Big Dish Restaurant

mcLa twofivesix

goodEats ,many Cantonese bbq meats...

Harry Lui

The name BIG dish is no joke. Less than $25 for the food in picture. Rice with chicken foot and spare rib is $4. You can have a lot of great food for very little money. I will go back every time I visit Oakland.

I didn’t have high expectations when I walked in but I was wrong after tasting the food. I had veggie spring rolls, shrimp dumplings, chive dumplings, radish cake, and egg custard. They were as good as those from the dim sum restaurant. Veggie spring rolls might be a bit oily but it has the “correct” type of veggie found in typical HK handmade spring rolls; very good; just have to waste few tissue paper. Definitely will go back!

This is my go-to dimsum takeout spot in Oakland. Cheap, convenient, and delicious. Their wait times are also pretty good compared with other spots in Chinatown. Staff are super helpful as well.

Do note, opens at 7 but don’t expect all dishes to be ready until around 7:30 My standard go to’s: Fong tzhao (chicken fingers) Pai gwut (pork ribs) Ha gao (shrimp dumpling) Sew Mai (pork dumplings) Foo pay gernn (tofu skin rolls) Law bak go (turnip cakes) Depending on when you get, quality can range from good to passable. Earlier is better instead of sitting there of course. Also, varies on some days. Prices have gone up since Covid but so have restaurants, so not cheap but still relatively cheaper. Worth a shot.

Allen

Do note, opens at 7 but don’t expect all dishes to be ready until around 7:30 My standard go to’s: Fong tzhao (chicken fingers) Pai gwut (pork ribs) Ha gao (shrimp dumpling) Sew Mai (pork dumplings) Foo pay gernn (tofu skin rolls) Law bak go (turnip cakes) Depending on when you get, quality can range from good to passable. Earlier is better instead of sitting there of course. Also, varies on some days. Prices have gone up since Covid but so have restaurants, so not cheap but still relatively cheaper. Worth a shot.

Chik Wong

I didn’t have high expectations when I walked in but I was wrong after tasting the food. I had veggie spring rolls, shrimp dumplings, chive dumplings, radish cake, and egg custard. They were as good as those from the dim sum restaurant. Veggie spring rolls might be a bit oily but it has the “correct” type of veggie found in typical HK handmade spring rolls; very good; just have to waste few tissue paper. Definitely will go back!

J. Tay

This is my go-to dimsum takeout spot in Oakland. Cheap, convenient, and delicious. Their wait times are also pretty good compared with other spots in Chinatown. Staff are super helpful as well.

The dim sum here are decent. Depending on what you order, some are good and some are just ok. The sign says $3.80 for 4 pieces of dumplings. $2.50 for the rice crepe roll. They sell other roasted meats here also. There's a sign for the dim sum line to the right of the door, but when I got here at 9am on Saturday, there was no line at all. The shrimp dumpling, bbq pastry puff, taro puff and the shrimp crepe roll are pretty good. The other stuff has too thick of a dough around them. So they were ok.

Tamy

The dim sum here are decent. Depending on what you order, some are good and some are just ok. The sign says $3.80 for 4 pieces of dumplings. $2.50 for the rice crepe roll. They sell other roasted meats here also. There's a sign for the dim sum line to the right of the door, but when I got here at 9am on Saturday, there was no line at all. The shrimp dumpling, bbq pastry puff, taro puff and the shrimp crepe roll are pretty good. The other stuff has too thick of a dough around them. So they were ok.

I haven't been here in years, but I stopped by recently to get some pan fried mochis. They try their best to keep the line orderly with 2 different signs. One side for their roasted meats or take out foods. The other side for take out dim sum. Similar to most places in Chinatown, it's best if you know what you want to order. They try to serve people as fast as they can do people don't have to wait in line top long.

When the food is fresh and not cold, it’s absolutely amazing. I’ve been here about 5 times, and 4/5 times have been phenomenal. This last time I went the food was cold, and the hagao (shrimp dumplings) were very soggy for some reason. I’ll still come back but be aware that it can be a hit or miss

Ava

When the food is fresh and not cold, it’s absolutely amazing. I’ve been here about 5 times, and 4/5 times have been phenomenal. This last time I went the food was cold, and the hagao (shrimp dumplings) were very soggy for some reason. I’ll still come back but be aware that it can be a hit or miss

Judy Li

I haven't been here in years, but I stopped by recently to get some pan fried mochis. They try their best to keep the line orderly with 2 different signs. One side for their roasted meats or take out foods. The other side for take out dim sum. Similar to most places in Chinatown, it's best if you know what you want to order. They try to serve people as fast as they can do people don't have to wait in line top long.

Staff did not speak English very well. You had to order everything on the app. When I tried to ask questions they could not understand. The food was good but the prices were pretty high comparably. They can take your money and expect a tip but could not take your order. They did nothing other than bring the food out from the kitchen. We even had to order drinks on the app. They offered no menus or any other options.

Went here on 09/13/23, ordered the Cheung fun (shrimp noodle) it was ok, not much shrimp, all noodle, other places I've had this had green onions, more shrimp ECT, here it's bland. Ordered pot stickers, I've never had pot stickers that were steamed that were rubbery, crunchy and a very bad consistency, never again, I wanted chicken buns, but they were out (at 130-2pm) got the pork bun, not much filling, I don't think I would come back

Angela Johnson

Staff did not speak English very well. You had to order everything on the app. When I tried to ask questions they could not understand. The food was good but the prices were pretty high comparably. They can take your money and expect a tip but could not take your order. They did nothing other than bring the food out from the kitchen. We even had to order drinks on the app. They offered no menus or any other options.

Blkshiloah

Went here on 09/13/23, ordered the Cheung fun (shrimp noodle) it was ok, not much shrimp, all noodle, other places I've had this had green onions, more shrimp ECT, here it's bland. Ordered pot stickers, I've never had pot stickers that were steamed that were rubbery, crunchy and a very bad consistency, never again, I wanted chicken buns, but they were out (at 130-2pm) got the pork bun, not much filling, I don't think I would come back

Felt like they took advantage of me as they knew I am a tourist. Rice box combination is cheap (8$) but very basic, very few sauce, very few meat, and I had to ask for my 10$ change. I didn’t feel like it was natural, no excuse and even being rude when she gave me the change.. I was about to give a 20% tip as I usually do but I didn’t feel like a customer.

Jérôme C

Felt like they took advantage of me as they knew I am a tourist. Rice box combination is cheap (8$) but very basic, very few sauce, very few meat, and I had to ask for my 10$ change. I didn’t feel like it was natural, no excuse and even being rude when she gave me the change.. I was about to give a 20% tip as I usually do but I didn’t feel like a customer.

Would NOT recommend here The food was way too salty!! Not enough space to sit and eat, food was too dry as well. The chicken and duck was the worst I’ve ever tried in my life, it had a huge foul smell, the restaurant is so dirty and sticky floors, tables and service table HORRIBLE . Don’t ever come here!

Mitchell Wu

Would NOT recommend here The food was way too salty!! Not enough space to sit and eat, food was too dry as well. The chicken and duck was the worst I’ve ever tried in my life, it had a huge foul smell, the restaurant is so dirty and sticky floors, tables and service table HORRIBLE . Don’t ever come here!

BEWARE!! Be CAREFUL!!! Second time this happened to me. VERY DISHONEST!!! Food is delicious but they steal pieces of meat. So frustrating. Bought a duck and had them chop it but HALF of the BREAST is missing along with the legs. WTH?!? Chop it yourself at home or watch him closely.

Update to review: Hate to post something like this, but a bunch of people at our party got sick (for days) from eating the food we got catered here apparently. Definitely not coming back. Came in to order catering for $500+ of food and put down a $200 deposit. Lady that helped with the catering order was nice and honest/upfront about costs, timing, and quantity. We then proceeded to order dim sum a la carte only to have another lady tell me 1 order of dim sum comes with 4 pieces minimum. She lied and and it’s my bad for not looking at the menu clearly. When I called her out on it she tried to claim she said the standard order is 4 pieces but you can break it up and order 1 piece if you wanted. Their menu clearly shows pricing for 1 piece. This happens a lot at some Chinese to go spots when they want to get rid of their cooked food for the day…they push you to buy more or lie so you’re stuck with more than you want to eat. I’m ok with the pushing but don’t appreciate the lying. Sketchy all around. Their dim sum wasn’t the best or the freshest. Best thing I had was their fried taro puff so maybe their fried food is the way to go. Really hoping I don’t regret ordering catering from here with all the red flags.

I see their rating is high for roasted duck and I went to buy whole duck chopped. I took to my car and eat. First couple of pieces are really fresh but after the first layer, I start to get mushy pieces. I then look and realized they mixed the old duck and new duck together. That's why when they chop it they block the view and cannot see what they do. Be aware and dont get fooled.

This morning, my wife went to Oakland Chinatown ‘the Big Dish restaurant’ on the 9th Street / Webster to buy a roast duck and some roast pork to celebrate the first day of 2023. she opened the boxes , ready for the goodies at dinner time, SURPRISE !, we couldn’t find the duck Breast , the wings , the drumstick , instead the box was full of the neck bones , and the fatty junks.…the dinner was ruined….we were pissed….well A lesson learned on the first day of the new year. Check your order before you leave the shop ! Shame on that dishonest Asian employee . So readers, watch out what you can get if you plan to shop there.

J Ngo

BEWARE!! Be CAREFUL!!! Second time this happened to me. VERY DISHONEST!!! Food is delicious but they steal pieces of meat. So frustrating. Bought a duck and had them chop it but HALF of the BREAST is missing along with the legs. WTH?!? Chop it yourself at home or watch him closely.

Gonzalez James

I see their rating is high for roasted duck and I went to buy whole duck chopped. I took to my car and eat. First couple of pieces are really fresh but after the first layer, I start to get mushy pieces. I then look and realized they mixed the old duck and new duck together. That's why when they chop it they block the view and cannot see what they do. Be aware and dont get fooled.

Alesia T

Update to review: Hate to post something like this, but a bunch of people at our party got sick (for days) from eating the food we got catered here apparently. Definitely not coming back. Came in to order catering for $500+ of food and put down a $200 deposit. Lady that helped with the catering order was nice and honest/upfront about costs, timing, and quantity. We then proceeded to order dim sum a la carte only to have another lady tell me 1 order of dim sum comes with 4 pieces minimum. She lied and and it’s my bad for not looking at the menu clearly. When I called her out on it she tried to claim she said the standard order is 4 pieces but you can break it up and order 1 piece if you wanted. Their menu clearly shows pricing for 1 piece. This happens a lot at some Chinese to go spots when they want to get rid of their cooked food for the day…they push you to buy more or lie so you’re stuck with more than you want to eat. I’m ok with the pushing but don’t appreciate the lying. Sketchy all around. Their dim sum wasn’t the best or the freshest. Best thing I had was their fried taro puff so maybe their fried food is the way to go. Really hoping I don’t regret ordering catering from here with all the red flags.

Jim Hager

This morning, my wife went to Oakland Chinatown ‘the Big Dish restaurant’ on the 9th Street / Webster to buy a roast duck and some roast pork to celebrate the first day of 2023. she opened the boxes , ready for the goodies at dinner time, SURPRISE !, we couldn’t find the duck Breast , the wings , the drumstick , instead the box was full of the neck bones , and the fatty junks.…the dinner was ruined….we were pissed….well A lesson learned on the first day of the new year. Check your order before you leave the shop ! Shame on that dishonest Asian employee . So readers, watch out what you can get if you plan to shop there.