Ming’s Chinese Kitchen In Berkeley

Ming’s is a wonderful family run business that specializes in a wonderful mix of traditional Chinese and Asian American cuisine. This is a South Berkeley secret for over the 25 years I have been an enthusiastic patron. The service is bare bones, and staff are attentive in getting you your food. MING’S IS CASH ONLY
Things to try:
1. The Shrimp fried rice & House Fried Rice
2. Dry Fried Ribs (addictive)
3. The Broccoli Beef
4. The Kung Pao Chicken
5. The Fried Won Ton
6. The Lemon Chicken
7. The Sweet and Sour Pork
8. Shrimp or Egg Foo Yung
9. Chicken or Beef Chow Mein
10. The Burgers are Yummy
I love everything on the menu. Recently I ran into some dietary restrictions and Ming’s is more than happy to cook everything without added Poly-​salts (MSG). I know the food tastes even better without the added salt. (wink, wink). The food isn’t exotic or nouveau, but if you enjoy good Bay Area hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurants, this should become a favorite. The food is delicious and dependable. It is guaranteed to taste just as good if not better every time.

Not the yummy local Chinese restaurant I wish it was. The food is just okay. I always get a hamburger there, funnily enough. Their burgers are actually REALLY good which is why they get two stars instead of one. I like to pick up a bag of fortune cookies when I’m there, too. The cash only deal is inconvenient. But if you know what you want and plan ahead it’s okay. It’s not horrible. I’ve enjoyed some meals there, just nothing memorable except the burgers. Good in a pinch. They’re closed on Mondays, I think. Call ahead.

I don’t expect much from this place because it’s about as basic as you can get and not much to look at. But they make the Kung Pao Chicken the way I like it it seems to have a decent following of local patrons.

Firstly I called to see about having a menu faxed to me. I was told that they do not have a fax machine, WHAT??? So I asked do you have Hot and Sour soup, he said no, I asked if he had Wor Wonton soup and he said, yes and how much. Well I wanted soup but I just figured let me go down there.
My co-​worker and I went down there and the place is dark and needs to be redone. Walked in and they do not take debit/​credit cards (CASH ONLY), the staff were not very friendly and inviting. When I asked to make my meal hot and spicy he said no but he would give me some hot sauce. I have never had a Chinese restaurant tell me that before. Anyway, we ordered and waited about 5 – 6 min and our food was out.
Well the food was not to hot. My Stringbean chicken was to salty and the stringbeans were not as fresh as they should have been. My fried rice had to much soy sauce in it and could have also been better. My co-​worker ordered dry fried ribs and I have had better. She stated that this business has changed hands a couple of times but 2 owners ago the food was better. Well I am here to tell you I will not be going back and these people need to get with it and get an ATM/​Credit Card machine if they want more business.