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Congee Noodle House
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
141 E BroadwayVancouver, BC V5T 1W1
Neighbourhood: Mount Pleasant
(604) 879-8221
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 8:30 am - 1 am
Fri-Sat 8:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
73 reviews for Congee Noodle House
Review Highlights
"clams in black bean sauce."
(in 2 reviews)
"Ultimate comfort food for the likes of me."
(in 5 reviews)
"Great bbq pork and duck."
(in 6 reviews)
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Michael H.
Vancouver, BC
1/3/2012
I've been going here for years and I will continue to go for many more years.
Their Congee is by far the best in the city. I base this on texture. Congee otherwise doesn't have much flavor and it's not supposed to. It's made in it's purest form then complimented with meats or vegetables and seasoned as you like it.
Their dimsum is also good but it's the Congee that brings me there and brings me back every time. -
Review from Rick C.
1/24/2012 6 photos
I love Chinese food. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, it was always a nice treat. It was like comfort food to me. I also love Chinese leftovers.
We hit up the aptly named Congee Noode House for some quick grub. It was standard yet oddly and delightfully filling starting from the tasty, creamy soup with corn and egg.
Another favourite is always the honeymoon fried rice complete with yang and yang style sauce. I'm more of a red guy.
Beef and gai lan is a staple of the Chinese diet and it was pretty much what you get anywhere. Add to that some house special chow mein and we covered the basics pretty well.
CNH is a good place for solid Chinese food and a decent meal. -
Review from Joshua N.
12/28/2011
I like this place and I won't apologize. It's affordable, it's delicious, the menu is encyclopedic, and it's easy to get to from pretty much anywhere. Yes the plates and plasticware are old and scuffed and they should probably replace them soon. But the tables and floors are very clean, as is the bathroom (surprisingly, especially given the scuzziness of the neighbourhood).
And they are always open. I mean always. I was here at midnight on Christmas Eve, I am not kidding (yes, I am aware of the funny cliche involving people of my ethno-religious background, Chinese food, and Christmas. All I can say is I guess it's true). They are often open until 1 or 2am on regular nights.
So hate away, if you like. More congee and wonton noodle soup for the rest of us. -
Review from Arnold P.
Vancouver, BC
2/3/2012
My favorite place to get my comfort food, congee. It always hits the spot. The honeymoon fried rice is second on my list.
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Review from Jordan H.
1/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Congee Noodle House is my go-to place for Chinese in Mt. Pleasant. It's rare to find a joint that does everything and also does it all well. BBQ, Congee, Fried Noodles, Veggies, anything you get is great. They'll add/sub/remove anything you want from a dish without a fuss, and service is always prompt. They're open late, too.
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Review from David L.
Updated - 10/16/2011 3 photos
I still love their fish congee, though they now put 50% less fish. The white pepper, green onions, and peanuts really add a kick to the overall flavour which makes this congee a real winner.
For those who never tried it, I highly recommend their sweet rice wrap. The proper name for this dish is zongzi, jung, or zong but I have no idea why they have it as sweet rice wrap on their menu. This dish is traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival. The rice for this dish doesn't taste sweet, but it's more of a slightly salty savoury taste to it. It's wrapped in banana leafs and it will be unwrapped once it arrives to your table. The outer layer is covered with delicious sticky rice. Inside, there are yellow beans, pork, chicken, and a salted egg yolk. I always ask for it without soy sauce poured on it because I find it unnecessary for it to be added.
Their sliced beef in soy sauce with fried rice noodle was very good. It was perfectly cooked which made the rice noodles slightly crispy yet still soft and there was a generous amount of sliced beef.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/26/2009
This restaurant has the best congee in Vancouver or probably all of North America. The New York… Read more »
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Review from Ramon V.
10/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Interesting.
I've been here many times, and I expected my fellow Yelpers to echo my positive thoughts, but after reading the reviews posted thus far, I don't think I'm having the same experiences as some.
I actually rather like the Congee Noodle House. It's big, so there's never an issue of waiting. It's open late. It has a decently sized menu. It's cleaner that most late night Chinese food establishments in this area.
My rule is to judge a place by its bathroom, and this one passes the test.
The restaurant is a bit bright, but that's probably a good thing.
Prices are good, but remember one thing - they are cash-only. This is a bit of an annoyance.
I like their deep fried tofu. It's usually extra spicy. The congee is decent, but ask for extra peanuts. The basa fish and Chinese parsley congee is a good one to try. The curry beef brisket on rice is another one of my favourites. A big dish - definitely more than enough for two to share. They do a good job with most of the menu, which is why I keep returning. Sometimes the donut can be a bit greasy or the squid a bit rubbery, but all in all, this place is a win for me, and I usually leave too-full for under $20. -
Review from Herman E.
10/26/2011
I've known this place when it was literally a hole in the wall. The size of the restaurant back then was 1/4 of the size now.
This is one place where they make good congee. The rest of the food is pretty decent when compared to other similar types of restaurants.
Cannot avoid MSG here, so if you have issues with it, best not to go. -
Review from Simon K.
8/26/2011 7 Check-ins Here
This is one of those places that was really good when it first opened, and ever since, has been a destination for people, maybe due to familiarity, but not for me, since there is another place not far from here which has the same type of food, and better everything.
Stereo-typical cash only Chinese joint, at Broadway and Main, with the green awning, I do like their other location out at Joyce and Kingsway. I just find that the food quality is down hill. From barely any century egg in their century egg and pork congee, to the over battered squid for the late night snacks, but if a group is going here, I might come, and I might not, as it is never too consistent here either.
There is parking in the back, just remember that all the people who have big cars really make this a tight squeeze! If you don't want a door ding on your car, park the street! -
Review from Karen R.
The best twice visited and oh so tasty congee ever!
Of course their dry spicy chicken wings will give you a run for your money.
Even taking two busses to get here is worth it! -
Review from Smitcha B.
8/13/2011 3 photos
I believe this place was CASH ONLY.
On our morning rush to Whistler, we decided to grab a quick bite before the drive up the mountain. I've been told that supposedly the congee here is off the hook & so I had to find out for myself.
We ended up ordering the congee with fish and the wonton noodle soup & asked them to add the bbq red pork. Keep in mind that the name of the restaurant contains both the food items: congee and noodle, so that's a good start if you're wondering what to get. There are however plenty of other items to choose from then just those two.
Both items came out fast and steaming. Now generally speaking, most of the time I have to add some soy or fish sauce to my congee but when I tasted it here, all I needed was some pepper. The taste of both dishes hit the spot. I was expecting some bland stuff but boy was I sure wrong. I couldn't believe how such simple and typical Chinese dishes like these could have been packed with so much flavor. Utter satisfaction.
Service was a little slow but I guess it was because they were a bit busy. We did order a third plate which was the fried taro (the same one you would find at dim sum restaurants). They totally forgot about it but it eventually came out after we reminded them. The fried taro was also well made but I could have done without. For sure, I will be reminiscing about both the fish congee and the wonton noodle soup with bbq pork from here.
I can't imagine how awesome this stuff would be intoxicated because it was pretty bomb when I was sober. Mhmmm... -
Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I'm fortunate and didn't get shortchanged like some others.
This review is solely based on what I had to eat this time.
Congees here are normally pretty good, but one day I decided to get the beef noodle soup. BAD MISTAKE! The broth was the only thing decent after I added 2 spoonfuls of chili oil. The beef used was very low quality and it was braised, but yet still very dry. I don't understand how people go wrong with braising or stewing. You're cooking things in liquid, but it dries out... hmmmmmmm? Extremely disappointing bowl of carb and meat for 6.75. 0 stars for the beef noodle soup! On top of that, finding curly looking hair in the little fried fish. Yah, I can't believe Larry L. was picking at it to examine it lol.
Normally, we come here for the congee and it's pretty good. I don't think I want to come here again after hearing stories about being shortchanged and the bad experience was had last time.. -
Review from Vincci L.
4/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Many years ago we used to come here for their delicious congee for lunch. More recently, we've been coming on late night cravings for food.
And it's not the same anymore. Yes, they have the traditional late night chinese dishes-the deep fried garlic and pepper little fishies, the deep fried tofu, the garlic stir fry veggies...and of course, their congee and noodles.
I've been finding that their prices seem to be quite high for the portion size you get. Is it simply because there's not too many places that offer the same fare late at night, so they're able to hike up the prices?
And so, I'll just have to reminisce of how smooth and delicious the congee used to be (it's just not the same anymore), and try to forget how my most recent experience involved a hair entangled within my dish of deep fried little fishies. -
Review from Alison S.
6/26/2011
Word to the wise, trying to finish an entire bowl of rice soup on your own can be tricksy business, as the Boy found out, especially if you ate a hamburger less than 2 hours prior. In addition, if you order a chinese donut to go with it, those babies expand with all the water you're pouring into your stomach.
Came here because I was on what felt like Day 193843 of my mostly-liquid diet (not willingly). The Boy wanted the most adventurous looking congee on the menu, so he got the "assorted meats": heart, liver, kidney, stomach, and meatballs. I had the sliced fish (gotta keep it light, y'know?)
The congee was pretty good, pretty smooth, maybe not as thick as I'd like but not too bad. There was a decent amount of fish in mine. The Boy seemed to be fishing out lots of random cow organs to eat so I guess he had a lot of fillings in his, too.
We probably could have gone without the donut, it tasted a little overfried to me, and then we could have gotten our bill to squeak under $15 for two people. -
Review from Larry L.
Updated - 3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place always gets good business, but it's come down a bit in quality and it's not the same.
I know of alot of people who just aren't coming here anymore despite the fact that they still have the best congee in town! Why?
Quality control?
Acckkkkk! I wanted to make like Bill the Cat with his famous regurgitary response to things he doesn't like (or like). That was for the little hair we found in our little fried fish.
So really, it is Meh, I've experienced better. I just hope that they find ways to get better and don't scare away the customers like that. I think 8 of us from that night won't be coming back.
Sorry Congee Noodle House.Listed in: Asian Noodle Spots in Richmond, Where to go after a Yelp…, Wanting for Wuntun and Congee
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/13/2010
Family dinner in a pinch? Where to go? What's affordable?
Chinese food! Bring your kids, bring… Read more »
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Review from Tuan L.
5/15/2011 1 photo
I've been to many Chinese restaurants but none that specialized in congee. As I was looking at the menu, i was a bit torn between ordering the congee or another dish because congee to me is more of a starter than an actual meal. Needless to say, I ordered the congee because if a restaurant names it after their restaurant it has to be good.
For starters, we ordered the deep fried bread things and spicy chicken wings. The deep fried bread things as the name suggest is like dough that is deep fried in oil, kinda like a donut. There are apparently different versions of it from sweet to savoury. The one we ordered had this thin rice paper on top of it. At first, I thought it was a odd combination but it actually worked. The wings were off the hook. Seasoned with salt and pepper, and then topped with shavings of jalapeno pepper. The peppers were not overly spicy, it just had enough touch of heat to the wings. They were so good I could have eaten a dozen of then.
The congee was good. It came out pipping hot. The size of the bowl was quite large.
The service was lack luster, but I sort of expect that from these types of Chinese restaurants. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 1/11/2011 6 Check-ins Here
There are so many ways to say goodbye: farewell, arrivederci, adios, ciao... but a good ol fashioned "see you never again" sufficed as I stormed out of Congee Noodle House's door for the last time.
Feeling ripped off (more than once) never leaves a good feeling, no matter how tasty the food. And my most recent visit just happened to be the last straw - the one that made me say to myself, "Why in the world would I give them any more of my money, they've already taken more of their fair share."
As the story goes... a couple of un-serious blunders that I would let pass in a hole-in-the-wall-ish place: the dirty table and presenting a bowl and spoon with a finger firmly planted on the middle of the spoon begging the question, "What are the chances that was a clean finger? Should I use that spoon?" But I turned a blind eye. I've been turning a blind eye for way to long.
When I went to pay, I told the cashier that I only had American dollars which has not been an issue before. Paying with a $20 for my $8.75 meal, I was given $8.20 back in change. I left a $1.20 as a tip and as I turned around I realized I had been short changed. I explained the situation, but they said it was because of the exchange rate. The exchange rate??? The exchange rate is too close to par to have that big of a gap.
I'm sensing a pattern with the Congee House Noodle staff. This is not the first time I've been short changed here, but it's certainly the last. So with that I say... http://www.youtube.com...Listed in: A Halfer's Guide to Asian…, The Best of Vancouver's Main…, Baby It's Cold Outside, Noodling it up in Vancouver, Help! I'm Hungover
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/26/2010
Congee House Rules:
When dining solo be ready to share a table.
Carry cash.
Order by number.
Always ask… Read more »
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Review from Rommy G.
Vancouver, BC
I just moved to Vancouver on January 1st.
I've started to look at Broadway and Main-ish as a place where I might consider living. I've also started looking at a strict diet of ultra-liberal non-conformism, growing out a thin mustache, wearing tight jeans, riding a fixie bike and becoming a total music snob. But one thing at a time here, folks.
While I was drinking coffee with the other mustachioed hipsters at Kafka's, I decided I would get some food and stepped out the door. I GPSed myself with the Yelp app and BOOM! Congee Noodle House was right there and I was totez in the mood for Chinese.
I moseyed on down to this place and knew I hit a gold mine. The hanging ducks and the slabs of pork looked good enough to make love to. So I proceeded to order the BBQ duck congee. This massive, piping hot bowl of snot came out and I buried my face in it. The gelatinous rice porridge, peanuts, onions, and large chunks of duck evoked imaginary memories of my non-existent childhood in China...
The service was good, the food great. My only recommendation is to go there, try the snot. And if it's not your style, go for the noodle dishes. These are next on my list. And I will be back. Soon. -
Review from Dru C.
4/27/2011
This place is not bad, but neither it is good. I come here sometimes with my mom for a bowl of congee, and flat noodles. This place is expensive, and so over hyped for no reason. This place is ALWAYS packed during lunch, and the parking in the area is ridiculous.
The congee here is mediocre. I do say that there are ALWAYS tons of ingredients in the bowl though. Each bowl I always get large pieces of meat, and a lot too. Maybe that is why people come here? But the congee itself is so thin and light. I don't like it. I always say that the basic has to be good to have great results. Their soup/congee is not up to par. Their flat noodles are always drenched in sauces, you can barely taste the rice flavour in the flat noodles, and the amount of sodium used for each dish is just UGH.
I can't give this place a bad mark, because their service is fast though. Every time I come they are always fast in getting you a seat, and fast in getting orders and tea and leaving. So I don't mind that.
I come here sometimes but not as often as I used to anymore. Too overrated for their congee... -
Review from Edward L.
Even though this chain includes Congee Noodle King, this location tastes better for some reason.
Parking is hit and miss, in the lot out back. There are 15 or so spots.
Seating is ample. Just don't sit near the entrance doors as you get a draft if both of them are open.
Thousand year egg and shredded pork congee - big chunks of egg. Shredded pork is buried at the bottom of the bowl, and clumped up. It was hard to distribute it evenly.
Fish congee - also nice big chunks. Fortunately they did not clump up.
Salty peppery squid - again, big pieces. This dish was off though. The flavour was a bit strange. I suspect it was too much salt, not enough tanginess. The spiciness bit was there, as evidenced by the jalapenos. Oh, and the pieces were the same colour as a yellow highlighter. Hello food colouring?
Shredded beef fried noodle with satay sauce - can't go wrong. Just what you'd expect from other Chinese places, no more, no less.
If you ever have the munchies, CNH should do a decent job fixing you up. -
Review from Trudi C.
I tried the congee, and it was lovely!!! I had chicken and mushroom (number 26). Slightly salty, lovely big mushrooms and chicken, ohhhh my really nice! I add a star to the rating, this stuff is good!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/31/2011
Why didn't I try the congee? Why?! I didn't know what congee was, only just looked it up online now,… Read more »
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Review from Andy Y.
Vancouver, BC
9/24/2010
Cold Rainy Vancouver Nights = Comfort Food = Congee Noodle House
Follow this formula, and you'll be OK.
First, there is no dj spinning music in the ultra chic dining room, you won't see young, short skirted servers, nor will the washrooms win any awards anytime soon (ala Cactus Club), but......this place is packed on a rainy, cold Thursday night.??!!
What you will see are tables of families eating at the large circular tables, couples and friends eating at the smaller retangular tables, and a line up of people ordering take out. Some people are dolled up, a table of two guys in dress shirts and jackets, a few people in sweats, and a table of girls with their Coach bags on the table. Some older, some younger. Interesting to say the least.
Tonight, I had the beef congee. The congee is served piping hot, in a flavorful and hearty broth, and almost creamy, except there is no cream added. But don't eat too fast or you'll burn your tongue. I don't imagine the morsels of beef to be of triple AAA quality, but its more for flavor and I didn't find it too tough or chewy. The congee is topped with peanuts and green onions (so ask them to hold the peanuts, if you're allergic).
And my bill, what... is this right? Less than $10? In less than 20 minutes? Cool, I'm on my way.
As I left, I eyed the barbeque pork hanging by the window. Next time. -
Review from Shannon B.
Vancouver, BC
12/19/2010 12 Check-ins Here
Having lived just a few blocks away from the Congee Noodle House and drooled over the yummy looking hanging meat everytime I waited for the bus out front. It was only when I met my boyfriend (husband now) did I actually go in.
Since that day years ago, I crave wonton soup and soya sauce chicken on a regular basis.
Since my first few visits, I have expanded my Congee Noodle items to include congee, various rice and noodle dishes and have tried all of the delectable meats that continue to hang in the front window for all the people waiting for the bus to look at.
I would say that is pretty safe to try just about anything at the Noodle house. The only thing I can hope for now is to go more often since I've moved farther away.
***Be warned that it's CASH ONLY****Listed in: Asian Cuisine
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Review from jason g.
7/28/2010
One of the best Congee/Noodle house in Vancouver. This is where you need to go when you are in Vancouver. It's cheap, fast and good. I would probably come here at least twice a week for lunch/dinner.
I can see how the locals can see this place as being average because they just don't know how good they have it.
Here are some of the staples that you must get.
Wonton Noodles
Duck
Congee
Chow mein
Pea sprouts
salt and pepper tofu
I have never tried anything on their menu that wasn't good. Everything was excellent. They represent their name well. They don't sell that Hong Kong style cafe stuff. Just good ole fashion Congee and Noodles.
A must when in Vancouver!!!! -
Review from Mark H.
11/15/2010 1 Check-in Here
Didn't get off to the best of starts. Now I'm used to Chinese service, but not even saying 'How Many?; and instead just holding up 5 fingers when there's obviously just 3 of us was a bit dumb. That and dumping our menus like a brick on our table wasn't very welcoming.
Having Congee as the first word in its name, I obviously went with #5. Their 'special' seafood congee. Sure it was only $7, but the congee itself was bland even with a heavy dousing of white pepper. The seafood nick nacks were the typical frozen medley mix. Rubbery and blah.
As I always listen to other Mark's, I took Marc D's advice and made sure we didn't get shortchanged. Luckily they didn't.
No thank you I say or búyào xièxiè as they say.Listed in: Chinese Chowdown
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Review from Pamela L.
Vancouver, BC
10/18/2010
Okay, I'm a bit biased because my mom has friends that work here so we get hooked up.
The food often comes too fast - if that makes any sense. Before you have even had a chance to examine the food, the rest of it all arrives at the same time and there isn't any room on the table - they don't care though - eat your food and get out because they have a line up of people waiting to be treated the same way.
My favourites are:
-sea bass congee
-pea shoots
-fried soft tofu with veggies
-shredded duck fried vermicelli
-any of their soups of the day
-bbq duck
You want to come to an establish with a clean bathroom, warm and friendly service, patient servers and a quiet and romantic ambiance? This ain't the joint for you (or any Chinese restaurant). But if you want some good eats for a good price and you don't have a lot of time - stop by. It's one of the best "fast food" Chinese restaurants in town. -
Review from Adelina W.
Richmond, BC
9/6/2010
This place is good! I keep expecting that its not and it always keeps surprising me. I've been here a couple times for sit in meals and for take out. Take out is fast and efficient. I call about 10 minutes before I want my food and they'll have it ready and bagged up by the time I get there.
I've been there for their afternoon tea served very HK style. You order some food and get a drink as well all for the delicious price of $7 - $8 dollars. I tried their stir fried beef with vermicelli. Its normally made with ho fun, but I liked vermicelli better. I was surprised that the vermicelli was very tender as the noodle itself requires some soaking in water before its cooked. I was really impressed. The portions are huge as well. For my drink I got the HK style milk tea and it was decent.
I've also tried their congee which is quite good. This is saying a lot considering I really don't like congee - only when I'm sick and usually only my grandma's congee. I just wish it had a bit more flavour, but a little salt helped. With it I got some chinese doughnuts wrapped in rice paper. It came with some hoi sin sauce and soy sauce. This was delicious!
All in all, I've been consistently happy with the food and service here. I definitely will be back to try some of their other offerings. -
Review from Koy T.
6/26/2011
How the mighty have fallen! Very rude even compensating for typical HK service. Food has gone downhill since last time. What Vancouver needs is a Congee Wong.
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Review from Reena M.
5/11/2010 3 Check-ins Here
So cheap! I can't believe how cheap it is! And so delicious!
+'s:
-Deep fried spicy tofu! Perfect amount of spicy
-Seafood Congee--mmm!!
-Chinese salty donuts!
-Large tables to accommodate 14 of us!
-'s:
Black bean sauce clams were lacking clam meat in a lot of the clam shells..
-Sweet donut was very doughy
I shall be back to try their other offerings! -
Review from Marc D.
Vancouver, BC
2/24/2010
* Minus one for trying to shortchange me *
Typical congee spot. I had my test meal - the scallop and mushroom congee with a side of Chinese donut.
The congee was a bit thinner than I normally like, there were minimal amounts of scallop, and two small pieces of mushroom. It felt like they were shortchanging on the ingredients.
The Chinese donut was from two different batches - one being fresh fried (which was tasty), and one that was clearly old. Again trying to shortchange me.
Top it off that when I went to the cash to pay, they tried to shortchange me by $10! I pointed it out and she actually argued that the math was correct. It took an entire minute to "convince" her. Bah. Of course she didn't apologize as she handed over the other $10 she owed me.
Sounds like Crystal H. had the same issue with getting shortchanged as well based upon her review. Seems like a pattern to me!
Overall everything about this spot made me feel shortchanged! I don't patronize businesses that shortchange consistently.Listed in: Vancouver Chinese Food, Fool me once, shame on you.…
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Review from Mazie C.
Vancouver, BC
6/8/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Great bbq pork and duck. Love the congee here.
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Review from .Nette T.
8/18/2008 9 photos
Late night comfort food dining. On a cold rainy night I came here with some friends and was not disappointed. We were a party of 6 and did not have to wait long for a table. The menu was huge - I didn't get a chance to try the Congee because I wanted to save room for other dishes.
I can't remember exactly what the dishes are called - I should have taken a menu but I have pictures!
- deep fried spicy tofu
- clams in black bean sauce
- fried pigs intestine
- roast duck with plum sauce
- thousand year old egg
- stir fried pea shoots in garlic
- spare ribs
- deep fried little fish (bak fan yu - translated I think it means "white rice fish"?)
- deep fried fish (cod?) with corn
Everything I tried was yummy - my favorite was the deep fried tofu, it was delicately crunchy, spicy and they used fresh oil! The deep fried little fish were also delicious, not too salty either.
Service was efficient and friendly, no complaints there. I will go back and try the Noodles and Congee - I just need to get 3 more stomachs like Bessie the cow so I can try everything on the menu!Listed in: Vancouver
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Review from Pia W.
10/18/2009
Even though it's a congee/noodle place, it could pretty much double as a Hong Kong cafe. Food is served quick and with good quality. I love the congee and the noodles they serve here: The congee is thick and creamy (who would like watery congee anyway?), and the noodles, whether fried or in soup has a nice bounce to it. So far, I have yet to experience the noodles being under/overcooked.
Of course, this isn't your Chinese seafood restaurant, so don't expect any fancy entrees here. This is a great place for grabbing a bite with friends before heading off to someplace else.
But like any Hong Kong eating place, service isn't at its greatest, and one would experience it during rush hours when waiting for a table. My tip for everyone during those hours is be assertive. Remember, there are millions of Chinese people on this Earth, you want to be noticed by a Chinese server? You better put yourself out there and be noticed!
Another great thing is that they're open quite late, and have their late night specials. But a word of caution, the late night special dishes are cheap, but they're also small in portion. So if you haven't eaten dinner yet, or you're looking to fill a big appetite, then you should just order from their regular menu. -
Review from Claudia L.
Burnaby, BC
11/17/2008
Top 5 places to eat congee and Yow Ja Gwi (aka Chinese doughnut).
Don't be fooled by the affordable food. The congee recipe here is better than decent and for someone who has been eating congee since birth, I give my two Honger thumbs up.
Otherwise, it's the typical greasy (but delicious) smelling Chinese restaurant. Quick service with loud crowd. Me likey :) -
Review from Sachi M.
I always thought congee is just what your mommy makes for you when your tummy is sick. Apparently, in Chinese cuisine, congee is a whole category with a variety of ingredients. I came here on recommendation from a Twitter friend who told me about the House (seafood) and Preserved Duck Egg ones. He also recommended the red vinegar.
Good food. Just think "cafeteria" and you won't be disappointed with the atmosphere or service. Thanks to Crystal H. for the "Cash Only" tip!
Not feeling too adventurous, I ordered the Chinese something (basically cilantro) and Sea Bass congee. It was delicious!! The broth had the depth of flavour I need to be satisfied. I didn't need to add any of the condiments (though I tried each one in my spoon). The peanuts (shelled, of course) were interesting. I never would have thought of them as a Chinese topping. I was surprised to find that there weren't that many kernels left recognizable as rice. Very creamy. (I couldn't find the cilantro at first, but it was hidden at the bottom.)
I also had Hong Kong tea (cold). I imagined it would be milky and sweetened, but was surprised at the strength of the tea itself. (Just observing -- I don't know what a "proper" one is.)
The right half of the restaurant is big enough for a banquet. They had Christmas-type lights on the end wall. I found that amusing, since I wouldn't think of having a party in this utilitarian atmosphere. (I have no idea if it is indeed bookable.)
It wasn't busy when I went... 5pm on Friday. The waitress pointed at a table to sit me down. A few minutes later, she slapped a cup of tea on my table as she quickly walked by. I had to flag her down again to ask for a menu! When ordering, too, no eye contact. I guess my norm is too Canadian.
I had no problems with the amount of change. I went up to the counter to pay, and there was no tip box, so I gave it back on the tray (proper 15%) and they took it back like it was expected. At least smile...? -
Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
7/26/2009
This place always looks busy. And it is for good reason.. the food is great and not expensive for dinner. However, check yourself:
If you are white or non-asian, expect to be perpetually at the back of the line to get a table. Expect to be repeatedly ignored. So be aggressive. Or you'll be waiting for 15-30 minutes. I was sat near the front and saw it happen to myself and about 3 other couples on separate occasions (who were very angry). Note: I'm not a racist, I just call it how I see it.
If you are not asian, and speak their language, then dammit you are VIP here! Expect short wait times and excellent service.
Either way, the food tastes the same for everyone: pretty good. I'll probably be going back the next time I need comfort food.
Other note: There is a parking lot in the back, but you're probably better off with street parking, free after 8pm. -
Review from Annie M.
Vancouver, BC
I felt the floor was quite sticky when I walked in there. The service was good and fast.
I guess the congee is much better than noodle in soup. We got beef strip noodle in soup was ok, BBQ duck and chicken rice was too salty. The boiled lettuce had no oil but in big portion. -
Review from Evilyn T.
3/14/2010 2 photos
After having two cavities filled yesterday and waking up to a toothache the size of Alabama, I decided the only thing that I would be able to eat today would probably be yogurt, and congee. I dragged the BF here for lunch, and then realized there is almost NOTHING VEGETARIAN on the menu. Ack!
I ordered the egg and pork congee (#16) on the menu, and the chinese doughnut, which I thought was actually kinda gross. It seems everyone else likes it, so I wasn't sure if I had ordered the right thing or not? It was like eating a naked doughnut, but not as soft, sugary or sweet.
The congee was piping hot, so hot that I could barely eat it, I had to scoop out small bits into the serving bowl and let it cool before I could eat it, but the congee holds the heat in so well that it never freaking cools down! I can't say I am a big fan of the mushrooms that were in the congee, they looked like slugs floating in a giant snail trail of soup. Bleh! I have never really been a big fan of fungus, but that's my own issue. IMO - Chewing on a portabello mushroom has the consistency of chewing on someone's ear. The BF ended up getting a veggie congee, with lettuce and mushrooms, and he thought it was alright.
We waited awkwardly at our table, wondering as newbies at the restaurant if our server was going to bring us our bill or if we were supposed to just get up and head over to the register. It turns out that we were supposed to just get up and pay at the register, I think? There is a sign when you come in to advise you they only accept cash, so that is how we paid. The soup was like $5, and the doughnut that we didn't eat was $2, so it was a pretty cheap lunch, but probably not somewhere that I would try again since the veggie options are so limited. -
Review from Eric B.
Vancouver, BC
4/28/2010
Congee Noodle House is a good place to go eat. The Congee is very good, but I like to order the Shanghai Fried rice vermicelli. I always go for the same two things but from what I understood, everyone I went with liked their plates.
That aside, I must note to you guys that this restaurant is yes, a typical Chinese restaurant. Don't expect a smile. Don't expect a thank you. Don't expect anything else than paying cash and flagging your server to get your bill and have your food packed. Don't expect a smile. Try to have your table clear of things so they don't just put the plates wherever there's room, because they will; they are usually that busy.
Service and food is inconsistent. Service is from good to bad, food is from great to just OK. That's why I can't complain that people rated this restaurant from 1 star to 5 stars. Some days, it's worth a star, some days, it's worth 5. On a bad day at work I tend to avoid this place because rude service irritates me a little and if i'm already irritated, oh my, my Irish side takes over. But on a normal day, it's just a normal "traditional" Chinese restaurant. Good food, cheap food. I like the place, but it's like a distant cousin with an annoying sense of humor: in small doses it's OK. -
Review from Joyce P.
Vancouver, BC
8/3/2010
I love you Congee Noodle House. I need to have you at least once a week.
It ain't a pretty restaurant, it's loud, it's probably not very clean but something about this place is oh so comforting.
Their congee is fantastic and I always come grab some when I'm feeling under the weather. They are generous with their ingredients and I always feel soo much better after having a bowl.
Their noodles and fried rices are yummy, I love the bbq pork on rice, the rice rolls and their pork blood dish.
After 9:30 pm you can order even cheaper small dishes to go with plain congee. I love Siu Yeh (late night chinese dining).
This is the place to go for quick, yummy, cheap Chinese eats!Listed in: Best Cheapy East Van Quick…
