Kirin - Berkeley

We had another fantastic dining experience at Kirin, earning it a solid 5 stars. My family and I have been frequenting this restaurant for over 15 years, and th... read more We had another fantastic dining experience at Kirin, earning it a solid 5 stars. My family and I have been frequenting this restaurant for over 15 years, and the quality of both the food and service remains unwavering. Our top picks include any of the house-made noodles, but we always come back for the Cherry Pork—it’s a must!

We haven't had such a great meal in a long while! Mail Tai was superb!! read more We haven't had such a great meal in a long while! Mail Tai was superb!!

You can't do better than Kirin. Probably the best Chinese food outside of San Francisco. They've remodeled. Low light, but enough to read the menu. Great servic... read more You can't do better than Kirin. Probably the best Chinese food outside of San Francisco. They've remodeled. Low light, but enough to read the menu. Great service and delicious food.

When I arrived, I was shocked to see a bill for $68. The young man at the front explained that the rice and snow peas were treated as separate orders and that t... read more When I arrived, I was shocked to see a bill for $68. The young man at the front explained that the rice and snow peas were treated as separate orders and that the small box of shrimp I ordered cost $18! I was visibly upset and expressed my frustration, but he went ahead and processed the payment. Not wanting to create a scene, I left, still in disbelief. Once I got to my car, I decided to call back to convey my dissatisfaction. I explained my feelings about not being given a total over the phone, but he only offered me a $2.75 credit for the rice. I had just left a $6 tip, and while he mentioned he would remember this for future customers, it didn’t help my situation. As a business owner myself, I would have handled the confusion differently. If there was an issue with an order, I would have removed the incorrect items right away, and if a customer called back just minutes after leaving, I would have invited them to return to rectify the situation. Ensuring guests leave happy is a priority for me, and that clearly didn't happen here. The experience still bothers me the next morning, though I know I need to move on. On the brighter side, the food is usually quite good, and we had a pleasant meal here in December. However, the food seemed greasier than before, and to be fair, my dining companion, who was unaware of my earlier experience, made the same comment. I’m giving this restaurant 2 stars because the food and service have been quite good in the past. However, I will seek out a different restaurant next time I want to order takeout or dine in.

The Manchurian beef and cashew chicken are both outstanding. As I mentioned earlier, the lychee martini is a must-try drink. While it's pricier than I'd prefer... read more The Manchurian beef and cashew chicken are both outstanding. As I mentioned earlier, the lychee martini is a must-try drink. While it's pricier than I'd prefer for a Chinese restaurant, there's not much you can do about it.