Qing Dao Garden

This is the local Chinese place around the corner from my friend’s place, and we come here often to eat and catchup. The first time the food was spectacular and reasonably priced – we were a huge fan of the crispy noodles and the dumplings were superb. Overall, the meal was around $ 30 for the two of us for crispy noodles, dumplings, and another entrée dish. The second time we came here, we ordered the spicy scallops with broccoli, some seafood soup, and noodles. The food and service were superb, but we were very disappointed to find out that the scallops cost $ 27, much more than we anticipated.

The food here is a revelation. Truly the best Chinese in Cambridge, and likely the Boston area (I’m not counting the Taiwanese restaurants, of which there are many good ones in and around Boston). Yes, the dumplings here are excellent. But try some of the more unusual entrees too. I love the shredded pork with dried tofu.

Recommended by hotel staff for a good reason. Took a chance on the crispy duck for delivery and was very pleased. Entire order was fabulous. A must have whenever in town. Sorry we missed the the land hot pot on the weekend.
We will be ordering again when we come back.
Thank You

I went here on Sunday for dim sum. Food was good, I recommend the leek pancake and dumplings. The pan fried buns were a little greasy and tasted of old oil that needed to get replaced.
Also, oddly, the place kind of smelled of fuel, like they had an (illegal I’m assuming) gas generator going in the back somewhere. It was weird. You could tell everyone who came in noticed it, but no one said anything.
Service was good, the nice waitress recommended some dishes for us.
Atmosphere is lacking, so don’t expect a great date-​night setting. Just maybe 5 tables on either side of a smallish room.

This place is truly amazing! I tried the steamed dumplings, Hunan beef and Hung Pao Tofu and they were delicious. It was non-​greasy with great variety of fresh vegetables that came with it. This is a family own business and they certainly prove it right! Can’t wait to explore more of their dishes!

Fantastic food, every time. We eat here regularly, and the cooking reminds me of our travels in China. They do a great job with both «traditional» Chinese specials as well as Chinese-​American favorites. The vegetables are always fresh, the meat high-​quality, and everything tastes home made. Try the lamb dishes, the spicy schezuan chicken with bamboo, the moo-​shi, and of course the dumplings. The dumplings make great leftovers, too — just pan-​fry them for lunch the next day. Delicious.

I adore their Qingdao special pan-​fried dumplings/​potstickers and could happily make a meal out of just them. The other dumplings are also tasty. This is definitely one of my top Chinese places to go in the burbs, and I can be picky since my parents live in NYC Chinatown!
I was sad to learn recently on Unilocal that they use MSG (as almost all Chinese restaurants do around here, alas), since it makes me completely zonked out the rest of the day — however, last time we went, I asked them to not use MSG, and they were willing to accommodate us.
Barebones décor, but the food is yummy!!!

Mostly your standard *good* Chinese takeout joint. Emphasis on the good — food here is definitely better than average for a place like this. Extra bits that make this place a little special are their dumplings (yum!) and their Northern Chinese dishes. Definitely recommend trying the Shrimp with Salt & Pepper from that list.
They do have a few tables if you want to sit down, too, but I’ve only ever done takeout.

The best Chinese food in Cambridge/​Somerville!
Even the ABC lunch specials are delicious. I recommend ordering off the specials, especially seafood!

This place is great. Reminds me of the little hole-​in-​the-​wall cafes and restaurants in China. Dumplings here are better than dumplings at Gourmet Dumpling House, but I wouldn’t go for just the dumplings.

Don’t understand all the fuss over this place, food was meh, me and my friend both got soda’s which we had to send back because there was dirt on the rim of both cans.

Boston Mag’s award got us here… All the patrons walking in were picking up take-​out, and the hole-​in-​the-​wall, bare bones interior almost scared us away. Thankfully, we stayed and enjoyed [most of] the food we ordered. Owners were present and very hands-​on.
As already publicized, the dumplings are stars here. The fillings were savory pops of flavor, with varieties I’ve not seen elsewhere (string bean, chicken w/​cabbage), dough wasn’t too heavy.
Main dishes were really good, too, freshly prepared, and not too greasy, though a few bites of my chicken had gristle (why is it me who always gets that bite?)
Not sure if this is truly the «best of Boston,» but it’s pretty good.
Tip: no liquor license, but BYOB (store across the street).

Can’t say enough about this place. To begin with my meal was delivered in 15 minutes. This has to be a record. We ordered pork fried rice, pork and leek steamed dumplings, pad Thai, and sweet and sour chicken. Especially like the pad Thai… It was very fresh, flavor was delicate, not too sweet, and noodles were light. The dumplings home made, stuffed full and juicy as described in previous reviews. The pork fried rice was the best I have had flavor wise although I wouldn’t mind a little less oil. (This won’t stop me from ordering it again). The sweet and sour chicken… Well the chicken pieces were delivered separate from the sauce… brilliant!!! This allowed for hot crispy chicken pieces (not soggy) to be mixed with a sauce that was just the right amount of sweet, (not thick and syrupy).
I look forward to ordering from here again!

This is our go to Chinese delivery place in the area. After trying many Chinese delivery places out and failing miserably, we found Qing Dao about a year ago and continue to call them for delicious food. The man who delivers the food is always smiling and sweet and continues to invite us to the restaurant to try it in person. Wonderful food and service!
Only downside– no delivery before 6pm!

Recommended by Boston Magazine thought I would try a different Chinese Restaurant. Ordered on the phone for take out and I am glad I mentioned white meat chicken for one of my dishes. It was extra money but the Chinese Restaurants I frequent, with the meals I order are always white meat. In addition, I am not accustomed to having MSG in my Chinese food anymore for I have a reaction.
Later on the MSG.
Got there and it is not a restaurant I would eat at. Floor was dirty and I was not comfortable with the environment. Received my food and remembered to ask about the MSG just in case. It was in everything I ordered. The said you have to mention it if you do not want MSG. Little did I know considering I haven’t eaten or I believe haven’t MSG in Chinese food for a very long time. The restaurants I go to do put it in there cooking. Qingdao did not offer to prepare other meals for me so I left figuring, well let me try the food and go from there.
I was pleasantly pleased with the tastes. Had wonton soup, general gau’s chicken and egg foo young (haven’t had this in decades, was in the mood). All meals were fresh and really very good.
Have leftovers so I am looking forward to future meals. Didn’t read to MSG but still will not order it in the future.
Will I go back. Maybe. Now I know how to order. Have to be very specific.

This review is for these stupidly over-​hyped dumplings. It took me THREE tries to even get these dumplings, the first time I went they didn’t open until 11:30AM. The second time they had a sign on the door saying «closed for vacation». Finally yesterday I got there to get these stupid dumplings, and they don’t sell them frozen. After all these tries I wasn’t going to leave empty handed so I said fine. I’ll have the pork and cabbage dumplings to go. $ 7.44 total, which is also a stupid price for these stupid dumplings.
Fifteen minutes later, I get the stupid dumplings. I sit in my car, and open the lid. At first glance I think wow, these look good, how wonderful that they clearly make and form the dumpling skins by hand. But from the first bite they tasted off, slightly sour and the meat was extremely pink. Ignoring the sourness (like a fool) I proceeded to eat all of the dumplings in the car while I drove (I hadn’t eaten anything that day and was really hungry at this point, it was about 2PM) ignoring their acrid taste because of the enormity of my hunger.
Fast forward to today while I’m running in the 80° weather — friends, let me tell you, I have never had such digestive discomfort on a run and I have been running for a long time. I hate this place!!! Overhyped dumplings!!! So much better Chinese food in Boston area — DON’T SETTLE!
Also the service was rude but that isn’t even part of my review because that comes with the territory in many Chinese restaurants.

I ordered from here looking for some good won ton soup. I haven’t been impressed with other places so far but Qing Dao Garden’s won ton soup was delicious! You get a lot in the large size too which is nice.
I also ordered steamed dumplings with pork and cabbage and those were excellent. Very meaty and «doughy» but in a good home-​made way.
Crab rangoon was probably the best I’ve had. Boston area isn’t known for Chinese food but I’ll be ordering from here again when I’m in the mood for Chinese. Looking forward to trying some other things but I’ll probably order these 3 things again.
Delivery took over an hour but they warned me when I called and said they were really busy.

Disappointed!
The food wasn’t great, but their service was horrendous. They seemed like nice people who mean well but they came up severely short. They forgot to bring me rice so my twice cooked pork was just sitting there. I waited, thinking they were just busy. It never came. I asked and had to wait.
They they forgot the very first thing we ordered, the fried meat buns. We finished the meal and it still wasn’t out (despite us Reminding them about it several times). We finally had enough and cancelled, and requested the check. Then several minutes later they bring the fried meat buns and say it’s already done. This is after I said forget it and to just give me the check. I just said put it in the box and give me the check. Ugh! It shouldn’t have been this hard. And again, the food we ordered wasn’t good. Other people’s food did look good though.

I’m sure most of the menu is decent… BUT if you want the GOOD STUFF order ONLY from their «House Specialties» and «Northern Style» sections AND of course, the «Homemade Chinese Dumpling» section. If I do take out, I like to order the dumplings steamed and if I want I can easily pan fry them (in a non-​stick pan) at home with only 1 TBS of oil (half peanut half sesame) to get that delicious crunch that balances their soft tender dough. Mmmmmmm!!!
Favorites included:
Sautéed Pea Pod Stems
Lamb with Cumin
Shredded Pork with Peking Sauce
So much more to try…

I would give Qing Dao Garden 3.5 stars. My boyfriend and I just tried it out on Christmas Day. We had the cumin lamb, pork and cabbage dumplings and dou-​miao (a green veggie dish). I definitely agree with other reviews that the dumplings are one of the best in Boston, with traditional flavorful, juicy stuffing, which goes so well with vinegar! I was a little disappointed that the dumplings I ordered are not made to order. Well, it’s understandable due to holidays.
The cumin lamb was good too. Just wish the cilantro sprinkles blended more with the meat.
The food overall is decent, non-​greasy and typical northern style.