Zen Mei Bistro

This place is a beloved neighborhood staple. The lemon chicken is one of my favorite dishes. The breading is so thin and crispy, and the dipping sauce tastes like real lemons. I also love the braised string beans and pan fried yee mein noodles. The owner and staff are so nice and attentive, and they also support several Chinatown mutual aid orgs. I love them.

The ladies are really nice, got the pork and century egg congee and it had lots of pork in it compared to other spots I’ve been to around Chinatown! Also got their Singapore noodle stir fry which came with lots of various seafood!! I wish I also tried their fried shrimp but will definitely go back for that next time.

I stumbled upon Zen Mei Bistro while wandering through Chinatown, and I’m so glad I did! Tucked away on the corner of Yale and Alpine, this little family-run spot feels like a hidden gem. The vibe is super laid-back—think old-school charm with handwritten receipts, green porcelain chopsticks, and a kettle of hot tea brought to your table as soon as you sit down. It’s cash-only, so come prepared, but the prices are so reasonable you won’t mind. The food here is classic Cantonese with a homey twist. I tried the BBQ pork wonton soup, and wow—the wontons were plump, meaty, and swimming in a big, comforting bowl of broth. The kung pao shrimp was another hit—perfectly spiced with a nice crunch from the peanuts. They’ve got a great range of seafood dishes too, like the fried lobster (or “dragon prawns” as they call it), which looked amazing on another table. Portions are generous, and everything feels fresh and unpretentious. Service is friendly but no-frills—don’t expect a ton of chit-chat, just solid hospitality. The place can get busy, especially around lunchtime, so I’d recommend arriving early to snag a spot. Parking’s a bit tricky (metered street only), but it’s worth the hassle. Zen Mei isn’t flashy or fancy, but it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve found a secret slice of Chinatown. I’ll definitely be back for more!

Good solid local Chinese restaurant close to my church. Enjoyed excellent REAL Cantonese Chinese food with reasonable prices. Lastly I think their chefs are magical; their kitchen sounds are not loud at all. Dishes ordered; veggies, salted fish pork patty, Singaporean noodles, egg plants, stewed fatty pork and chickenwings. So good...We'll be back!

Great restaurant! Food is good! Highly recommended!