East Lake Chinese Restaurant and Dim Sum (東湖海鮮酒家)

Welcome to East Lake Chinese Restaurant and Dim Sum (東湖海鮮酒家), located at 2850 Quimby Rd STE 130 in San Jose, California (95148, USA). This establishment positions itself as a comprehensive Chinese restaurant, offering a wide array of dishes, with a particular emphasis on seafood and a notable dim sum selection. Based on customer reviews, East Lake appears to be a popular choice in its area of San Jose, although it is noted to be on the pricier side compared to typical Chinese restaurants.

One of the key features of East Lake is its dim sum service. According to a reviewer who visited on a weekday, the traditional rolling dim sum carts were not available at that time, suggesting this might be a weekend offering. However, the restaurant does provide the option to order dim sum directly through a waiter, ensuring that patrons can still enjoy these small, flavorful dishes throughout the week. This flexibility allows customers to experience East Lake's dim sum regardless of the day they visit.

Among the highly recommended dishes is the "wet chow fun." This Cantonese noodle dish, featuring soft, wide rice noodles in a savory gravy, is praised for its taste and the generous amount of beef included. The "tasty gravy" further contributes to the appeal of this comforting and satisfying dish, making it a standout item for noodle lovers.

Another interesting offering is the "jin mein," which is described as crispy chow mein. The reviewer specifically recommends trying this dish, especially for those who appreciate texture in their food. The contrast between the crispy noodles and the accompanying ingredients likely provides a unique and enjoyable culinary experience for those seeking something beyond the traditional soft chow mein.

For those interested in exploring the dim sum menu, several items receive positive mentions. The "ha how" (shrimp dumpling) and "shu mai" (pork dumpling) are highlighted for being "big and plump," suggesting a generous filling and satisfying texture. These are classic dim sum staples, and the positive feedback indicates that East Lake prepares them well, making them a recommended starting point for anyone new to dim sum or looking for quality versions of these favorites.

Another comforting and highly recommended dish is "jook," also known as congee, a type of savory rice porridge. The reviewer strongly advises pairing the jook with the "Chinese donut" (also referred to as fried bread). This classic combination is a popular choice in many Chinese restaurants, with the plain, soft congee complemented by the crispy, slightly chewy texture of the fried bread, often dipped into the porridge. The enthusiastic recommendation suggests that East Lake's rendition of this pairing is particularly good.

However, not all dishes receive rave reviews. One customer specifically advises against ordering the "soup dumplings" (also known as XLB or xiao long bao), describing them as "terrible." Soup dumplings are known for their delicate skin and flavorful broth-filled interior, so this strong negative feedback suggests a potential issue with their preparation at East Lake. This is important information for potential diners who might be fans of this particular dish.

In a separate review, a customer who stumbled upon East Lake while en route to another location expressed particular enjoyment of several dim sum items. The "rice rolls" stood out as a highlight, along with the "onion pancake." Additionally, they loved the "shrimp and eggplant," "tripe," and "chicken feet," showcasing a willingness to try a variety of more adventurous dim sum options and finding them to be enjoyable. This positive feedback on a range of dim sum items further reinforces East Lake's strength in this area of Chinese cuisine.

Regarding the environment and services of East Lake Chinese Restaurant and Dim Sum, the provided reviews offer limited insights. One reviewer mentions it being "one of the best Chinese restaurants in this area of San Jose," suggesting a positive local reputation and potentially a comfortable or appealing dining space. However, specific details about the decor, ambiance, or cleanliness are not provided. The mention of ordering dim sum through a waiter on weekdays and the possibility of rolling carts on weekends gives some indication of their service style for dim sum. It can be inferred that standard dine-in service is offered, and it is likely that takeout is also available, although this is not explicitly stated.

There is no promotional information available in the provided customer reviews. Therefore, details about any special offers, discounts, or featured menu items are currently unknown. Local users interested in learning about potential promotions or any special events at East Lake would need to contact the restaurant directly at (408) 223-3288 or +1 408-223-3288.

In conclusion, East Lake Chinese Restaurant and Dim Sum (東湖海鮮酒家) in San Jose appears to be a well-regarded establishment, particularly for its dim sum and certain classic Chinese dishes like wet chow fun and jin mein. While noted to be on the pricier side for Chinese food, the quality and flavor of many items seem to justify the cost for many patrons. The dim sum service offers flexibility, with waiter service on weekdays and potentially rolling carts on weekends. While the soup dumplings are best avoided, other dim sum staples like ha how and shu mai, as well as more adventurous options like rice rolls, onion pancake, shrimp and eggplant, tripe, and chicken feet, have received positive feedback. The pairing of jook with the Chinese donut is also highly recommended. For local users in the San Jose area looking for a comprehensive Chinese dining experience with a strong emphasis on dim sum and seafood, East Lake is definitely worth considering. For any information on the restaurant's environment, additional services, or current promotions, direct contact with the establishment is advised.