Update:
My second dine-in experience was better. We ordered the beef noodle soup, Chinese pancake (煎饼果子), and eggplants with basil. The noodles were handmade with a lovely chewy texture that I really liked. I wouldn't ask for more given it's price ($10.50) and portion. The pancake was also great and came with a large portion. The wait time was a bit longer though.
Original post:
Food was not bad. Portion was ok given the price. Service was fast. Not as busy as some of the other Chinese restaurants in town.
Great authentic Chinese food! The best near campus.
I ate here nearly everyday for two years. I did try out all the other Chinese restaurants nearby, but to me Lai Lai Wok had the tastiest, the cheapest, AND the fastest-prepared versions of the dishes that I liked eating, so I ended up always coming back here. I had a great time eating at this restaurant so many times and would encourage everyone to give this restaurant a shot!
I've been searching all over Champaign for really good Chinese food and Lai Lai has satisfied my palate. They have traditional and American-style meals and the atmosphere in the restaurant was very welcoming! The cashier clarified spice levels of some of the meals I was considering and was very helpful. I would go back!
Though the service/staffing is modest, this place is great for authentic and affordable Chinese food with a large group. My allergies to eggs, shellfish, and tree nuts are usually a hassle at Chinese restaurants, yet this was one of the easiest places for me to eat. I recommend the three-cup chicken!
Nice place to grab some food around campus, it is cheap, fast and tasty, what more could you ask for? It is not a fancy restaurant, however, it is one of my favorite places for lunch.
My favorite is:
Eggplant w. Szechuan Garlic Sauce鱼香茄子
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I was really hesitant about going to Lai-Lai Wok for the first time. On multiple occasions, I've heard that it is the most authentic or best Chinese food in the area. That's a tough decision to make, but it's definitely a contender for both. I truly enjoyed everything about this place, and the portions are huge! I accidentally ordered a main dish and a soup, which is another main dish, and an appetizer. That was enough for like 3 extra sittings. And the price wasn't bad for all of that either. Overall, really enjoyed the place.
The vast array of dishes on the menu is honestly a gem. I highly recommend the fried garlic eggplant, sesame chicken (a classic), and the dumplings! The dumplings are handmade and steamed fresh in house, and the sauce is so good.
Holy cow! I don't know the reason for the low rating, but the food is out of this world good. Better than Chicago Chinatown! We came here twice in two days. Definitely get the eggplant with szechuan garlic sauce and spicy crispy chicken. I would come back again in a heartbeat even from Chicago.
Food is good for most of the time, but I do agree with one comment that the quality is not very consistent.
The sesame flatbread is amazing, but the drink situation is weird (maybe it's temporary, but you have to get water and tea out of a sports cooler), but the tea is very good
Updated review (5 stars) This is the only place in town with good twice cooked pork. If you don't order that dish, you are missing out. Their garlic egg plant and green bean beef also deserve a mention as excellent dishes. Prices have risen somewhat since my previous review but it is still very good. Best place to get good quality chinese food on campus IMO.
Old Review (5 stars) Good food. I go here with my Chinese friends fairly often (I'm American) to get food. Good food and average price.
We went to Lailai Wok last week and the food had improved significantly since the last time we visited. The owner was very nice and told us they have hired a new chef. We ordered some classic szechuanese dishes to try and they were all very good. The portion was big and filling too. We will definitely to go back again soon to try their other dishes!
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