Chinshan

friendly service. The food was excellent, I don’t get Chinese food often but I decided to give this place a try. We ordered the the shrimp and broccoli, the beef and broccoli and a seafood dish! Everyone raved about their order. I also insisted on a bowl of hot and sour soup instead of just a cup, I understand why I was asked three times if I was sure… it’s huge! But that’s what I wanted. We will be back!

Excellent service! Excellent food! I have a strong appreciation for genuine Chinese cuisine. I make a deliberate effort to visit Denver or Austin to savor authentic Chinese dishes. Discovering a fantastic, flavor-rich restaurant right here in Albuquerque has left me thrilled. The service was top-notch, and the food was not only delicious but also expertly prepared. My personal favorites are the sesame beef and the chicken fried rice.

Summary: Best Chinese food in town, $10-15 a plate, friendly service. I went to Chinshan on a pure coincidence, they were the closest place that was open on a Sunday evening. Me and my friends were trying to decide what to eat on a Sunday evening and I wanted Chinese. I've never heard of Chinshan from anyone, but they were the close by and open. I can be a little critical of Chinese food, so not having any expectations, I went in thinking it was just going to be a throwaway dinner that satisfies the craving for Chinese. Good Lord was I in for a surprise! We ordered Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Orange Chicken, Mapo Tofu, and half of a Roast Duck. (Unfortunately they didn't have the crispy duck available) The Salt and Pepper shrimp was crunchy, perfectly salted, and had a great flavor from the jalapeño and green onion slices sprinkled on top. I thought the shrimp heads were a little fishy, but my wife assured me I was wrong. (If you've never had Salt and Pepper shrimp before, it's lightly battered whole shrimp that is then deep-fried and seasoned. Once you get your head around eating the skin, the crunch is absolutely addicting. Goes great with a brewski.) The Orange Chicken was the best I've had. Chicken was cooked just right, juicy and tender. The batter felt light and very crispy at the same time. Slivers of actual orange in the sauce gave the dish a balanced tangyness that coated the chicken without making the batter soggy. The Roasted Duck was good. I'm not a huge fan of duck (except crispy), but this one was not at all gamey and had a good flavor I would describe as a blend of Hoisin and Chinese five spice. The Pork Mapo Tofu was my favorite dish of the evening. Good Mapo Tofu has both Sichuan peppercorn and regular pepper. This dish is meant to be spicy and 'numbing' which is something I haven't experienced from other places in town (or state). Tofu was melt-in-your-mouth soft without losing shape, the pork was minced finely, and the peppers were sprinkled in just enough for a spicy flavor that anyone can handle. The Szechuan peppercorns gave a numbness that just sometimes let you know it was there without interfering with the other flavors. I would also describe the flavor of the peppercorn itself as flowery or maybe lightly herby, an interesting flavor all its own. Give Chinshan a try, it might just be your new favorite. TLDR: Best Mapo Tofu and Orange Chicken in town. Big portions, delicious food.

This restaurant moved from the west side of town to the east side. Now near Menaul and Wyoming. The food freshness, taste, quality and serving size are stellar. Left the 5 star review because in all reality, although the prices are not exactly cheap (not expensive), the food is constantly consistent. We missed them when they closed down their Westside location and when we found them again the food was as expected. Nothing overly salty, or bland. The rice was good and their chile was perfectly spicy (both in oil and with vinegar). We've tried their Kung Pao, Orange Chicken, Garlic Chicken and some clay pot dishes as well. All excellent. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. Nice homey feel. Less than 20 tables. Best Chinese in Albuquerque for taste, quality and portion in my opinion.