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About
China Canteen
Welcome to a culinary journey at China Canteen, a cherished staple nestled in the heart of Rockville, MD. For decades, this establishment has been celebrated for its authentic Chinese cuisine, creating a loyal fanbase that fondly remembers its rich flavors and hearty dishes. With an inviting atmosphere suited for family gatherings, lunch breaks, or casual dinners, China Canteen encapsulates the essence of a friendly neighborhood eatery.
Located at 808 Hungerford Dr, China Canteen combines tradition with convenience, offering takeout, delivery, and outdoor seating. This means whether you're looking to savor your meal on-site or from the comfort of your home, China Canteen has you covered. Dining here has its quirks; as noted in customer reviews, expect some wait time due to the restaurant's demand, but rest assured that the culinary rewards are worth it.
- Flavorful Offerings: The menu boasts a variety of dishes, with standouts like mapo tofu, renowned for its well-balanced flavors of spice and umami. The combination of minced garlic, ginger, and fermented black bean creates an exquisite harmony that keeps patrons returning for more.
- Authenticity at Its Core: Reviewers often express the authentic essence encapsulated in every dish. Favorites include the tofu with shredded pork and the Sichuan boiled beef, both celebrated for their bold flavors and satisfying textures.
- Community Connection: The long-standing presence of China Canteen in the community speaks to its popularity and commitment to quality. The nostalgic mentions by patrons indicate a deep emotional connection, underscoring how the restaurant has influenced their culinary journeys.
While some reviewers mention that the decor may not be as polished as other establishments, this shouldn't deter you. The focus here is on the food, which continues to receive high marks for its quality and authenticity. As expressed by long-time patrons, China Canteen may be a hidden gem in terms of ambiance, but its delicious, mouthwatering dishes earn it a place in the hearts of food lovers.
For those looking to explore the vibrant flavors of Chinese cuisine, I wholeheartedly recommend visiting China Canteen. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a first-time visitor, prepare for a delightful culinary experience that exemplifies both tradition and heartfelt cooking.
To plan your visit, you can reach them at (301) 424-1606, and don’t forget to indulge in some of their most popular dishes. Your tastebuds will thank you!
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“ I'm sad and disappointed that China Canteen has CLOSED after being there for decades. They had the best shrimp with mixed vegetables. Many of their dishes had unique flavors. It's not easy to find good Chinese restaurants anymore. Many of the good ones have closed or have become carryouts. It's a shame. I will miss China Canteen for sure. ”
“ China Canteen launched my Chinese food tourism nearly a decade ago, and I wondered if--after all these years--I would still feel the same about its food. A lot can happen in a few years, both to restaurant and eater. I've since eaten Sichuan food in Taipei, Tokyo, Flushing, Vancouver, SGV, Boston, Hawaii, LA, and SF, and have had amazing meals. But I have always thought fondly of China Canteen. Tonight we again had the mapo tofu, which is just as good as i remembered it. A hearty gravy, balanced between red pepper, Sichuan, and green peppercorns, minced garlic, a touch of ginger, and fermented black bean. On top of firm, toothsome cubes of tofu. FABULOUS!!! ”
“ OVERALL: food 5/5, service 2/5. SUPER SLOW. Really authentic and delicious food, but I would recommend coming on a not so popular time/day, or coming really early - we waited an hour for our food last time. I came here with a group of friends on a Saturday night and was pretty much immediately seated. They were very flexible with the seating arrangements and put two separate tables for us to sit at. This is where my complaints come in. We waited an hour for our food and asked multiple times where it was. Eventually, the food came out all at once and we were really confused, but apparently they make the food table by table, so don't be surprised if you see other tables getting all their food while you sit there empty handed. Despite my sour mood from waiting so long, the food was absolutely delicious. A few of my favorites were the tofu with shredded pork (香干肉丝), pea shoots (豆苗), and sichuan boiled beef (水煮牛肉). Everything else we ordered was really good, apart from the string beans (干煸四季豆), which was fine but nothing special. I'd come again, just probably on a Tuesday night or something. ”
“ I'm giving 4 stars for the delicious, authentic dishes only! The place has been there for years, smells bad and it's a dump. But don't let that stop you. Go with someone who knows how to order. C12 and C13 are delicious! ”
“ Amazing Szechuan food. Very authentic. Delicious. As others mentioned, they won't win any awards for decor, but the food is top notch. ”
“ This is a family classic for me. Everytime I'm home in Rockville, my mom and I always go out here for lunch. The lunch specials are cheap and the dishes are pretty good. We always get the same thing when we're here. I like the spicy conch dish, which is chilled conch with chili oil. My mom always likes the beef and bitter melon dish. For the third we always get the peking duck, only because it's smaller and pretty good. It's not super special, but something we always venture to. With 3 dishes you also get a soup. Which we usually either get the hot and spicy (meh, standard- corn starchy thick) and the intestine soup? (my mom's favorite, not mine, hence occasionally we'll switch it up with the hot and sour). Homestyle goodness. ”
“ So I have to start out by saying I'm not a fan of spicy food. Yes, I said it. So that's all Sichuan food...stop reading if you like spicy food. With a party of 10, we ordered a smorgousbord of things. I can't even tell you everything we ordered...there was a whole fish, fried pork in whole red dried peppers, soup, Sichuan style peking duck, stir-fried vegetables that even had jalapenos in it, and more spicy dishes. There was only one non-spicy dish with all the dishes we had that night and that was my best friend for the night. With that said, this old, run-down, hole in the wall place is not so bad, if you want spicy Sichuan-style Chinese food. ”
“ You can tell its authentic when you c only chinese people inside with specials in chinese. Spicy food that takes a while but worth the wait. We ordered dan dan noodle, lamb hot pot , chicken with spicy vegetable and spicy conch. The noodles were a let down (as compared to sichuan pavilion). Everything else though was perfect. I'm giving this 4 stars only because of the decor. The food def deserved more than 5! ”
