This place is great. I have been several times and each and every time I leave very happy. The food is great. the price it on point for the portions you get....did I mention they are to much for one person? My foodie friend and I each order one entree and share with one another and still have enough left over for a third meal to take home! The staff always take care of you with out being in your face all the time. I really do crave this place, thankfully I don't live next door to it or I would be 3 billion pounds, give or take a pound! If your in the area, stop by they will take care of your Asian food needs!
(4)
Suresh D.
I was here on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend around 12:30. I wasn't expecting to meet my friend until 2:00 so I thought I had time. I ordered a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay as my beverage sine I thought I had time. I wasn't hungry enough for a big meal so I ordered two appetizers. The cold sesame noodles and the vegetarian spring rolls. By that point I had found out my friend was waiting for me where I was staying (an hour and half early) which was why i ordered the vegetarian stuff in case he joined me while the food came. He was there before the food arrived and I offered to split what I ordered already but he decided not to take my food and order something for himself. The service was very good. Given the restaurant was pretty empty we could have easily been forgotten but we weren't
(4)
K. G.
Piss poor. So my colleagues decided that we we're going to have a team lunch to close a successful week. TERRIBLE! First off they were not trying to accept the company card. A little frustrating but we ended up putting it on someone's personal card. Next while eating one of my colleagues found a random wire in her fried rice when she was eating. Like where the heck did it come from?? Strictly food wise: just okay to be honest. I got general tso's the sauce was good however no broccoli. In the end I would never return, the service was not up to par, especially considering the Chevy Chase area and all the options we could have chosen.
(2)
Jeanette H.
3.5 stars but I chose 4 to get the average up to 3.5. When at Chinese, best to order Chinese, unless you don't mind decent enough Japanese (definitely not authentic enough of course). My fave's are Mongolian Beef-- quality juicy tender beef w scallions; Mapa Tofu spicy, sesame chicken (best to eat right then & there --don't recommend for carryouts; mixed veggies in white sauce - veggies are nice and crispy, never overcooked. Sauce is light yet tasty, balanced.
(4)
Ruth C.
Okay, screw the sushi counter too. Piece of trash in my miso soup and grey avocado.
(2)
Cameron C.
I would give Mei Wah 6 stars if could and the sixth star would be for Sally who is the best bartender and makes one mean Mai Tai! The sushi, though surprising for a Chinese restaurant, is really great. Finally I have to put a word in for the owner, Larry, who always gives me a big hello and whom I often see helping out at the take out counter when he could be home counting his money or out meeting big celebrities. Along with the sushi, I recommend the Tinkling Bell Pork and the Orange Tofu. My wife loves Singapore Noodles and daughter always gets Beef Lo Mein. Mei Wah brings back the friendly neighborhood Chinese restaurant the way it used to be, so check it out!
(5)
Sarah B.
Excellent Americanized Chinese food. I order for delivery and it comes quickly and fresh & hot. Spring rolls are a little dry, and crispy shredded beef is too sugary and not spicy enough, but everything else I have tried here is excellent. Hot and sour soup is good of its kind, BBQ spare ribs are tender and exactly right, pork with garlic sauce is delicious, as is moo shi pork, Kung pao chicken, and eggplant with garlic sauce. Get at least one thing with their garlic sauce. It's a sweet, salty. tangy, spicy, garlic sauce and I love it. Mei Wah has a lot of veggies in their dishes -- I'm a big fan of that approach to Chinese cooking. My favorite things on the menu are shrimp with spiced salt, which is deep fried jumbo shrimp and with a fantastic spicy, gingery seasoning served on a bed of al dente broccoli, and spicy cabbage, a refreshing, salad-like appetizer. The spicy food here is tasty, not overly hot. I have introduced several friends to Mei Wah and have had some of them say it's the best Chinese food they have ever had. It's solid.
(4)
Bryan M.
A local picked this location for lunch today. Great location. Lots of light with the abundance of windows on this second-story spot. Professional staff. Casual, and nice. Pricing not crazy. In our party of 7, we focused on the Chinese entrees - though, I'd like to try the sushi, sometime. The dishes were all good - and ran the spectrum, in terms of meat ... including beef, chicken, and shrimp. Veggies were fresh, colorful, large, and abundant. Sauce was present, but not overbearing. Lunch on Saturday [and Sunday, I believe] comes as dinner-sized portions - i.e. no lunch menu on those days, if I understood the waitress, correctly. Seating accommodated our group just fine - plenty of space, and we took a round table with a lazy susan. This allowed us to share. Good stuff! While not a perfect match, my wife and I agreed that it reminded us of a favorite Chinese spot in Palo Alto called Jing Jings [the latter being much more subdued, and having only Chinese-style entrees ... yes, Americanized Chinese. And, that's just fine. Good meal experience ... at both]. There is a parking lot in the basement of the building. Meiwah does offer a partial credit for the parking there. Of course, being the newby, I parked across the street ... sans discount. Next time!
(4)
Angela F.
Granted, we only had the sushi lunch specials (2 rolls for $8.80) you can't beat that. Overall, good quality and the price was on point. Also, the location is very cool (2nd floor, lots of windows, nice view). Considering this place is a stone's throw from our apartment, I know we will be back.
(4)
Linsha X.
It cooks for westerns. Chinese don't love it. Even the Chinese fast food is better than it.
(2)
Venina D.
Good food and service! However the tofu came with hair twice, the first time they changed quickly my food and in the second time I just pretended I didn't see cause I was hungry and was afraid to sound it as a joke! Also, the price didn't match the menu they gave to me...they should tell that is the weekly menu and give me the appropriate one! I don't know if I would come back!
(3)
Vanessa M.
First and last time here. The service and food were underwhelming. The rice had too much onion. The duck was ok.
(1)
Edgar H.
I read all the reviews before heading out here, and the 3 star rating was something to consider, but my wife daughter and I thought it was best to try. While I respect all the opinions on the site, I must say a three is low given the portion, quality and price paid. Service was excellent, but it could have been because it was a weekday, I just cannot complain. Our waitress and servers were excellent in greeting us, taking our order and bringing everything to our table in an orderly and fast way. No complaints here either. The food was excellent in what you usually want in a restaurant and the portions larger than we all expected. So looking at all of this my daughter gave it a 5, and both my wife and I give it a 4 rating. Great place, great food, service and very reasonable price for the area.
(4)
Elizabeth C.
Very good chinese food. Not super greasy and nice quality meat. Ridiculous someone gave bad review because they wouldn't accept a credit card in company name. Most businesses won't accept a credit credit card unless your name is printed on it. Stupid reason to give a bad review. Overall good chinese delivery. Definitely will be ordering again.
(5)
Zulma M.
This is by far the last time I will order from this place they are the worst when it comes to delivery order.. You order food for two or more they give you one napkin one soy sauce and one chop stick.. They are not cheap on their food by were cheap when it comes to given us napkin.. Every time I work at Saks orBloomingdales we have order for more the 6 people and this how the say thank you No more
(1)
Joe E.
I love this place. This is traditional American style Chinese food with everything down to a science. Super fast service, awesome wait staff, reasonable pricing. Food is perfectly executed. Can't say enough positive things My favorite dishes are: Sweet and Sour Pork Pepper Steak with Onion Mei Wah Maki Dumplings Spring Rolls All of the sushi is solid and fresh. Good parking in the garage below or a short walk from metro. One of my favorite restaurants in the DC area.
(5)
Erin K.
My feelings about MeiWah are complicated... On the one hand, 80% of the Seamless orders from last year came from here (thanks again for that email, Seamless!). On the other hand, the customer service is pretty crappy. The Salmon Crunch rolls are literally my favorite sushi ever. I eat it way more often than I probably should. The sesame noodles are pretty solid as well. Definitely get these things. Spring rolls are sometimes cold in the center. Items are sometimes missing. Options are available on the online order form that aren't actually options and even after you've paid for them, you won't get a refund but rather an exchange of something of equal or lesser value (not even 10 cents more - I'm serious). I've only had the Chinese food once and once was enough. I've heard the same from others who live in the neighborhood too. It's kind of a love/hate thing but I ordered it for lunch today so I'm not going anywhere.
(3)
Dylan B.
Cool location. Singapore noodles were very good; curry flavor with lots of chopped onions and peppers, barbecue pork, chicken, and shrimp. Tasty chicken with broccoli, mu shu pork, and mushroom chicken were shared by my party. I found it a little strange that they brought three separate teas for four people sharing three checks. Seemed like a bit of a cheap money grab. Still, definitely tasty if not particularly memorable.
(3)
David M.
One of the best Chinese in the Bethesda / Chevy chase area. If you're looking for nice atmosphere this is a great place to go for dinner. For takeout, our favorite is City Lights of Beffthesda....but Meihwah has nicer atmosphere and still reasonable prices. We have never had a bad dish at Meiwah....consistently great food. The prices are just a pinch higher than some other places in Bethesda and the parking here is a little tricky unless you bite the bullet and pay a few dollars for validated parking. So this feels just a little more expensive than our other Chinese places but the atmosphere and food here make it worth it. You won't go wrong here. Nice full bar too.
(5)
Cora C.
I had the Salmon Bento. It was a nice meal for the price. The decor and service was very average. I would come here again for lunch.
(4)
A S.
Probably 3.5 stars. Meiwah's really close to my apartment, so I have to be really careful not to eat here constantly. The space is big -- with lots of big windows and a patio for when the weather's nice -- so we've never had trouble getting a table. The food always comes incredibly quickly. I'm a vegetarian, so can't speak to their meat dishes, though other folks I've been here with seem to enjoy. I can tell you, though, that I absolutely love their Szechuan green beans. They're amazing. That being said, you really have to know what to order here. The pan-fried noodles are delicious, but the rest of the noodle dishes (lo mein, chow fun, sesame noodles) really aren't. I finally remember that when I go (and so end up leaving much happier), but it took me way too long to figure that out. Also, I think the prices are kind of high. I always leave having spent way more that seems to make sense for two people at a Chinese restaurant -- even if we don't get appetizers, alcohol, etc. Still, it's probably no different than what I'd spend at PF Chang's -- the other "Chinese" restaurant nearby -- and I'd rather give my money to a small business than a chain.
(4)
Peggy R.
We have been fans of Meiwah's food, both in the restaurant and by delivery (via Seamless) so we decided to do the traditional "Chinese food delivery for Christmas dinner for non-Christians" by ordering from Meiwah. We know how popular Meiwah is and how backed up they can get on Christmas day, so we put in our order a full day in advance, and then I made sure to call to confirm the order mid-day. I was assured the order (of 8 dishes and 2 appetizers) would come within 15 minutes of our delivery time. Guests included my 91-year-old mother, who can't stay up too late. Well, when the order was half an hour late, we started calling the restaurant to check on it. But the phone was continually busy. We called 44 times (!) over the next half hour. Finally, almost an hour late, the food shows up. We were very disappointed in Meiwah, mainly because we thought by ordering a full day in advance, they would be organized enough to get the delivery to us in a timely way. One the bright side: the order was correct for all the dishes and appetizers, and it was pretty good -- though cold, of course, by the time it got here. We may keep up the tradition of ordering Chinese food for Christmas....but definitely not from Meiwah next time!
(2)
Chrissy A.
Sleek restaurant, moreso than any other Chinese place I've been to in the area. They don't have the gigantic menu you normally see, but what they do have is great. The pork with plum sauce is delicious. Quick service, no waiting and high quality. All you could ask for in a Chinese place. We just wish they had egg rolls instead of spring rolls.
(5)
Jeff S.
Our first experience at Meiwah (last night) will be our last. Both appetizers were tasteless. Service was poor. And, my dinner never came (while my dining companion was nearly done with his). Sorry, Meiwah, you blew it and lost a potential regular customer (just moved to the area and live around the corner). Overall, BAD!
(2)
Catie C.
I love the avocado and shrimp salad with greens. Its simple, its fresh, its an easy quick lunch. I havent had the sushi here yet, but Im a fan of the place itself. looks spacious
(4)
Maggie S.
Awful. Becoming more so. Used to live across the street so have eaten there many times. Used to be very good. Now it is simply tired. Had a simple lunch there yesterday. Spring rolls, veg tempura, dipping sauces and steamed rice. The spring roll was not fresh. Tasted like it sat on a warmer for awhile. The tempura? Doughy not light. The rice? How do you mess that up? It tasted and looked more like leftovers. I am done. Nothing to see here.
(1)
Virginia G.
My friend and I ordered the pad thai from this restaurant and it was absolutely disgusting and not even pad thai. It seemed to have been sitting in a vat of noodles for hours. The bean sprouts were soggy and the noodles were not rice noodles. They were more like spaghetti. The sauce tasted old and spoiled, not the spicy peanut flavor this dish traditionally has. After one bite, we both could not eat any more. It was really bad. We also got spring rolls and they were not crispy. It seemed like the oil in the fryer was not hot enough. I am not sure if this was a one time experience with the pad thai and spring rolls but I will never go here again.
(1)
Kate W.
Decent Chinese, especially for the area. Clean restaurant, good service. Often very busy--call repeatedly last Friday night over the course of an hour and their lines were busy the whole time.
(3)
Tianna S.
5 Star Sushi! This is really the only place that I eat sushi. The seafood ALWAYS tastes fresh and I don't question the quality. From the main menu, I have not ordered one item that I did not find delicious. Yes, the service is terrible, but Meiwah in Chevy Chase(very important) is one of the only restaurants that I will go to monthly. The sushi is that good!
(5)
Ariel David A.
When you have a Chinese mother-in-law, it isn't easy to persuade your wife to go out for Chinese, unless you're in New York Chinatown. But we wanted a quick meal somewhere that was toddler friendly, and I wanted something that wasn't pizza. First plus, this is a Chinese restaurant with decor that's actually pleasant and warm. Not great, but not schlocky. We had a booth for two, with a high-chair alongside. Next, $6 cocktails aren't bad. The appetizer, pork spareribs, was a bit disappointing. Too tough, not enough meat. For entrees, we had the moo shu pork and baby bok choi with mushroom. The moo shu was what you expect. The bok choi with mushrooms had real flavor without being greasy, and I'm relatively picky on that point. I dared tell my wife I liked the bok choi better than what her mother makes, because then it is stir-fried with the minimum of oil humanly possible. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother-in-law and she's a great cook, but there is such a thing as being too health-conscious. Anyhow, we finished up with a bit of green tea ice cream, also good. The check came to $60, including tip. Final verdict: It's very nice to have a reliable local Chinese restaurant that's inviting, affordable, kid-friendly, and avoids the great sin of substituting oil for flavor.
(3)
Joshua B.
Went looking for Chinese food and this restaurant was excellent! The dishes were savory, reasonably priced, and the staff was very accommodating. We had a boy who needed a gluten free dish and they prepared a delicious gluten free Mongolian Beef that everyone enjoyed. We'll he back for sure on our next trip to DC!
(5)
Tim H.
Took the family here just for a change of scenery. Meiwah is one of several better Chinese restaurants with decor and atmosphere in the area. Taking the elevator up from the parking garage (don't forget to ask for a $1 discount parking voucher), which takes you directly to the restaurant on the 2nd floor. We were seated at a nice table overlooks the streets and across from Whole food. We'd been out all day, so the kids ordered the miso soup and adults had the sal & pepper squib as appetizers, and had General Tao's chicken, chicken tofu wrap. All were delicious. Noticed some commotions about dishes sent to the wrong table (easily corrected)...perhaps servers were still in training.
(4)
Mol R.
My family has come here since I was little and I love it. I always crave it when I want Chinese food. The service is wonderful and the food is always served hot. My family usually gets the large fried fish dish and some veggies. They also have a lot of space and large tables for big groups.
(4)
Carl n.
Nothing at all special here. Struck me as soulless and when the food came out, it was bland. This is food fit for the corporate social hack who wants something "ethnic". It was flavorless, somewhat pricy and located in a nondescript building not too far from Friendship Heights metro across the boarder. The conversation I had with my guest was the best and most colorful part of the whole experience. Otherwise, it was quite a dull environment, tasteless food.
(2)
Michael S.
Well, previously I would have given this place a 4-star rating. But tonight, after taking 2 hours for the food to arrive, it was absolutely awful. Followed up with some awful customer service. I've gotten the sesame chicken here multiple times before with no issues. This time, the sauce tasted disgusting. I'm not sure how sesame sauce would be spoiled, but it certainly tasted it. After my fiance called to complain and request a replacement, the woman on the phone stated that "you must not like fried dishes." We repeatedly told her we've had this dish before without issue, but she kept insisting we must not like fried dishes... It felt kind of like when you call the cable company and they ask you 10 times if you've restarted the cable box, while you've already tried that and everything else you can think of. The restaurant was willing to have someone pick up the order, show it to the chef, and then if he agreed, THEN they'd send out something else. This is after already having waited 2 hours, so we told them not to bother. I wish I had paid with credit card so that a refund or disputed transaction would be possible. I plan to from now on for all future delivery orders, none of which will be from this place.
(1)
Stephanie S W.
I went here thinking this place would be similar to the one on New Hampshire/M St. but the food was completely subpar. My boyfriend wondered if we were even eating Chinese food? -- maybe it's missing MSG (aka what makes this food SO tasty). In any case, the service was poor and nothing about our meal was very cool. Soup was mediocre, dumpings were DISGUSTING, chinese roast pork (aka char shu) was some weird Americanized version, and the pepper steak...was, well.... not pepper steak? Will not be returning, although the other location isn't half bad.
(1)
Maureen H.
My fiance and I dined in at Meiwah for the first time last week. We were both basically starving after either skipping or having light lunches and it was approaching 9pm. First of all, the atmosphere was very nice. It wasn't too fancy, but I felt good about being there. The service was also fast and attentive. We shared an entree that was huge even though we shared there was still a lot left over. We ordered Kung Pao Chicken - a favorite Americanised Chinese dish of mine. The chicken was actually really tender and the peanuts were fresh. It was maybe some of the best KPC I've ever had. I also ordered a cup of hot and sour soup, which was good but nothing too special. Finally, we shared an order of spring rolls and they were just OK. Later I found out that they deliver to my building, which was pretty exciting since this now means I can have great Chinese food plus Thai and sushi delivered to my doorstep. I'd like to go back Meiwah and try something else, but for now I'd say that it's pretty good.
(3)
Rubin S.
Meiwah restaurant provides wonderful Chinese flavors to its customers. General Tso and Kung Pao are flavors that I would certainly suggest trying. Food is prepared promptly, and served according to how the patron would like to eat it, whether this may include sweet, sour, or spicy flavors. Please note that this is not necessarily authentic Chinese food (as you might find in Chinatown), but it is still excellent. Meiwah is ideal for carryout as well if you are in a hurry. If you are in the area I would try it out.
(4)
Bhooter B.
We've discovered this place because it was the only one open during Snowmageddon in 2010. We've been getting takeout from here ever since. If you eat there, get one of their special drinks, we like Suffering Bastard and Zombie. For takeout, we love the Steamed Veggie Dumplings (much bigger and better here than the DC location!!) and the Hot and Sour Soup.
(5)
Brit S.
I ordered from Meiwah through Seamless, so take my comments on the delivery as you will. I believe their delivery is done through Meiwah employees though, so perhaps it is pertinent to non-Seamless orders as well. Straight up, the sesame chicken was gloppy. No other way to describe it. Sesame chicken is one of my favorite dishes, one that I always order, but I was so disappointed by Meiwah's. The delivery man scolded me for requesting that they call my cell phone to alert me that they'd arrived- my building doesn't have a buzzer! Even if the issue of notifying me that my food had arrived wasn't present, the food quality is abysmal and the price is too high for such a low quality product. To recap: sesame chicken = gloppy and disgusting; egg roll= disappointing; white rice= standard; fried rice= tasteless. If you're craving Americanized Chinese food, go to Panda Express; it's a helluva lot better, if that tells you anything.
(1)
Sahar R.
When you can flip your hot and sour soup container onto a plate and it slides out of the container and retains the shape of the container like a brown jello mold with suspended tofu, it might be time to rethink Chinese restaurant options. There is either alot of congealed fat in this soup or platelets. I can't tell which right now. I have gone to Meiwah several times, and use them as my delivery option to my house. I understand it's Americanized chinese food, but it hits the spot most of the time. The reasons why I love Meiwah are the following: 1-I live within the delivery area 2-Atkins Friendly Menu that is extensive. These are batter-free and not deep fried versions of the traditional dishes. The atkins version of the General Tso's chicken (not on menu, but made to order) is so much better than the fried version. Sauteed slices of chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce over brown rice. Yum! 3-Great noodle dishes. I am a big fan of the beef chow foon with large thin noodles. The reasons why I might dislike Meiwah: 1-In the time it took me to write this review, my friend had sliced the jello mold of soup and cut it into star shapes with a cookie cutter. 2-Sushi. Not the freshest I've had, with sloppy fall apart rice. Well, Mei Wah I guess is not know for its consistency, but at least now I found a hot and sour soup that Bill Cosby can endorse.
(3)
Matt M.
Good little place. I went the Chinese route here as I am a little wary of the "all-asian" places that try to do Thai, Sushi, Teppanyaki, Chinese etc well. IMHO they never succeed. Basic lnch today with General Chicken. Good spice, good sweetness. All around a good place, inexpensive and quick.
(4)
Jeff B.
This is by far the best Chinese Food available for delivery in Bethesda-Chevy Chase (and I've tried them all). Also pretty good sushi for a Chinese restaurant, which is not the best sushi in the area but definitely the best we've found that is available for delivery. For the reviewer who complained about the pad thai, I agree it's not authentic pad thai. But it's a Chinese restaurant, not a Thai restaurant. That's a bit like complaining that a Tex-Mex restaurant doesn't really have proper mole sauce.
(4)
GT W.
I'm rating Mei Wah strictly on what they do best: sushi. Yes, this is the place for sushi in the area by a mile. Sushi menu is massive, extremely extensive, and you are not given the full menu if you sit down to eat. You need to explicitly ask for the extended sushi roll menu and if the waiter does not know what that is, you can walk towards the back like you are trying to find the bathroom and will discover the "take-out" counter with all the Mei Wah ladies working. Taped to the counter are all the available sushi rolls. There are about 50 in total. I've tried all of them by now (have gotten sushi here once a week for over a year), and my favorite are: Chevy Chase Maki w/ Raw Shrimp (must specify) Dynamite Roll (usually get x2 because it is cheap and awesome) Spicy Scallop Roll Ultimate Salmon Roll (pretty dense and filling) This combo is unbeatable. Other rolls are good but I keep a running list of what was a hit and what was a miss, and these top my list so take it for what it's worth.
(5)
Michelle D.
Great neighborhood Asian restaurant that delivers quickly! Food is consistently good, fresh and very flavorful. They offer healthier choices to classic dishes. Service is good too.
(4)
Semra E.
This place is fantastic!!! Really great food and service and the sushi is exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a small group, or large group, or just for 4 people. It's not a huge space, but the decor and lighting and food are all really great. I will definitely come back here for another experience :-)
Very good, but not fabulous. Good take out option. Traditional american version of Chinese food. Good place to take kids.
(3)
Katie W.
I eat here a few times month. this place has good portions, its quick. prices are decent. staff is friendly. and the food is great. no complaints!
(4)
Amy S.
For how long Meiwah has been around, you think they'd their act together more. Meiwah is my least favorite restaurant in the Friendship Heights area. Seriously- I get better service and more consistent food at Panera. Meiwah's services are abrupt and rude. There is no hello, just " YOU READY?" The food does not come out at the same time which leaves half the table sitting their with their entree getting cold while waiting for the rest of the meal. The servers do not refill drinks, and rarely even check to see if you have received your entire meal. The food itself is ok. If you want to eat it, get take-out and eat in the park up the street. Don't sit at their tables!
(1)
Cagri T.
I don't understand how this place among all the horrible Asian places in DC gets a 3 star average. Their sushi is decent. It is not Sushi Taro but it is better than many places I tried. Their Chinese is not as greasy as a lot of Take-away places that almost charge the same price. It is a good Asian place with decent prices. Bar bad service comments and so on the 3 star average proves to me that people in DC have bizarre taste buds.
(4)
Mike S.
I eat here regularly as I work within walking distance and used to live in walking distance too. Really about the only good Chinese food option in Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase, nice atmosphere and very clean. Take-out is very quick. Service is pretty good. I am not a sushi fan so I stick to the Chinese and they have the usual dishes you expect. I usually get either the Mongolian Beef or Chicken Lo Mein; the former is very tasty, the latter is good too but not as good. They do have Bento boxes and sushi that my coworkers really like. Only two issues I have ever had are they seem to have problems bringing all the entrees at the same time (even if it's just two people) and one of the servers said they don't have Arnold Palmers, even though they serve both lemonade and iced tea. However, Mei Wah is a solid neighborhood pick and one of the few moderately priced options in the Friendship Heights area. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Edward C.
Will not order from Meiwah again and you shouldn't either. The quality of the food has seen a steady decline in the last two years, and now it takes forever for them to make a simple delivery. Tonight I waited an hour and a half for a basic order. Never again. They don't deserve my business.
(1)
Travelin M.
I have eaten here several times during business trips. Great for take out. Especially if you pick up yourself. Fast and efficient. Better than average quality and consistent. I NEVER eat in the restaurant. Horrible, clueless service.
(3)
Derek F.
Mei Wah suffices for decent sitdown Chinese food. I eat there about once a month, and aside from the lackluster parking situation, I have few complaints. I do not eat Sushi, so I can not comment on that, but for the most part everything else I have ordered is tasty. The portions are small, but not too small. I consider this a plus as I am prone to over eat based on generous helpings, so I always leave Mei Wah contented without feeling stuffed. Not too flavorful, but beats all the take-out chinese in the region. I would only rank Peking Gourmet in Arlington as being better.
(3)
Thomas W.
Meiwah is a good example of a good restaurant coasting. It could be an outstanding restaurant, but does not go the extra mile. I enjoy the prawn in spicy tomato sauce, but wish this place could strive for more. The sushi is very good, but not outstanding. My major complaint about the food is that the noodle dishes are very mediocre and not as authentic as they should be. Still, when I want a Chinese meal in a nicer atmosphere I find myself drawn to this place. I just wish it could be more often.
(3)
Mimmi G.
I'm pretty displeased with food here. So I placed the order over seamless and they indicated 90 min for delivery. I immediately regretted that I ordered from here; however the food arrived within 30min and the delivery person was very nice and friendly. So my mood immediately lighten up. Order consisted of wonton soup, which was really good. I really like wontons and this one was up on the top list. The vegetarian spring rolls have eggs in their filling and they were a bit too greasy. I was not expecting the eggy taste so I gave up from eating them. The main dish were Hong Kong noodles and I'm not sure I liked these either. It is mixture of rice noodles with veggies, beef and shrimp. The dish was not salty enough and beef had a strange taste, since I'm pregnant I didn't want to gamble with eating strange tasting food so I just gave up on my ordered dinner. I don't like that I have to inspect whether these dishes are what I ordered and whether they are spoiled or not ... in future will order from other already tested and trusted places.
(1)
Clarissa C.
I've tried the tofu with vegetables, assorted sushi rolls, and vegetable dumplings. The tofu had a nice texture but the sauce was over-plentiful and bland. The fish wasn't bad in the sushi but there was too much rice and the seaweed was gummy. The veggie dumplings were mushy and had zero flavor. Maybe I'm just ordering the wrong food.
(2)
Stephanie C.
I love Meiwah in Chevy Chase. They have nice dining areas, a great sushi bar/bar, parking, and it is close to Metro, a few blocks from Friendship Heights (use the Metrobus bay exit, not Mazza or Jenifer or the Pavillion). It's also close to Whole Foods, if you need to make a grocery run. There's also easy parking and make sure you have Meiwah validate your sticker -- it takes a dollar off. Tinkling bells!!!! Love them. Try it. Also recommend the Sweet and Sour dish and ice creams for dessert.
(5)
Eric B.
I could tell when I walked in the back entrance into the takeout area I was in for a great meal. The station was manned by three lovely ladies, phones ringing, bags flying - they were busy! The amerikan staples I tried were all great. The General, mei fun, etc. I had the crispy fish. It was delicious despite being a bit heavily battered for my taste. Scored nicely and easy to pull apart and enjoy. Good service for our visit and very kid friendly - but not busy. Will definitely eat here again.
(4)
Mic X.
It had been many years that the chef had perfected his craft and transformed it into art. Years of diligent instruction and tutelage under the great chef Shan Zu had reared him from lowly apprentice into a master chef who was able to cook in the style of every region - Sichuan/Chuan, Hunan/Xiang, Guangdong/Cantonese, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Anhui. It was said that with each bite of his dishes that one could actually taste the waters of the Yangtze River, the snow of the Kunlun Mountains, the sands of the Gobi Desert, the grass of the Emin Valley, or the bamboo of the Anji forest. His noodles were perfect - neither too hard nor too soft. His bean curd was so delectable that people often mistook it as a dessert. His vegetables were as crisp as the breeze. His twice cooked pork tasted like it was cooked three times by the gods themselves. His Peking duck was so savory that the city of Peking thought of renaming the city after the chef. His fame and renown had reached every corner of China (and even into Mongolia and Russia). There was nothing left for him to achieve. It was at this point that the chef looked for new challenges where he could test his culinary skills - America beckoned. The Chef traveled thousands of miles with his sharpest knives, most dutiful assistants, and a sacred book of his recipes. He set up an subtly elegant restaurant in Chevy Chase, MD looking forward to entertaining a new audience with his cuisine. Then he happened to glance out his window and look across the street. He became agape at the sight..... P.F.Changs!?!?! "I'd better change my menu - post quick!!" he exclaimed. That is exactly what the chef did, so now if you are looking for some bland, uninspired Chinamericano food that is made decently and in a nice, pseudo-chain setting - this is the place for you!! P.S. - If you don't like Chinamericano food.... they do have sushi, as well.
(2)
KuangYou C.
Why only one star? Because my Cantonese rice noodles came with a cockroach... It is my first time experiencing this in a restaurant so I was kind of overwhelming... 1. The waitress asked me if I want to switch to another dish, I said yes...I should say no and told them I want to leave. 2. Besides, when I asked the manger (I think she is , or someone who is in charge), what price should I pay? (because the dish they switch to me is a different price from the original one, actually I was actually wanting to ask them if they should give me a free meal... ) and she told me she will charge me the original one I had because it was cheaper. What the heck!! 3. When I saw the check, they still charge me the one they switched to me (the latter dish I had) and it was $2 more than the original one. I should argue with them but I didn't. 4. I didn't pay tips. I will never go there again....even though when I was taking off, the restaurant was almost packed... Is food delicious or not? I don't care.
(1)
Meg G.
Szechuan chicken, Mongolian beef, and other dishes are prepared in much the same way as most Chinese-American take-out restaurants, except that Meiwah's food tastes healthier (read: less oil). I've never dined in, but have always ordered these standby dishes w/brown rice, or a soup & appetizer, as delivery. Meiwah has a reputation in the DMV as serving "the best Chinese"; and, although I don't know how to react to that, I will continue to order here in the future. Guilt-free delivery is always right on time.
(3)
Janae H.
Ok but not the best food I've ever had but it was decent!
(2)
D R.
Gotta love a place that delivers Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine all at once. I've never gone to restaurant; I don't need to: Fresh Sushi Delivery. And they usually get to my house in 15 minutes.
(4)
Lexie D.
Putting the "meh" in Meiwah, one dumpling at a time. Boy and I tried to order Chinese food delivery on a Friday night, which I suppose was our own damn fault. After trying to call for twenty minutes, we gave up and walked over. The sit-down portion of the restaurant looked nice, but we were immediately shooed into the take-out nook. Crowded, loud, and phones ringing off the hook. We ordered our (not cheap) food, went home empty-handed, and had to return 40 minutes later. The meal was uninspiring - I can make a pretty decent beef and broccoli cheaper, and probably faster, with ingredients from Giant. I wasn't upset at the taste, but the service of take-out and price will definitely prevent me from returning. But...honestly, there's nothing better in the vicinity.
(3)
Jennie L.
Surprisingly good sushi delivery. Ordered via Seamless, so I have no idea how their service is. Would order again.
(4)
Salman C.
So my review will consist of two criteria: food and dining experience. Food: the sushi was very good and so was the Singapore noodles dish. Pricing was moderate/average. I give food 4 stars. Dining experience: now this was deplorable and inexcusable in any establishment, nevertheless a restaurant. Near the end of our meal, my friend saw a cockroaches run across our table from under one of our dish plates that was brought from the kitchen. That pretty much killed it for me.hopefully it was an isolated incident. Regardless, I gave the experience 0 stars. For all of you math geeks out there with your TI-89s, the average is 2 stars. There you have it!
(2)
Martin B.
I'm updating this to around 3.5 stars after finally finding a dish that is consistently well done. I've given Meiwah a hard time in the past for the unpredictable quality of some of its dishes, but I think I will no longer be subject to the Russian roulette (or should it be Chinese roulette) that is hoping my order tastes good. Some of the dishes I mentioned in my first review are still good (namely the fried meat dumplings, the wonton soup, the sesame noodles and the crab stick sushi), so definitely consider those as well. The dish that has changed my opinion of Meiwah, however, is the sweet 'n' sour chicken. Basically, it's fried chicken with that sweet 'n' sour sauce they put on a lot of Americanized Chinese food. It's somewhat lightly fried, but tasty, and the chicken pieces are almost always very high quality compared to some of the other dishes I've had here. You might occasionally get a crummy piece but overall it's a safe bet. The sauce tastes pretty good, which is essential since the chicken comes drenched in it. So yeah, as long as you stick to dishes that are consistent in quality, you should have a good meal at Meiwah. Service is rather prompt and no-frills, and the prices are pretty good.
(3)
Jerry B.
I've been eating at Meiwah and the owner's first place, City Lights of China, for over 20 years. They are consistently good, fresh and delicious. The service is efficient and friendly. I've tried many other places but no one else measures up.
(5)
Eric N.
I ordered two dynamite rolls and a hot and sour soup for delivery. Gets you just over the delivery threshold, $15, then I gave the guy a $20 for a big tip. The hot and sour soup for $3 is huge and a must order if you like the soup. Lots of tofu and green onions and other stuff beyond just broth and egg. They include fried wonton chips to make it even more filling. I have trouble seeing how I would order anything but the dynamite roll after getting it. Several kinds of buttery sushi including tuna and a spicy mayo sauce that really is spicy and not wasabi. When I was stuck at home, craved sushi, and wanted it delivered to my door all for a 20 dollar bill, this place more than delivered.
(4)
Jenn H.
why the drop in a star? i got a rainbow roll, and the fish was just not fresh. in fact, i felt a little sick after finishing it. no more raw fish from Meiwah--unfortunate. i got the beef chao fun, which...tasted a little funky, and very unctuous. it didn't bother me at first, but the more i ate, the more greasy i felt. maybe i was just already queasy from the rainbow roll...and grease after light rolls probably wasn't a good idea. for some inexplicable reason, my bf has an obsession with the chicken fried rice there. I had a few bites...It's pretty good, but seriously? it's fried rice. I think Meiwah fine if you're craving Americanized Chinese food, especially since it's one of the few options in the area...but in all honesty, (and this may just be the living-in-NoVA part of me talking), think it's worth the extra few metro stops/miles/time to go to Rockville to get some REAL chinese food. The only reason why I go there is because the bf works close by, and if we don't have much time to grab dinner, and asian sounds good...well, really it's the only option.
(2)
Susan R.
I was very surprised when I came here. Normally, many Chinese places tend to have a cheesy atmosphere and "meh, it works" feel to their food. Not Mei Wah. When we walked in, we were surprised how good the place looked. There were still a few cheesy trinkets, but the place had a wonderful feel with its wooden walls and nice tables. I noticed that a few of the largest tables had turning wheels, which really set the stage for sharing food without impolitely reaching over people. The service was prompt and polite. But it was the food that was outstanding. The dumplings were delicious, and the kung pao chicken was an outstanding mix of slightly sweet with spiciness, and there was plenty for two people. It wasn't a wallet buster either, the tab was low $20s even with a drink. All I can say is that I'll be back. :)
(5)
Steffany H.
Mehhh... nothing spectacular to report at meiwah (love the name though). Came over for lunch, had the miso soup and the shrimp tempura. i will say - it was a TON of food for $12. Maybe I could have ordered something different but it just wasn't anything special. Everything was pretty standard and what you'd expect from this type of restaurant. Nothing good to report, but nothing bad either I guess.....
(3)
Paul M.
Meiwah by name, Meh by nature. First the good: Thing 1 loved his lo mein. " Dad, this is the best I've had since you took us to that place with the hanging chickens" That pretty much sums it up. It's an OK spot - I had a smashing mount fuji sushi roll - but it is pretty bland overall. This place suffers the same fate as ever single other restaurant in Friendship Heights - nice, clean, buttoned down and almost completely devoid of any personality at all - this place, Lias, even Indique Heights, Clydes, etc etc. All reasonable, all good enough if you fancy what they offer and you are in the area, but in no shape or form would anyone actually come here specifically to this, or any other of the neighborhood's restaurants. Please, aspiring restaurant entrepreneur, bring your cool, stylish, flavorful, interesting, different, place here - this is the one neighborhood in all of DC that is completely wihout a decent unique destination style restaurant. I had scallop,s shrimp and asparagus - spicey. The ingredients were great, but the sauce was basic bottle oyster sauce with some chilli bits thrown in. Bo-ring. lovely room ,nice view out the window - just the job for the AARPers that the neighborhood is full of.
(2)
Sameer S.
Was there anything really offensive about this restaurant? No. Was there anything so compelling that I would go back? No. I went here with a friend and her parents and had the General Tso's tofu if I remember right (three of us did veggie). It tasted...fine. They did do that thing where they confuse quantity with quality. I ended up giving my leftovers to my friend to give to her husband for lunch the next day. The service was fine, though it was hard to find our waitress...again, sort of par for the course. But back to the questions: Will I spend any more time reviewing a place this mediocre?
(2)
Od B.
Awesome place! Sushi and all food always fresh. Seaweed is great!
(5)
Nicole L.
I remember driving past the Georgetown Meiwah going home from DC - since they open this one in Chevy Chase I thought of giving it a try. The menu is more american-chinese but I was expecting more authentic. Oh well. My friend and I had met up for dinner and we got the spring rolls and dumplings. He had a horrific look on his face saying the food smelled weird but I thought it was fine. The spring roll had meat in it and he didnt like it. He got the black bean pepper beef and I had the squid. He flat out refused to eat it saying it looked like crap. At this point I feel bad for the restaurant. The food was not great but it's not ghastly horrific. It was somewhat noisy for the most part, screaming kids, and waitress breaking the Voss sparkling water. This dining experience had been a bit strange.
(3)
Alicia G.
The food at Meiwah was pretty decent! The restaurant itself is really nice - the layout and the decor. The servers were very friendly and gave me a chance to practice some of my mandarin. The lo mein was perfectly seasoned. The jiaozi (dumplings) were awesome. The Peking duck was obviously not comparable to duck actually eaten in Beijing - but it was close enough. Some of my friends ordered sushi - and that was pretty tasty. I wouldn't say that Meiwah could stand to be better than restaurants in Chinatowns in Boston, NY, Philly or San Francisco, but for a Chinese place in DC/Maryland, I'd go again and recommend it to friends.
(4)
Chris N.
Mei Wah is one of the best Chinese restaurants in DC metro area, by far, better than P.F. Chang's across the street. Sushi is pretty good too. It would definitely receive 5 stars if service can be improved a little.
(4)
Garry C.
All you have to do is remove a few letters from Meiwah to understand my feelings...Meh. This place is right behind my office building so when I need to escape and am in the mood for Chinese, I will come here. They have a wide variety of Asian food, mostly overpriced and not too impressive. The General Tso is pretty good, but the serving is pretty small. The sushi I have tried has been pretty good too, but def not amazing. Most recently I tried some of my friend's Dragon roll (I think) which was good: eel, salmon, cream cheese, avocado, etc. If you want to get the most bang for your buck or you need to eat you feelings after a bad morning at work (not that I am speaking from experience), I recommend the chicken pad thai. Certainly not the best pad thai, but not overly greasy or too peanut-y and a huge serving for only $10.95. So, really the two stars come from the mis service. You are lucky if you get Tony, the mediocre waiter with the longest hair ever sprouting from his neck. He is mildly attentive, but the food never comes out in a timely manner. Pray not to get one of the female servers who are not only rude, but also completely inept. They always bring out all the food at different times, confuse orders, forget orders, and God forbid you ask them to split a check between two cards. Best bet is to get carry out where you get larger portions at better prices for lunch, and are spared the lovely service.
(2)
Liz K.
My family and I have a long history with Meiwah. The owner Larry used to own City Lights in Dupont Circle and my father loved that place and had been eating there since before I was born. When it was sold and Larry opened up Meiwah (the downtown location first), we immediately switched over. I've always had good experiences with the servers at the Friendship Heights location and if you're a regular, they always remember you. The dumplings are fantastic and I'd highly recommend the tofu curl and the chow fun. The only downsides to Meiwah are that it's a) very noisy when crowded and b) big pricey for Chinese food (around $12 for an entree) but you get what you pay for in terms of decour and quality.
(4)
J L.
I visit often and always enjoy it. They have many nice vegetarian options which even my meat-lover family enjoys 100%. Favorites include steamed vegetable dumplings, sweet potato rolls, sesame noodles & won-ton soup. Each dish can be made with or without spice to your taste. They also deliver... the restaurant can get very busy in the evening and you may be put on hold several times when ordering over the phone but the yummy food and prompt delivery are well worth it.
(4)
Angela L.
Unfortunately I took my parents here because I went to the downtown location once and thought it was nice(they have a second floor for private parties). At this place we ordered sushi and some lo mein since the rest of it was pretty americanized. The sushi was wrapped poorly the rice didn't even cover all of the seaweed. The one fancy roll we got, the sauce was in some weird design, and the sauce didn't even go well with the sushi, failed attempt to make something pretty. You can just tell, the clientele were just white collared workers from the big company buildings nearby.
(2)
Aja A.
I first experience Meiwah as a babysitting dinner; ie, the children I was taking care of slurped up fried rice and lo mein (I don't want ANY SHRIMPS, says the 5 year old) and I picked at the remains. It was tastier than the average Chinese I had had in DC, which to the point consisted mainly of what could be easily ordered from the comfort of an AU dorm room. Food you would only eat if you were drunk or hungover. Meiwah I would definitely eat sober, I decided. I've since ordered from here easily 50 times, over the past three years. I even took my parents once to experience the sushi, since it isn't a straight up "chinese" restaurant, more of an asain fushion joint. I've ordered from the downtown branch twice, and didn't like it as much as the Willard Ave location. My favorite items are the seaweed salad, which is a simple dish, but easy to mess up; hot and sour soup, which I believe is the measure of a good Chinese establishment, and theirs is solid; spiced salt squid, deep fried but not in a "i'm gonna need a triple bypass" way; and sliced pork in plum sauce. Sometimes when I want to break the old routine I get schezuan beef. Everything I've ever eaten there has been really solid. I only give it three stars b/c I'm sort of off Chinese at the moment. In fact the last time I ate it I ordered from the downtown Meiwah and it wasn't very good. Greasy, even. Sad. But still, the Willard ave one is worth a visit.
(3)
Olivia L.
I came here with my dad when he was visiting from San Francisco. Since I live across the street, it seemed like a good time to try my local Chinese establishment. Let me begin at the beginning: It was crowded on a Saturday night, but almost entirely by white people. The only Asians are the servers (the sushi dudes are Hispanic) and even then, not all of them were Chinese (and the ones who were Chinese were from all parts of China). This should have been a warning first off. Next tip off: We got a Cantonese waitress, but when my dad asked her for recommendations in Chinese, she said flat out, go somewhere in Rockville, Gaithersburg, or Wheaton because the food here is really Americanized. She even gave us a couple recommendations! They don't have any of the traditional Chinese vegetables (baby pea pods, chinese broccoli, etc.) so we ended up ordering the crispy shredded beef (which was mostly fried batter, you couldn't taste the beef) and the salt and pepper prawns (good, but relatively expensive, and came with bland, blanched broccoli), and the sichuan string beans (too much sauce). When looking at the other diners, it seems that most of the stuff that was popular was deep-fried, or it might just be that most of the dishes are deep fried. It was over $50 for 3 people (which is highway robbery for bad Chinese food). *sighs* Oh, how I miss good Cantonese cooking!
(1)
Derek W.
I always sit at the sushi bar and the service is fantastic. Very good sushi that is fresh and made with an artist like touch. Their cooked food is pretty good (8/10) and delivery is fast. Patio seating in the summer is fantastic.
(4)
M M.
This place is located very close to Friendship Heights metro (2-3 min walk). We usually go there before watching a movie over at the Mazza Gallerie (AMC theatres), which is just opposite the metro stop. The restuarant is upstairs and is accessed by an elevator. Its a friendly place and I like that you can sit outside and enjoy the view. Regarding the view, there are around nine veg entrees to choose from and few veg appetizers. I tried Ma Po Tofu and String Bean Szechuan Style and they were good. You can ask them to add tofu in the later for an extra 2 bucks. They also have an option for brown rice for an extra dollar or two. Service gets bit slow during busy days an once we had to wait quite a while for the bill. Overall, good location and OK place for vegetarians.
(3)
Farishta H.
I come here often for work. Sometimes several times a week because its the best sushi place by work. I love it here. I love how I can make some changes to the lunch specials. The only problem can be that sometimes their service is slow and there is one waitress who is rude. But I think she doesn't know better. There is an outside area that is really cute but I prefer the inside window seats bc you can people watch there : )
(4)
Amy B.
The last time I came here, the waitress was rude to my 91-year-old grandmother. Food: OK at best. Service: obviously not great.
(2)
AK M.
This may not be quite the same as the food we ate in China, but it is clearly not the same glop that usually passes for Chinese food in America. The food seems fresher. At this location, the staff is very friendly and helpful. I had the Shrimp Two Ways and it was delightful. It is a dish that can be shared, however. We plan on going back to try the sushi. It's not an entirely Chinese restaurant..Asian Fusion Highlights is what I'd call it. The small dumplings are quite good as well. We ate ours as take out...and I usually mix a little hot sauce into soy sauce for dipping. Excellent.
(4)
Tom D.
I've had take out from the Chevy Chase Meiwah and have eaten numerous times at the one downtown. It's good -- and their lunch specials are a good value. Ingredients seem to be very good quality and the food is certainly a big step above your father''s Chinese buffet and places of that caliber. My issue is that if there were an blog entry for Chinese food on Stuff White People Like, it would probably list Meiwah. It just doesn't seem very authentic and lacks some soul. From my last experience, I liked the General Tso's tofu -- but the Szechuan String Beans weren't crispy -- the beans tasted like they were microwaved from the Jolly Green Giant and drowned in some goopy sauce.
(3)
Blaznmcw J.
Food is Americanized Chinese, but taste good. Great atmosphere!
(5)
Ben W.
Everything I've ever had here has been great. The Szechuan Lamb is great, as is the shredded pork with hot pepper. I've only ever taken out, so can't speak to the dine in experience. But probably the best Chinese takeout in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area.
(5)
Eugene H.
Not bad for a chinese restaurant. The sauces and quality of food are actually pretty decent. Pricing is a little high for chinese food and i didn't find too much that made this place stand out among all the other chinese restaurants in the area, but it might be worth another try down the line.
(3)
Sarah O.
You know, I'm not a huge Chinese Food fan, but the rest of my family is so at times I have to acquiesce and go. Of all the Chinese places I have been (and there are many) this has by far the cleanest, freshest food, best decor, service and as an added bonus they offer sushi in case I'm really not in the mood for Chinese. This is a good solid Chinese Food option!
(4)
Danielle F.
Some of the best Chinese takeout I've had. The shredded beef in garlic sauce became an instantaneous favorite, and the chow foon was good too. The restaurant looked as though they are aiming to be slightly on the fancier side, but the prices are reasonable enough that I will continue to order takeout from them. They deliver within a 2 mile radius (which I am just barely outside of, but am told that they will come to anyway if not too busy) and have another branch in Dupont Circle.
(5)
prentice s.
I agree with one of the other reviews. Mei Wah is one of the best tasting Chinese establishments and is hands down better than PF Changs across the street. But, why do I really love Mei Wah?? The sushi! that's right. They have some of the best sushi in Chevy Chase/Bethesda area - also a great value.
(4)
Daniel S.
Five star for cleanness, four star for presentation, three star for ingredients, two star for service and one star for taste. Sure Meiwah is better than P.F Chang which is just across the street, but still, it's an average American chinese restaurant with nothing close to authentic chinese food. I would rather drive through a panda express than picking something so pricy yet so dull at Meiwah.
(2)
Yonas H.
Meiwah's food is fantastic. Very high-quality. They take their time preparing the food, which is comforting - some Chinese places bring your food out in like 2 minutes. Makes you wonder..... *****MUST HAVES***** 1) Squid with spiced salt (under the Appetizer section) 2) Tuna Tempura sushi 3) Spicy Crunchy Salmon sushi 4) Veggie dumplings It's definitely worth the trip up to Friendship Heights.
(4)
Raycal B.
Meiwah is one of the best Chinese Restaurants I have been to in the DC/MD/VA area. My favorite dish is the Kung Pao Chicken. Their virgin Strawberry Daiquiri is tasty as well. My other favorite dishes are the General Tso Chicken and the Shrimp Fried Rice. I always get it with Extra Shrimp.
(4)
Man N.
We walked in at 9:30 p.m. and asked if they were still serving. The waitress said that they were serving until 10:30 p.m. We ordered appetizers and for our whole steamed fish, which didn't arrive until 45 minutes after we ordered (i.e., 10:20 p.m.). We weren't in a rush, so it wasn't a big deal. However, I could already smell the fish, indicating that it wasn't at all fresh, but I didn't make a scene and ask to take it back. I noticed that the few guests that were there had already left around 10:45 p.m. and that the head waitress was pacing back and forth waiting for us to finish up. You could tell she was very impatient and was unhappy she had to wait for us. Her arms were folded as she tap her toes on the ground. What a bitch. If they brought our food in time, we would have had ample time to finish. I will never eat there again. If I want good Chinese food, I'll go to Falls Church. I'll add some caveats that the Meiwah in the Dupont area was better and also our waitress wasn't the impatient one. She was fine. It was the head waitress who was the bitch and kept coming to our table to clean our plates in order to rush us out of there.
(1)
izzy g.
It's good chinese food. Dependable with a good menu--probably the best chinese in the neighborhood.
(4)
Sean Y.
I'd give this place two stars in my normal standards for Chinese food, but since DC's standards are sooo sub par for any Asian cuisine this place is a three. The food was alright, still tasted a bit Americanized but, again, we're in DC. Service was ok, a bit difficult to get them to give me my drink and even far more dificult to refill it but that would be more typical service for an authentic Chinese restaurant (have to love Canto people). All in all, not bad. But I miss California Asian food.
(3)
Larry G.
I was all excited about going to an "upscale" Chinese restaurant with a group of friends. I couldn't remember the last time I've been to a sit-in Chinese restaurant. In DC, Chinese food is usually ordered out. I get there, with advanced reservation, and it's a beautiful place. My friends and I ooh'd and ahh'd. Service was satisfactory. However, the food...well, I just wasn't impressed. I had General Tso's Chicken with white rice. It came with some kind of slaw and a cherry on top. I've had better Chinese food at Yum's. The only positive thing I can say about Meiwah is that they are generous with food servings. Other than the beautiful place, the food is nothing to ooh or ahh. Oh yeah...about parking. You gotta park some distance away if you want free parking. Otherwise, you'll be shelling out additional greens for parking underground.
(2)
Raymond W.
So far I've only had Meiwah 3 times which is pretty little considering I work in the area. I've gotten Japanese twice and chinese once. the bento boxes are filling lunch specials for only $10, but nothing special. A few hours after the meal our stomach felt a little funny probably from the oils in the tempura. It was a little strange that the salad dressing was honey mustard rather than a typical ginger dressing at most Japanese restaurants. Props to this place for being more affordable than Sushi Ko.
(3)
Jung-Ah P.
I was out and about on a rainy day, and I had an hour to kill before I was due at work. I was feeling hungry, and my tummy demanded sushi. I used to be a regular sushi consumer at Mei Wah (the Chevy Chase locations has a sushi bar, the DC location does not) for a couple of years until I noticed their quality was disintegrating. The spicy tuna rolls were strange in texture and definitely not fresh and the yellow tail rolls were - for lack of a better word - gross. I wanted to experiment and see if I ordered and ate at the restaurant instead of getting it delivered, it would be better. I was impressed right off by the large number of sushi specials available, which is not included in the delivery menu. I especially enjoyed the colorful pictures that came with the descriptions of each item. So instead of going for the usual shrimp tempura roll and the spicy tuna roll, I decided to expand my horizons. I ordered a vegetable soup to start, to be followed by the tuna tempura roll, and I feel like such a failure as a blogger, as I've forgotten the name of the second roll that I ordered - I want to say it had an exotic, mythical creature in its name. The soup was good, as usual, full of snow peas, bamboo shoots, carrots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts in a yummy broth. Then the rolls arrived. I was very impressed by their presentation! So pretty and colorful. The tuna tempura roll was quite big - it was a long strip of tuna rolled in rice and seaweed, and the whole roll was tempura battered and fried. It came with a wonderful, spicy sauce on the side. It was delicious and I was pleasantly surprised. The mystery roll had shrimp tempura with lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and spicy fish roe, with a drizzle of a spicy and sweet sauce on top. The circumference on this thing is huge, so be prepared to stretch those jaw muscles and look pretty funny as you attempt to chew. Other than the difficulty in consumption, it was fabulous. I had my doubts when I saw the lettuce and the carrots - I don't think they're common ingredients - but they added a nice, cool crunch to the whole thing. I think the key is not to order sushi or rolls with raw sea creatures from Mei Wah, because I enjoyed a delightful lunch of rolls with cooked sea creatures. I know, if they're not fresh and gross when you eat them raw, they're just as not fresh when they're cooked, but it tastes good (shoulder shrug). That's my conclusion. :) Tasty tasty!!
(2)
charlie m.
We had the General tso chicken it was edible but alot like what you'll get at any "all you eat" buffet chinese place. The service was rushed "Eat quick please" I also had the Ma Po Tofu dish. It was better than the General Chicken but only a bit as the Tofu was a bit mushy and the Bean curd was hard to find. This is the classical, "use to be terrific now they don't even try" locale. Lots of pictures of various govt types who have eaten their but they seem to go for the "We like the Chinese vote" rather than "We like the food"
(2)
Deborah P.
Mei Wah is convenient, attractive and reliable. If that sounds like something less than a rave, that's because it is. We've come for Peking Duck a few times; the skin is crisp and the meat is juicy but not as flavorful as I'd like. I totally agree with Tom D's review of the "Szechuan" string beans. They were so blah we sent them back for more seasoning, which unfortunately didn't help. The sushi isn't bad, but if you want sushi in the neighborhood Sushi-Ko is a much better bet. So why do we go back to Mei Wah? Well, it's convenient, attractive, and at least you know what you're going to get.
(3)
Chris B.
Mei wah is one of the few Chinese restaurants in the city that truly understands how to use spices with Chinese cooking. The flavors are bold. What I like about it is its full service location. It is great for a family meal, but it has a sushi bar for snacking and and a full bar for drinking. Considering the other pretentious and expesive places in the Friendship Heights area, I always made Mei Wah my place to gather and socialize on a Friday night to get a couple drinks before heading into town.Definitely Positive.
(4)
Justin W.
Great Chinese food. Dinner can get crowded but I've never waitd more than 20 minutes for a table. The sushi is ok but I'm not into ordering sushi at chinese restaurants anyway. Black bean sauce is probably the best preperation they do and the Kung Po isn't bad either
(4)
D C.
I don't even like Chinese food and I love this place. This new location (Chevy Chase) is pretty nice. Their first is in NW, DC which is also pretty nice. The food is fantastic. I have never tasted a bad dish there. The crispy beef, spicy salted shrimp, vegetable curl, wonton soup, dumplings and many very well presented types of sushi are all great. The service isn't that great though. It is passable but not great. Most of the help is Asian and I have had a few who I cannot understand at all. It makes for a frustrating experience. The service is slow too. I cannot stand it when you wait for the waitress (10 min), ask for check (another 10 min), insert credit card for her to pick up (10 more min) and finally you can leave. Outside of the slow service it is a really good Chinese place.
(4)
maria g.
It's weird for me to just drop a 5 star review on a Chinese place but I have to talk this place up because it's just darn good quality food. And how often do you say that about a Chinese/sushi combo place? Nothing about the food is leading a revolution but it's delicious quality food all the time. I'm a pretty loyal customer to them and they've never disappointed me. I'm willing to say the sushi is the best quality raw fish in all of dc. Also I lived in LA and meiwahs quality of fish beats 98% of the sushi joints there too! It's always always fresh. I'm not claiming it's oh my goodness something you've never seen or even heard of, but it is just yummy quality all the time! Salmon is buttery, spicy crunchy tuna roll is awesome and huge, avocado is always bright green and fresh, seaweed salad is fresh and crunchy with sesame seeds. For Chinese food, the steamed dumplings are awesome, as is the Cornish hen, also I like the chicken noodle soup when I'm sick (see if they'll do noodles other than egg tho). The Tinkling Bells dish is great but only if you eat it there (seved on a sizzling platter with fried wontons -- everything dies if you do delivery). I've always preferred to order out rather than eat there, primarily I guess because the atmosphere is "suburban" feeling ;) ... and the beer list is typical Asian joint. I'd much rather buy some better stuff and eat my delicious take-out at home!
(5)
Nadine G.
the food has gone downhill. service indifferent.
(2)
doug S.
I have been eating Meiwah for a long time. Their chinese food is solid, but not spectacular. The most impressive thing about this place is their sushi, surprisingly. For a Chinese restaurant they have excellent sushi at excellent prices. The biggest problem here is parking. It is damn near impossible. Also, the service can take a LONG time even when you are picking up. I have waited an hour for takeout before. That shouldn't happen anywhere. Regardless, the food is worth it. Just make sure to call early during peak hours
(3)
Veronica J.
This is American Chinese food. It's the best carryout I've ever had lol It's honestly hard to find decent Chinese. The vegetable dumpling pan fried are great! And so is the sweet beancurd sushi. The only bad thing is the General Tsos Tofu or any of the tofu dishes for that matter doesn't come with any vegetables. So you have to order vegetables for like $2 extra. Another bad thing is the sushi options are limited and the bento boxes suck too. But the hot dishes are good. My bf always gets the shredded pork with hot pepper and he loves it but he does have to add extra chili sauce to it. We used to dine there a lot but we always get stuck with this awful miserable rude waitress!!! Almost every time for lunch we get her, and it never fails. I also noticed that when you're paying she always huddles over my shoulder trying to see how much tip she is going to get. So we stopped eating there. The spicy string beans are awesome too but they're really greasy. We order from here at least once a month.
(4)
Eric L.
Mei Wah is great for sushi, average for the chinese selection. Its a bit "safer" than some of the take out places closer to Tenleytown in that the ingredients seem fresher - the eggplant in garlic sauce is melt-in-your-mouth fantastic. The sushi from the counter is among the best in the area (Sushi Ko is also up the block). A bit similar to the entrees, its Americanized sushi but they do have some interesting rolls. All of the sushi I've had has tasted very fresh, and they have one of the best spider roll adaptations I've ever had (featuring softshell crab). BTW, I would shy away from tap beer here. They don't seem to pour a lot of it, and it shows in the taste.
(3)
Steven N.
Meiwah has the best moderately priced Chinese food in the DC area. The Hunan Chicken is excellent, as is the Crispy Fried Beef and what was once called Mr. Katz's Fried Tofu, but is now just plain Fried Tofu in special sauce (the sauce has spices and onions which makes this a great take-out dish---you get so much sauce that you can cook chicken in it during the week and have another delicious dinner).
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Joel W.
This place is great. I have been several times and each and every time I leave very happy. The food is great. the price it on point for the portions you get....did I mention they are to much for one person? My foodie friend and I each order one entree and share with one another and still have enough left over for a third meal to take home! The staff always take care of you with out being in your face all the time. I really do crave this place, thankfully I don't live next door to it or I would be 3 billion pounds, give or take a pound! If your in the area, stop by they will take care of your Asian food needs!
(4)Suresh D.
I was here on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend around 12:30. I wasn't expecting to meet my friend until 2:00 so I thought I had time. I ordered a glass of Kendall Jackson Chardonnay as my beverage sine I thought I had time. I wasn't hungry enough for a big meal so I ordered two appetizers. The cold sesame noodles and the vegetarian spring rolls. By that point I had found out my friend was waiting for me where I was staying (an hour and half early) which was why i ordered the vegetarian stuff in case he joined me while the food came. He was there before the food arrived and I offered to split what I ordered already but he decided not to take my food and order something for himself. The service was very good. Given the restaurant was pretty empty we could have easily been forgotten but we weren't
(4)K. G.
Piss poor. So my colleagues decided that we we're going to have a team lunch to close a successful week. TERRIBLE! First off they were not trying to accept the company card. A little frustrating but we ended up putting it on someone's personal card. Next while eating one of my colleagues found a random wire in her fried rice when she was eating. Like where the heck did it come from?? Strictly food wise: just okay to be honest. I got general tso's the sauce was good however no broccoli. In the end I would never return, the service was not up to par, especially considering the Chevy Chase area and all the options we could have chosen.
(2)Jeanette H.
3.5 stars but I chose 4 to get the average up to 3.5. When at Chinese, best to order Chinese, unless you don't mind decent enough Japanese (definitely not authentic enough of course). My fave's are Mongolian Beef-- quality juicy tender beef w scallions; Mapa Tofu spicy, sesame chicken (best to eat right then & there --don't recommend for carryouts; mixed veggies in white sauce - veggies are nice and crispy, never overcooked. Sauce is light yet tasty, balanced.
(4)Ruth C.
Okay, screw the sushi counter too. Piece of trash in my miso soup and grey avocado.
(2)Cameron C.
I would give Mei Wah 6 stars if could and the sixth star would be for Sally who is the best bartender and makes one mean Mai Tai! The sushi, though surprising for a Chinese restaurant, is really great. Finally I have to put a word in for the owner, Larry, who always gives me a big hello and whom I often see helping out at the take out counter when he could be home counting his money or out meeting big celebrities. Along with the sushi, I recommend the Tinkling Bell Pork and the Orange Tofu. My wife loves Singapore Noodles and daughter always gets Beef Lo Mein. Mei Wah brings back the friendly neighborhood Chinese restaurant the way it used to be, so check it out!
(5)Sarah B.
Excellent Americanized Chinese food. I order for delivery and it comes quickly and fresh & hot. Spring rolls are a little dry, and crispy shredded beef is too sugary and not spicy enough, but everything else I have tried here is excellent. Hot and sour soup is good of its kind, BBQ spare ribs are tender and exactly right, pork with garlic sauce is delicious, as is moo shi pork, Kung pao chicken, and eggplant with garlic sauce. Get at least one thing with their garlic sauce. It's a sweet, salty. tangy, spicy, garlic sauce and I love it. Mei Wah has a lot of veggies in their dishes -- I'm a big fan of that approach to Chinese cooking. My favorite things on the menu are shrimp with spiced salt, which is deep fried jumbo shrimp and with a fantastic spicy, gingery seasoning served on a bed of al dente broccoli, and spicy cabbage, a refreshing, salad-like appetizer. The spicy food here is tasty, not overly hot. I have introduced several friends to Mei Wah and have had some of them say it's the best Chinese food they have ever had. It's solid.
(4)Bryan M.
A local picked this location for lunch today. Great location. Lots of light with the abundance of windows on this second-story spot. Professional staff. Casual, and nice. Pricing not crazy. In our party of 7, we focused on the Chinese entrees - though, I'd like to try the sushi, sometime. The dishes were all good - and ran the spectrum, in terms of meat ... including beef, chicken, and shrimp. Veggies were fresh, colorful, large, and abundant. Sauce was present, but not overbearing. Lunch on Saturday [and Sunday, I believe] comes as dinner-sized portions - i.e. no lunch menu on those days, if I understood the waitress, correctly. Seating accommodated our group just fine - plenty of space, and we took a round table with a lazy susan. This allowed us to share. Good stuff! While not a perfect match, my wife and I agreed that it reminded us of a favorite Chinese spot in Palo Alto called Jing Jings [the latter being much more subdued, and having only Chinese-style entrees ... yes, Americanized Chinese. And, that's just fine. Good meal experience ... at both]. There is a parking lot in the basement of the building. Meiwah does offer a partial credit for the parking there. Of course, being the newby, I parked across the street ... sans discount. Next time!
(4)Angela F.
Granted, we only had the sushi lunch specials (2 rolls for $8.80) you can't beat that. Overall, good quality and the price was on point. Also, the location is very cool (2nd floor, lots of windows, nice view). Considering this place is a stone's throw from our apartment, I know we will be back.
(4)Linsha X.
It cooks for westerns. Chinese don't love it. Even the Chinese fast food is better than it.
(2)Venina D.
Good food and service! However the tofu came with hair twice, the first time they changed quickly my food and in the second time I just pretended I didn't see cause I was hungry and was afraid to sound it as a joke! Also, the price didn't match the menu they gave to me...they should tell that is the weekly menu and give me the appropriate one! I don't know if I would come back!
(3)Vanessa M.
First and last time here. The service and food were underwhelming. The rice had too much onion. The duck was ok.
(1)Edgar H.
I read all the reviews before heading out here, and the 3 star rating was something to consider, but my wife daughter and I thought it was best to try. While I respect all the opinions on the site, I must say a three is low given the portion, quality and price paid. Service was excellent, but it could have been because it was a weekday, I just cannot complain. Our waitress and servers were excellent in greeting us, taking our order and bringing everything to our table in an orderly and fast way. No complaints here either. The food was excellent in what you usually want in a restaurant and the portions larger than we all expected. So looking at all of this my daughter gave it a 5, and both my wife and I give it a 4 rating. Great place, great food, service and very reasonable price for the area.
(4)Elizabeth C.
Very good chinese food. Not super greasy and nice quality meat. Ridiculous someone gave bad review because they wouldn't accept a credit card in company name. Most businesses won't accept a credit credit card unless your name is printed on it. Stupid reason to give a bad review. Overall good chinese delivery. Definitely will be ordering again.
(5)Zulma M.
This is by far the last time I will order from this place they are the worst when it comes to delivery order.. You order food for two or more they give you one napkin one soy sauce and one chop stick.. They are not cheap on their food by were cheap when it comes to given us napkin.. Every time I work at Saks orBloomingdales we have order for more the 6 people and this how the say thank you No more
(1)Joe E.
I love this place. This is traditional American style Chinese food with everything down to a science. Super fast service, awesome wait staff, reasonable pricing. Food is perfectly executed. Can't say enough positive things My favorite dishes are: Sweet and Sour Pork Pepper Steak with Onion Mei Wah Maki Dumplings Spring Rolls All of the sushi is solid and fresh. Good parking in the garage below or a short walk from metro. One of my favorite restaurants in the DC area.
(5)Erin K.
My feelings about MeiWah are complicated... On the one hand, 80% of the Seamless orders from last year came from here (thanks again for that email, Seamless!). On the other hand, the customer service is pretty crappy. The Salmon Crunch rolls are literally my favorite sushi ever. I eat it way more often than I probably should. The sesame noodles are pretty solid as well. Definitely get these things. Spring rolls are sometimes cold in the center. Items are sometimes missing. Options are available on the online order form that aren't actually options and even after you've paid for them, you won't get a refund but rather an exchange of something of equal or lesser value (not even 10 cents more - I'm serious). I've only had the Chinese food once and once was enough. I've heard the same from others who live in the neighborhood too. It's kind of a love/hate thing but I ordered it for lunch today so I'm not going anywhere.
(3)Dylan B.
Cool location. Singapore noodles were very good; curry flavor with lots of chopped onions and peppers, barbecue pork, chicken, and shrimp. Tasty chicken with broccoli, mu shu pork, and mushroom chicken were shared by my party. I found it a little strange that they brought three separate teas for four people sharing three checks. Seemed like a bit of a cheap money grab. Still, definitely tasty if not particularly memorable.
(3)David M.
One of the best Chinese in the Bethesda / Chevy chase area. If you're looking for nice atmosphere this is a great place to go for dinner. For takeout, our favorite is City Lights of Beffthesda....but Meihwah has nicer atmosphere and still reasonable prices. We have never had a bad dish at Meiwah....consistently great food. The prices are just a pinch higher than some other places in Bethesda and the parking here is a little tricky unless you bite the bullet and pay a few dollars for validated parking. So this feels just a little more expensive than our other Chinese places but the atmosphere and food here make it worth it. You won't go wrong here. Nice full bar too.
(5)Cora C.
I had the Salmon Bento. It was a nice meal for the price. The decor and service was very average. I would come here again for lunch.
(4)A S.
Probably 3.5 stars. Meiwah's really close to my apartment, so I have to be really careful not to eat here constantly. The space is big -- with lots of big windows and a patio for when the weather's nice -- so we've never had trouble getting a table. The food always comes incredibly quickly. I'm a vegetarian, so can't speak to their meat dishes, though other folks I've been here with seem to enjoy. I can tell you, though, that I absolutely love their Szechuan green beans. They're amazing. That being said, you really have to know what to order here. The pan-fried noodles are delicious, but the rest of the noodle dishes (lo mein, chow fun, sesame noodles) really aren't. I finally remember that when I go (and so end up leaving much happier), but it took me way too long to figure that out. Also, I think the prices are kind of high. I always leave having spent way more that seems to make sense for two people at a Chinese restaurant -- even if we don't get appetizers, alcohol, etc. Still, it's probably no different than what I'd spend at PF Chang's -- the other "Chinese" restaurant nearby -- and I'd rather give my money to a small business than a chain.
(4)Peggy R.
We have been fans of Meiwah's food, both in the restaurant and by delivery (via Seamless) so we decided to do the traditional "Chinese food delivery for Christmas dinner for non-Christians" by ordering from Meiwah. We know how popular Meiwah is and how backed up they can get on Christmas day, so we put in our order a full day in advance, and then I made sure to call to confirm the order mid-day. I was assured the order (of 8 dishes and 2 appetizers) would come within 15 minutes of our delivery time. Guests included my 91-year-old mother, who can't stay up too late. Well, when the order was half an hour late, we started calling the restaurant to check on it. But the phone was continually busy. We called 44 times (!) over the next half hour. Finally, almost an hour late, the food shows up. We were very disappointed in Meiwah, mainly because we thought by ordering a full day in advance, they would be organized enough to get the delivery to us in a timely way. One the bright side: the order was correct for all the dishes and appetizers, and it was pretty good -- though cold, of course, by the time it got here. We may keep up the tradition of ordering Chinese food for Christmas....but definitely not from Meiwah next time!
(2)Chrissy A.
Sleek restaurant, moreso than any other Chinese place I've been to in the area. They don't have the gigantic menu you normally see, but what they do have is great. The pork with plum sauce is delicious. Quick service, no waiting and high quality. All you could ask for in a Chinese place. We just wish they had egg rolls instead of spring rolls.
(5)Jeff S.
Our first experience at Meiwah (last night) will be our last. Both appetizers were tasteless. Service was poor. And, my dinner never came (while my dining companion was nearly done with his). Sorry, Meiwah, you blew it and lost a potential regular customer (just moved to the area and live around the corner). Overall, BAD!
(2)Catie C.
I love the avocado and shrimp salad with greens. Its simple, its fresh, its an easy quick lunch. I havent had the sushi here yet, but Im a fan of the place itself. looks spacious
(4)Maggie S.
Awful. Becoming more so. Used to live across the street so have eaten there many times. Used to be very good. Now it is simply tired. Had a simple lunch there yesterday. Spring rolls, veg tempura, dipping sauces and steamed rice. The spring roll was not fresh. Tasted like it sat on a warmer for awhile. The tempura? Doughy not light. The rice? How do you mess that up? It tasted and looked more like leftovers. I am done. Nothing to see here.
(1)Virginia G.
My friend and I ordered the pad thai from this restaurant and it was absolutely disgusting and not even pad thai. It seemed to have been sitting in a vat of noodles for hours. The bean sprouts were soggy and the noodles were not rice noodles. They were more like spaghetti. The sauce tasted old and spoiled, not the spicy peanut flavor this dish traditionally has. After one bite, we both could not eat any more. It was really bad. We also got spring rolls and they were not crispy. It seemed like the oil in the fryer was not hot enough. I am not sure if this was a one time experience with the pad thai and spring rolls but I will never go here again.
(1)Kate W.
Decent Chinese, especially for the area. Clean restaurant, good service. Often very busy--call repeatedly last Friday night over the course of an hour and their lines were busy the whole time.
(3)Tianna S.
5 Star Sushi! This is really the only place that I eat sushi. The seafood ALWAYS tastes fresh and I don't question the quality. From the main menu, I have not ordered one item that I did not find delicious. Yes, the service is terrible, but Meiwah in Chevy Chase(very important) is one of the only restaurants that I will go to monthly. The sushi is that good!
(5)Ariel David A.
When you have a Chinese mother-in-law, it isn't easy to persuade your wife to go out for Chinese, unless you're in New York Chinatown. But we wanted a quick meal somewhere that was toddler friendly, and I wanted something that wasn't pizza. First plus, this is a Chinese restaurant with decor that's actually pleasant and warm. Not great, but not schlocky. We had a booth for two, with a high-chair alongside. Next, $6 cocktails aren't bad. The appetizer, pork spareribs, was a bit disappointing. Too tough, not enough meat. For entrees, we had the moo shu pork and baby bok choi with mushroom. The moo shu was what you expect. The bok choi with mushrooms had real flavor without being greasy, and I'm relatively picky on that point. I dared tell my wife I liked the bok choi better than what her mother makes, because then it is stir-fried with the minimum of oil humanly possible. Don't get me wrong, I love my mother-in-law and she's a great cook, but there is such a thing as being too health-conscious. Anyhow, we finished up with a bit of green tea ice cream, also good. The check came to $60, including tip. Final verdict: It's very nice to have a reliable local Chinese restaurant that's inviting, affordable, kid-friendly, and avoids the great sin of substituting oil for flavor.
(3)Joshua B.
Went looking for Chinese food and this restaurant was excellent! The dishes were savory, reasonably priced, and the staff was very accommodating. We had a boy who needed a gluten free dish and they prepared a delicious gluten free Mongolian Beef that everyone enjoyed. We'll he back for sure on our next trip to DC!
(5)Tim H.
Took the family here just for a change of scenery. Meiwah is one of several better Chinese restaurants with decor and atmosphere in the area. Taking the elevator up from the parking garage (don't forget to ask for a $1 discount parking voucher), which takes you directly to the restaurant on the 2nd floor. We were seated at a nice table overlooks the streets and across from Whole food. We'd been out all day, so the kids ordered the miso soup and adults had the sal & pepper squib as appetizers, and had General Tao's chicken, chicken tofu wrap. All were delicious. Noticed some commotions about dishes sent to the wrong table (easily corrected)...perhaps servers were still in training.
(4)Mol R.
My family has come here since I was little and I love it. I always crave it when I want Chinese food. The service is wonderful and the food is always served hot. My family usually gets the large fried fish dish and some veggies. They also have a lot of space and large tables for big groups.
(4)Carl n.
Nothing at all special here. Struck me as soulless and when the food came out, it was bland. This is food fit for the corporate social hack who wants something "ethnic". It was flavorless, somewhat pricy and located in a nondescript building not too far from Friendship Heights metro across the boarder. The conversation I had with my guest was the best and most colorful part of the whole experience. Otherwise, it was quite a dull environment, tasteless food.
(2)Michael S.
Well, previously I would have given this place a 4-star rating. But tonight, after taking 2 hours for the food to arrive, it was absolutely awful. Followed up with some awful customer service. I've gotten the sesame chicken here multiple times before with no issues. This time, the sauce tasted disgusting. I'm not sure how sesame sauce would be spoiled, but it certainly tasted it. After my fiance called to complain and request a replacement, the woman on the phone stated that "you must not like fried dishes." We repeatedly told her we've had this dish before without issue, but she kept insisting we must not like fried dishes... It felt kind of like when you call the cable company and they ask you 10 times if you've restarted the cable box, while you've already tried that and everything else you can think of. The restaurant was willing to have someone pick up the order, show it to the chef, and then if he agreed, THEN they'd send out something else. This is after already having waited 2 hours, so we told them not to bother. I wish I had paid with credit card so that a refund or disputed transaction would be possible. I plan to from now on for all future delivery orders, none of which will be from this place.
(1)Stephanie S W.
I went here thinking this place would be similar to the one on New Hampshire/M St. but the food was completely subpar. My boyfriend wondered if we were even eating Chinese food? -- maybe it's missing MSG (aka what makes this food SO tasty). In any case, the service was poor and nothing about our meal was very cool. Soup was mediocre, dumpings were DISGUSTING, chinese roast pork (aka char shu) was some weird Americanized version, and the pepper steak...was, well.... not pepper steak? Will not be returning, although the other location isn't half bad.
(1)Maureen H.
My fiance and I dined in at Meiwah for the first time last week. We were both basically starving after either skipping or having light lunches and it was approaching 9pm. First of all, the atmosphere was very nice. It wasn't too fancy, but I felt good about being there. The service was also fast and attentive. We shared an entree that was huge even though we shared there was still a lot left over. We ordered Kung Pao Chicken - a favorite Americanised Chinese dish of mine. The chicken was actually really tender and the peanuts were fresh. It was maybe some of the best KPC I've ever had. I also ordered a cup of hot and sour soup, which was good but nothing too special. Finally, we shared an order of spring rolls and they were just OK. Later I found out that they deliver to my building, which was pretty exciting since this now means I can have great Chinese food plus Thai and sushi delivered to my doorstep. I'd like to go back Meiwah and try something else, but for now I'd say that it's pretty good.
(3)Rubin S.
Meiwah restaurant provides wonderful Chinese flavors to its customers. General Tso and Kung Pao are flavors that I would certainly suggest trying. Food is prepared promptly, and served according to how the patron would like to eat it, whether this may include sweet, sour, or spicy flavors. Please note that this is not necessarily authentic Chinese food (as you might find in Chinatown), but it is still excellent. Meiwah is ideal for carryout as well if you are in a hurry. If you are in the area I would try it out.
(4)Bhooter B.
We've discovered this place because it was the only one open during Snowmageddon in 2010. We've been getting takeout from here ever since. If you eat there, get one of their special drinks, we like Suffering Bastard and Zombie. For takeout, we love the Steamed Veggie Dumplings (much bigger and better here than the DC location!!) and the Hot and Sour Soup.
(5)Brit S.
I ordered from Meiwah through Seamless, so take my comments on the delivery as you will. I believe their delivery is done through Meiwah employees though, so perhaps it is pertinent to non-Seamless orders as well. Straight up, the sesame chicken was gloppy. No other way to describe it. Sesame chicken is one of my favorite dishes, one that I always order, but I was so disappointed by Meiwah's. The delivery man scolded me for requesting that they call my cell phone to alert me that they'd arrived- my building doesn't have a buzzer! Even if the issue of notifying me that my food had arrived wasn't present, the food quality is abysmal and the price is too high for such a low quality product. To recap: sesame chicken = gloppy and disgusting; egg roll= disappointing; white rice= standard; fried rice= tasteless. If you're craving Americanized Chinese food, go to Panda Express; it's a helluva lot better, if that tells you anything.
(1)Sahar R.
When you can flip your hot and sour soup container onto a plate and it slides out of the container and retains the shape of the container like a brown jello mold with suspended tofu, it might be time to rethink Chinese restaurant options. There is either alot of congealed fat in this soup or platelets. I can't tell which right now. I have gone to Meiwah several times, and use them as my delivery option to my house. I understand it's Americanized chinese food, but it hits the spot most of the time. The reasons why I love Meiwah are the following: 1-I live within the delivery area 2-Atkins Friendly Menu that is extensive. These are batter-free and not deep fried versions of the traditional dishes. The atkins version of the General Tso's chicken (not on menu, but made to order) is so much better than the fried version. Sauteed slices of chicken in a sweet and spicy sauce over brown rice. Yum! 3-Great noodle dishes. I am a big fan of the beef chow foon with large thin noodles. The reasons why I might dislike Meiwah: 1-In the time it took me to write this review, my friend had sliced the jello mold of soup and cut it into star shapes with a cookie cutter. 2-Sushi. Not the freshest I've had, with sloppy fall apart rice. Well, Mei Wah I guess is not know for its consistency, but at least now I found a hot and sour soup that Bill Cosby can endorse.
(3)Matt M.
Good little place. I went the Chinese route here as I am a little wary of the "all-asian" places that try to do Thai, Sushi, Teppanyaki, Chinese etc well. IMHO they never succeed. Basic lnch today with General Chicken. Good spice, good sweetness. All around a good place, inexpensive and quick.
(4)Jeff B.
This is by far the best Chinese Food available for delivery in Bethesda-Chevy Chase (and I've tried them all). Also pretty good sushi for a Chinese restaurant, which is not the best sushi in the area but definitely the best we've found that is available for delivery. For the reviewer who complained about the pad thai, I agree it's not authentic pad thai. But it's a Chinese restaurant, not a Thai restaurant. That's a bit like complaining that a Tex-Mex restaurant doesn't really have proper mole sauce.
(4)GT W.
I'm rating Mei Wah strictly on what they do best: sushi. Yes, this is the place for sushi in the area by a mile. Sushi menu is massive, extremely extensive, and you are not given the full menu if you sit down to eat. You need to explicitly ask for the extended sushi roll menu and if the waiter does not know what that is, you can walk towards the back like you are trying to find the bathroom and will discover the "take-out" counter with all the Mei Wah ladies working. Taped to the counter are all the available sushi rolls. There are about 50 in total. I've tried all of them by now (have gotten sushi here once a week for over a year), and my favorite are: Chevy Chase Maki w/ Raw Shrimp (must specify) Dynamite Roll (usually get x2 because it is cheap and awesome) Spicy Scallop Roll Ultimate Salmon Roll (pretty dense and filling) This combo is unbeatable. Other rolls are good but I keep a running list of what was a hit and what was a miss, and these top my list so take it for what it's worth.
(5)Michelle D.
Great neighborhood Asian restaurant that delivers quickly! Food is consistently good, fresh and very flavorful. They offer healthier choices to classic dishes. Service is good too.
(4)Semra E.
This place is fantastic!!! Really great food and service and the sushi is exceptional. I highly recommend this place for a small group, or large group, or just for 4 people. It's not a huge space, but the decor and lighting and food are all really great. I will definitely come back here for another experience :-)
(4)Todd J.
Meiwah was tolerable for a while but tonight finally gave me the motivation to give them a bad review (tonight was also the last time I'll ever go back). After a few bites of my sautéed sweet & sour chicken, I realized it was really cold. Then I realized I was starting to feel instantly sick. When I told the manager, she asked if I wanted her to call an ambulance. I said no, that I wasn't experiencing a life-threatening illness. I asked for her to take it off our bill. She said it was their policy not to take it off the bill but to call an ambulance if someone felt sick based on Meiwah's food. We then waited there another 15 minutes until they brought the bill. They had taken the item off the bill but I won't forgive their poor customer service and their insincere offer to call EMS. Their food really isn't that great (PF Changs across the street is just as good) and their service is inexcusable
(1)Derek W.
Very good, but not fabulous. Good take out option. Traditional american version of Chinese food. Good place to take kids.
(3)Katie W.
I eat here a few times month. this place has good portions, its quick. prices are decent. staff is friendly. and the food is great. no complaints!
(4)Amy S.
For how long Meiwah has been around, you think they'd their act together more. Meiwah is my least favorite restaurant in the Friendship Heights area. Seriously- I get better service and more consistent food at Panera. Meiwah's services are abrupt and rude. There is no hello, just " YOU READY?" The food does not come out at the same time which leaves half the table sitting their with their entree getting cold while waiting for the rest of the meal. The servers do not refill drinks, and rarely even check to see if you have received your entire meal. The food itself is ok. If you want to eat it, get take-out and eat in the park up the street. Don't sit at their tables!
(1)Cagri T.
I don't understand how this place among all the horrible Asian places in DC gets a 3 star average. Their sushi is decent. It is not Sushi Taro but it is better than many places I tried. Their Chinese is not as greasy as a lot of Take-away places that almost charge the same price. It is a good Asian place with decent prices. Bar bad service comments and so on the 3 star average proves to me that people in DC have bizarre taste buds.
(4)Mike S.
I eat here regularly as I work within walking distance and used to live in walking distance too. Really about the only good Chinese food option in Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase, nice atmosphere and very clean. Take-out is very quick. Service is pretty good. I am not a sushi fan so I stick to the Chinese and they have the usual dishes you expect. I usually get either the Mongolian Beef or Chicken Lo Mein; the former is very tasty, the latter is good too but not as good. They do have Bento boxes and sushi that my coworkers really like. Only two issues I have ever had are they seem to have problems bringing all the entrees at the same time (even if it's just two people) and one of the servers said they don't have Arnold Palmers, even though they serve both lemonade and iced tea. However, Mei Wah is a solid neighborhood pick and one of the few moderately priced options in the Friendship Heights area. Definitely worth a visit.
(4)Edward C.
Will not order from Meiwah again and you shouldn't either. The quality of the food has seen a steady decline in the last two years, and now it takes forever for them to make a simple delivery. Tonight I waited an hour and a half for a basic order. Never again. They don't deserve my business.
(1)Travelin M.
I have eaten here several times during business trips. Great for take out. Especially if you pick up yourself. Fast and efficient. Better than average quality and consistent. I NEVER eat in the restaurant. Horrible, clueless service.
(3)Derek F.
Mei Wah suffices for decent sitdown Chinese food. I eat there about once a month, and aside from the lackluster parking situation, I have few complaints. I do not eat Sushi, so I can not comment on that, but for the most part everything else I have ordered is tasty. The portions are small, but not too small. I consider this a plus as I am prone to over eat based on generous helpings, so I always leave Mei Wah contented without feeling stuffed. Not too flavorful, but beats all the take-out chinese in the region. I would only rank Peking Gourmet in Arlington as being better.
(3)Thomas W.
Meiwah is a good example of a good restaurant coasting. It could be an outstanding restaurant, but does not go the extra mile. I enjoy the prawn in spicy tomato sauce, but wish this place could strive for more. The sushi is very good, but not outstanding. My major complaint about the food is that the noodle dishes are very mediocre and not as authentic as they should be. Still, when I want a Chinese meal in a nicer atmosphere I find myself drawn to this place. I just wish it could be more often.
(3)Mimmi G.
I'm pretty displeased with food here. So I placed the order over seamless and they indicated 90 min for delivery. I immediately regretted that I ordered from here; however the food arrived within 30min and the delivery person was very nice and friendly. So my mood immediately lighten up. Order consisted of wonton soup, which was really good. I really like wontons and this one was up on the top list. The vegetarian spring rolls have eggs in their filling and they were a bit too greasy. I was not expecting the eggy taste so I gave up from eating them. The main dish were Hong Kong noodles and I'm not sure I liked these either. It is mixture of rice noodles with veggies, beef and shrimp. The dish was not salty enough and beef had a strange taste, since I'm pregnant I didn't want to gamble with eating strange tasting food so I just gave up on my ordered dinner. I don't like that I have to inspect whether these dishes are what I ordered and whether they are spoiled or not ... in future will order from other already tested and trusted places.
(1)Clarissa C.
I've tried the tofu with vegetables, assorted sushi rolls, and vegetable dumplings. The tofu had a nice texture but the sauce was over-plentiful and bland. The fish wasn't bad in the sushi but there was too much rice and the seaweed was gummy. The veggie dumplings were mushy and had zero flavor. Maybe I'm just ordering the wrong food.
(2)Stephanie C.
I love Meiwah in Chevy Chase. They have nice dining areas, a great sushi bar/bar, parking, and it is close to Metro, a few blocks from Friendship Heights (use the Metrobus bay exit, not Mazza or Jenifer or the Pavillion). It's also close to Whole Foods, if you need to make a grocery run. There's also easy parking and make sure you have Meiwah validate your sticker -- it takes a dollar off. Tinkling bells!!!! Love them. Try it. Also recommend the Sweet and Sour dish and ice creams for dessert.
(5)Eric B.
I could tell when I walked in the back entrance into the takeout area I was in for a great meal. The station was manned by three lovely ladies, phones ringing, bags flying - they were busy! The amerikan staples I tried were all great. The General, mei fun, etc. I had the crispy fish. It was delicious despite being a bit heavily battered for my taste. Scored nicely and easy to pull apart and enjoy. Good service for our visit and very kid friendly - but not busy. Will definitely eat here again.
(4)Mic X.
It had been many years that the chef had perfected his craft and transformed it into art. Years of diligent instruction and tutelage under the great chef Shan Zu had reared him from lowly apprentice into a master chef who was able to cook in the style of every region - Sichuan/Chuan, Hunan/Xiang, Guangdong/Cantonese, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Anhui. It was said that with each bite of his dishes that one could actually taste the waters of the Yangtze River, the snow of the Kunlun Mountains, the sands of the Gobi Desert, the grass of the Emin Valley, or the bamboo of the Anji forest. His noodles were perfect - neither too hard nor too soft. His bean curd was so delectable that people often mistook it as a dessert. His vegetables were as crisp as the breeze. His twice cooked pork tasted like it was cooked three times by the gods themselves. His Peking duck was so savory that the city of Peking thought of renaming the city after the chef. His fame and renown had reached every corner of China (and even into Mongolia and Russia). There was nothing left for him to achieve. It was at this point that the chef looked for new challenges where he could test his culinary skills - America beckoned. The Chef traveled thousands of miles with his sharpest knives, most dutiful assistants, and a sacred book of his recipes. He set up an subtly elegant restaurant in Chevy Chase, MD looking forward to entertaining a new audience with his cuisine. Then he happened to glance out his window and look across the street. He became agape at the sight..... P.F.Changs!?!?! "I'd better change my menu - post quick!!" he exclaimed. That is exactly what the chef did, so now if you are looking for some bland, uninspired Chinamericano food that is made decently and in a nice, pseudo-chain setting - this is the place for you!! P.S. - If you don't like Chinamericano food.... they do have sushi, as well.
(2)KuangYou C.
Why only one star? Because my Cantonese rice noodles came with a cockroach... It is my first time experiencing this in a restaurant so I was kind of overwhelming... 1. The waitress asked me if I want to switch to another dish, I said yes...I should say no and told them I want to leave. 2. Besides, when I asked the manger (I think she is , or someone who is in charge), what price should I pay? (because the dish they switch to me is a different price from the original one, actually I was actually wanting to ask them if they should give me a free meal... ) and she told me she will charge me the original one I had because it was cheaper. What the heck!! 3. When I saw the check, they still charge me the one they switched to me (the latter dish I had) and it was $2 more than the original one. I should argue with them but I didn't. 4. I didn't pay tips. I will never go there again....even though when I was taking off, the restaurant was almost packed... Is food delicious or not? I don't care.
(1)Meg G.
Szechuan chicken, Mongolian beef, and other dishes are prepared in much the same way as most Chinese-American take-out restaurants, except that Meiwah's food tastes healthier (read: less oil). I've never dined in, but have always ordered these standby dishes w/brown rice, or a soup & appetizer, as delivery. Meiwah has a reputation in the DMV as serving "the best Chinese"; and, although I don't know how to react to that, I will continue to order here in the future. Guilt-free delivery is always right on time.
(3)Janae H.
Ok but not the best food I've ever had but it was decent!
(2)D R.
Gotta love a place that delivers Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine all at once. I've never gone to restaurant; I don't need to: Fresh Sushi Delivery. And they usually get to my house in 15 minutes.
(4)Lexie D.
Putting the "meh" in Meiwah, one dumpling at a time. Boy and I tried to order Chinese food delivery on a Friday night, which I suppose was our own damn fault. After trying to call for twenty minutes, we gave up and walked over. The sit-down portion of the restaurant looked nice, but we were immediately shooed into the take-out nook. Crowded, loud, and phones ringing off the hook. We ordered our (not cheap) food, went home empty-handed, and had to return 40 minutes later. The meal was uninspiring - I can make a pretty decent beef and broccoli cheaper, and probably faster, with ingredients from Giant. I wasn't upset at the taste, but the service of take-out and price will definitely prevent me from returning. But...honestly, there's nothing better in the vicinity.
(3)Jennie L.
Surprisingly good sushi delivery. Ordered via Seamless, so I have no idea how their service is. Would order again.
(4)Salman C.
So my review will consist of two criteria: food and dining experience. Food: the sushi was very good and so was the Singapore noodles dish. Pricing was moderate/average. I give food 4 stars. Dining experience: now this was deplorable and inexcusable in any establishment, nevertheless a restaurant. Near the end of our meal, my friend saw a cockroaches run across our table from under one of our dish plates that was brought from the kitchen. That pretty much killed it for me.hopefully it was an isolated incident. Regardless, I gave the experience 0 stars. For all of you math geeks out there with your TI-89s, the average is 2 stars. There you have it!
(2)Martin B.
I'm updating this to around 3.5 stars after finally finding a dish that is consistently well done. I've given Meiwah a hard time in the past for the unpredictable quality of some of its dishes, but I think I will no longer be subject to the Russian roulette (or should it be Chinese roulette) that is hoping my order tastes good. Some of the dishes I mentioned in my first review are still good (namely the fried meat dumplings, the wonton soup, the sesame noodles and the crab stick sushi), so definitely consider those as well. The dish that has changed my opinion of Meiwah, however, is the sweet 'n' sour chicken. Basically, it's fried chicken with that sweet 'n' sour sauce they put on a lot of Americanized Chinese food. It's somewhat lightly fried, but tasty, and the chicken pieces are almost always very high quality compared to some of the other dishes I've had here. You might occasionally get a crummy piece but overall it's a safe bet. The sauce tastes pretty good, which is essential since the chicken comes drenched in it. So yeah, as long as you stick to dishes that are consistent in quality, you should have a good meal at Meiwah. Service is rather prompt and no-frills, and the prices are pretty good.
(3)Jerry B.
I've been eating at Meiwah and the owner's first place, City Lights of China, for over 20 years. They are consistently good, fresh and delicious. The service is efficient and friendly. I've tried many other places but no one else measures up.
(5)Eric N.
I ordered two dynamite rolls and a hot and sour soup for delivery. Gets you just over the delivery threshold, $15, then I gave the guy a $20 for a big tip. The hot and sour soup for $3 is huge and a must order if you like the soup. Lots of tofu and green onions and other stuff beyond just broth and egg. They include fried wonton chips to make it even more filling. I have trouble seeing how I would order anything but the dynamite roll after getting it. Several kinds of buttery sushi including tuna and a spicy mayo sauce that really is spicy and not wasabi. When I was stuck at home, craved sushi, and wanted it delivered to my door all for a 20 dollar bill, this place more than delivered.
(4)Jenn H.
why the drop in a star? i got a rainbow roll, and the fish was just not fresh. in fact, i felt a little sick after finishing it. no more raw fish from Meiwah--unfortunate. i got the beef chao fun, which...tasted a little funky, and very unctuous. it didn't bother me at first, but the more i ate, the more greasy i felt. maybe i was just already queasy from the rainbow roll...and grease after light rolls probably wasn't a good idea. for some inexplicable reason, my bf has an obsession with the chicken fried rice there. I had a few bites...It's pretty good, but seriously? it's fried rice. I think Meiwah fine if you're craving Americanized Chinese food, especially since it's one of the few options in the area...but in all honesty, (and this may just be the living-in-NoVA part of me talking), think it's worth the extra few metro stops/miles/time to go to Rockville to get some REAL chinese food. The only reason why I go there is because the bf works close by, and if we don't have much time to grab dinner, and asian sounds good...well, really it's the only option.
(2)Susan R.
I was very surprised when I came here. Normally, many Chinese places tend to have a cheesy atmosphere and "meh, it works" feel to their food. Not Mei Wah. When we walked in, we were surprised how good the place looked. There were still a few cheesy trinkets, but the place had a wonderful feel with its wooden walls and nice tables. I noticed that a few of the largest tables had turning wheels, which really set the stage for sharing food without impolitely reaching over people. The service was prompt and polite. But it was the food that was outstanding. The dumplings were delicious, and the kung pao chicken was an outstanding mix of slightly sweet with spiciness, and there was plenty for two people. It wasn't a wallet buster either, the tab was low $20s even with a drink. All I can say is that I'll be back. :)
(5)Steffany H.
Mehhh... nothing spectacular to report at meiwah (love the name though). Came over for lunch, had the miso soup and the shrimp tempura. i will say - it was a TON of food for $12. Maybe I could have ordered something different but it just wasn't anything special. Everything was pretty standard and what you'd expect from this type of restaurant. Nothing good to report, but nothing bad either I guess.....
(3)Paul M.
Meiwah by name, Meh by nature. First the good: Thing 1 loved his lo mein. " Dad, this is the best I've had since you took us to that place with the hanging chickens" That pretty much sums it up. It's an OK spot - I had a smashing mount fuji sushi roll - but it is pretty bland overall. This place suffers the same fate as ever single other restaurant in Friendship Heights - nice, clean, buttoned down and almost completely devoid of any personality at all - this place, Lias, even Indique Heights, Clydes, etc etc. All reasonable, all good enough if you fancy what they offer and you are in the area, but in no shape or form would anyone actually come here specifically to this, or any other of the neighborhood's restaurants. Please, aspiring restaurant entrepreneur, bring your cool, stylish, flavorful, interesting, different, place here - this is the one neighborhood in all of DC that is completely wihout a decent unique destination style restaurant. I had scallop,s shrimp and asparagus - spicey. The ingredients were great, but the sauce was basic bottle oyster sauce with some chilli bits thrown in. Bo-ring. lovely room ,nice view out the window - just the job for the AARPers that the neighborhood is full of.
(2)Sameer S.
Was there anything really offensive about this restaurant? No. Was there anything so compelling that I would go back? No. I went here with a friend and her parents and had the General Tso's tofu if I remember right (three of us did veggie). It tasted...fine. They did do that thing where they confuse quantity with quality. I ended up giving my leftovers to my friend to give to her husband for lunch the next day. The service was fine, though it was hard to find our waitress...again, sort of par for the course. But back to the questions: Will I spend any more time reviewing a place this mediocre?
(2)Od B.
Awesome place! Sushi and all food always fresh. Seaweed is great!
(5)Nicole L.
I remember driving past the Georgetown Meiwah going home from DC - since they open this one in Chevy Chase I thought of giving it a try. The menu is more american-chinese but I was expecting more authentic. Oh well. My friend and I had met up for dinner and we got the spring rolls and dumplings. He had a horrific look on his face saying the food smelled weird but I thought it was fine. The spring roll had meat in it and he didnt like it. He got the black bean pepper beef and I had the squid. He flat out refused to eat it saying it looked like crap. At this point I feel bad for the restaurant. The food was not great but it's not ghastly horrific. It was somewhat noisy for the most part, screaming kids, and waitress breaking the Voss sparkling water. This dining experience had been a bit strange.
(3)Alicia G.
The food at Meiwah was pretty decent! The restaurant itself is really nice - the layout and the decor. The servers were very friendly and gave me a chance to practice some of my mandarin. The lo mein was perfectly seasoned. The jiaozi (dumplings) were awesome. The Peking duck was obviously not comparable to duck actually eaten in Beijing - but it was close enough. Some of my friends ordered sushi - and that was pretty tasty. I wouldn't say that Meiwah could stand to be better than restaurants in Chinatowns in Boston, NY, Philly or San Francisco, but for a Chinese place in DC/Maryland, I'd go again and recommend it to friends.
(4)Chris N.
Mei Wah is one of the best Chinese restaurants in DC metro area, by far, better than P.F. Chang's across the street. Sushi is pretty good too. It would definitely receive 5 stars if service can be improved a little.
(4)Garry C.
All you have to do is remove a few letters from Meiwah to understand my feelings...Meh. This place is right behind my office building so when I need to escape and am in the mood for Chinese, I will come here. They have a wide variety of Asian food, mostly overpriced and not too impressive. The General Tso is pretty good, but the serving is pretty small. The sushi I have tried has been pretty good too, but def not amazing. Most recently I tried some of my friend's Dragon roll (I think) which was good: eel, salmon, cream cheese, avocado, etc. If you want to get the most bang for your buck or you need to eat you feelings after a bad morning at work (not that I am speaking from experience), I recommend the chicken pad thai. Certainly not the best pad thai, but not overly greasy or too peanut-y and a huge serving for only $10.95. So, really the two stars come from the mis service. You are lucky if you get Tony, the mediocre waiter with the longest hair ever sprouting from his neck. He is mildly attentive, but the food never comes out in a timely manner. Pray not to get one of the female servers who are not only rude, but also completely inept. They always bring out all the food at different times, confuse orders, forget orders, and God forbid you ask them to split a check between two cards. Best bet is to get carry out where you get larger portions at better prices for lunch, and are spared the lovely service.
(2)Liz K.
My family and I have a long history with Meiwah. The owner Larry used to own City Lights in Dupont Circle and my father loved that place and had been eating there since before I was born. When it was sold and Larry opened up Meiwah (the downtown location first), we immediately switched over. I've always had good experiences with the servers at the Friendship Heights location and if you're a regular, they always remember you. The dumplings are fantastic and I'd highly recommend the tofu curl and the chow fun. The only downsides to Meiwah are that it's a) very noisy when crowded and b) big pricey for Chinese food (around $12 for an entree) but you get what you pay for in terms of decour and quality.
(4)J L.
I visit often and always enjoy it. They have many nice vegetarian options which even my meat-lover family enjoys 100%. Favorites include steamed vegetable dumplings, sweet potato rolls, sesame noodles & won-ton soup. Each dish can be made with or without spice to your taste. They also deliver... the restaurant can get very busy in the evening and you may be put on hold several times when ordering over the phone but the yummy food and prompt delivery are well worth it.
(4)Angela L.
Unfortunately I took my parents here because I went to the downtown location once and thought it was nice(they have a second floor for private parties). At this place we ordered sushi and some lo mein since the rest of it was pretty americanized. The sushi was wrapped poorly the rice didn't even cover all of the seaweed. The one fancy roll we got, the sauce was in some weird design, and the sauce didn't even go well with the sushi, failed attempt to make something pretty. You can just tell, the clientele were just white collared workers from the big company buildings nearby.
(2)Aja A.
I first experience Meiwah as a babysitting dinner; ie, the children I was taking care of slurped up fried rice and lo mein (I don't want ANY SHRIMPS, says the 5 year old) and I picked at the remains. It was tastier than the average Chinese I had had in DC, which to the point consisted mainly of what could be easily ordered from the comfort of an AU dorm room. Food you would only eat if you were drunk or hungover. Meiwah I would definitely eat sober, I decided. I've since ordered from here easily 50 times, over the past three years. I even took my parents once to experience the sushi, since it isn't a straight up "chinese" restaurant, more of an asain fushion joint. I've ordered from the downtown branch twice, and didn't like it as much as the Willard Ave location. My favorite items are the seaweed salad, which is a simple dish, but easy to mess up; hot and sour soup, which I believe is the measure of a good Chinese establishment, and theirs is solid; spiced salt squid, deep fried but not in a "i'm gonna need a triple bypass" way; and sliced pork in plum sauce. Sometimes when I want to break the old routine I get schezuan beef. Everything I've ever eaten there has been really solid. I only give it three stars b/c I'm sort of off Chinese at the moment. In fact the last time I ate it I ordered from the downtown Meiwah and it wasn't very good. Greasy, even. Sad. But still, the Willard ave one is worth a visit.
(3)Olivia L.
I came here with my dad when he was visiting from San Francisco. Since I live across the street, it seemed like a good time to try my local Chinese establishment. Let me begin at the beginning: It was crowded on a Saturday night, but almost entirely by white people. The only Asians are the servers (the sushi dudes are Hispanic) and even then, not all of them were Chinese (and the ones who were Chinese were from all parts of China). This should have been a warning first off. Next tip off: We got a Cantonese waitress, but when my dad asked her for recommendations in Chinese, she said flat out, go somewhere in Rockville, Gaithersburg, or Wheaton because the food here is really Americanized. She even gave us a couple recommendations! They don't have any of the traditional Chinese vegetables (baby pea pods, chinese broccoli, etc.) so we ended up ordering the crispy shredded beef (which was mostly fried batter, you couldn't taste the beef) and the salt and pepper prawns (good, but relatively expensive, and came with bland, blanched broccoli), and the sichuan string beans (too much sauce). When looking at the other diners, it seems that most of the stuff that was popular was deep-fried, or it might just be that most of the dishes are deep fried. It was over $50 for 3 people (which is highway robbery for bad Chinese food). *sighs* Oh, how I miss good Cantonese cooking!
(1)Derek W.
I always sit at the sushi bar and the service is fantastic. Very good sushi that is fresh and made with an artist like touch. Their cooked food is pretty good (8/10) and delivery is fast. Patio seating in the summer is fantastic.
(4)M M.
This place is located very close to Friendship Heights metro (2-3 min walk). We usually go there before watching a movie over at the Mazza Gallerie (AMC theatres), which is just opposite the metro stop. The restuarant is upstairs and is accessed by an elevator. Its a friendly place and I like that you can sit outside and enjoy the view. Regarding the view, there are around nine veg entrees to choose from and few veg appetizers. I tried Ma Po Tofu and String Bean Szechuan Style and they were good. You can ask them to add tofu in the later for an extra 2 bucks. They also have an option for brown rice for an extra dollar or two. Service gets bit slow during busy days an once we had to wait quite a while for the bill. Overall, good location and OK place for vegetarians.
(3)Farishta H.
I come here often for work. Sometimes several times a week because its the best sushi place by work. I love it here. I love how I can make some changes to the lunch specials. The only problem can be that sometimes their service is slow and there is one waitress who is rude. But I think she doesn't know better. There is an outside area that is really cute but I prefer the inside window seats bc you can people watch there : )
(4)Amy B.
The last time I came here, the waitress was rude to my 91-year-old grandmother. Food: OK at best. Service: obviously not great.
(2)AK M.
This may not be quite the same as the food we ate in China, but it is clearly not the same glop that usually passes for Chinese food in America. The food seems fresher. At this location, the staff is very friendly and helpful. I had the Shrimp Two Ways and it was delightful. It is a dish that can be shared, however. We plan on going back to try the sushi. It's not an entirely Chinese restaurant..Asian Fusion Highlights is what I'd call it. The small dumplings are quite good as well. We ate ours as take out...and I usually mix a little hot sauce into soy sauce for dipping. Excellent.
(4)Tom D.
I've had take out from the Chevy Chase Meiwah and have eaten numerous times at the one downtown. It's good -- and their lunch specials are a good value. Ingredients seem to be very good quality and the food is certainly a big step above your father''s Chinese buffet and places of that caliber. My issue is that if there were an blog entry for Chinese food on Stuff White People Like, it would probably list Meiwah. It just doesn't seem very authentic and lacks some soul. From my last experience, I liked the General Tso's tofu -- but the Szechuan String Beans weren't crispy -- the beans tasted like they were microwaved from the Jolly Green Giant and drowned in some goopy sauce.
(3)Blaznmcw J.
Food is Americanized Chinese, but taste good. Great atmosphere!
(5)Ben W.
Everything I've ever had here has been great. The Szechuan Lamb is great, as is the shredded pork with hot pepper. I've only ever taken out, so can't speak to the dine in experience. But probably the best Chinese takeout in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area.
(5)Eugene H.
Not bad for a chinese restaurant. The sauces and quality of food are actually pretty decent. Pricing is a little high for chinese food and i didn't find too much that made this place stand out among all the other chinese restaurants in the area, but it might be worth another try down the line.
(3)Sarah O.
You know, I'm not a huge Chinese Food fan, but the rest of my family is so at times I have to acquiesce and go. Of all the Chinese places I have been (and there are many) this has by far the cleanest, freshest food, best decor, service and as an added bonus they offer sushi in case I'm really not in the mood for Chinese. This is a good solid Chinese Food option!
(4)Danielle F.
Some of the best Chinese takeout I've had. The shredded beef in garlic sauce became an instantaneous favorite, and the chow foon was good too. The restaurant looked as though they are aiming to be slightly on the fancier side, but the prices are reasonable enough that I will continue to order takeout from them. They deliver within a 2 mile radius (which I am just barely outside of, but am told that they will come to anyway if not too busy) and have another branch in Dupont Circle.
(5)prentice s.
I agree with one of the other reviews. Mei Wah is one of the best tasting Chinese establishments and is hands down better than PF Changs across the street. But, why do I really love Mei Wah?? The sushi! that's right. They have some of the best sushi in Chevy Chase/Bethesda area - also a great value.
(4)Daniel S.
Five star for cleanness, four star for presentation, three star for ingredients, two star for service and one star for taste. Sure Meiwah is better than P.F Chang which is just across the street, but still, it's an average American chinese restaurant with nothing close to authentic chinese food. I would rather drive through a panda express than picking something so pricy yet so dull at Meiwah.
(2)Yonas H.
Meiwah's food is fantastic. Very high-quality. They take their time preparing the food, which is comforting - some Chinese places bring your food out in like 2 minutes. Makes you wonder..... *****MUST HAVES***** 1) Squid with spiced salt (under the Appetizer section) 2) Tuna Tempura sushi 3) Spicy Crunchy Salmon sushi 4) Veggie dumplings It's definitely worth the trip up to Friendship Heights.
(4)Raycal B.
Meiwah is one of the best Chinese Restaurants I have been to in the DC/MD/VA area. My favorite dish is the Kung Pao Chicken. Their virgin Strawberry Daiquiri is tasty as well. My other favorite dishes are the General Tso Chicken and the Shrimp Fried Rice. I always get it with Extra Shrimp.
(4)Man N.
We walked in at 9:30 p.m. and asked if they were still serving. The waitress said that they were serving until 10:30 p.m. We ordered appetizers and for our whole steamed fish, which didn't arrive until 45 minutes after we ordered (i.e., 10:20 p.m.). We weren't in a rush, so it wasn't a big deal. However, I could already smell the fish, indicating that it wasn't at all fresh, but I didn't make a scene and ask to take it back. I noticed that the few guests that were there had already left around 10:45 p.m. and that the head waitress was pacing back and forth waiting for us to finish up. You could tell she was very impatient and was unhappy she had to wait for us. Her arms were folded as she tap her toes on the ground. What a bitch. If they brought our food in time, we would have had ample time to finish. I will never eat there again. If I want good Chinese food, I'll go to Falls Church. I'll add some caveats that the Meiwah in the Dupont area was better and also our waitress wasn't the impatient one. She was fine. It was the head waitress who was the bitch and kept coming to our table to clean our plates in order to rush us out of there.
(1)izzy g.
It's good chinese food. Dependable with a good menu--probably the best chinese in the neighborhood.
(4)Sean Y.
I'd give this place two stars in my normal standards for Chinese food, but since DC's standards are sooo sub par for any Asian cuisine this place is a three. The food was alright, still tasted a bit Americanized but, again, we're in DC. Service was ok, a bit difficult to get them to give me my drink and even far more dificult to refill it but that would be more typical service for an authentic Chinese restaurant (have to love Canto people). All in all, not bad. But I miss California Asian food.
(3)Larry G.
I was all excited about going to an "upscale" Chinese restaurant with a group of friends. I couldn't remember the last time I've been to a sit-in Chinese restaurant. In DC, Chinese food is usually ordered out. I get there, with advanced reservation, and it's a beautiful place. My friends and I ooh'd and ahh'd. Service was satisfactory. However, the food...well, I just wasn't impressed. I had General Tso's Chicken with white rice. It came with some kind of slaw and a cherry on top. I've had better Chinese food at Yum's. The only positive thing I can say about Meiwah is that they are generous with food servings. Other than the beautiful place, the food is nothing to ooh or ahh. Oh yeah...about parking. You gotta park some distance away if you want free parking. Otherwise, you'll be shelling out additional greens for parking underground.
(2)Raymond W.
So far I've only had Meiwah 3 times which is pretty little considering I work in the area. I've gotten Japanese twice and chinese once. the bento boxes are filling lunch specials for only $10, but nothing special. A few hours after the meal our stomach felt a little funny probably from the oils in the tempura. It was a little strange that the salad dressing was honey mustard rather than a typical ginger dressing at most Japanese restaurants. Props to this place for being more affordable than Sushi Ko.
(3)Jung-Ah P.
I was out and about on a rainy day, and I had an hour to kill before I was due at work. I was feeling hungry, and my tummy demanded sushi. I used to be a regular sushi consumer at Mei Wah (the Chevy Chase locations has a sushi bar, the DC location does not) for a couple of years until I noticed their quality was disintegrating. The spicy tuna rolls were strange in texture and definitely not fresh and the yellow tail rolls were - for lack of a better word - gross. I wanted to experiment and see if I ordered and ate at the restaurant instead of getting it delivered, it would be better. I was impressed right off by the large number of sushi specials available, which is not included in the delivery menu. I especially enjoyed the colorful pictures that came with the descriptions of each item. So instead of going for the usual shrimp tempura roll and the spicy tuna roll, I decided to expand my horizons. I ordered a vegetable soup to start, to be followed by the tuna tempura roll, and I feel like such a failure as a blogger, as I've forgotten the name of the second roll that I ordered - I want to say it had an exotic, mythical creature in its name. The soup was good, as usual, full of snow peas, bamboo shoots, carrots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts in a yummy broth. Then the rolls arrived. I was very impressed by their presentation! So pretty and colorful. The tuna tempura roll was quite big - it was a long strip of tuna rolled in rice and seaweed, and the whole roll was tempura battered and fried. It came with a wonderful, spicy sauce on the side. It was delicious and I was pleasantly surprised. The mystery roll had shrimp tempura with lettuce, carrots, cucumber, and spicy fish roe, with a drizzle of a spicy and sweet sauce on top. The circumference on this thing is huge, so be prepared to stretch those jaw muscles and look pretty funny as you attempt to chew. Other than the difficulty in consumption, it was fabulous. I had my doubts when I saw the lettuce and the carrots - I don't think they're common ingredients - but they added a nice, cool crunch to the whole thing. I think the key is not to order sushi or rolls with raw sea creatures from Mei Wah, because I enjoyed a delightful lunch of rolls with cooked sea creatures. I know, if they're not fresh and gross when you eat them raw, they're just as not fresh when they're cooked, but it tastes good (shoulder shrug). That's my conclusion. :) Tasty tasty!!
(2)charlie m.
We had the General tso chicken it was edible but alot like what you'll get at any "all you eat" buffet chinese place. The service was rushed "Eat quick please" I also had the Ma Po Tofu dish. It was better than the General Chicken but only a bit as the Tofu was a bit mushy and the Bean curd was hard to find. This is the classical, "use to be terrific now they don't even try" locale. Lots of pictures of various govt types who have eaten their but they seem to go for the "We like the Chinese vote" rather than "We like the food"
(2)Deborah P.
Mei Wah is convenient, attractive and reliable. If that sounds like something less than a rave, that's because it is. We've come for Peking Duck a few times; the skin is crisp and the meat is juicy but not as flavorful as I'd like. I totally agree with Tom D's review of the "Szechuan" string beans. They were so blah we sent them back for more seasoning, which unfortunately didn't help. The sushi isn't bad, but if you want sushi in the neighborhood Sushi-Ko is a much better bet. So why do we go back to Mei Wah? Well, it's convenient, attractive, and at least you know what you're going to get.
(3)Chris B.
Mei wah is one of the few Chinese restaurants in the city that truly understands how to use spices with Chinese cooking. The flavors are bold. What I like about it is its full service location. It is great for a family meal, but it has a sushi bar for snacking and and a full bar for drinking. Considering the other pretentious and expesive places in the Friendship Heights area, I always made Mei Wah my place to gather and socialize on a Friday night to get a couple drinks before heading into town.Definitely Positive.
(4)Justin W.
Great Chinese food. Dinner can get crowded but I've never waitd more than 20 minutes for a table. The sushi is ok but I'm not into ordering sushi at chinese restaurants anyway. Black bean sauce is probably the best preperation they do and the Kung Po isn't bad either
(4)D C.
I don't even like Chinese food and I love this place. This new location (Chevy Chase) is pretty nice. Their first is in NW, DC which is also pretty nice. The food is fantastic. I have never tasted a bad dish there. The crispy beef, spicy salted shrimp, vegetable curl, wonton soup, dumplings and many very well presented types of sushi are all great. The service isn't that great though. It is passable but not great. Most of the help is Asian and I have had a few who I cannot understand at all. It makes for a frustrating experience. The service is slow too. I cannot stand it when you wait for the waitress (10 min), ask for check (another 10 min), insert credit card for her to pick up (10 more min) and finally you can leave. Outside of the slow service it is a really good Chinese place.
(4)maria g.
It's weird for me to just drop a 5 star review on a Chinese place but I have to talk this place up because it's just darn good quality food. And how often do you say that about a Chinese/sushi combo place? Nothing about the food is leading a revolution but it's delicious quality food all the time. I'm a pretty loyal customer to them and they've never disappointed me. I'm willing to say the sushi is the best quality raw fish in all of dc. Also I lived in LA and meiwahs quality of fish beats 98% of the sushi joints there too! It's always always fresh. I'm not claiming it's oh my goodness something you've never seen or even heard of, but it is just yummy quality all the time! Salmon is buttery, spicy crunchy tuna roll is awesome and huge, avocado is always bright green and fresh, seaweed salad is fresh and crunchy with sesame seeds. For Chinese food, the steamed dumplings are awesome, as is the Cornish hen, also I like the chicken noodle soup when I'm sick (see if they'll do noodles other than egg tho). The Tinkling Bells dish is great but only if you eat it there (seved on a sizzling platter with fried wontons -- everything dies if you do delivery). I've always preferred to order out rather than eat there, primarily I guess because the atmosphere is "suburban" feeling ;) ... and the beer list is typical Asian joint. I'd much rather buy some better stuff and eat my delicious take-out at home!
(5)Nadine G.
the food has gone downhill. service indifferent.
(2)doug S.
I have been eating Meiwah for a long time. Their chinese food is solid, but not spectacular. The most impressive thing about this place is their sushi, surprisingly. For a Chinese restaurant they have excellent sushi at excellent prices. The biggest problem here is parking. It is damn near impossible. Also, the service can take a LONG time even when you are picking up. I have waited an hour for takeout before. That shouldn't happen anywhere. Regardless, the food is worth it. Just make sure to call early during peak hours
(3)Veronica J.
This is American Chinese food. It's the best carryout I've ever had lol It's honestly hard to find decent Chinese. The vegetable dumpling pan fried are great! And so is the sweet beancurd sushi. The only bad thing is the General Tsos Tofu or any of the tofu dishes for that matter doesn't come with any vegetables. So you have to order vegetables for like $2 extra. Another bad thing is the sushi options are limited and the bento boxes suck too. But the hot dishes are good. My bf always gets the shredded pork with hot pepper and he loves it but he does have to add extra chili sauce to it. We used to dine there a lot but we always get stuck with this awful miserable rude waitress!!! Almost every time for lunch we get her, and it never fails. I also noticed that when you're paying she always huddles over my shoulder trying to see how much tip she is going to get. So we stopped eating there. The spicy string beans are awesome too but they're really greasy. We order from here at least once a month.
(4)Eric L.
Mei Wah is great for sushi, average for the chinese selection. Its a bit "safer" than some of the take out places closer to Tenleytown in that the ingredients seem fresher - the eggplant in garlic sauce is melt-in-your-mouth fantastic. The sushi from the counter is among the best in the area (Sushi Ko is also up the block). A bit similar to the entrees, its Americanized sushi but they do have some interesting rolls. All of the sushi I've had has tasted very fresh, and they have one of the best spider roll adaptations I've ever had (featuring softshell crab). BTW, I would shy away from tap beer here. They don't seem to pour a lot of it, and it shows in the taste.
(3)Steven N.
Meiwah has the best moderately priced Chinese food in the DC area. The Hunan Chicken is excellent, as is the Crispy Fried Beef and what was once called Mr. Katz's Fried Tofu, but is now just plain Fried Tofu in special sauce (the sauce has spices and onions which makes this a great take-out dish---you get so much sauce that you can cook chicken in it during the week and have another delicious dinner).
(4)