blown away this second time. Everything here is delicious. I normally don't eat every dish served on the table, but I JUST couldn't stop eating, especially the assorted seafood in taro nest. Extra crispy fried taro, yum! By the end of the night, I have became the skinny version of Kirstie Alley.
(5)Mark C.
Went for my dad's birthday dinner on a Friday night and had a wonderful experience. Delicious, AUTHENTIC Chinese food, friendly and attentive service, and reasonable prices. The place also had enough space inside, ample parking (thanks to the parking lot around back), and was very clean. We were looking for a nice sit down Chinese restaurant after our old go-to place, Crown Palace, let us down the past few times and West Lake was great! I would recommend staying away from the Americanized choices, and really enjoy the food you'll have trouble finding outside of Chinatown. Here's what we ordered: -House special beef soup: just ok. Nothing special and maybe a little under seasoned. -Peking duck: absolutely delicious! Crisp skin, tender meat, and came with more than enough of those steamed dough buns (I hate when restaurants get stingy and don't provide enough). Bonus: M-F the duck is at a special price for only $30 instead of the weekend price of $38. -Stir fried silver fish delight: tasty little plate with squid, octopus, some other various seafood, some veggies, and sprinkled with these little dried fish that are popular in many asian countries. -Hong kong style pan-fried noodles: just ok, a little on the greasy side. I've had better at other places. -Whole fried sea bass in garlic sauce: great fish dish. Fried to perfection and covered in a slightly sweet, brown, garlic sauce. One of the specials for the night, it was only $20. -Sautéed snow pea shoots: they were out of the water spinach (kangkong), so this was a suitable alternative. Not too garlicky and very tasty. I like it much better than Chinese broccoli, which I usually find too bitter. Overall a great place to try when you want a nice sit down Chinese dinner or dim sum on the weekends, and don't want to travel all the way to the city for an authentic meal.
(5)David L.
I come here occasionally, and the food is pretty good. This place has an interesting history, originally starting out as hu lu something, then turning into Xiong Mao (aka Panda ?House?), before finally becoming this iteration as West Lake. The food is not bad, especially their eggplant. The pan fried noodles I had were a little bit disappointing, but almost all of their dishes are above average. It is fairly authentic and has a lot of offerings not available at other places. All in all a pretty good place with slightly high prices which can be justified by above average food.
(4)Bob S.
Authentic Chinese...just look at their customers. Nuff said. But I'll go on...the shrimp and walnuts is great. Tonight I had the grouper and garlic with veggies, some kind of candied pork chop...garlic spinach, excellent. I say I think because Chinese isn't a strong language for me..it's a fun place to visit. The roasted duck smiles too.
(5)Jack E.
The food was good ribs need improvement . This is real Chinese food authentic . I came all the way from Middletown . Better than crownpalace . Or any other local place by me . They have to step up the service . Every time you needed something you had to ask fit it . Water , knife , menu , etc ... Things that should be standard in service . But all in all the good was good . The waiters work hard but need a little more training on table service if they get that this place will be top notch place .
(4)Crystine W.
West Lake Seafood Restaurant pleasantly surprised us. They were able to accommodate us on very short notice (we were a party of 20 and we only called a few days before) and their food was very authentic! It's hard to find places outside of Chinatown (NY versions) and Asia that serve Chinese food so close. Their Shrimp w Walnuts (also sometimes referred to as Mayonnaise Shrimp), Peking Duck and the Snow Pea Shoots with Garlic were delicious. There were some other things we tried as well and they were good, but these three things were the best. Their portions lean towards the small-regular sizes; this may have been one of two times I left a Chinese restaurant feeling semi-hungry. Also, our server was one of the sweetest i have ever had. He was really attentive and took care of all our needs.
(4)JW U.
This Authentic chinese food will make you feel like you were transported to Chinatown, NYC. Nelson runs a quality restaurant but when he is not in the house things just are not the same.
(5)Sean W.
My girlfriend's parents live near by and were born in China. This is their favorite local spot. It is BYO with no corking fee that I know of. I have not had a bad dish on the menu. The westlake soup is a fantastic way to start. You really can't go wrong. For Dim Sum the selection is pretty good for the location. Everything tastes great and the price is good.
(4)Edward R.
When a waitress from Sunny Palace told us that the dim sum was better at West Lake we of course listened and tried it this Sunday. We arrived about 11.15am and the dining room was only half full but several large family tables kept the waitstaff and 4 well stocked steam carts busy. The Hong Kong style dim sum while not breaking any new ground was large, delicious,and expertly prepared and unlike Sunny Palace all came out at the same time so table turnover is quick and efficient. Service is a bit brisk and the ladies behind the steam carts speak little English but if familiar with dim sum that fact is little hindrance to an excellent meal. Prices are good also as 3 hearty eaters left full with a small doggy bag for less than $15.00 each with tip. I like the fact that the diners that morning were overwhelmingly Asian whose tables were overflowing with some very aromatic dishes that appears on an additional menu that accompanies their dim sum and can't wait to delve deeper into their offerings. A solid find and highly recommended.
(4)Margaret Z.
Best dim sum I've had on the East Coast so far. Can't speak for any of the main entrees though, but hope to come back to try some! The dim sum here is pretty affordable and there are usually a lot of carts going around for quick service and lots of variety. I haven't experienced a wait yet, but it does get busy. Everything tastes really fresh and authentic... my favorites include the sticky rice, pork buns, and "zha liang" - flat noodles with fried dough on the inside. If you don't see a typical dim sum item on the cart, ask the attendants because they sometimes will have it in the kitchen, just not readily available. The only reason I give 4 stars is because it can also take a while for these items to make their way out from the kitchen, and communication with the servers can be hectic. All in all, a great place for a weekend morning meal. Ample seating for large groups/families or just for two.
(4)Justine G.
To find better Chinese food, you'd have to go to Chinatown. My family has been going to West Lake for years, it was so wonderful when they opened up so close to my parents house because they could now get quality, authentic Cantonese food without the drive. It's a little pricier than Chinese places in the area, but that's only to be expected since they're cooking with better ingredients and the restaurant is more upscale than your typical strip mall Chinese greasy spoon. If you have a large group, this a great place to take them. Big round tables with a lazy Susan in the middle to pass around delicious family style dishes. I've never left here feeling anything but satisfied. My favorite dishes are the prawns in Grand Marnier sauce with candied walnuts and the pan fried noodles. Stay away from your standard American Chinese dishes, like sesame chicken. While those types of dishes are good and will likely be better than would find at a standard Chinese place, the traditional seafood and noodle dishes are where West Lake shines. My super mean and picky Chinese grandma even likes this place! I've also been to the dim sum a few times and it was also great. All the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, but closer to home. Just point to whatever looks good on the carts and enjoy.
(4)Kim E.
Some of the best Chinese seafood restaurants, like Seven Seas outside of Washington DC, have put the kabosh on their best dish, Dungeness Crab with Ginger and Scallions. So when I saw that West Lake had Dungeness on their menu, I decided to stop on a recent afternoon drive to NY. It was a bit off the Turnpike and finding it in a woebegone shopping strip was a bit frustrating, and initially disappointing. It didn't look like it was going to be much and we had taken a significant detour to get there. But it was spacious and comfortable on the inside. The lunch specials all looked good and the low price almost prompted me to order one. The first thing I noticed about the service was that the wait staff didn't ask a lot of stupid questions. They brought the hot tea automatically, for example. They didn't ask if you wanted chop sticks or rice, they just brought them. I liked that. When I asked if they had the dungeness crab for lunch, it was no problem. They had it and it was absolutely delicious, as good as any I have had- and its my go to dish in Chinese Seafood. Overall I had to rule West Lake a hidden gem, because of its poor location and off the beaten track aspect. It turned out to be totally worth the effort.
(5)Douglas L.
Your average sit-down-type Chinese restaurant with slightly more traditional dishes. I've eaten here on several occasions.
(3)German F.
Being Chinese with a fine palate for chinese food after living in Flushing NY for many years, I was impressed with West Lake. Comparatively taste wise, their dim sum is the best in Central Jersey and I have been to Avenel, East Brunswick, Edison and Marlboro for dim sum. Dim Sum is offered on weekends and major holidays. Dinner is also very good with a wide selection of seafood. This is very obvious when majority of their customers are chinese. The staff is friendly and courtious. Parking is very convenient.
(5)Eric Y.
food was okay. waiters are always rude.
(3)Samantha P.
Hands down THE BEST dim sum I have EVER had. Really authentic, and it was hot unlike some places I have been. We must have tried 10 different things and every single item was amazing - my favorite was the shrimp wrapped in some kind of dumpling wrapper. Wish I could go every weekend, good thing I'm only a 5 minute drive away!
(4)Jim L.
Good Cantonese style food. I come here a lot for the dim sum too.
(4)A T.
I believes their dim sum is the best in surround area. Sometimes we went there with a group of friends for dinner, always ordered the roast chicken with Cantonese style and Fried groupie fillet with hot chile. Their quality is good and is BYOB!
(4)Alex Z.
This is the only truly authentic Chinese restaurant I have been to outside of a big city. It may not be the best of the best, but it's getting up there: the food is good, very reasonably priced, and very authentic. I especially like the noodle soups: simple, subtle, and with generous quantities of meat, noodles, and veggies. As others have observed, seafood dishes are particularly good: very fresh and with liberal quantities of seafood. Service was also very good. This place is a gem--and truly an unusual phenomenon for its authenticity in such a suburban location.
(4)Keira S.
The food was pretty bad. The service was so cold and impersonal. The restaurant has a very generic feel.
(1)Sharon H.
This is a great restaurant in an unassuming strip mall. The dim sum on weekend is wonderful, better than I have had in Chinatown in NYC! Their soups are wonderful and you will find many different varieties. I just love their Peking duck and lobster with ginger sauce. Prices are very reasonable. Love it!
(5)R L.
I have been going here for dim sum and initially I was planning to go to a Thai restaurant for dinner but they were closed and since we're in the area, we decide to give their dinner menu a try. Since they are known for their seafood, we started out with salt & pepper Oysters as an appetizer and they were fresh and delicious. For our entree, we ordered a pan fried flounder and the fish was huge, at least two pounds. The fish was fresh and cooked perfectly and serve with soy sauce & scallions. The waiter even de-boned the fish for us. I also order an authentic Hong Kong style pan fried noodles with chicken and it was really good too. If you are in the area and in the mood for frh seafood, give them a try.
(4)L K.
Most authentic Chinese around. For a little piece of Chinatown, go to West Lake. Superior seafood dishes and extremely friendly staff. Look around- almost everyone who eats here is Chinese- an excellent sign. Great family style dinners and yummy dim sum on weekends. Packed on the weekend, so don't be surprised if there's a wait- reservations recommended.
(5)Raymond W.
Really good local restaurant with pretty fast service. Closest thing to Chinese food without having to go to Chinatown. Serves dim sum on weekends and 3 plate dinners during the week. My parents are extremely loyal especially since we are only minutes away.
(5)KC L.
I expect this place to be a classy place since this place was Zagat rated. Not as classy as I expected but not like hole in the wall either. The food was pretty good. I expect this place to have a lot of Chinese but it was a mix group. Then again it was snowing that day so maybe that's why. The price can be a few buck cheaper. I tried the Shrimp Fried Rice and it was pretty good but I don't understand why the rice was darker then expected. Not a 5 star place and I don't understand the Zagat rated.
(4)Eric G.
Great dim sum.
(5)cori b.
They have a special cash only take out menu. For less than $30 you can feed a family of 4. Amazing!
(4)