China Gourmet
3970 Broadway St,Ste 102, Boulder, CO, 80304
China Gourmet Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Noodle
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Rice
Healthy Meal suggestions for China Gourmet
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Noodle
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Rice
Visit below restaurant in Boulder for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3970 Broadway St,Ste 102
Boulder, CO, 80304 - Phone (303) 440-0999
- Website https://www.chinagourmetmenu.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
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.
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David B.
I wasn't too impressed with China Gourmet. I had the sesame chicken and it was quite dry. For the price, the chicken quality is quite poor. But overall it is edible but not much better than some place like Panda Express which is cheaper. I'd be willing to try something else on the menu though to see if I ordered the wrong thing.
(2)Michael L.
This is place is great. Really tasty and quick. I definitely recommend.
(4)Sara C.
CASH ONLY! This place is owned by a Taiwanese family and has Chinese/Taiwanese Chefs, they also own Spice China in Louisville. Great food at great prices for Boulder, this place has yummy food with white or brown rice as your rice choices. Not many Chinese restaurant like this would offer brown rice option, only in Boulder. :) Took away a star because I hate places that cattle call people. This place is no exception. You place the order at the counter, find your own seat and get your own water. When your food is ready, someone would hollar your name really loud on the intercom. I rather you have a numbering system... maybe I'm just picky but if you called 'Number 7 please' sounds better to me than "Se-ra! Se-ra!!!" (That's Sara with an accent.) Good thing they don't make you bus your own tables. My favorite thing is no longer on the menu, so if you go you should asked them about Basil eggplant with tomato dish. My goal is to have enough people ask for it that they make it part of their regular menu. It has basil, chicken, eggplant and tomatoes in it and it's one of the best dishes I have ever gotten here. Soooooo delicious! *drool* You have to try the chicken wings, fried extra crispy. Get some hot chili oil and mix it with soy sauce on a separate plate and use it as a dipping sauce. Be careful not to burn your mouth cuz that's happened to me a few times. The wings were very tasty and I always ordered those when I come here as an appetizer. I really enjoy their mongolian beef dish and also lately they have this shrimp asparagus special that I really love as well. This is definitely one of the best places to come for great Chinese food in Boulder.
(4)Joseph S.
Two great signs that you should march in: a line that goes out the door and a restaurant that is willing to show the food being made while you order it--really rare for a Chinese joint. My taste buds confirmed what my eyes discerned: the breading was being done by hand here. I got the orange chicken and it was perfect--a crunchy yet slightly chewy breading with a nicely done sauce. They have cheap imported Asian beers.
(5)Janice M.
China Gourmet is just A-OK - barely. I got stir fried duck - it was just mediocre at best. Perhaps it is because I am used to the southern Chinese cuisine rather than mainland counterpart. I don't understand the hype of this place when Federal & Alameda in Denver is not even an hour away. I guess this is as good as Boulder has to offer when comes to Chinese food.
(2)Thomas H.
Amazing fried tofu for the vegans. I wish there was more of a bigger vegan stir fry option. Overall it's a good eat
(4)Conrad H.
Too expensive for the amount of food given I got the fishermans feast it was 18$ but what feast?i got barely any seafood and all veggies I wouldn't go back even if I had too
(1)Emily M.
BAD customer service, Everyone who work there seems mean and unhappy. Ordered a salt and pepper squid and found a hair in it. Told the owner there and her reply is "Oh, Sorry". Yup ... Not going back.
(1)Hannah E.
My dad visited over Thanksgiving break and I took him to all my favorite eating destinations in the Boulder/Denver area (Amu, Pho 95, Biker Jim's, Heaven Star, etc). Which was the only one he chose to go back to a second time? China Gourmet. CG has certainly been outdoing itself lately. Everything I've ordered in the last two months has been topnotch, and each of the six entrees my dad, my boyfriend, and I ordered during our two Thanksgiving-week visits were exquisitely prepared. In addition, of course, to being lightning-quick and cheap as always. We almost always order off the Shanghai Specials page, but Dan has discovered the best orange chicken ever on the regular menu - it's spicy, with carrots and chilies abounding. Of the dishes I haven't described yet, we also had... - Ants Climbing a Tree: bean thread with pork, surprisingly spicy, but very delicate. - Chinese Eggplant Hot Pot with pork: my personal favorite; it has been known to convert an eggplant-hater or two. Tender and generously studded with pork slices. - Sauteed Fish Chunks in Hot Bean Sauce: unappetizingly named, perhaps, but a very fresh and healthy fish dish with a kick. - Shanghai Style Shrimp: I think I mentioned this one in a previous review. It's the one with the maply sauce and green onions. The shells stay on, and they're crunchy without being impossible to swallow. - Sauteed Spicy Chinese Eggplant: probably has the best sauce on the menu that I've tried. It's a spicy gravy thickened by delicious eggplant slices and leaves you with the feeling that you just ate something both really delicious and really good for you. I plan to dramatically up the frequency of my visits to China Gourmet so that I can try everything I want to try on their giant menu before I move away next summer. With its low prices, this won't even break the bank.
(5)Camille T.
I'm completely addicted to cheap Chinese food and China Gourmet became my go to Chinese place in Boulder after just one visit. Interesting store concept- cash only and cafeteria style yet it has a homey atmosphere. Huge portions! I had the tasty coconut curry chicken which was big enough for two meals and chocked full of veggies. My boyfriend had the orange chicken which was crispy, spicy, and not too sweet.
(5)Erik J.
My wife and I come here when we need our DC (dirty chinese) fix. But, and this is a big but, this chinese is not dirty at all. They use very fresh ingredients, cook to order but still make all your guilty pleasures such as Sesame chicken, but have some excellent healthy options too. I also really enjoy the Firecracker chicken. This place is reasonably priced, takes cash or check only and the people are friendly enough. Its quite enjoyable to eat their too. Its cafeteria style and they have a pretty decent beer selection.
(4)D P.
Mongolian beef is very good! Highly recommend this place as this is the best Chinese for a couple hundred miles! Hot and sour soup is also great!
(5)laura h.
I've given it some thought, and I'm still not sure why so many people rave about this place. Maybe it's the price. Maybe it's the lack of ambience, that feeling that they're in the know and have found one of those "great little hole in the wall joints", but it's not great. The only plus about it, in my book, is that they have a broader vegetarian selection than a lot of places in CO, and even offer tempeh, but that doesn't make up for all the negatives. I have tried this place 3 or 4 times. I can't remember specifically what we ordered now, whether it was over-salted or bland or both, but none of it was really good. I remember very specifically that everything had that harsh taste of wok oil that hasn't been changed, and I got the indigestion that results. The chicken was of very low quality - stringy, greasy AND dry, if you know what I mean, and lots of bits that were just inedible. The portions were generous, but when the food is bad, who cares? I actually didn't take my leftovers home. That says something. China Gourmet doesn't take credit cards. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. On one occasion, take-out was very speedy, but on the other, we waited, and waited, and waited... and waited. Staff seemed very uncaring - one of those places that figures they do a high enough volume of business that it doesn't matter if you, specifically, are not happy with your experience. Dealing with the staff at the counter was very unpleasant. Dining in was even moreso. The dining area was dirty - not just un-bussed tables, but actual dirt and grime. It really grossed me out. If everything else were great, I would be okay with the counter set-up, but I really disliked that, too. I felt like our food was just thrown at us, and they acted put out when I called it to their attention that the water had run out. I tried this place once on my own, and disliked it, once with a BF who lived for years in SF, and he hated it, and twice with a BF who was from small-town Arizona, and was extremely cheap. He loved it. A resounding "No" for me.
(2)Dan F.
The most authentic small chinese restaurant I've experienced in Northern Colorado. You actually order and/or pickup your order at the kitchen's front window located right near the front door. This is one of those must visit places when in Boulder. The room is small and it's usually busy but everyone in the kitchen is Asian and the food that comes out is fantastic. Highly recommend the experience, they have excellent food. FYI, If you park up front there's a little shopping area you have to walk through. If you find the back parking lot it can be cramped for larger vehicles on the turn around.
(5)Tyler G.
If only this place could have compostable packaging and organic ingredients I would say it is the best Chinese restaurant I have ever been too. The food is colorful, somewhat fresh, and tasty! People who run it are straight up business which allows for quick pick-up time and service (don't expect to get your ass kissed). Ample space even on somewhat crowded nights (avoid Friday and Saturday nights if you can for obvious reason). They are next to the best liquor store in town, decent movie shop, and great grocer which makes for the best take out night ever! They often put too hot of items into styrofoam which melts it and might leave some on your food :( Generally consistent, but the crab wontons sometimes are barely filled. Their Mu Shu is phenomenal. I'm a fan of their volcano shrimp and my girlfriend likes the beef & broccoli.
(4)D G.
We went into China Gourmet hoping for a tasty, authentic Chinese experience. We're fine with ordering at the counter and waiting for them to holler your name to pick up your food. We were willing to forget the problems with the Boulder County Health Inspector in the past, hoping that they had put them behind them. Our dinner started off auspiciously with a flavorful Combination Won Ton soup -- much like War Won Ton in other restaurants. Shrimp, chicken, beef, won tons -- all kinds of vegetables. What's not to like? Then the Eggplant Hotpot with Pork arrived, along with Hunan Chicken. The Hotpot was like nothing we've had before. A greasy sizzling mound of eggplant with crispy pieces of pork. We could take it or leave it. The Hunan Chicken was sub par -- chicken overfried, indistinguishable vegetables. When taking a bite we never knew whether it was chicken, vegetable, or what? It was all fried and brown. Probably the nastiest Hunan Chicken in memory. Our first reaction when biting into the Pork Dumplings -- wow the ones you get at Costco are a lot tastier. Not a good reaction when you're in a restaurant. Finally when walking off our greasy meal, we had the unmistakable MSG headache. We've lived in the Bay Area, DC, and other places with good authentic Chinese food. We will not be back here.
(1)Steven W.
My second time here and the food is excellent. My friend who is a life long resident says it is the best in Boulder and I don't doubt it. Family owned and operated, their service is great and always nice when the owner stops at your table to check in. Today I had the Egg Foo Young and at first thought I was served the wrong dish as all I could was vegetables and chicken but then found out the patties were underneath. Delicious!
(5)David N.
Taste: 5 Service: 1 Distinction: 4 I love the quality of the food here. I love it! There are only two or MAYBE three places in boulder that have good chinese food. This is one of them. The only problem is that the service is really bad. There is a tendency for the staff to ignore you even if they are not serving anyone and you try to get their attention. If they mess up an order (which is rare) they will also blame you for it if you ask for it to be changed. Makes for an uncomfortable time if a problem arises.
(2)Andrew M.
China Gourmet is like that album you can listen to all the way through and not skip any tracks. Fresh, delicious, healthy (if you want it to be), affordable, fast, no tipping servers. I'm in love. While I'm here, I gotta make a comment about reviews of Chinese restaurants. It just feels wrong to rate a place based on its ability to smother fried chicken in sugary sauce. "The sesame chicken was superb!" Yes, Sesame chicken is delicious. Not trying to be pious and argue the whole "Chinese food in America isn't REALLY Chinese food" and my pallet is superior to yours blah blah. However if you choose general tso's chicken as your basis for judging a Chinese restaurant, your Asian-Review-Cred is gone. Ha ha
(5)Christy V.
I would like to give this restaurant 3.5 stars - it's very decent and probably the best Chinese food I've had so far in Boulder. But not a 4-star situation. I probably should have read other reviews to understand the ordering process, which most people have detailed here. Instead, we sat down for a bit before we realized that a waiter wasn't going to come over to our table! So we hustled back and ordered. I did really like the fact that we paid at the beginning and could just leave when we were done. A nice perk when the kids are ready to just bust out of there! We had chicken, broccoli, noodles, egg rolls, and it was all very tasty - my kids loved it - and an enjoyable dinner experience. Takeout from here is easy as well.
(3)Louise H.
Yummm Yummm. I have become a happy regular at China Gourmet.. Dishes are very quick and the preparation is consistent!!!. I have ordered many vegetable entrees , as well as fish dishes and all taste fresh and nicely seasoned...nothing heavy. I also enjoyed the green curry which had just the right amount of spiciness. I would love for them to venture into more thai dishes...perhaps fresh spring rolls? Otherwise, this place has become a favorite go-to neighborhood spot for me and my family..
(4)Phil J.
The best Chinese in Boulder. Order at the counter style. Cash only. Get the moo shu chicken or general tsa chicken. You can look into the kitchen and see the pros at work.
(5)Jay H.
Beef always tastes like fish. Been going here for past few years for lunch but every time I'm reminded it's not worth it. As the prices vary on the cashiers mood and the food is not worth it at all. Greasy overpriced. Don't waste your time here.
(1)Annie M.
The only two drawbacks is that it doesn't deliver and can be very very crowded. But for good reason! Their food is incredible. Best chinese in Boulder, hands down. I love the mushroom beef. Great soup, great chicken fried rice. I love the egg drop (it has peas! i love peas!). My boyfriend gets the sesame chicken which comes with this crispy strips of heaven underneath.
(5)Valerie B.
Pretty good Chinese food. I appreciate the comfortable neighborhood aspect of this place plus the hot and sour soup has saved the day with many colds in the family. It's generally tasty and the portion size is always more than I can eat.
(3)Amber B.
The food here is always super fresh and delicious and the people are always nice. The prices are reasonable. The dining room always has seating which is nice as most people take food to go. I also really like that they have no msg. Please note that they only accept cash, but the food is well worth it.
(5)Peter I.
In my limited time in Boulder, this is probably the best Chinese food I've had. It's definitely no frills (when you walk in, it's hard to tell if there is table service or not) but it's clean and the food is solid throughout. We had the egg drop soup and egg rolls to start. The egg drop soup was excellent and much more flavorful than what is standard. The egg rolls were probably the low point, as they were over cooked on one end and still dripping in oil, but they were a minor part of the meal. For the main course, we had the spicy eggplant dish and a "happy family" style stir fry with beef, chicken, shrimp and vegetables. Both were good. The eggplant was cooked just right so it was soft without being mushy. The "happy family" combination was a standout, mainly due to how fresh the vegetables tasted. Portions were definitely on the large side and two people could probably get away with sharing one, especially if you had an appetizer. The restaurant was clean and was tucked away in the back of a small shopping plaza. No points for ambiance but, in the realm of chinese restaurants, a clean and comfortable space is definitely a plus.
(3)Mike S.
The cashier was kind of an ass, but best Chinese in town. Its pick up or eat in only and they take only cash. No big deal though, because they have a nice self serve dining room that gives you plenty of space to eat. Get the fried rice and the lo mein, I promise you'll go back.
(5)Ami T.
This was one of my favorite placed to eat in Boulder... the food is great, the service is always good. especially if you are a regular. The owner always remembers my name. Their food may not be the most authentic around, but it is fresh and tasty. Quality is good for a takeout place where you order at the counter. Can't beat the prices either... I have had most of their dishes, both on the American and Chinese menus. All of the clay pots are good, especially the stewed chicken with black bean. Twice cooked pork, beef tendon, spicy eggplant, and kung pao are all great. The potstickers are just okay, but the other appetizers are great. They do not accept credit cards, cash or check only. Call in for superfast service.
(4)Johnny N.
The squid was very good, and the sauce extremely tasty. In fact, all of our dishes were fine; not special, but certainly better than average. this isn't a sit-down restaurant, and so the atmosphere is a little different; however, overall the experience was fine. Since "Five Spice" is just down the road, I think that is your better option. The food is pretty similar, but the edge goes to Five Spice because of atmosphere and larger serving size. You won't be disappointed with China Gourmet.
(4)JT S.
Although I do not reside in the Boulder realm, some people I know had been talking up this joint for so long I don't remember when I first heard of it. I agree it is unpretentious for Boulder, and the food was ok. It's not really even that I can think of a better Chinese restaurant. I have gotten picky as I've grown older, and just trying a restaurant once isn't enough to give me a full picture of it. I'll hold back on what happened and my observations from this first time eating here, until I am in Boulder again and give it another try.
(3)Basit M.
Great, tasty, and whole food in a clean, open, and friendly restaurant. I liked the open view of the kitchen and prep area, the prices are awesome, and portions are generous. We stick to the shanghai menu and it's pretty authentic...had the soft-shell crab and the eggplant yesterday and it was really good. Tasty, well seasoned, and fresh. Best Chinese I've had in the area by far. There isn't even a close second (which is both a statement on, outside of China Gourmet, how bad the Chinese is around here, but also how good China Gourmet is!).
(5)Margaret C.
Just to clarify, re: a prior review, the China Gourmet does not use MSG at all, and never has, to my knowledge! I would not eat there if they did. I can walk to this place and often do. Lunches are a good deal. Daily specials are fun. Sauces consistently perfect. Portions generous. Service splendid: and they've remembered my name here since day one, which was many many years ago. Nice owner, hard working staff, clean, good tea, and a plethora of vegetarian options. Friendly clientele, too. Not the staring, unfriendly masses that populate many Boulder restaurants. Lots of smiling faces in the crowd that is often here all day long. Not sure what type of oil they use for cooking. Must ask next time I go in.
(5)Aarash F.
Picked up some food here last night and it was great. I got the chicken fried rice and there was a large amount of chicken and veggies in it, and not overly greasy. My wife got the orange chicken which was really good, but a bit of a smaller portion, and the last 1/4 of it seemed to be all gristle and had to be thrown out. Aside from that it was a great experience. The ladies were very nice when I went to pick it up, even when someone came in with a credit card to pay (they really just take cash or checks). It seems like they have regulars and are very nice to them. Great place! We don't eat Chinese food often, but when we do, it will be China Gourmet.
(4)Yokes F.
I've been meaning to write about you CG! I love this place! Thank god this place exists! Boulder's lack of good Asian food is redeemed partially because of this place. I'm not going to say it's all authentic Chinese food because it's not. But I will say, the food here tastes fresh, NOT overly seasoned and NOT disgustingly oily (like most Chinese places). They're food tastes good. I can't believe I'm saying this! This place deserves four stars for me because it's decent Asian food which is hard to get in Boulder (or Denver... or Colorado for that matter). I'll be honest, if this place was in LA or NY, it probably won't be high on my list. I think it would be unfair if I compared the food here with the rest of the US and China so I won't. I'd just like to take this time to show my appreciation for China Gourmet's existence in Boulder. Some of my favorite dishes here are fried (w/ batter) eggplant w/ pork aka. Chinese Eggplant Hot Pot (they changed this dish on the menu to cater to the granola crowd... so it's no longer fried.. too bad... but good news is, if you request the eggplant to be fried, they'll still do it!!). Hunan Style Chicken, Squid with black bean sauce and Sa-Cha beef. Check it. Love you CG. Oh.. and I almost forgot to add... I love the people who work here. They make me feel at home. Like I'm in some Asian friend's house. They totally cook stuff for you the way you want it to be done. They're totally flexible which is awesome. My Chinese and Taiwanese friends who live in Boulder approve this place too.
(4)Chas F.
I ordered the schezuan chicken with fried rice. It was $1 extra. A bowl of egg drop soup and sweet and sour chicken with fried rice. My schezuan chicken was so greasy I took about 2 bites and decided to forget it! The soup was nasty as well, just didn't taste right. The sweet and sour chicken was better but still not the best I've ever had. I don't think I'll go back here nor recommend it to anyone else.
(1)Beth F.
This restaurant has renewed my faith in Asian cuisine in Boulder. After 13 years in San Francisco, I have become accustomed to having tons of delicious, affordable Asian food right outside of my door. I lived off of it. Since I moved here, I have been busting my hump eating at every friggin thai/vietnamese/chinese restaurant in Boulder trying to come up with something decent. They all have made me want to cry. Bad spices. Wrong ingredients. Bland food. I know, I know - "If you hate it here so much, then go back to California." You have a good point. But I love it here - the people are friendly, the weather is awesome. It's just that the Thai food SUCKS! You know it's true. Enter China Gourmet. It has stopped me becoming a ranting maniac about this asian food issue. The food is really good. I ordered happy family and I almost hugged the owner because it made me so...well... happy. Thank you China Gourmet for saving me from myself. I can now officially live peacefully and well-fed in Boulder.
(4)James W.
Ever since I've moved to North Boulder 4 years ago, this is my go-to place for good fast chinese food and take-out. It's not absolutely outstanding, but authentic enough and the flavors and preparation of traditional dishes more or less in the right range. One doesn't exactly "enjoy" the atmosphere when dining in, but I suppose that's the tradeoff for getting your chinese food always cooked to order and hot & fresh. The menu's not extensive, though, but we always ask in Chinese (i'm sure they'd accomodate in english too) what other specials they have in addition to the "specials" on their board that don't hardly ever seem to change; we've scored just a few things like salty duck or bok choy or some other green veggie dish. Portions are also good for the prices and lunch combos are a good deal w/ soup and egg roll. I do have a weakness for the unhealthily battered americanized dishes like Tso's, sesame, or tangerine prawns, and they do a respectable version of that if you're game (don't get it take-out, though, cause boxing it makes it soggy). More traditional, I suggest the tofu hotpot, with or with out seafood, the yang chow fried rice and the ok hot & sour soup. It's family-run, though we've had the same dish tasting a bit better or worse on different visits, I guess depending on which cook makes it, or his mood. I don't know if it's true, but I've head the owner's son owns/runs the much larger Spice China restaurant in Louisville, which i've also found pretty authentic and reliable.
(4)Anton R.
Great take out. Constant stream of people makes me think i will be visiting this delightful establishment more frequently in the future. The food was fresh and tasty. Highly recommend the Happy Family if you can't decide on the vast number of options. Bring your Benjamin's.
(4)Kim T.
Awesome food and good prices. Definitely on the list of regular places to go.
(4)D P.
Mongolian beef is very good! Highly recommend this place as this is the best Chinese for a couple hundred miles! Hot and sour soup is also great!
(5)D G.
We went into China Gourmet hoping for a tasty, authentic Chinese experience. We're fine with ordering at the counter and waiting for them to holler your name to pick up your food. We were willing to forget the problems with the Boulder County Health Inspector in the past, hoping that they had put them behind them. Our dinner started off auspiciously with a flavorful Combination Won Ton soup -- much like War Won Ton in other restaurants. Shrimp, chicken, beef, won tons -- all kinds of vegetables. What's not to like? Then the Eggplant Hotpot with Pork arrived, along with Hunan Chicken. The Hotpot was like nothing we've had before. A greasy sizzling mound of eggplant with crispy pieces of pork. We could take it or leave it. The Hunan Chicken was sub par -- chicken overfried, indistinguishable vegetables. When taking a bite we never knew whether it was chicken, vegetable, or what? It was all fried and brown. Probably the nastiest Hunan Chicken in memory. Our first reaction when biting into the Pork Dumplings -- wow the ones you get at Costco are a lot tastier. Not a good reaction when you're in a restaurant. Finally when walking off our greasy meal, we had the unmistakable MSG headache. We've lived in the Bay Area, DC, and other places with good authentic Chinese food. We will not be back here.
(1)Ali M.
Cheap, with lots of veggie options. But Pei Wei is Better. Here's why: A lunch combo has spring roll, entree, brown or white rice, and soup. But neither of the soup choices are vegetarian, and that sucks. Also, I saw the cook use a dirty counter rag to wipe some spilled sauce off someone's plate before serving it. Gross. This place isn't terrible, but from all the good yelp reviews I was expecting more.
(3)Vince D.
Solid, consistent Chinese food. I had the wontons, and they were served with a sauce that was like honey from heaven's hive. Great stuff. The down side: It's way up in North Boulder, and I don't live up that way. If I did I'd probably be a regular here, but as it is, I've only been here a handful of times. But I've always had a good meal.
(4)Justin C.
After reading the reviews, I perhaps had to high of an expectation. I had the pan fried pork dumplings, and scallion pancakes to start (always a good indication for me of a Chinese restaurant)... sub par at best. The fillings of the dumpling was good, but the dumpling dough was dry and tasteless. The scallion pancake tasted more like doughnut then anything else. The fried fish special was ok...but all in all, perhaps the high ratings vs. my experience reflects less on the restaurants food, and more on the lack of Asian food options in this part of the US and my relative exposure to other Chinese restaurants in SF, and NYC.
(3)Aarash F.
Picked up some food here last night and it was great. I got the chicken fried rice and there was a large amount of chicken and veggies in it, and not overly greasy. My wife got the orange chicken which was really good, but a bit of a smaller portion, and the last 1/4 of it seemed to be all gristle and had to be thrown out. Aside from that it was a great experience. The ladies were very nice when I went to pick it up, even when someone came in with a credit card to pay (they really just take cash or checks). It seems like they have regulars and are very nice to them. Great place! We don't eat Chinese food often, but when we do, it will be China Gourmet.
(4)Idan S.
I found out about this place from a Chinese co-worker from Manchuria. He made sure to let me know it's just alright Chinese food but that this is as good as it gets in CO. I agree 100% but still give this place 4 stars on account of their tasty authentic Chinese food. I've eaten there about 4 times now and have liked everything I've ever gotten there. The best thing on the menu is the kung pao shrimp in my opinion. Just a warning: they only take cash, and it's kind of far from downtown Boulder.
(4)Matt C.
anyone who gave this place low ratings has no class, no taste, and/or no idea what chinese food is supposed to be. Also, if you gave this place a low rating I now hate you and will not listen to any of your reviews because you are a jackal. After living in New York, Boulder, San Francisco, and Philadelphia this place (YES, china gourmet in boulder) is hands down my favorite chinese restaurant in the country. I recommend the Tofu Hot Pot, the ma po tofu, the scallion pancakes.
(5)Yoyo T.
It's like the heavens opened and angels sang. Thank god for this place! A solidly good Chinese place in Boulder. Last week, I went two times. My Chinese stomach feels so happy now. Oh, and I saw other Chinese people there. SCORE! Each plate comes out to be about $10. The menu isn't all authentic, but I always order from the Chinese side and ask them to go easy on the salt - and the food comes out pretty good. I don't care that I have to find my own seat, set my own table nor bus my own table. It feels more like home that way. I really like their eggplant hot pot and black bean squid. I'll be coming back every week. Take it from a Chinese girl. It's the best you'll find in Boulder.
(4)Peter I.
In my limited time in Boulder, this is probably the best Chinese food I've had. It's definitely no frills (when you walk in, it's hard to tell if there is table service or not) but it's clean and the food is solid throughout. We had the egg drop soup and egg rolls to start. The egg drop soup was excellent and much more flavorful than what is standard. The egg rolls were probably the low point, as they were over cooked on one end and still dripping in oil, but they were a minor part of the meal. For the main course, we had the spicy eggplant dish and a "happy family" style stir fry with beef, chicken, shrimp and vegetables. Both were good. The eggplant was cooked just right so it was soft without being mushy. The "happy family" combination was a standout, mainly due to how fresh the vegetables tasted. Portions were definitely on the large side and two people could probably get away with sharing one, especially if you had an appetizer. The restaurant was clean and was tucked away in the back of a small shopping plaza. No points for ambiance but, in the realm of chinese restaurants, a clean and comfortable space is definitely a plus.
(3)Mike S.
The cashier was kind of an ass, but best Chinese in town. Its pick up or eat in only and they take only cash. No big deal though, because they have a nice self serve dining room that gives you plenty of space to eat. Get the fried rice and the lo mein, I promise you'll go back.
(5)rusty r.
So, let's say you're taking things easy on a Thursday night and have a craving for something affordable, hassle free, and delicious. Pearl street is automatically ruled out because of the parking situation and the crowds. Too much hassle. Same goes for the cost... you don't want to spend $15/each... you just want something tasty but not expensive. So, out with Pearl again. Enter North Boulder, and the China Gourmet. I think it's Boulder's best chinese restaurant. The location is incredible... and by that I mean it's out of the way and parking is a cinch! It's located right next to Lucky's Market, tucked away in the corner. It's also affordable, and simple... you order then sit down in a clean friendly eating area. Added points for real chopsticks... not disposable wood ones. For crying out loud, you don't get real chopsticks at Hapa, Zanmai, Japango, Tora, or anywhere else! The food is awesome.... lots of veggies and fantastic super-wide rice noodles in the chow combination plate. The egg fu yung is one of my faves as well. Go there, but not too much. I want my convenient parking space!
(5)M E.
Probably the best in Boulder. Good shrimp with lobster sauce, happy family is good but no wow factor. Moo shoo pork is good. Hot and sour soup, esp at dinner is actually very good, and a stark contrast to the corn starch-and-black pepper common in this parts . . . Egg rolls still a massive disappointment from those I am accustomed to. Wait staff are friendly. They just redid the decor and it looks nice. Ants on a tree dish is too greasy.
(4)Bubu C.
To Alicea, Both dishes are from China. I had lived in China for 18 years since I was born there. There is a Cantonese dish called broccoli with scallops, basically you wok fried the garlic first, then you toss the scallops inside with half cooked broccoli. General's Tso chicken can be found in many authentic Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles. The Chinese name is , something like that.
(4)Tamara G.
Definitely the best Chinese food in Boulder, maybe in all of Colorado. You can get unusual dishes such as "ants climbing a tree" (no, there aren't real ants in it). I was so happy to find this place because, I'm sorry to have to say it, but Boulder is basically a wasteland when it comes to Asian food. The eggplant hotpot blows my doors off. I get it every time. I'd give the place 5 stars, but they lose one for being kind of surly at the counter and they don't take credit cards, which is a pain in the butt....but all this is minor because the food is so dang good. I go here every chance I get.
(4)Zubey L.
compared to some chinese resturants back east its a 3 star... compared to all the other chinese resturnats in Boulder? it gets a 4 star.. it probably is the best chinese in boulder. A
(4)Shannon B.
China gourmet is pretty tasty. I went here on a second date and although the place is not romantic at all, the food made up for it--delicious and reasonably priced. China Gourmet had a steady stream of customers coming and going, so it seems pretty popular despite its location and ambiance. I would recommend this restaurant as a great place for take-out.
(4)Greg W.
got take out from this place last week. let me say a few things: i am used to getting ethnic food from dumpy looking restaurants in offbeat locations with surly rude service.....often the best ethnic food comes from these types of places....having grown up in nyc and nj and having spent a good deal of time in seattle and vancouver i think i know good chinese food. when i went to china gourmet i was hopeful i had found a solid chinese restaurant. the location was certainly offbeat, the restaurant was a dump and i was most definitely treated rudely by the counter staff......but alas when i got home and dug in i found a very disappointing bland meal the eggrolls were like toilet paper rolls deep fried, zero flavor or taste, very chewy and bland. the dumplings were overly breaded and falling apart when i opened the container and the meat filling was tasteless and bland as well. i have had better eggrolls and dumplings from the frozen aisle in the supermarket the combo lo mein was a generous portion but the noodles were covered in a thin light colored sauce that has ZERO flavor whatsoever....there was a lot of chicken but much of it was dark meat and sketchy, very little white meat. there was less shrimp and beef where there should have been more....i assume the dark meat chicken is cheapest. my wife and daughter had a shrimp dish and a vegetarian noodle dish respectively and neither found any redeeming qualities....again bland with low quality ingredients..... i wont ever eat food from this place again......while boulder lacks good chinese food i think golden lotus does a much better job and will continue to get my business
(1)Merix G.
I was born and raised in Boulder, and CG is a staple in my life. I have yet to find as satisfying a Chinese experience in the Southwest. What is lacking in ambiance is more than made up for in the speed and freshness of their food! The hot & sour soup is so good I crave it when I am out of state. My dad has issues with most additives and they are unfortunately common in Asian food. No MSG at CG - we will meet frequently for lunch here because we both leave satisfied! They add as much (or as little) spice as you like, and offer an authentic menu in addition to the "American" one.
(5)Ryan L.
It's about the only decent chinese place in Boulder. The chicken lo mein, mmmmmmmm.
(4)Julian P.
Delicious. I had the spicy Chinese eggplant and I would say this place is as tasty as Chinese food gets between the coasts. They have a whole menu of more traditional, less Americanized dishes. Also a big plus was the price. Most of the dishes are around 8 or 9 dollars, peaking at around 12 for the pricier ones. They don't deliver or take credit cards though which was disappointing. I will definitely come back to this place soon, and their rating may improve in my books.
(4)Bill S.
I agree with Liz R! Having spent many years eating wonderful Chinese food in NYC and the boroughs, it's disappointing to think that this is one the top rated Chinese restaurants in Boulder. The food is average at best. It's almost as sad as when friends in Iowa City raved about the wonderful Italian food at the Olive Garden. Boulder you can do better - please! Save your Chinese dining for Denver or better yet NYC!
(2)Shannon M.
Man, I've been on a hunt for good old generic Americanized Chinese food: Corn Syrup, Salt, and feeling hungry 20 minutes later. China Gourmet is okay and a lot of that, but it lacks a flavor. My friend got Basil Chicken and my significantly better other got Chicken with Broccoli. Aside from a little basil here and there the taste was exactly the same. Although, I suppose you can't really expect a flavor rainbow when your food is ready for you to eat in 10 minutes. Scallion pancakes are very yummy as is the Hot and Sour soup. I would have been content to eat just those two dishes rather than trying to pile in the Mongolian Beef, which was just OK. A little more spice than a lot of places I've had it at, but the overly sweet finish was Duck Sauce heaven. Still, we'll probably head back and order here from time to time. Oh also: Bring CASH! They don't take your "plastic!"
(3)Donald C.
Very Good, Very Good, Very Good. Authentic NY Chinatown Style. Large Portions, Worth a visit. Bring Cash..No Credit Cards accepted. 5 of us dined (ordered at the counter), and everyone enjoyed their dish. I'll be back, next trip to Boulder...
(4)Mozza R.
Completely Americanized Chinese food. Extremely bland. NO credit cards accepted. And it's self serve including busing your own table. The quality and flavor is equivalent to Panda Express....
(1)Mike R.
China Gourmet is ok. Low key, fast, good food. Not a first date kinda place, but really quite decent food.
(4)Ali M.
Cheap, with lots of veggie options. But Pei Wei is Better. Here's why: A lunch combo has spring roll, entree, brown or white rice, and soup. But neither of the soup choices are vegetarian, and that sucks. Also, I saw the cook use a dirty counter rag to wipe some spilled sauce off someone's plate before serving it. Gross. This place isn't terrible, but from all the good yelp reviews I was expecting more.
(3)Vince D.
Solid, consistent Chinese food. I had the wontons, and they were served with a sauce that was like honey from heaven's hive. Great stuff. The down side: It's way up in North Boulder, and I don't live up that way. If I did I'd probably be a regular here, but as it is, I've only been here a handful of times. But I've always had a good meal.
(4)Carol H.
For those of you who have been to China Gourmet before, I'm sure you are familiar with their glass "tip" jar on the counter near the cash register. Well, I had heard that the owner keeps all the tips and so I made some careful inquiries (I didn't want to get the employees in trouble) and sure enough, it's true. When you put money in a tip jar don't you assume it's for the staff? Who puts tip money in for the exclusive use of the boss/owner? And the employees were very frightened to talk about it. I think China Gourmet is essentially a "sweat shop" of a restaurant -- beloved by many unaware locals -- and the poor Chinese immigrants in the hot kitchen are being taken advantage of by their Chinese boss/sponsor. Food for thought.
(1)Mark M.
Not sure why you would want to go to any other Chinese place in Boulder -if your going for food. II really think this is the best. f your going for the atmosphere then this is not the place.. They have the usual dishes but they have many that are seasonal. My favorite is the soft-shell crab deep fried and served with wok seared chopped peppers both sweet and very hot. If they have this on the special board - get it. Firecracker chicken is also very good. For the vegi in your group be sure to get the tofu hot pot. My wife can't seem to order anything else there. The portion is huge so she gets two great meals out of it easy. Very reasonable pricing except for beers are a little pricey. They only have beer and some mini bottles (like the airlines) of wine. The whole system takes a bit of getting used to. You order at the counter and pay CASH at the counter which while your ordering you get to watch the guys cook. No seceret Chinese kitchen and that's good. The counter staff is not mean - just not really nice. I take it as a bit of a victory every time I get one of them to break into any expression especially the slightest hint of a smile.
(4)Zubey L.
compared to some chinese resturants back east its a 3 star... compared to all the other chinese resturnats in Boulder? it gets a 4 star.. it probably is the best chinese in boulder. A
(4)Tamara G.
Definitely the best Chinese food in Boulder, maybe in all of Colorado. You can get unusual dishes such as "ants climbing a tree" (no, there aren't real ants in it). I was so happy to find this place because, I'm sorry to have to say it, but Boulder is basically a wasteland when it comes to Asian food. The eggplant hotpot blows my doors off. I get it every time. I'd give the place 5 stars, but they lose one for being kind of surly at the counter and they don't take credit cards, which is a pain in the butt....but all this is minor because the food is so dang good. I go here every chance I get.
(4)M E.
Probably the best in Boulder. Good shrimp with lobster sauce, happy family is good but no wow factor. Moo shoo pork is good. Hot and sour soup, esp at dinner is actually very good, and a stark contrast to the corn starch-and-black pepper common in this parts . . . Egg rolls still a massive disappointment from those I am accustomed to. Wait staff are friendly. They just redid the decor and it looks nice. Ants on a tree dish is too greasy.
(4)Bubu C.
To Alicea, Both dishes are from China. I had lived in China for 18 years since I was born there. There is a Cantonese dish called broccoli with scallops, basically you wok fried the garlic first, then you toss the scallops inside with half cooked broccoli. General's Tso chicken can be found in many authentic Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles. The Chinese name is , something like that.
(4)Shannon B.
China gourmet is pretty tasty. I went here on a second date and although the place is not romantic at all, the food made up for it--delicious and reasonably priced. China Gourmet had a steady stream of customers coming and going, so it seems pretty popular despite its location and ambiance. I would recommend this restaurant as a great place for take-out.
(4)Daniel A.
Among the best Chinese food in Boulder. Small place, self service and order at the counter. Low prices. Good for take-out if you're near North Boulder. Love their Hunan style sauce. Perhaps a bit heavy on the MSG, but overall this is one of my favorite Chinese places in Boulder.
(4)Steven W.
My second time here and the food is excellent. My friend who is a life long resident says it is the best in Boulder and I don't doubt it. Family owned and operated, their service is great and always nice when the owner stops at your table to check in. Today I had the Egg Foo Young and at first thought I was served the wrong dish as all I could was vegetables and chicken but then found out the patties were underneath. Delicious!
(5)David N.
Taste: 5 Service: 1 Distinction: 4 I love the quality of the food here. I love it! There are only two or MAYBE three places in boulder that have good chinese food. This is one of them. The only problem is that the service is really bad. There is a tendency for the staff to ignore you even if they are not serving anyone and you try to get their attention. If they mess up an order (which is rare) they will also blame you for it if you ask for it to be changed. Makes for an uncomfortable time if a problem arises.
(2)Andrew M.
China Gourmet is like that album you can listen to all the way through and not skip any tracks. Fresh, delicious, healthy (if you want it to be), affordable, fast, no tipping servers. I'm in love. While I'm here, I gotta make a comment about reviews of Chinese restaurants. It just feels wrong to rate a place based on its ability to smother fried chicken in sugary sauce. "The sesame chicken was superb!" Yes, Sesame chicken is delicious. Not trying to be pious and argue the whole "Chinese food in America isn't REALLY Chinese food" and my pallet is superior to yours blah blah. However if you choose general tso's chicken as your basis for judging a Chinese restaurant, your Asian-Review-Cred is gone. Ha ha
(5)Christy V.
I would like to give this restaurant 3.5 stars - it's very decent and probably the best Chinese food I've had so far in Boulder. But not a 4-star situation. I probably should have read other reviews to understand the ordering process, which most people have detailed here. Instead, we sat down for a bit before we realized that a waiter wasn't going to come over to our table! So we hustled back and ordered. I did really like the fact that we paid at the beginning and could just leave when we were done. A nice perk when the kids are ready to just bust out of there! We had chicken, broccoli, noodles, egg rolls, and it was all very tasty - my kids loved it - and an enjoyable dinner experience. Takeout from here is easy as well.
(3)Louise H.
Yummm Yummm. I have become a happy regular at China Gourmet.. Dishes are very quick and the preparation is consistent!!!. I have ordered many vegetable entrees , as well as fish dishes and all taste fresh and nicely seasoned...nothing heavy. I also enjoyed the green curry which had just the right amount of spiciness. I would love for them to venture into more thai dishes...perhaps fresh spring rolls? Otherwise, this place has become a favorite go-to neighborhood spot for me and my family..
(4)Phil J.
The best Chinese in Boulder. Order at the counter style. Cash only. Get the moo shu chicken or general tsa chicken. You can look into the kitchen and see the pros at work.
(5)Jay H.
Beef always tastes like fish. Been going here for past few years for lunch but every time I'm reminded it's not worth it. As the prices vary on the cashiers mood and the food is not worth it at all. Greasy overpriced. Don't waste your time here.
(1)Annie M.
The only two drawbacks is that it doesn't deliver and can be very very crowded. But for good reason! Their food is incredible. Best chinese in Boulder, hands down. I love the mushroom beef. Great soup, great chicken fried rice. I love the egg drop (it has peas! i love peas!). My boyfriend gets the sesame chicken which comes with this crispy strips of heaven underneath.
(5)Valerie B.
Pretty good Chinese food. I appreciate the comfortable neighborhood aspect of this place plus the hot and sour soup has saved the day with many colds in the family. It's generally tasty and the portion size is always more than I can eat.
(3)J W.
I've struggled to find decent Chinese food in Boulder. The search is finally over! I had the lunch combo sesame chicken with fried rice, egg drop soup, and a spring roll. It was very solid and all of the food tasted fresh and you could tell it was all made from scratch in the kitchen. I also had scallion pancakes which were of course, delicious. However, it was the first time I've had them where they seemed deep fried rather than pan fried. Unexpected, but tasty none-the-less. It was a little awkward coming in here as a first timer. A few tips: - Cash only (I had to leave and go to the bank and come back) - This place is kind of self-serve fast casual style. Order at the counter. Wait at a table. As your food is finished they'll shout your name from the window and you can go pick up your food, silverware, chopsticks, napkins, glass of water, etc. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Jenny B.
This place is Great! We took a chance seeing as a lot of reviews on yelp for Chinese food aren't that great! Well the Won Ton soup was de-lish and the chow mien was great. I can't remember what the other order was, but it was also good. The only con about this place is they don't take credit cards! I will come back for sure!
(4)J. M.
Completely agree with David S. Place is dirty, even the silverware...since there is no table service, I had to walk over myself to exchange a dirty fork, which was annoying. No, they don't seem to care, and the food is not good either.
(1)Rachel A.
Listen, it's definitely not the best Chinese food I've had in my life, BUT it's also the best Chinese food I've had in Boulder. So. Favorite (and consistently good) dishes include the mushroom beef, the General Tsao's chicken, the twice-cooked pork, and the orange beef. Also the rangoon. One comment about the service, since lots of reviews seem to focus on that. China Gourmet is not a full-service restaurant and you should not expect that if you are coming here. If listening for your name and then taking the eight steps over to the counter to pick up your food is something that troubles you ever-so-greatly, go instead to one of Boulder's other Chinese places and enjoy the table service and the sub-par food.
(4)Bruce N.
Wonderful casual chinese restaurant. The Ma Pa Tofu and Beef with Black Mushrooms are our favorites. Won Ton soup has much deeper flavor than the standard watery fare.
(4)D J.
Probably one of the best Chinese restaurants in Boulder. Everyone was extremely friendly and the food was so good. The wonton soup was amazing and the prices were good. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It is a little hidden in north boulder but definitely worth it.
(5)Chris G.
Good flavor- no msg which is great, been going here for at least 17 years.... HOWEVER: This PROBLEM has happened one too many times to have driven all the way back home only to find NO RICE IN OUR BAG!! So we have 5 entrees and NO FREAKIN RICE! SO if you order from China gourmet, be sure and check your bag... In the last year we have made it home 3times without part of our meal-
(3)Amber B.
The food here is always super fresh and delicious and the people are always nice. The prices are reasonable. The dining room always has seating which is nice as most people take food to go. I also really like that they have no msg. Please note that they only accept cash, but the food is well worth it.
(5)Thomas H.
I simply do *not* understand the 4 and 5 star reviews of this place. (See bottom of review for much BETTER Asian restaurants in Boulder and elsewhere on the Front Range.) Quick background on me, relevant to this review: * I'm part Chinese, and my wife was born and raised in China. * My wife and her parents are excellent cooks. * I lived and traveled in China for two years and know what real Chinese cuisine is like -- Hunan style, Shanghainese, Beijing style, Cantonese, etc. * My wife and I have enjoyed some mind-blowing Chinese in the USA, and China Gourmet is not it. * I've also had some really tasty Americanized Chinese. China Gourmet is not it. It took 3 attempts to successfully have a meal at this restaurant. The first time, China Gourmet was closed for a long holiday. The second time, they were closed for "renovations." The third time, China Gourmet was finally open during their scheduled hours, although I'm hard pressed to say what, in this outdated and dull restaurant, was renovated! * Food * We ordered what SEEMED to be the most authentic things on the menu, and the least likely to be Americanized: salted duck, and seaweed salad. The seaweed salad we received was a neon green concoction with an extremely unnatural, artificially-sweetened taste. The salted duck was, as promised, salty and it was duck. "Salt" does not really qualify as a gourmet flavoring, though, and I could've gotten the same results by buying a frozen duck and dumping a bunch of salt on it myself. Our friends ordered some more American-style dishes like wonton soup, but all around everything on our table was bland, conventional, and nowhere near worth the high prices we paid. * Service * The "chef" here was very cross with my wife when she asked simple questions about things on the menu, and asked for his recommendation for what would be the best choices. I guess it was too much to ask for him to have some opinions on the food he cooks every day. The girl who took our order was pretty sour, and everything we watched her do around the restaurant was very sloppy. Oddly enough, when our food was ready, she came out from behind the counter, walked all the way over to our table, and gestured to the kitchen window so we could get up and get our own food. I don't understand that at all. I don't mind picking up my own food; I do mind an employee walking all the way over to tell us to do it ourselves, when bringing the food to us would have been a similar effort for her, and way more hospitable. * Overall * My overall impression of this place is incredibly lousy. The prices are outrageous for such mediocre food, and the "service" we received was either nonexistent or insulting. The fact that these people close at the drop of a hat, for days at a time, with no effort to push some notice out on their web site or social media, shows just how little they regard their customers. That disinterest and disdain for the customer extends all the way through the China Gourmet experience, from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you finish the last bland bite of the fakey Chinese on your plate. * Alternatives * For FAR better Asian food, and light years better service, I recommend: - Zoe Ma Ma (Northern Chinese noodles and dim sum) in Boulder - You and Mee Noodle House (Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese) in Boulder - Panang Thai Cuisine (Chinese-style Thai food) in Lafayette - Golden Bowl Noodle (Vietnamese) in Broomfield - Dae Gee (Korean BBQ) in Westminster
(1)David S.
I was very disappointed by China Gourmet. For cheap Chinese I was not really expecting anything 'gourmet', but this place is dirty, and they do not seem to care :-(
(1)Robin M.
My son and I love Chinese food; so when we had a rare chance to eat at China Gourmet in Boulder we ordered way more than we could eat. Leftovers are good, and how else could we try all the things we wanted to taste? In addition, the ideal Chinese meal offers a balance of textures and flavors. This was one of the best Chinese dinners we've ever had. We ordered entirely from the Shanghai Specials (labeled the Traditional Menu on their website). Our order: Ants Climbing a Tree -- fantastic, delicious, just enough heat to tantalize and make you want more. It's not offered many places. Do try it unless you are fearful of any spiciness at all. The slippery noodles get less slippery as they cool; so if you can't serve them at first, wait a few minutes. Shanghai Style Shrimp -- we ate these Chinese style, shell and all. They were fantastic and had some of the best sauce I've ever tasted. I poured it on our take-home rice so as not to waste a drop. I couldn't find this dish on the menu of any other restaurant in the area, so don't miss it. You can take the shells off if you really want to, but you'll be missing a lot. This was the one dish we managed to finish. Gin Du Pork -- the crispiness and sweetness of the pork was a delicious contrast to everything else. Don't order it by itself unless you want outright sweetness. Green peppers and onions rounded it out nicely. Crispy duck -- preparing this spiced duck deep-fried in its skin takes much longer than most dishes. It was delicious, although we would have liked it a bit crispier. My son suggested next time we call ahead and have them start an order of extra-crispy duck before we arrive, then order the rest of our meal when we get there. That might work, but if it's as crowded as it was the evening we were there, we'll get our crispy duck as our appetizer. That actually wouldn't be bad! We loved this dish. We had a good pot of tea. Beer and wine available. Well worth the following minor inconveniences: Cash only. The line can be very crowded unless you come at an off hour. One line for everyone, whether pick-up or ordering to go or eat in. If eating there you order, pick up your own table service and water, sit, and wait for your name to be called. (There was plenty of room to sit and a whole unused dining room off the back, so even if it's crowded you'll be able to find a place.)
(5)Yokes F.
I've been meaning to write about you CG! I love this place! Thank god this place exists! Boulder's lack of good Asian food is redeemed partially because of this place. I'm not going to say it's all authentic Chinese food because it's not. But I will say, the food here tastes fresh, NOT overly seasoned and NOT disgustingly oily (like most Chinese places). They're food tastes good. I can't believe I'm saying this! This place deserves four stars for me because it's decent Asian food which is hard to get in Boulder (or Denver... or Colorado for that matter). I'll be honest, if this place was in LA or NY, it probably won't be high on my list. I think it would be unfair if I compared the food here with the rest of the US and China so I won't. I'd just like to take this time to show my appreciation for China Gourmet's existence in Boulder. Some of my favorite dishes here are fried (w/ batter) eggplant w/ pork aka. Chinese Eggplant Hot Pot (they changed this dish on the menu to cater to the granola crowd... so it's no longer fried.. too bad... but good news is, if you request the eggplant to be fried, they'll still do it!!). Hunan Style Chicken, Squid with black bean sauce and Sa-Cha beef. Check it. Love you CG. Oh.. and I almost forgot to add... I love the people who work here. They make me feel at home. Like I'm in some Asian friend's house. They totally cook stuff for you the way you want it to be done. They're totally flexible which is awesome. My Chinese and Taiwanese friends who live in Boulder approve this place too.
(4)Chas F.
I ordered the schezuan chicken with fried rice. It was $1 extra. A bowl of egg drop soup and sweet and sour chicken with fried rice. My schezuan chicken was so greasy I took about 2 bites and decided to forget it! The soup was nasty as well, just didn't taste right. The sweet and sour chicken was better but still not the best I've ever had. I don't think I'll go back here nor recommend it to anyone else.
(1)Daniel A.
Among the best Chinese food in Boulder. Small place, self service and order at the counter. Low prices. Good for take-out if you're near North Boulder. Love their Hunan style sauce. Perhaps a bit heavy on the MSG, but overall this is one of my favorite Chinese places in Boulder.
(4)Beth F.
This restaurant has renewed my faith in Asian cuisine in Boulder. After 13 years in San Francisco, I have become accustomed to having tons of delicious, affordable Asian food right outside of my door. I lived off of it. Since I moved here, I have been busting my hump eating at every friggin thai/vietnamese/chinese restaurant in Boulder trying to come up with something decent. They all have made me want to cry. Bad spices. Wrong ingredients. Bland food. I know, I know - "If you hate it here so much, then go back to California." You have a good point. But I love it here - the people are friendly, the weather is awesome. It's just that the Thai food SUCKS! You know it's true. Enter China Gourmet. It has stopped me becoming a ranting maniac about this asian food issue. The food is really good. I ordered happy family and I almost hugged the owner because it made me so...well... happy. Thank you China Gourmet for saving me from myself. I can now officially live peacefully and well-fed in Boulder.
(4)James W.
Ever since I've moved to North Boulder 4 years ago, this is my go-to place for good fast chinese food and take-out. It's not absolutely outstanding, but authentic enough and the flavors and preparation of traditional dishes more or less in the right range. One doesn't exactly "enjoy" the atmosphere when dining in, but I suppose that's the tradeoff for getting your chinese food always cooked to order and hot & fresh. The menu's not extensive, though, but we always ask in Chinese (i'm sure they'd accomodate in english too) what other specials they have in addition to the "specials" on their board that don't hardly ever seem to change; we've scored just a few things like salty duck or bok choy or some other green veggie dish. Portions are also good for the prices and lunch combos are a good deal w/ soup and egg roll. I do have a weakness for the unhealthily battered americanized dishes like Tso's, sesame, or tangerine prawns, and they do a respectable version of that if you're game (don't get it take-out, though, cause boxing it makes it soggy). More traditional, I suggest the tofu hotpot, with or with out seafood, the yang chow fried rice and the ok hot & sour soup. It's family-run, though we've had the same dish tasting a bit better or worse on different visits, I guess depending on which cook makes it, or his mood. I don't know if it's true, but I've head the owner's son owns/runs the much larger Spice China restaurant in Louisville, which i've also found pretty authentic and reliable.
(4)Anton R.
Great take out. Constant stream of people makes me think i will be visiting this delightful establishment more frequently in the future. The food was fresh and tasty. Highly recommend the Happy Family if you can't decide on the vast number of options. Bring your Benjamin's.
(4)Kim T.
Awesome food and good prices. Definitely on the list of regular places to go.
(4)Greg W.
got take out from this place last week. let me say a few things: i am used to getting ethnic food from dumpy looking restaurants in offbeat locations with surly rude service.....often the best ethnic food comes from these types of places....having grown up in nyc and nj and having spent a good deal of time in seattle and vancouver i think i know good chinese food. when i went to china gourmet i was hopeful i had found a solid chinese restaurant. the location was certainly offbeat, the restaurant was a dump and i was most definitely treated rudely by the counter staff......but alas when i got home and dug in i found a very disappointing bland meal the eggrolls were like toilet paper rolls deep fried, zero flavor or taste, very chewy and bland. the dumplings were overly breaded and falling apart when i opened the container and the meat filling was tasteless and bland as well. i have had better eggrolls and dumplings from the frozen aisle in the supermarket the combo lo mein was a generous portion but the noodles were covered in a thin light colored sauce that has ZERO flavor whatsoever....there was a lot of chicken but much of it was dark meat and sketchy, very little white meat. there was less shrimp and beef where there should have been more....i assume the dark meat chicken is cheapest. my wife and daughter had a shrimp dish and a vegetarian noodle dish respectively and neither found any redeeming qualities....again bland with low quality ingredients..... i wont ever eat food from this place again......while boulder lacks good chinese food i think golden lotus does a much better job and will continue to get my business
(1)Merix G.
I was born and raised in Boulder, and CG is a staple in my life. I have yet to find as satisfying a Chinese experience in the Southwest. What is lacking in ambiance is more than made up for in the speed and freshness of their food! The hot & sour soup is so good I crave it when I am out of state. My dad has issues with most additives and they are unfortunately common in Asian food. No MSG at CG - we will meet frequently for lunch here because we both leave satisfied! They add as much (or as little) spice as you like, and offer an authentic menu in addition to the "American" one.
(5)Ryan L.
It's about the only decent chinese place in Boulder. The chicken lo mein, mmmmmmmm.
(4)Julian P.
Delicious. I had the spicy Chinese eggplant and I would say this place is as tasty as Chinese food gets between the coasts. They have a whole menu of more traditional, less Americanized dishes. Also a big plus was the price. Most of the dishes are around 8 or 9 dollars, peaking at around 12 for the pricier ones. They don't deliver or take credit cards though which was disappointing. I will definitely come back to this place soon, and their rating may improve in my books.
(4)Bill S.
I agree with Liz R! Having spent many years eating wonderful Chinese food in NYC and the boroughs, it's disappointing to think that this is one the top rated Chinese restaurants in Boulder. The food is average at best. It's almost as sad as when friends in Iowa City raved about the wonderful Italian food at the Olive Garden. Boulder you can do better - please! Save your Chinese dining for Denver or better yet NYC!
(2)Shannon M.
Man, I've been on a hunt for good old generic Americanized Chinese food: Corn Syrup, Salt, and feeling hungry 20 minutes later. China Gourmet is okay and a lot of that, but it lacks a flavor. My friend got Basil Chicken and my significantly better other got Chicken with Broccoli. Aside from a little basil here and there the taste was exactly the same. Although, I suppose you can't really expect a flavor rainbow when your food is ready for you to eat in 10 minutes. Scallion pancakes are very yummy as is the Hot and Sour soup. I would have been content to eat just those two dishes rather than trying to pile in the Mongolian Beef, which was just OK. A little more spice than a lot of places I've had it at, but the overly sweet finish was Duck Sauce heaven. Still, we'll probably head back and order here from time to time. Oh also: Bring CASH! They don't take your "plastic!"
(3)Donald C.
Very Good, Very Good, Very Good. Authentic NY Chinatown Style. Large Portions, Worth a visit. Bring Cash..No Credit Cards accepted. 5 of us dined (ordered at the counter), and everyone enjoyed their dish. I'll be back, next trip to Boulder...
(4)Mozza R.
Completely Americanized Chinese food. Extremely bland. NO credit cards accepted. And it's self serve including busing your own table. The quality and flavor is equivalent to Panda Express....
(1)Mike R.
China Gourmet is ok. Low key, fast, good food. Not a first date kinda place, but really quite decent food.
(4)Conrad H.
Too expensive for the amount of food given I got the fishermans feast it was 18$ but what feast?i got barely any seafood and all veggies I wouldn't go back even if I had too
(1)Emily M.
BAD customer service, Everyone who work there seems mean and unhappy. Ordered a salt and pepper squid and found a hair in it. Told the owner there and her reply is "Oh, Sorry". Yup ... Not going back.
(1)J W.
I've struggled to find decent Chinese food in Boulder. The search is finally over! I had the lunch combo sesame chicken with fried rice, egg drop soup, and a spring roll. It was very solid and all of the food tasted fresh and you could tell it was all made from scratch in the kitchen. I also had scallion pancakes which were of course, delicious. However, it was the first time I've had them where they seemed deep fried rather than pan fried. Unexpected, but tasty none-the-less. It was a little awkward coming in here as a first timer. A few tips: - Cash only (I had to leave and go to the bank and come back) - This place is kind of self-serve fast casual style. Order at the counter. Wait at a table. As your food is finished they'll shout your name from the window and you can go pick up your food, silverware, chopsticks, napkins, glass of water, etc. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Jenny B.
This place is Great! We took a chance seeing as a lot of reviews on yelp for Chinese food aren't that great! Well the Won Ton soup was de-lish and the chow mien was great. I can't remember what the other order was, but it was also good. The only con about this place is they don't take credit cards! I will come back for sure!
(4)J. M.
Completely agree with David S. Place is dirty, even the silverware...since there is no table service, I had to walk over myself to exchange a dirty fork, which was annoying. No, they don't seem to care, and the food is not good either.
(1)Rachel A.
Listen, it's definitely not the best Chinese food I've had in my life, BUT it's also the best Chinese food I've had in Boulder. So. Favorite (and consistently good) dishes include the mushroom beef, the General Tsao's chicken, the twice-cooked pork, and the orange beef. Also the rangoon. One comment about the service, since lots of reviews seem to focus on that. China Gourmet is not a full-service restaurant and you should not expect that if you are coming here. If listening for your name and then taking the eight steps over to the counter to pick up your food is something that troubles you ever-so-greatly, go instead to one of Boulder's other Chinese places and enjoy the table service and the sub-par food.
(4)Bruce N.
Wonderful casual chinese restaurant. The Ma Pa Tofu and Beef with Black Mushrooms are our favorites. Won Ton soup has much deeper flavor than the standard watery fare.
(4)D J.
Probably one of the best Chinese restaurants in Boulder. Everyone was extremely friendly and the food was so good. The wonton soup was amazing and the prices were good. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It is a little hidden in north boulder but definitely worth it.
(5)Chris G.
Good flavor- no msg which is great, been going here for at least 17 years.... HOWEVER: This PROBLEM has happened one too many times to have driven all the way back home only to find NO RICE IN OUR BAG!! So we have 5 entrees and NO FREAKIN RICE! SO if you order from China gourmet, be sure and check your bag... In the last year we have made it home 3times without part of our meal-
(3)Sara C.
CASH ONLY! This place is owned by a Taiwanese family and has Chinese/Taiwanese Chefs, they also own Spice China in Louisville. Great food at great prices for Boulder, this place has yummy food with white or brown rice as your rice choices. Not many Chinese restaurant like this would offer brown rice option, only in Boulder. :) Took away a star because I hate places that cattle call people. This place is no exception. You place the order at the counter, find your own seat and get your own water. When your food is ready, someone would hollar your name really loud on the intercom. I rather you have a numbering system... maybe I'm just picky but if you called 'Number 7 please' sounds better to me than "Se-ra! Se-ra!!!" (That's Sara with an accent.) Good thing they don't make you bus your own tables. My favorite thing is no longer on the menu, so if you go you should asked them about Basil eggplant with tomato dish. My goal is to have enough people ask for it that they make it part of their regular menu. It has basil, chicken, eggplant and tomatoes in it and it's one of the best dishes I have ever gotten here. Soooooo delicious! *drool* You have to try the chicken wings, fried extra crispy. Get some hot chili oil and mix it with soy sauce on a separate plate and use it as a dipping sauce. Be careful not to burn your mouth cuz that's happened to me a few times. The wings were very tasty and I always ordered those when I come here as an appetizer. I really enjoy their mongolian beef dish and also lately they have this shrimp asparagus special that I really love as well. This is definitely one of the best places to come for great Chinese food in Boulder.
(4)Joseph S.
Two great signs that you should march in: a line that goes out the door and a restaurant that is willing to show the food being made while you order it--really rare for a Chinese joint. My taste buds confirmed what my eyes discerned: the breading was being done by hand here. I got the orange chicken and it was perfect--a crunchy yet slightly chewy breading with a nicely done sauce. They have cheap imported Asian beers.
(5)Thomas H.
I simply do *not* understand the 4 and 5 star reviews of this place. (See bottom of review for much BETTER Asian restaurants in Boulder and elsewhere on the Front Range.) Quick background on me, relevant to this review: * I'm part Chinese, and my wife was born and raised in China. * My wife and her parents are excellent cooks. * I lived and traveled in China for two years and know what real Chinese cuisine is like -- Hunan style, Shanghainese, Beijing style, Cantonese, etc. * My wife and I have enjoyed some mind-blowing Chinese in the USA, and China Gourmet is not it. * I've also had some really tasty Americanized Chinese. China Gourmet is not it. It took 3 attempts to successfully have a meal at this restaurant. The first time, China Gourmet was closed for a long holiday. The second time, they were closed for "renovations." The third time, China Gourmet was finally open during their scheduled hours, although I'm hard pressed to say what, in this outdated and dull restaurant, was renovated! * Food * We ordered what SEEMED to be the most authentic things on the menu, and the least likely to be Americanized: salted duck, and seaweed salad. The seaweed salad we received was a neon green concoction with an extremely unnatural, artificially-sweetened taste. The salted duck was, as promised, salty and it was duck. "Salt" does not really qualify as a gourmet flavoring, though, and I could've gotten the same results by buying a frozen duck and dumping a bunch of salt on it myself. Our friends ordered some more American-style dishes like wonton soup, but all around everything on our table was bland, conventional, and nowhere near worth the high prices we paid. * Service * The "chef" here was very cross with my wife when she asked simple questions about things on the menu, and asked for his recommendation for what would be the best choices. I guess it was too much to ask for him to have some opinions on the food he cooks every day. The girl who took our order was pretty sour, and everything we watched her do around the restaurant was very sloppy. Oddly enough, when our food was ready, she came out from behind the counter, walked all the way over to our table, and gestured to the kitchen window so we could get up and get our own food. I don't understand that at all. I don't mind picking up my own food; I do mind an employee walking all the way over to tell us to do it ourselves, when bringing the food to us would have been a similar effort for her, and way more hospitable. * Overall * My overall impression of this place is incredibly lousy. The prices are outrageous for such mediocre food, and the "service" we received was either nonexistent or insulting. The fact that these people close at the drop of a hat, for days at a time, with no effort to push some notice out on their web site or social media, shows just how little they regard their customers. That disinterest and disdain for the customer extends all the way through the China Gourmet experience, from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you finish the last bland bite of the fakey Chinese on your plate. * Alternatives * For FAR better Asian food, and light years better service, I recommend: - Zoe Ma Ma (Northern Chinese noodles and dim sum) in Boulder - You and Mee Noodle House (Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese) in Boulder - Panang Thai Cuisine (Chinese-style Thai food) in Lafayette - Golden Bowl Noodle (Vietnamese) in Broomfield - Dae Gee (Korean BBQ) in Westminster
(1)David S.
I was very disappointed by China Gourmet. For cheap Chinese I was not really expecting anything 'gourmet', but this place is dirty, and they do not seem to care :-(
(1)Robin M.
My son and I love Chinese food; so when we had a rare chance to eat at China Gourmet in Boulder we ordered way more than we could eat. Leftovers are good, and how else could we try all the things we wanted to taste? In addition, the ideal Chinese meal offers a balance of textures and flavors. This was one of the best Chinese dinners we've ever had. We ordered entirely from the Shanghai Specials (labeled the Traditional Menu on their website). Our order: Ants Climbing a Tree -- fantastic, delicious, just enough heat to tantalize and make you want more. It's not offered many places. Do try it unless you are fearful of any spiciness at all. The slippery noodles get less slippery as they cool; so if you can't serve them at first, wait a few minutes. Shanghai Style Shrimp -- we ate these Chinese style, shell and all. They were fantastic and had some of the best sauce I've ever tasted. I poured it on our take-home rice so as not to waste a drop. I couldn't find this dish on the menu of any other restaurant in the area, so don't miss it. You can take the shells off if you really want to, but you'll be missing a lot. This was the one dish we managed to finish. Gin Du Pork -- the crispiness and sweetness of the pork was a delicious contrast to everything else. Don't order it by itself unless you want outright sweetness. Green peppers and onions rounded it out nicely. Crispy duck -- preparing this spiced duck deep-fried in its skin takes much longer than most dishes. It was delicious, although we would have liked it a bit crispier. My son suggested next time we call ahead and have them start an order of extra-crispy duck before we arrive, then order the rest of our meal when we get there. That might work, but if it's as crowded as it was the evening we were there, we'll get our crispy duck as our appetizer. That actually wouldn't be bad! We loved this dish. We had a good pot of tea. Beer and wine available. Well worth the following minor inconveniences: Cash only. The line can be very crowded unless you come at an off hour. One line for everyone, whether pick-up or ordering to go or eat in. If eating there you order, pick up your own table service and water, sit, and wait for your name to be called. (There was plenty of room to sit and a whole unused dining room off the back, so even if it's crowded you'll be able to find a place.)
(5)David B.
I wasn't too impressed with China Gourmet. I had the sesame chicken and it was quite dry. For the price, the chicken quality is quite poor. But overall it is edible but not much better than some place like Panda Express which is cheaper. I'd be willing to try something else on the menu though to see if I ordered the wrong thing.
(2)Michael L.
This is place is great. Really tasty and quick. I definitely recommend.
(4)Janice M.
China Gourmet is just A-OK - barely. I got stir fried duck - it was just mediocre at best. Perhaps it is because I am used to the southern Chinese cuisine rather than mainland counterpart. I don't understand the hype of this place when Federal & Alameda in Denver is not even an hour away. I guess this is as good as Boulder has to offer when comes to Chinese food.
(2)Thomas H.
Amazing fried tofu for the vegans. I wish there was more of a bigger vegan stir fry option. Overall it's a good eat
(4)Hannah E.
My dad visited over Thanksgiving break and I took him to all my favorite eating destinations in the Boulder/Denver area (Amu, Pho 95, Biker Jim's, Heaven Star, etc). Which was the only one he chose to go back to a second time? China Gourmet. CG has certainly been outdoing itself lately. Everything I've ordered in the last two months has been topnotch, and each of the six entrees my dad, my boyfriend, and I ordered during our two Thanksgiving-week visits were exquisitely prepared. In addition, of course, to being lightning-quick and cheap as always. We almost always order off the Shanghai Specials page, but Dan has discovered the best orange chicken ever on the regular menu - it's spicy, with carrots and chilies abounding. Of the dishes I haven't described yet, we also had... - Ants Climbing a Tree: bean thread with pork, surprisingly spicy, but very delicate. - Chinese Eggplant Hot Pot with pork: my personal favorite; it has been known to convert an eggplant-hater or two. Tender and generously studded with pork slices. - Sauteed Fish Chunks in Hot Bean Sauce: unappetizingly named, perhaps, but a very fresh and healthy fish dish with a kick. - Shanghai Style Shrimp: I think I mentioned this one in a previous review. It's the one with the maply sauce and green onions. The shells stay on, and they're crunchy without being impossible to swallow. - Sauteed Spicy Chinese Eggplant: probably has the best sauce on the menu that I've tried. It's a spicy gravy thickened by delicious eggplant slices and leaves you with the feeling that you just ate something both really delicious and really good for you. I plan to dramatically up the frequency of my visits to China Gourmet so that I can try everything I want to try on their giant menu before I move away next summer. With its low prices, this won't even break the bank.
(5)Camille T.
I'm completely addicted to cheap Chinese food and China Gourmet became my go to Chinese place in Boulder after just one visit. Interesting store concept- cash only and cafeteria style yet it has a homey atmosphere. Huge portions! I had the tasty coconut curry chicken which was big enough for two meals and chocked full of veggies. My boyfriend had the orange chicken which was crispy, spicy, and not too sweet.
(5)Erik J.
My wife and I come here when we need our DC (dirty chinese) fix. But, and this is a big but, this chinese is not dirty at all. They use very fresh ingredients, cook to order but still make all your guilty pleasures such as Sesame chicken, but have some excellent healthy options too. I also really enjoy the Firecracker chicken. This place is reasonably priced, takes cash or check only and the people are friendly enough. Its quite enjoyable to eat their too. Its cafeteria style and they have a pretty decent beer selection.
(4)laura h.
I've given it some thought, and I'm still not sure why so many people rave about this place. Maybe it's the price. Maybe it's the lack of ambience, that feeling that they're in the know and have found one of those "great little hole in the wall joints", but it's not great. The only plus about it, in my book, is that they have a broader vegetarian selection than a lot of places in CO, and even offer tempeh, but that doesn't make up for all the negatives. I have tried this place 3 or 4 times. I can't remember specifically what we ordered now, whether it was over-salted or bland or both, but none of it was really good. I remember very specifically that everything had that harsh taste of wok oil that hasn't been changed, and I got the indigestion that results. The chicken was of very low quality - stringy, greasy AND dry, if you know what I mean, and lots of bits that were just inedible. The portions were generous, but when the food is bad, who cares? I actually didn't take my leftovers home. That says something. China Gourmet doesn't take credit cards. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. On one occasion, take-out was very speedy, but on the other, we waited, and waited, and waited... and waited. Staff seemed very uncaring - one of those places that figures they do a high enough volume of business that it doesn't matter if you, specifically, are not happy with your experience. Dealing with the staff at the counter was very unpleasant. Dining in was even moreso. The dining area was dirty - not just un-bussed tables, but actual dirt and grime. It really grossed me out. If everything else were great, I would be okay with the counter set-up, but I really disliked that, too. I felt like our food was just thrown at us, and they acted put out when I called it to their attention that the water had run out. I tried this place once on my own, and disliked it, once with a BF who lived for years in SF, and he hated it, and twice with a BF who was from small-town Arizona, and was extremely cheap. He loved it. A resounding "No" for me.
(2)Dan F.
The most authentic small chinese restaurant I've experienced in Northern Colorado. You actually order and/or pickup your order at the kitchen's front window located right near the front door. This is one of those must visit places when in Boulder. The room is small and it's usually busy but everyone in the kitchen is Asian and the food that comes out is fantastic. Highly recommend the experience, they have excellent food. FYI, If you park up front there's a little shopping area you have to walk through. If you find the back parking lot it can be cramped for larger vehicles on the turn around.
(5)Tyler G.
If only this place could have compostable packaging and organic ingredients I would say it is the best Chinese restaurant I have ever been too. The food is colorful, somewhat fresh, and tasty! People who run it are straight up business which allows for quick pick-up time and service (don't expect to get your ass kissed). Ample space even on somewhat crowded nights (avoid Friday and Saturday nights if you can for obvious reason). They are next to the best liquor store in town, decent movie shop, and great grocer which makes for the best take out night ever! They often put too hot of items into styrofoam which melts it and might leave some on your food :( Generally consistent, but the crab wontons sometimes are barely filled. Their Mu Shu is phenomenal. I'm a fan of their volcano shrimp and my girlfriend likes the beef & broccoli.
(4)Sue H.
NOBO gem with a less than gemlike exterior. Absolutely tremendous value. Having moved from DC to Boulder 9 mos ago, I've really struggled with finding high-quality food that is not a fortune. Big cities are great for finding cheap eats that are awesome. China Gourmet is my first find in this category in town. Honestly ,this is one category where I've actually found superior cuisine here than in DC. Can't believe I'm saying this about an $8/dish place with zero ambience (but really nice folks)...but it may be the best chinese food I've had in ages. Veggies are yummy, fresh feeling, solid. Dig it. They make a seriously mean mooshu tofu. Not on menu, but it's fab.
(4)Janeen D.
love, love, love the food here! I have been going to China Gourmet since I first moved to Boulder about 14 years ago!! It is kinda hidden unless you know to look for it, as it is tucked into a shopping plaza and you have to go down some stairs to get there. I always feel like I am running down those stairs! Fresh veggies, spiced the way you like, and the prices really have not changed much in years! The only downside is that they do not take credit cards, so I have to make sure I have cash. You order at the counter, and a few minutes later, they call your name. They have ice water readily available as well as take home containers as I can never finish how much food they serve here! You can order your food with white or brown rice. Definitely, hands down, a super tasty experience! I am prettty picky when it comes to Chinese food, and this is by far, the best around the area.
(5)Ali W.
The fact that I'm giving this place 3 stars does not mean that it's average. I'm super-critical when it comes to Chinese food, especially because I've never had awesome Chinese food in Boulder...or Denver...or Aurora...or anywhere in Colorado. Having lived in New York, California, and CHINA, I have high standards when it comes to Chinese food. I can't complain too much though, because most dinner entrees are under $10. Lunch combos are only $5.95-$6.95, which includes an entree, spring roll or chicken wing, and white or brown or fried rice. You can't even get a sandwich for that price at some delis. The fact that the menu has General Tsao's chicken tells me that it is NOT authentic, as no one in China knows who that dude is. However, comparatively, I do think China Gourmet has better Chinese food than others. I usually get their Mongolian beef, seafood and tofu hot pot, tangerine prawns, or General Tsao's chicken (don't laugh!!!) 1 star off: having General Tsao's chicken on the menu (yes, I'm a hypocrite...I will give myself 1 star off, too) 1 star off: having beef with broccoli on the menu (no broccoli in China either)
(3)Carol H.
For those of you who have been to China Gourmet before, I'm sure you are familiar with their glass "tip" jar on the counter near the cash register. Well, I had heard that the owner keeps all the tips and so I made some careful inquiries (I didn't want to get the employees in trouble) and sure enough, it's true. When you put money in a tip jar don't you assume it's for the staff? Who puts tip money in for the exclusive use of the boss/owner? And the employees were very frightened to talk about it. I think China Gourmet is essentially a "sweat shop" of a restaurant -- beloved by many unaware locals -- and the poor Chinese immigrants in the hot kitchen are being taken advantage of by their Chinese boss/sponsor. Food for thought.
(1)Mark M.
Not sure why you would want to go to any other Chinese place in Boulder -if your going for food. II really think this is the best. f your going for the atmosphere then this is not the place.. They have the usual dishes but they have many that are seasonal. My favorite is the soft-shell crab deep fried and served with wok seared chopped peppers both sweet and very hot. If they have this on the special board - get it. Firecracker chicken is also very good. For the vegi in your group be sure to get the tofu hot pot. My wife can't seem to order anything else there. The portion is huge so she gets two great meals out of it easy. Very reasonable pricing except for beers are a little pricey. They only have beer and some mini bottles (like the airlines) of wine. The whole system takes a bit of getting used to. You order at the counter and pay CASH at the counter which while your ordering you get to watch the guys cook. No seceret Chinese kitchen and that's good. The counter staff is not mean - just not really nice. I take it as a bit of a victory every time I get one of them to break into any expression especially the slightest hint of a smile.
(4)Justin C.
After reading the reviews, I perhaps had to high of an expectation. I had the pan fried pork dumplings, and scallion pancakes to start (always a good indication for me of a Chinese restaurant)... sub par at best. The fillings of the dumpling was good, but the dumpling dough was dry and tasteless. The scallion pancake tasted more like doughnut then anything else. The fried fish special was ok...but all in all, perhaps the high ratings vs. my experience reflects less on the restaurants food, and more on the lack of Asian food options in this part of the US and my relative exposure to other Chinese restaurants in SF, and NYC.
(3)Jayme P.
Yay! I love China Gourmet! They now just have one menu but I remember when they had the regular menu and also the "more authentic" menu with things like beef tendon on it. They've combined those now and the result is great. I love how busy this place is, with lots of families and couples enjoying their food, the annoyed-sounding (they're not really annoyed, just busy) staff saying your name over the loudspeaker, and lines of people in their bike shoes, teenagers, families, and everyone else waiting to pick up their take out. It's consistent, solid and delicious. It isn't fancy but that's why I love it.
(5)Ami T.
This was one of my favorite placed to eat in Boulder... the food is great, the service is always good. especially if you are a regular. The owner always remembers my name. Their food may not be the most authentic around, but it is fresh and tasty. Quality is good for a takeout place where you order at the counter. Can't beat the prices either... I have had most of their dishes, both on the American and Chinese menus. All of the clay pots are good, especially the stewed chicken with black bean. Twice cooked pork, beef tendon, spicy eggplant, and kung pao are all great. The potstickers are just okay, but the other appetizers are great. They do not accept credit cards, cash or check only. Call in for superfast service.
(4)Johnny N.
The squid was very good, and the sauce extremely tasty. In fact, all of our dishes were fine; not special, but certainly better than average. this isn't a sit-down restaurant, and so the atmosphere is a little different; however, overall the experience was fine. Since "Five Spice" is just down the road, I think that is your better option. The food is pretty similar, but the edge goes to Five Spice because of atmosphere and larger serving size. You won't be disappointed with China Gourmet.
(4)JT S.
Although I do not reside in the Boulder realm, some people I know had been talking up this joint for so long I don't remember when I first heard of it. I agree it is unpretentious for Boulder, and the food was ok. It's not really even that I can think of a better Chinese restaurant. I have gotten picky as I've grown older, and just trying a restaurant once isn't enough to give me a full picture of it. I'll hold back on what happened and my observations from this first time eating here, until I am in Boulder again and give it another try.
(3)Basit M.
Great, tasty, and whole food in a clean, open, and friendly restaurant. I liked the open view of the kitchen and prep area, the prices are awesome, and portions are generous. We stick to the shanghai menu and it's pretty authentic...had the soft-shell crab and the eggplant yesterday and it was really good. Tasty, well seasoned, and fresh. Best Chinese I've had in the area by far. There isn't even a close second (which is both a statement on, outside of China Gourmet, how bad the Chinese is around here, but also how good China Gourmet is!).
(5)Margaret C.
Just to clarify, re: a prior review, the China Gourmet does not use MSG at all, and never has, to my knowledge! I would not eat there if they did. I can walk to this place and often do. Lunches are a good deal. Daily specials are fun. Sauces consistently perfect. Portions generous. Service splendid: and they've remembered my name here since day one, which was many many years ago. Nice owner, hard working staff, clean, good tea, and a plethora of vegetarian options. Friendly clientele, too. Not the staring, unfriendly masses that populate many Boulder restaurants. Lots of smiling faces in the crowd that is often here all day long. Not sure what type of oil they use for cooking. Must ask next time I go in.
(5)Idan S.
I found out about this place from a Chinese co-worker from Manchuria. He made sure to let me know it's just alright Chinese food but that this is as good as it gets in CO. I agree 100% but still give this place 4 stars on account of their tasty authentic Chinese food. I've eaten there about 4 times now and have liked everything I've ever gotten there. The best thing on the menu is the kung pao shrimp in my opinion. Just a warning: they only take cash, and it's kind of far from downtown Boulder.
(4)Matt C.
anyone who gave this place low ratings has no class, no taste, and/or no idea what chinese food is supposed to be. Also, if you gave this place a low rating I now hate you and will not listen to any of your reviews because you are a jackal. After living in New York, Boulder, San Francisco, and Philadelphia this place (YES, china gourmet in boulder) is hands down my favorite chinese restaurant in the country. I recommend the Tofu Hot Pot, the ma po tofu, the scallion pancakes.
(5)Yoyo T.
It's like the heavens opened and angels sang. Thank god for this place! A solidly good Chinese place in Boulder. Last week, I went two times. My Chinese stomach feels so happy now. Oh, and I saw other Chinese people there. SCORE! Each plate comes out to be about $10. The menu isn't all authentic, but I always order from the Chinese side and ask them to go easy on the salt - and the food comes out pretty good. I don't care that I have to find my own seat, set my own table nor bus my own table. It feels more like home that way. I really like their eggplant hot pot and black bean squid. I'll be coming back every week. Take it from a Chinese girl. It's the best you'll find in Boulder.
(4)Jayme P.
Yay! I love China Gourmet! They now just have one menu but I remember when they had the regular menu and also the "more authentic" menu with things like beef tendon on it. They've combined those now and the result is great. I love how busy this place is, with lots of families and couples enjoying their food, the annoyed-sounding (they're not really annoyed, just busy) staff saying your name over the loudspeaker, and lines of people in their bike shoes, teenagers, families, and everyone else waiting to pick up their take out. It's consistent, solid and delicious. It isn't fancy but that's why I love it.
(5)Janeen D.
love, love, love the food here! I have been going to China Gourmet since I first moved to Boulder about 14 years ago!! It is kinda hidden unless you know to look for it, as it is tucked into a shopping plaza and you have to go down some stairs to get there. I always feel like I am running down those stairs! Fresh veggies, spiced the way you like, and the prices really have not changed much in years! The only downside is that they do not take credit cards, so I have to make sure I have cash. You order at the counter, and a few minutes later, they call your name. They have ice water readily available as well as take home containers as I can never finish how much food they serve here! You can order your food with white or brown rice. Definitely, hands down, a super tasty experience! I am prettty picky when it comes to Chinese food, and this is by far, the best around the area.
(5)Ali W.
The fact that I'm giving this place 3 stars does not mean that it's average. I'm super-critical when it comes to Chinese food, especially because I've never had awesome Chinese food in Boulder...or Denver...or Aurora...or anywhere in Colorado. Having lived in New York, California, and CHINA, I have high standards when it comes to Chinese food. I can't complain too much though, because most dinner entrees are under $10. Lunch combos are only $5.95-$6.95, which includes an entree, spring roll or chicken wing, and white or brown or fried rice. You can't even get a sandwich for that price at some delis. The fact that the menu has General Tsao's chicken tells me that it is NOT authentic, as no one in China knows who that dude is. However, comparatively, I do think China Gourmet has better Chinese food than others. I usually get their Mongolian beef, seafood and tofu hot pot, tangerine prawns, or General Tsao's chicken (don't laugh!!!) 1 star off: having General Tsao's chicken on the menu (yes, I'm a hypocrite...I will give myself 1 star off, too) 1 star off: having beef with broccoli on the menu (no broccoli in China either)
(3)rusty r.
So, let's say you're taking things easy on a Thursday night and have a craving for something affordable, hassle free, and delicious. Pearl street is automatically ruled out because of the parking situation and the crowds. Too much hassle. Same goes for the cost... you don't want to spend $15/each... you just want something tasty but not expensive. So, out with Pearl again. Enter North Boulder, and the China Gourmet. I think it's Boulder's best chinese restaurant. The location is incredible... and by that I mean it's out of the way and parking is a cinch! It's located right next to Lucky's Market, tucked away in the corner. It's also affordable, and simple... you order then sit down in a clean friendly eating area. Added points for real chopsticks... not disposable wood ones. For crying out loud, you don't get real chopsticks at Hapa, Zanmai, Japango, Tora, or anywhere else! The food is awesome.... lots of veggies and fantastic super-wide rice noodles in the chow combination plate. The egg fu yung is one of my faves as well. Go there, but not too much. I want my convenient parking space!
(5)Sue H.
NOBO gem with a less than gemlike exterior. Absolutely tremendous value. Having moved from DC to Boulder 9 mos ago, I've really struggled with finding high-quality food that is not a fortune. Big cities are great for finding cheap eats that are awesome. China Gourmet is my first find in this category in town. Honestly ,this is one category where I've actually found superior cuisine here than in DC. Can't believe I'm saying this about an $8/dish place with zero ambience (but really nice folks)...but it may be the best chinese food I've had in ages. Veggies are yummy, fresh feeling, solid. Dig it. They make a seriously mean mooshu tofu. Not on menu, but it's fab.
(4)