Reviews Joy Tsin Lau Chinese Restaurant

Zomato
Catherine Santos
+5
One of my absolute favorite places in Chinatown. The food is delicious, I usually go with a group and we each get something different and share. I have yet to try something that I didn't like. The lemon chicken is my favorite though! The house special fried rice is good too.
Sep 19, 2018
Zomato
JB
+4
Came into the city for some dim sum. Very good food. Not the nicest looking place inside, but made up for it with the food. Definitely recommend if you're coming to Chinatown for some dim sum.
Jun 14, 2015
Zomato
Haz-Matt
+4.5
Excellent dim sum!!. 6 of us arrived for dim sum on Sunday at 1040a - the restaurant opens at 1030 - we rec'd the last large round table in the restaurant in a 90% full restaurant!! No sooner were we seated when the carts started rolling past.

The selection is excellent ranging from old standards (pork shu mai and Chinese broccoli) to more exotic offerings such as octopus!! It was nice to see the old-style dim sum carts where some dishes are prepared table-side - a real treat for first-timers to the world of dim sum.

It takes a keen eye to see all the offerings - we wanted Don Tart (custard pies) but didn't see them on the cars. A passing waiter located them and brought them to the table without a complaint.

Given the fast service even though the restaurant was teeming with customers (there were roughly 20 people waiting when we left), we were in-and-out in under an hour. Even better is that the restaurant validates for the parking garage located next door!

Next time I'm in Chinatown, I'll be back!
Oct 28, 2013
Zomato
Avery
+4.5
This is by far my favorite place to have dim-sum, in all of Philadelphia's Chinatown.
The food selection is both diverse and delectable. The atmosphere is continually bustling with hungry crowds, eager customers waiting in line, and lively conversation. And the owner is notoriously cordial and welcoming.
The small yet varied selection of dumplings is to die for, whether you prefer pork siu mai, or shrimp har gao.
The braised pork is succulent and mouth-watering.
And the deep fried stuffed crab claws, albeit a bit expensive, are an absolute delicacy.
Do yourself a favor -- give this place an hour of your time, if you ever find yourself in Chinatown.
Aug 11, 2013
Zomato
Catrina Glasl
+4.5
Good dim sum, good service and good prices. We enjoyed the octopus, the custard, and several different steamed dumplings. I would go back when we are in town again.
May 09, 2013
Zomato
Emil Hubschman
+4
Lobster is wonderful. Don't miss their lobster with ginger & scallions very fresh and tasty and only $22.00.
Jul 23, 2012
Zomato
Dianne Collins
+4.5
We went here as it was convenient to the parking area and convention center. We also wanted a taste of Chinatown. The wait staff were very attentive as we could not figure out what to order from their large menu and they were patient too. When we did order, the waiter said they didn't have the baby shrimp and macadamia nut dish that my son wanted,as it was seasonal. I didn't realize nuts from a jar were seasonal. My son ordered his old standby, Shrimp with cashew nuts and when it came, it was loaded with green peas which he dislikes. No mention of peas on the menu. My mom had to wait about 5 minutes for her lemon chicken. The food was good, my son didn't care for his as he never ate down in Chinatown before. The food near home to me is blander. It was only $60 for 5 people. Obviously the price isn't jacked up by beverage charges. I read where the dim sum is good here, but a day too late. They've been in business 29 years, so they know their cuisine. Also when we walked in, something was stinky, my son said that lessened his eating experience-perhaps it was the fish tanks?
Mar 07, 2012
Zomato
Bethm
+4.5
Great food fun atmosphere and friendly staff. Go for the dim sum and small plates
Nov 15, 2011
Zomato
Van
+4.5
My first dimsum place. This was the first time i went to a dimsum place and loved the experience...if you dont like the food,,the experience is definitely worth it.most asians would agree with me..The only thing I was disappointed in was that there was no chicken dimsum..just pork and seafood..You had to order from the menu if you wanted chicken items..Overall,had a great time eating,,shrimp/pork dumplings,dry shrimp crepes,bok choy,mussels,sticky fried rice,coconut jello like dessert,eggplant etc..Sipping on green tea while eating chinese food is MUST!!
Mar 22, 2010
Zomato
Rick Grime
+4.5
Dim Sum. Amazing, pork bun is a must have!
Mar 08, 2010
4
Isabelle Tran
+4
Drawn here by the architecture - the building looks old and is decorated inside and out with Chinese statues, paintings, pictures, etc Food was average - good selection of the usual dumplings, with a special cart that does pan fried foods in front of you so it’s fresh. Service was average Chinese restaurant style - with all the usual loudness and hustle n bustle.
5
Jason Struck
+5
Excellent dim sum. Cheap prices and great portion sizes (especially for the 干炒牛河, only 7.95 for a monster plate). Bathrooms were clean, and the staff was really nice. The carts make their rounds fairly frequently, but the staff aren't pushy like I've seen at other dim sum places - they don't interrupt you every two seconds asking if you want something.
4
James O'Brien
+4
The Phoenix and seafood nests were a ton of food! The cherry chicken has an amazing flavor. It was a little loud, making it hard for our server to hear or understand us. It beat out another place we were trying to go to because there was no line. Next time we're trying the dim sum.
4
David Lee
+4
Traditional dim sum restaurant with real authentic old school feel. Dim sum were quite good with a nice diverse selection and priced well.
5
T P
+5
My family's been going here since the 90s, their food and dim sum is always excellent. Now and then we try a new dish and it never fails to please, love this place!
5
John Kim
+5
So much good food and a great price. Seems every time I eat here I wind up taking food to go. Friendly service!
5
Rebecca Policastro
+5
Great selection of dim sum at a very affordable price. I highly recommend the sweet rice and coconut, so delicious!
4
YorkPa
+4
My favorite place in Chinatown. Fried dumplings and rice chicken are good choices. Love the a la Carte !
5
Brandon Jones
+5
Waiter was helpful and delightful. Food was delicious as well. We will definitely go back.
4
C Policastro
+4
Great dumplings/dim sum and other dishes! Rice was really good, the bok choy in garlic sauce sounded weird but man that was really really good (a friend said to try it and I'm glad we did). Dim sum prices were competitive and really good. Like other places, they didn't have everything on the menu because they run out I get that but it would be nice to be able to have them all. Only 4 stars because we did have to wait a long time to get seated when there were plenty of open tables, waited a long time to get drinks and a long time to get the bill. But food was really good and I would eat here again!
4
Tom Chan
+4
Been here a few times recently for Dim Sum and lunch. They serve authentic Cantonese food as well as other Chinese dishes. The food was good and the wait staff was nice and attentive. The restaurant decor is traditional Chinese style and since it's been in business for 30+ years, it shows the age and wear that would need some upkeeping soon.
5
Camille “Cammz” Hinds
+5
The very best dim sum I've had in Chinatown so far. I appreciate selecting from a cart and not having to wait for the kitchen to prep individual orders or however it's done. Attentive staff and fast service. Will definitely visit again before I leave this city.
5
Jennifer Fletcher
+5
Very polite staff, great food and hearty platters