Zen Chinese Bistro
| Address: | 45 Danforth St, Portland, ME 04101, USA |
| Phone: | +1 207-775-6888 |
| Site: | zenchinesebistro.com |
| Rating: | 4.1 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9:30PM 11:30AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 51
Reviews 23
PE
Pete M
Hands down the best Chinese restaurant in Maine. I usually ate in weekly when living near by (lovely staff) and recommend the same to everyone. Growing up in Maine & Mass + living in multiple states across the country its very clear this place is the best around. My Dads favorite is Chinese and it wore off, we went to dozens of Chinese restaurants available from Boston to Sugarloaf on a regular basis growing up. I live in FL now but you bet your ass Ive been searching for a Chinese place while traveling the US....& havent found it yet..nothing compares...Zen s food is homemade, clean, flavorful w/ excellent portions...no one comes close unfortunately in the Portland area. I wish I had a local place that was equivalent but as you know its not happnin, PF Changs fancy mall restaurants w/ microwavable dinners is garbage. When I visit Maine I need to go to Zen..... its the best dinner Ill ever have while home (except Moms cookn). Most importantly when I get Zens I dont get gelatinous blobs of corn starch slurry in the sauce...I dont like that. I get smooth, delicious, savory/sweet/spicy/brown goodness that I could sip on all day. Keep it up Zen, I love yall.
EL
EllaMinnow Pea
Very pleased with lunch carryout at ZEN so far --the staff are friendly & fast. For $10, you get neatly portioned fried rice, a good scoop of chicken (entree) and "appetizer of the day" (so far = one spring roll). You also get a side soup choice. I find it perfectly filling for lunch. I have yet to dine in the restaurant itself, but the space is nice & open -- formerly the renovated District restaurant. There are always a few business people having lunch in there, too. Im not sure how "healthy" ZEN is compared to other chinese restaurants -- they boast sourcing fresh ingredients locally -- but either way, theyve somehow managed to freshen up the expected tastes of your standard, Americanized Chinese food. I would certainly give ZEN a shot if you have not yet tried them!
DA
Dark Range
Not impressed. Ordered online to have it delivered about 6 pm, the food showed up 1 1/2 hours early. The "Zen platter" was missing some of the things they say come with it (No shrimp at all!), egg rolls are about the size of a spring roll, the pork dumplings (Had them pan fried) were small and didnt look like they were fried at all. On a plus note the BBQ Pork was ok. So all in all, they will get one more shot (everyone gets 2) but I wouldnt recommend the place at this point. Dark
TI
Tina Cigri
Zen Chinese Bistro offering large selections of fresh, healthy and delicious home made Chinese cuisine. The menu also provides huge selections of GLUTEN FREE entrees and apetizers. In addition to the traditional Chinese dishes, Zen also offers organic salads with home made giner dressing. The full bar offer wide choices of martinis, polynesian cocktails, and wine & beer from around the world. The atmosphere is clean, classy, beautiful and cozy. IT IS A MUST TRY SPOT..
VI
Vin Conti
Eh..... I liked egg rolls but girlfriend didnt. Hot and sour soup and wonton soup both good but not great, wonton a little better. The moo shi pancakes were bad. Skip them. Just Mexican flour tortillas. Four happiness= bad. Chicken with garlic sauce was pretty good. Scallops werent what you would expect for the Old Port of Portland. The desserts looked good although we skipped it. Waitress was nice. Would have been 2.5 stars, maybe 2.6 if I could.
JE
Jennifer Merrill
This is hands down the best Chinese food! Locally sourced ingredients and a wide selection. Service is friendly and fast. You want the best, it is going to be at a cost though. You will spend an average of $15-25 per person without any alcoholic beverages, when you can get decent Chinese in the area for $10-15. It is worth the extra!
ME
Mehru Lodhi
Great chinese food, valur for money, ambiance was alright, but service , food and quantity was excellent, will go there again, trued edamame,singaporian rice with jumbo shrimp and seafood tofu soup(good for 2). Its nt on menu but tgey can make it for you. Im definately going there again.
DA
Dani Marie
So awful, took an hour to receive take out, on a Wednesday. Way over paid for the worst sweet and sour chicken of my life. I cannot believe anyone can get away with charging so much for such low quality food. Much better options around Portland for Chinese food.
NI
nina johns
By far the best Chinese food in Portland!! Got the Zen platter with a side of amazing pork fried rice, and it was enough for my pregnant self and my father! The staff was very pleasant also, great atmosphere! Good prices! I will suggest this to everyone! ❤
ST
Steven Robinson
Mediocre food, It seems like the focus on faddy gluten-free things caused this restaurant to lose track of the real goal: making tasty food. Definitely not worth paying far more than you would at near by competitors. (Had pan fried noodles and lo mein.)
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Jacob Veayo
Food is good, yes. Prices are terrible. Its like they know they are the only place in the old port and they can get away with it. Cant have a decent meal here for under 25 bucks. pfffffft. Have a good one!
MI
Mike Nicholas
Everything is always cooked fresh, the owner is extremely nice and knowledgeable on dishes. Lunch prices are amazing for what you get. Never had a bad meal in the 4 years Ive been coming here.
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Gerry Tiernan
The food is a few steps above Chinese take out, delicious and good portions. One of my familys favorites. Its rarely crowded but can still be a little tough to park close.
TH
Thomas Farrington
Um, YUM! Food was excellent. Maybe the best Chinese food I have had in quite some time. With they were closer to my house and parking wasnt on-street.
AN
Andy Martin
A little expensive but this isnt fast food. The food is great and consistent!
MA
Maranda Wade
Gluten free menu was awesome and the food tasted great!
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Andrew w
Our favorite place! Fresh and consistently good!
KA
Katie Hatch
All your go to favorites! Super lunch specials.
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Ian Mullinder
Cannot go wrong with any dish on the menu.
MI
Michael Bagley
2nd time weve been here... awesome
TO
Todd Reagin
Great bar and good, quality food.
DA
Daniel Benedict
Good flavor!
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Ryan Knowles
Top notch!
