China Boy
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What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
China Boy
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Chinese
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
PRICE
$
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Delivery
Seating
Table Service
Takeout
Location
Is this a place where you pay before receiving your order?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 8:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Contribute
4.1
42 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
18
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Luisablabla
Amsterdam196 contributions
Apr 2022 • solo
This tiny takeout restaurant offers true Chinese food. The quality is good, but they only take cash, so be prepared or order online
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsBeanieH
Woodbury143 contributions
Sep 2019 • couples
I heard from my brother about a tiny Chinese restaurant with great dumplings, but limited seating. He never mentioned the name and my husband and I found it entirely by accident while looking for lunch one day. We lucked out as one of its two tables were open. We ordered the beef chow fun, shrimp crepes, pork fried dumplings, and wrapped sticky rice and chicken dishes. Everything was already flavorful, but several dipping and spicy sauces were available as well. Along with a can of soda, our meal came to $25. My husband rated this meal as the best we had in DC. The place itself is not fancy, but the food speaks for itself. My suggestion: stop by when you have a little time and wait for a table or place your order to go.
We hoped to hit this place up again before leaving DC, but ran out of time. If you love good Chinese food, don’t miss this little gem of a restaurant!
Written October 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Navy G
Honolulu209 contributions
Aug 2019 • none
"Oh GOD!" were the first two words that came to mind when I first tasted my meal from China Boy.
For some background, I was on my way home from work when I decided that I was in the mood for Chinese and Googled "best Chinese in DC." I know that's not a foolproof thing to do as reviews can be faked and misleading. But this spot came out on top, so I checked it out.
As others have mentioned, this place really is a hole in the wall. With only 2 tables that seat maybe 6 people, the place is not friendly for large groups. But that was fine with me as I was taking out, but definitely something to consider.
I ordered the beef Chow Foon, pork fried dumplings, and sticky rice. Note, the sticky rice was a recommendation for me and I was hesitant to take it initially as all I imagined was the typical, plain sticky rice that I'm accustomed to at Asian restaurants.
Where to start?
Everything was SO good. The Chow Foon was tender, flavorful, and just on point in general. The pork fried dumplings were equally exquisite. And the sticky rice . . . I nearly died and went to Heaven! Yes, the food here is that good.
As is the case with places that I visit where the food is outstanding on my first visit, I hope that China Boy remains true and consistent. I can definitely see myself making the 25 minutes drive regularly for a meal here.
Other tips: this place is CASH ONLY. They also take phone orders, so that may make more sense if you don't want to be waiting around for a while.
Written August 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Busy-Bee404
Atlanta103 contributions
Jan 2019 • business
You get your money's worth here. The portion was huge and made fresh to order. Please note they take cash only and there is only one table which is right at the door and register so plan to take your meal to go!
Written February 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod McDowell
Frostproof31 contributions
Dec 2018 • family
I ordered a variety of items for dinner to take back to my family at our hotel room. I figured if I ordered beef fried rice and Beef Chow Foon, I couldn’t go wrong. I was wrong. They were both bland and lacked flavor. The pork buns and steamed dumplings were OK, but the entrees weren’t good at all. I can’t recommend this place to anyone.
Written December 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pbphuong_
Prague19 contributions
Nov 2018 • solo
I have never had this delicious authenthic broth that was so close to what I have at home in my life. Also to find this kind of Chinese restaurant is to be honest a little difficult. Stuff recommended me the noodle soup with beef brisket and it was delicious. The meat was a little chewy though. It was a first time eating this kind of very wide soft rice almost pancaky noodles. Super hot i burnt my tongue. A good deal for its price. There were only two tables.. one for about 6 people and the other for 2 I would say.
Written November 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mcdedrick
Albany1492 contributions
Sep 2018 • solo
Located on the ground floor of a row house in DC’s Chinatown this place has delicious and very unpresuming food. A family run restaurant with only two tables, I get the feeling most of it’s customer base is takeout. Which is just fine. I stopped in to get lunch to go and my food was cooked to order right when I ordered it and was ready within 5 min. Still piping hot in its container when I got to my destination. Not a huge menu, but solid and something for everyone including some very authentic and more unusual entrees. It’s a Chinatown standout for sure.
Written September 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptTrouble
Hudson7826 contributions
Oct 2017 • couples
A co-worker of my husband's recommended we go here for food. He had lived in Washington, D.C. and said this was the place to go to.
Very humble with an ordering window and a couple of small tables, the service was fast and the people were friendly. The food was outstanding. We ordered noodles and potstickers; didn't think we could finish the portions even though we had walked miles that day (literally over 10 miles at that time).
We definitely would go back.
Written September 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Achiniko
Paris179 contributions
Aug 2018 • family
We were looking for an authentic Chinese restaurant and found this one. The place is very small there is only space for 8. You can Takeaway if you like. The noodles are home made ; they are chewy and full of flavor. The prices are very reasonable. I would definitely recommend this place if you are looking to eat some very good speciality Chinese food.
Written August 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ming C
3 contributions
Jul 2018 • solo
I only tried the steamed noodle and the steamed dumplings.They both are very delicious. and The taste is similar to the one I had in China. The price is reasonable. However, this place is not good for leisure dining. I saw many people were getting to-go. There is one table for about 6 to 7 people if you want to have a quick meal.
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lmaparicio
Seoul70 contributions
Jan 2018 • friends
Tiny place barely any sitting space, probably 6-8 total. The food is good though. Dumplings, buns, chow fun, and their Chinese canelloni are just delicious. Soups and noodles with different meats are also available. Cash only.
Highly recommended
Written January 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
baldeagle46
San Diego244 contributions
Apr 2017 • couples
This is a "tiny" restaurant with only 2 tables-one for 6 people and one for 2 people. Most of their business is takeout. The food is prepared fresh to order and is quite good! The flavors are good and they didn't appear to be overly salty as in many other restaurants. The pot stickers were among the best I ever had!
Written April 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William L
Little Rock198 contributions
Dec 2016 • family
For starters, be sure not to give up looking for China Boy when you discover that the address to which Google has pointed you — 817 6th St. NW — is not the address of a restaurant. China Boy is next door at 815 6th.
Believe the reviews that tell you it's a hole in the wall. It's a one-room mom-and-pop operation with a small table seating two and a round table at which five or six people can sit. Most of China Boy's business is, for understandable reasons, take-out.
The food: we ordered roast pork chow fun, shrimp cheung fun (described bafflingly on China Boy's menu as a shrimp rice noodle crepe), and pot stickers. The cheung fun were standard, similar to what you'll find at most any dim sum restaurant anyplace else.
The chow fun was, for the most part, a disappointment. The big problem was that the roast pork was stale, as was the oil used to fry the dish. On the plus side, mixed with the bean sprouts and rice noodles were meaty pieces of fried onion and shreds of green onion, which helped mask the flavor of the stale pork and cooking oil.
The pot stickers, by contrast, were outstanding. The filling was fresh and flavorful, with what appeared to be spears of green garlic interspersed through the chopped meat. These were among the best pot stickers we've had anywhere.
Maybe our experience at China Boy would have been more rewarding if we had been more savvy in our menu choices. The bowls of duck noodle soup that the young Chinese couple who kindly let us share their table were eating looked scrumptious, and the young diners were clearly enjoying them.
The restaurant staff, from the woman who took our order to the man from the kitchen who brought the dishes out, could not have been nicer. I can see why locals prize China Boy and regard it as a hidden treasure. But based on our experience with it, I can't write a rave review of this restaurant. We found it very much a mixed experience.
Written December 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karenpammy2016
San Francisco1331 contributions
Aug 2016 • family
You can easily walk past China Boy and not realize that it is an eatery place. It is conveniently located a block from the Metro Gallery Place stop. Hours are limited here, although they are open early from 8a.m. till about 4p.m.. There is only 1-2 tables for eating as China Boy is mainly a place where you purchase food to go such as shrimp or bbq pork, or beef rice noodle (called rice noodle crepe on their menu) , beef chow fun, chow mein, etc. They will wrap it all up ready to go. Food is decent and nicely prepared. Simple Chinese dishes prepared in the back that is made for take out. Great place to pick up something to go. Be aware that the menu is all handwritten in both English and Chinese on the wall. They accept only cash payments and their spoken English is very limited. Don't expect much service, just order and pay. If your expectations are not high, China Boy is definitely not a bad place to stop for a quick order to go.
Written November 22, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jake W
35 contributions
Nov 2016 • solo
Tried the roasted pork foon, huge portion for 9.50, more than enough for two people. Noodles had a nice consistency and the pork was flavorful. Highly recommended
Written November 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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