Jin Wah SE

I have been coming here for a few years now. They remodeled about a year go and I believe they got new owners. The inside looks a little nicer. They got a TV now which I would say is the worst upgrade for them. The employees tend to be more into their show then taking care of the customers. Service needs improvement. But the food is pretty good. I highly recommend the beef chow fun

This is a good place to eat PHO. The service was exceptional quick. The menu is quite extensive. Definitely worth coming back to when we are in the neighborhood.

The modest cume rating here is a bit surprising, but I wil say, is consistent w/​the utter lack of business seen here during traditionally strong lunch/​dinner «rush» times in recent visits. then again, the large preponderance of 1 star ratings recently, from highly questionable, low-​status reviewers make me wonder if poor Jin Wah has been carpet bombed and cyber attacked — perhaps by jealous rivals in the neighborhood? I found Jin Wah’s menu variety deep and broad. I was very pleased w/​the large, strong seafood presence… which promised several items not often found on menus locally, including the all-​too rare abalone — which has regrettably been «not available» the past couple successive visits to Jin Wah, SE edition.
They’ve been doing the day-​yum thang for over 22 years as a family enterprise. Here’s hoping they weather the hateration and carpet bombing and live to rebuild the brand and restore customer satisfaction and performance to former days of glory… shay shay!

Ugh don’t even know why I agreed to go back to this place. It deserves no star. If you want amazing Jin Wah food, I recommend heading to Beaverton. Customer Service is amazing, I never have to wait over 30 minutes, and the food is AMAZING. Last time I came here, I came with a group of friends and when they delivered our water cups, there was a dead cockroach floating in it. When one of my friends brought it up, they just gave us another glass that did not even looked like it was cleaned. I won’t even mention the nasty attitude we received. I seriously don’t understand why this place is still even open.

Haven’t been here since they change owners. Service was OK then. But the food WAS good.
Now.
Not a good dining experience at all! I don’t know what was wrong with the waitress. Attitude the whole time we was there! Food was bland, salt and pepper squid was super hard. (Don’t know why?) we eat salt and pepper squid all the time! Over all never again. I would rather go to the tic-​toc down the street.

I went here with my friend the other night and half way thru our meal we got joined by a couple roach like bugs. We informed the lady at the register and she told us to just leave, so we did. As we were walking out however, two other girls were documenting the bugs that were at their table too.
While we were walking to the car we noticed the staff cleaning up both tables rather quickly, almost to hide the bugs and the fact that they were all over the restaurant.
This place needs to figure out their bug problem.

there was a mouse in this restaurant. i’m never coming back to this dump.
what else needs to be said?!

This place has decent food but the customer service is HORRIBLE. The waitress is so rude & ignored me every time i needed something when she clearly knows i need something. i will NEVER come here again.

I will never eat here again. I have called in several to go orders, as well as dining in a couple of times, there food is amazing which has kept me coming back but I cannot deal with their poor service and their unbalanced and unregulated pricing structure.
Last week’s situation:
I phoned in an order and I was told 15 – 20 minutes for my order to be ready. My commute from Oregon City to this location is approximately 15 minutes with no traffic, so I hopped in my car and drove down.
When I walked in the place was empty during lunch, because I just called in the order I knew it was open so I approached the counter. I waited at the counter for a few moments, as I was about to say something like magic a lady appeared from the kitchen. Instead of a nice greeting she yelled «What you want?» The tone was stern and combative as if I was in her way, even with a sever language barrier I would have settled for a ‘Hello.‘
She asked what I ordered, thinking that she was confirming my phone order I proceeded to tell her.
Salt and Pepper Shrimp no heads
Salt and Pepper Beef Spare Ribs
Broccoli Beef
Spring Rolls
Pot Stickers
She asked for money, which I gave her thinking that my food was done. Dang it, Annie you are wrong again.
Once I signed her attitude appeared to get worse, I asked how long it would take she said about «20 more minutes».” I consider myself a patient woman, knowing well aware that they never started cooking my food when I phoned, I knew the wait would likely be longer. So I informed the lady I would be heading to the local coffee shop while the food was cooking, that I would be back in a few minutes. She said «No, no, no I will make you coffee, sit, wait a minute.» I honestly thought she had a change of heart, or possibly she was being kind. Maybe she was starting realize how awful she was being? So, I decided to rest and I took a seat at the nearest table. While waiting I took in the scenery of Portland, the old Food 4 Less that had closed, I checked emails, I answered text messages I forgot about. I figured about 10 minutes in the coffee would have been ready, but I kept plugging away at my phone. After 20 minutes I stood up, mainly to stretch but to also get a chance to see if my food was ready, I walked up to the counter. I waited at the counter for a few more minutes, as I was getting ready to take my seat again, Poof, she appears again. I was honestly excited to see my food… Wait for it.
I could not stop staring at what she had in her hand. Take a second and imagine a 20oz clear plastic cold drink cup. Now place hot coffee in that cup, then splash a bit of milk making it a dark caramel color. Now image my surprise when I notice the cup is filled only a third of the way up, not two thirds, not half. One third filled. Maybe she stopped because the cup was melting under the heat? Not wanting any confrontation I grabbed a couple dollars out of my wallet and she starts barking «5 dollars, 5 dollars, no, no, no coffee I make 5 dollars.» You can only image my look on my face as I handed her the 5 dollars and she asked for a tip… I had to shut my brain off and pause, because if I had let me emotions respond I would have left there with a ruined day. So, I tilted my head, smiled briefly, and walked out with my food. Thank goodness the Starbucks Barista let me throw away that coffee, it probably would have started it’s own colony in my car.
The food was great, the rice was not over cooked, and we all enjoyed our lunch… so I over looked the customer service again.
Today’s situation:
I was craving some Salt and Pepper beef spare ribs, so I decided to have a coworker head down this time to avoid the service. I was surprised when I get a call from him that my order of Beef Spare ribs, Broccoli Beef, and Salt and Pepper Shrimp was a total of 50 dollars. Wait, my order last week was twice as long and the same price? I told him to pay the tab, but to not leave a tip. It takes a lot for me to not leave a tip, even on a phone in order.
As my co-​worker arrives back to work I notice that there is no rice, white for fried with the order. Apparently he noticed that as well and asked. He stated that her response was «No rice, if you want rice you pay more money.»
I am done with this place. Why is today different from last week? Why is the price different? Why is rice offered in the last order, but not this one? Was it because last week it was Wednesday and on Tuesday’s you do not offer free rice with Entrée’ orders? I do not want to spend my money at a place that treats their customers this way. I am not demanding to be treated special, I am asking to be treated like a human being that is happy to pay when the orders are consistent and the food is good. This restaurant is taking advantage if their customers by charging whatever prices they want with no rules or regulations. Their food is fantastic, but because of their employees careless treatment of their customers I am done.

Used to order from here and was always happy. Tonight ordered 3 entrees plus appetizers, got no rice and the food was bland and also seemed kind of old. The amount was about half of what would be reasonably expected. Ordered for a family of 4 and could barely feed two. I do think know what happened to this place but I won’t do this ever again. There are too many other options available.

I AM GOING TO REPORT THIS PLACE TO DIRTY DINING!!!
This is usually one of my go-​to spots for pepper salted squid. Every time we’ve ordered it has been good, last week on a Tuesday was different.
Came in with my mom and we ordered Pepper salted squid. It was pretty damn empty in the restaurant except for one group that was leaving but I pressed to stay cause I was hungry. It had been no more than 5 mins and our squid and rice came out, I know pepper salted squid doesn’t take long to cook but we JUST literally sat down.
I took a bite-​my teeth aren’t going through, wait-​what? I looked at my mom, she too spat it out.
The squid was so damn rubbery you could not chew it properly! It was dry and when you peeled off the dough to look at the squid it was shriveled looking with a shimmery almost pearl like coating. I immediately talked to the young server and all he said was that he would let the kitchen know.
I watched him walk back to the kitchen and being Vietnamese but always mistaken for something else I could hear him just head back there and crack jokes with the old man. He returned and just said «I let them know.» And walked off.
No effort to adjust our meal was made.
They also charged us for the mushy white rice that was served. The chicken was disgusting, no longer the texture of meat!
Do not go here. Service sucks ass. I’m betting someone called squid to go but they never picked it up so they just let it sit and served it to us.
You’re better off at Zhien Hong which serves the original Jinhwa Recipe.

First, I was thinking this place and the one in Beaverton is the same owner, but it wasn’t.
The food is ok. I brought my families there for several times because we didn’t want to drive far to Beaverton. However, we decided to taste the Jin Wah in Beaverton, the food there are better than in Portland. We don’t smell or taste the old oil or meat when it was cooked. Also the place is more cleaned than here.

At first my impression was not the best one from décor, waiters and etc, but food has proven me I was wrong. Their soups very delicious! And I love salt and pepper squids, you should try them too! Delicious! Service is very fast, they open very late, convenience all the way.

This is probably one of the worst restaurant I have been to. My friends and I went here on a Saturday afternoon and the place was completely empty. I didn’t think it was a good sign but I gave it a chance. The waitress was unfriendly. She waited impatiently as we looked at the menu. The food arrived quickly but it was mediocre at best. The vegetables were over cooked and the meat chewy. While we were paying for our meal she hinted us to tip. After we paid, she told us that we did not tip enough! Tips are optional. She should have been nicer if she wanted a bigger one!

I recently visited this Jin Wah location after it received a face-​lift. Everything is in blue now instead of the traditional red color scheme you find at most Chinese restaurants. The fresh coat of paint and small remodeling made it appear cleaner than before, almost a new restaurant.
They offer a wide range of Chinese and Vietnamese food selections, the two separate menus made it feel as if it was not one cohesive restaurant. I come here for their Canh Chua (sweet and sour fish soup), they make it just the way I like it – on the sweeter side and the option of having catfish or shrimp. Of course, mom makes the best Canh Chua but, sometimes, you want something prepared differently so you could appreciate what you have or I just don’t have the heart to tell mom that she makes it too sour for my liking. The salt and pepper squid was okay, I prefer the one at Zien Hong or even Powell’s Seafood. I wanted oriental eggplant in a spicy garlic sauce and they had a different way of making it… they batter the eggplant before frying it. I can’t decide if I enjoyed it being battered because the eggplant had the texture of fried banana yet tasted interesting. Decent food.
The service was quick, comparable the other Asian restaurants in town. My favorite part is listening to Caucasian people ordering food and substituting items that makes specific dishes unique – omitting the ingredients that characterize a dish because they aren’t familiar with it. «I would like ginger chicken but I want chicken without bones» or «could I get Canh Chua with the rice paddy herbs (ngo om)?»…so funny.

I haven’t been here for a while, I came here cause they used to have the best salt and pepper squid in this ptld, they even beat thien hong on sandy. I guess there are new owners. They said the chefs are the same and the menu won’t change. They are also open for Vietnamese breakfast now at 8 am.
The food is the same and very good. I am not sure why the rating is not that good but there is a lot of competition these days. I would prob give them like 3.75 if i could though. The salt and pepper squid is still among the best around. Very crispy and light. The service is ok but i generally dont rate chinese restaurants on service as i think the food is most important. Generally if you go to a chinese restaurant don’t expect good service, you are going there for the food. I just don’t tip very well if the service is bad or if i get attitude.
I order the grilled pork chops, pepper salt squid, combination hot pot, and the catfish in clay pot. All are good and I think you will like them. Please let me know if you don’t.

MSG packed food oh my goodness. But the staff are super friendly, and i’m pretty sure the owners are related to tien hong so their salt and pepper squid is decent.
I got the chicken salad, they use a very lean chicken which I really like.
And my friend got the mi thap cam nuoc (Combination Noodle Soup). I could tell there was a ton of MSG so I i stayed away from it after a bite.
Its open late which is cool.

Typical Chinese/​Vietnamese food. I prefer home cooked meals. I always get a tummy ache (and then some…) at these restaurants. I don’t know what it is. It’s like the excessive oil used or something. Kills my tummy though. TMI? Sorry. it’s true though.
I don’t come here too often, I don’t live close and it’s not worth the drive out that way. Yea. the food is all edible. I’m just finding it hard to write anything too helpful. Sorry.
Basically: Greasy food. Typical Chinese/​Vietnamese foods you’d find at other Chinese restaurants. I haven’t had anything bad, just nothing ah-​may-​zing…

I’m just going to call this Chinese restaurant — The International instead of Jin Wah!!! Coz’ they aim to please all nationalities.
3.5 stars…

Jin Wah resides in sort of a limbo a step above the «Chinese-​American» joints that sling out greasy noodles to whitey on the daily and the higher-​end Chinese restaurants that cater to the growing Asian population (and adventurous non-​Asians) on 82^nd ave. It definitely has the dirty, run-​down feel of any one of the multitude of whitewashed noodle houses in downtown Chinatown but the food runs maybe a step above… maybe.
This Chinese/​Vietnamese restaurant has at least 2 locations, one here in SE and one out in Beaverton. I have been to both and consider the Beaverton location to be much better (and nicer and cleaner). I think the nice/​clean part has to do with it being in the suburbs — dirty restaurants just don’t make it in SUV land. People don’t move to cookie-​cutter subdivisions to do adventure-​eating. They move there to be safe.
But I digress…
This location of Jin Wah sits in a crappy strip mall with a Food4Less, a pawn shop, and a GenX ghetto emporium. The space is small and awkwardly situated, with the host station at the back. It’s almost as if you have walked into a restaurant through the kitchen door, and stand at the back of the room, when you’re really at the front. I’m guessing this is to maximize table space.
The service is prompt and brusque, and the menu covers Chinese and Vietnamese and includes phở, clay pot, sizzling platters, family meals, chinese soups and the usual suspects — all the way down to Kung Pao and General Tso’s chicken. This always makes me nervous — wide menus never run deep on flavor. On this recent trip I sampled the Kung Pao (which can actually be quite well done at a good Chinese place) and some spring rolls.
The first sign of weakness was when the spring roll sauce arrived at my table. They use the classic neon red sweet-​n-​sour, which doesn’t even look house-​made. At least give me some Mae Ploy Sweet Chili or something. I dread that stuff. Ate way too much of it as a kid. But when the spring rolls arrived I was a bit reassured. They come 4 to a plate (a little over $ 1 each) and are small but crisp and tasty. The oil in the fryers is decently fresh. I didn’t get that «gee these spring rolls taste like every other fried thing on the menu» feeling, which is something I often experience on 82^nd.
The Kung Pao is not just salty-​sweet, but had a nice vinegar tang to it and the portion is healthy for $ 9-​something. Arriving with a huge bowl of white rice, this is a meal easily split between two (even without the spring rolls) for a satisfying and filling result.
In sum, Jin Wah definitely comes in above the Chinese Villages of the world (at least the Avenue of the Roses world) but doesn’t hold a candle to the likes of Wong’s King or Ocean City, which definitely take Chinese to the next level. While A-​ok for someone looking for that kind of Chinese (cheap and lots), I think I’ll continue to hit my usual faves.