Yin Ji Chang Fen: Bringing top-notch affordable Chinese cuisine to the Bay Area

 

Yin Ji Chang Fen

I am so glad I discovered this exciting Cantonese food chain with a small shop in Berkeley, California, on Shattuck Avenue! The food here is excitingly inexpensive, but it doesn’t taste cheap, and the portions are a very respectable size. Best of all, the food comes prepared with careful attention to taste and Cantonese tradition. It’s popular here, partially because it has not yet given up on a truly unique and lovely finished product and partially because it’s affordable.

Environment  

When I visited, I noticed the eating area was bright and clean, creating the optical illusion of being more spacious than it is. In reality, it’s a small business in Downtown Berkeley, California. But it doesn’t feel like a small business in Berkeley. It resembles someplace bigger and gives off very Chinese vibes. Everything about the dining room was appetizing and appealing, and made me really want to sit and eat. And judging by the number of tables filled, even at odd hours of the day, I could tell that the other customers felt the same way.

Food 

The food here is completely delightful, and in my opinion, it rivals even the most expensive Chinese restaurants I’ve been to in the area. The menu is extensive with helpful pictures so that you know what you’re ordering, and the meals are served hot in sizable portions. The menu is extensive, full of noodle soups, noodle rolls, congee options, dim sum, and more; there’s something that looks good to almost everyone. 

Menu highlights 

All of the dim sum options are inexpensive and great, but you can’t miss the barbecue pork buns ($6.50) here. Served hot and in sets of three, they are a good size, fluffy, and steamy. You will find that the pillow-like exterior is packed full of flavorful, sweet, and salty meat. I find them utterly delicious and so irresistible! If you come to this restaurant, you won’t want to miss these. Each bite is heavenly.

All of the noodle and noodle roll dishes are wonderful, but if you’re unsure what to order, I think you’ve also got to try the beef stew lo mien ($12.95)! The warm stewed beef is tender and tastes savory, like soy sauce, in the best possible way. The warm noodles are thin and salty, and the meat and noodles are served on top of a bit of delightful broth that has some real savory depth. Everything is topped with steamed broccoli and chopped green onions. This dish is so beautiful and tasty that it’s hard not to inhale.

Service

Also, the service here is great! Attentive and polite servers treat you like an honored guest. They are very professional and kind, and you will notice that they enjoy the same great food in the back for their own lunch breaks. You will feel like the only person there, even when the dining room is full of other patrons, because they respectfully take care of everyone.

Not only that, but the food comes out very quickly after you order it. The chefs work quickly and efficiently to make a speedy dining experience; served on nice plates, the food looks and tastes wonderful, arriving very soon after it is ordered. Honestly, it’s amazing how fast they can throw together an impressive and attractive meal that you will want to order again.

Conclusion 

This is my new favorite budget Chinese restaurant because the high quality is not at all reflected by the prices! Eating here is a real steal! For less than $20 a person, you will get a nice Chinese meal in a very nice environment with good and fast service, and you will find that the long menu is full of desirable options that you can literally completely afford to enjoy. If you try this restaurant, you’ll be glad you didn’t miss out!