Rhythm Chinese Restaurant（中文名逸站） — Restaurant in Nanaimo

Absolutely the best, most authentic Chinese food in the area. I was introduced to the restaurant by a former employer, who is from mainland China herself. I’ve been a Chinese food fan for over 50 yrs- and I can’t think I’ve ever had a better meal than the ones I’ve enjoyed at Rhythm. Ignore the Westernised stuff- sweet & sour pork, lemon chicken, chow mein. Instead, look at the photos on the wall over the bar area and ask questions. I can highly recommend the Fish boiled in chili oil- sounds awful in straight translation but it’s so good! You pull the pieces of fish out of the oily broth and they are magnificent- tender, tasty, not too spicy! The eggplant is spicy garlic sauce is fantastic, as is the shredded pork in spicy garlic sauce. Despite the similarity in names, the dishes are very different. The pork is lightly battered and served with similarly julienned veg in a delicate sweet/sour sauce- light, piquant and nothing like the hard fried pork balls in red jam that often passes for sweet sour pork! The braised pork belly in soy sauce is also superb! I could go on! Also, don’t order Western style with an exclusive dish per person- order like a Chinese family - 1 dish per person and 1 for the table (if you’re really hungry) with plain rice- and everyone shares from each dish - you’ll get better value for money, a more balanced meal and a better experience. I introduced my neighbour to the place last night - we had 4 dishes (including soup) with rice, ate until we were ready to burst, and each took home at least another meal each. Check it out! Dare to explore something different, ask questions, think outside the chow mein box and enjoy some staggeringly good food from an unpretentious...

I wanted to dine in but with intentions to take leftovers. It is the reason I ordered 3 dishes and a small rice for one person, and also I love leftovers. The Cantonese crispy noodles chow mein was not right. I love this dish. I had it the first time in China. The noodles were not fried they were right out of the box . But the bottom of the box. There was not one noodle over a inch and a half. It was bland and dull in colour. And not just as it may be without a helping hand from msg. So for that obviously No MSG in this dish. The chow mein had almost a sour flavor, like when the bean sprouts are not rinsed before cooking. I did however was adequately satisfied with the house special fried tofu dish. But if that is what a house special is , then maybe my rating could go to a 3 1/2 star review. Now time to mention the hostess, whom I would assume is possibly the owner. I felt looked down at, she really didn't want me to sit down for food . I had the impression that she had no time for me. She was however quite cordial the the group of young Asian men who were finishing up. I have experienced prejudice enough in my life to understand when it happens. I had really didn't expect that at all. I came in with a open loving heart but it was...

So I finally tried this newly-opened Chinese restaurant in the University Village right beside Quality Foods. It's just a small food-court kind of restaurant with open-ceiling and a few tables for about 40+ people.. They have two menus: one for drinks, like Bubble Teas, Herbal teas, etc and another menu for food. The service is pretty good. You pay the server up front. I ordered the beef fried rice. It was a huge serving for one person. It can feed two Seniors, no problem! I also ordered a mango bubble tea. The fried rice was ok, not salty unlike most typical Chinese restaurant. I just noticed that when the servers cleaned-up the empty tables once the patrons left, they just plunked the little bits of food morsels on the floor! I was waiting for them to at least get the broom and pan to pick them but nope! They just left them on the floor! Also, some of the food bits and sauces were left on the wall near the serving tables, another Yuck! I have no complaints otherwise. So, they just have to more aware and watchful for some simple clean-up procedures because it's not sanitary and it does no good for the...