Awesome place in Cambridge that offers authentic Chinese cuisine with a fast service for an unbeatable price! You should expect a line if you’re going during the weekend. The service is extremely fast, but the dishes are fresh. The soup steamed pork dumplings are a classic and taste so good. We also really like the Shandong dumplings. The beef with mixed veggies is full of flavor, and everything is cooked to a perfect texture. I also ordered the lamb vegetable clay pot, which comes in a huge pan and could easily satisfy 2-3 people. The steamed red bean dumplings are a great way to it all off.

Very loud Friday 7pm Pork soup dumpling - 5/5 good Pork crab soup dumpling - 4/5 Liang pi - 3/5 did not expect clear noodles Spicy cucumbers - 3/5 decent Chili wonton - 3/5 nothing special

Fast hot food, pretty good value. The sesame chicken was very tasty, as was the egg roll that accompanied the combo meals. Chicken and broccoli had a good brown sauce but broccoli was a bit soggy. I think at other places the broccoli is first flash fried to retain its crunch. I ordered chicken fried rice and white rice also came with one of the entrees - and the rice in both was underdone so a little bit hard. The Lo mein had a bit of a ginger-y taste to it that I found unusual almost like they tossed in the dumpling dipping sauce and I was not a fan. The hot and sour soup was very fresh and full of tofu and fresh mushroom but it was on the lighter side which is preferred vs other places where it might be too dark from soy sauce, or too viscous from too much corn starch or too many chili seeds. Their hot and sour soup was good and did not have these issues. Overall, a good spot to get your Chinese food fix here. Be careful that you don’t accidentally go to Great Wall 2 which is down the street when you order ahead.

I had the H2 with an egg roll and was pretty good. There wasn’t sauce on the beef or noodles but came with a dressing like sauce. Maybe I will get the teriyaki beef under the hibachi menu next time. It came with some dressing but didn’t know if it was for the noodles or veggies🥦 I tried it on the beef and was ok. To sum up it was all around good and deserves a return trip in the future.

I arrived at the restaurant at 6:28 PM and was seated by 6:29 PM. Right off the bat, I noticed leftover food on the menu, which wasn't a great start. The staff on duty included one waiter, one waitress, one sushi maker, and one cashier. I saw someone who came in before me get their order taken at 6:31 PM, so I knew I'd be waiting a bit. My drink order wasn't taken until 6:43 PM. It arrived quickly at 6:44 PM, and I placed my food order then. The waitress mentioned she was busy, which I could tell. The fried wontons came out at 6:50 PM, but they were super dry and tasteless. I had to drink a lot of Dr Pepper just to get them down. Finally, my main food arrived at 7:07 PM. Overall, it was a pretty disappointing experience. I ordered the Peking Duck, which should be the main dish for this place. It was not thinly sliced, in which I need it to be, to be placed into the sheets to dip. The skin was not crispy, and I had to get drink more soda to drain it down. This place can be a success it they had more help, as well as ensuring that the systems that they use could move faster service as well as having a consistent food quality.

First time here and it won't be our last. We got the family style meals that included egg roll and soup with the entrees and the egg rolls and soup were some of the best I've ever had. The broth was rich and the dumplings were perfectly cooked. The egg rolls and crab and cheese wonton were also very good. We had General Tso and Garlic Pork. Both tasty and delicious with nice cuts of meat and plenty of fresh veggies. We will definitely return again soon to try the sushi!

I used to love this place. Now I can’t even place and order because they won’t pick up the phone. Why even have a restaurant if you don’t want to serve food to customers?

Very friendly, has always been a welcome addition to the Cambridge village. In a town overran with pizza restaurants their American Chinese menus really breaks up the take out meal solution. You can trust the quality and timelines the staff provides.

Food was so iffy I couldn’t eat it. Fried rice was nothing but steamed white rice with soy sauce sprinkled on it. Sweet and sour chicken was so tough and dry. No veggies or anything else given with it. Also ordered egg rolls. Bill came to $38. I’ll be calling for my money back. I wouldn’t give my dog this food.

Ordered General Tso chicken and egg rolls, was very tender and had real good flavor, no complaints, price was reasonable and staff friendly

Stopped in after a rough day and some excellent Chinese comfort food paired with friendly service really hit the spot. Dumplings were particularly good (some of the best northern style I’ve found in greater Boston), red braised pork was rich and flavorful, and the house-made cured pork belly (la rou) stir fried with fresh vegetables was cooked to perfection. I’d recommend asking if they have any specials/ off-menu items, as the la rou wasn’t on the menu but proved to be a particular highlight.

Horrible I am a pregnant woman who was craving Chinese wings and crabragoons with some pork fried rice and this is what I got. If they didn’t have wings the should of just said no wings period I am so upset and it’s the second time this happens never going back there

Growing up eating my mother's Chinese food I am picky when it comes to eating out for a Chinese food. Here you get authentic Chinese food in a small neighborhood restaurant. Bright outdoor light gives it an open feeling, and a simple but sophisticated decor that isn't too busy makes it a calm space. Our favorites are the beef pulled noodle soup (the beef is the real deal, you can taste the five spice), yu xiang eggplant, and ma po tofu. The lunch specials are a good deal with soup (excellent hot and sour soup chock full of vegetables including tiger lily), choice of appetizer and white or brown rice. Friendly service. Many locals come here. The restaurant has been here for years and years. After you visit you will know why.

Their beef knife cut noodles (刀削面) are delicious. All the food is extremely authentic and made with care. The owner is extremely nice also, highly recommend!!!

The restaurant's decor is clearly well-thought-out, and the overall design is quite tasteful. However, upon entering, I found the lighting to be a bit dim, which created a somewhat gloomy atmosphere that I didn't particularly enjoy. The dishes were rather average, without much to stand out. On the bright side, the service was decent, and the staff were friendly. Overall, the experience was just okay.

Old school Chinese restaurant that serves one of the best American Chinese food in the city. Swung by this spot a few times whenever I’m craving classic American Chinese comfort food. While it’s not the trendiest or most authentic Chinese restaurant in the area, it’s got a charm all its own. Having served the neighborhood for over three decades, it’s more of a local favorite than a student hotspot. The food isn’t upscale or fancy, but what sets it apart are the little details—everything is fresh, extra crispy, and perfectly balanced in flavor. Take the Wonton Soup and Soup Dumplings, for example. The Wonton Soup here isn’t your standard “free with entrée” stuff. The pickled veggies inside add a tangy kick that beautifully complements the umami of the wontons, while the seaweed and a drizzle of sesame oil give it an extra layer of flavor. They even time it right, adding the wontons just before serving so they’re not soggy—just give them a minute to soak up the soup. As for the Soup Dumplings, they’re some of the best I’ve had in recent memory. Served the classic way with a vinegar-and-ginger dipping sauce, they’re perfectly crafted, with pork fat melting into a rich, savory broth at the bottom. Shaomai had an interesting twist - fish roe on top added a pop of playful texture. The entrées I’ve tried so far have been great as well. The Tian Shan Spareribs and the Crispy Beef with Sesame were perfectly crispy despite being coated in a thick sweet and sour sauce. It’s rare for dishes like these to hold onto their texture, but these nailed it. Portions lean on the smaller side, so if you’re feeling ravenous, I’d suggest kicking things off with an appetizer. Changsho might not be one of the must-try Chinese spots in the area, but if you’re craving good-quality comfort food that hits the spot, it’s definitely worth a visit.

This is the most underrated Chinese restaurant in Harvard Sq! It mostly does takeout but they have plenty of open tables, not too much ambience but the food is always top notch, service is very fast, friendly, and good portions. Great choice to take your vegetarian and vegan friends, as they don't make most of the vegetable dishes with ground meat. They do have American-Chinese food on their menu but I usually get the traditional Chinese stirfry dishes. Their salt & pepper tofu (pictured) is hands down the best in the city, not greasy, just the right amount of salt, always perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Last time I went I got their Three Treasures for the first time, and it wasn't greasy like at many other places. Great wok char. This place has been open for more than a decade and the sad thing is, they've not been as busy lately. I really hope it does enough business, I'd be so sad if it disappeared along with so many other restaurant staples in the area.

Went in for late lunch to Cilantro on a Sunday. The place wasn't too busy. Our servers were kind, attentive and prompt. The food was amazing and the portions were great. Everyone enjoyed the food including the kids. Thanks for the great service, Stella and team.

The food here was excellent, all of the dishes had great texture. The steamed egg tofu dish was very smooth, and the spice and sweetness paired very well together. However, I think I would have personally preferred it to not be spicy. All of the dishes were flavored very well! I definitely recommend the steamed eggs and spicy cucumber appetizer. For dessert, I had the chocolate fudge, which was super yummy 🥰🥰

These categories all deserve a minimum of five starts but I wish that I could indicate service as ten stars!!!! I've only been to this restaurant four times and they've all been AMAZING!!!!!! In fact, from the last time to the most recent time, a month passed and yet Johnny still remembered what cocktail I said that I wanted to try next. I would not imagine that would be possible, if it hadn't actually happened. He also remembers from one visit to the next that I want my spice level at the hottest possible - he doesn't even ask anymore. I was worried that it was forgotten once and he had already taken care of it! In addition to Johnny, Bao has also provided great service, as well as the rest of the staff, who are always beyond friendly. Another person who has made me feel special is Ernest. As a manager, he is busy, yet he goes out of his way to welcome me back! I feel like I'm returning to friends when I dine at Sumaio. In addition to the world-class service that I receive, the food is top-tier! Hot kiss and nom numb wings are (thus far) my favorite two items on the menu but I keep trying new dishes! Everything on the menu has been great! However, not all dishes include the spice that I like so when I've made a comment about the food not quite being to my liking, they immediately provide spicy options to enhance the dish! For my preferences, this corrects any tast shortcomings. But wait - there's more!!! The cocktails! Not only are they tasty, but they're served in such style! The mai tai (one of my faves and a standard on the menu) comes in a clear tiki glass. Yesterday, I had a seasonal drink, the spiced cherry swizzle, which was nothing short of fantastic! I also enjoy drinks from "The Globetrotter Club". I don't want to spoil the surprise but I hope that you can obey the rules in order to experience this delight! They also offer a variety of non-alcoholic options that I have either tried or just admire from afar. I am sorry that it took me so long to try Sumaio after it was recommended to me but now that I know the people and food, I am doing my best to make up for lost time. Kudos to the Sumaio team for creating such an amazing experience for the Boston/Cambridge community!

Apr 2024: Family style dining with a nice open environment to enjoy a meal independently or with a big group. The spicy food feels good and not too overbearing but be prepared. Appetizers are quite delicious and had crispy crab rangoon with a yummy dipping sauce.

Food here is pretty amazing! The spicy pot was really good, we ordered a medium spicy and it was delicious. The things we think they need improvement are the service and cleanliness. Server was a bit rude and unfriendly. Having some kind of attitude to us. We also found that the glass of water has some unpleasant smell and not clean. The look from outside is reasonable clean but from what we see from the inside, plates and stains, I think they need to work on the cleanliness for the customer. It is a very tasty food, unfortunately the service and cleanliness are some things to work on. That’s the reason of my two stars.

I never had lunch here even though it is walking distance to where I work. Nice and clean space. I had ma po bean curd lunch special, which comes with 4 small side dishes -all delicious. The ma po bean curd actually contains a big portion of fish- pleasant surprise. Definitely will come again.

Probably some of the best noodles/crab wontons I have ever had! DELICIOUS! Must go here when in town!