Bamboo Express — Restaurant in Richmond

Thought I would try this place out considering the decent overall review on Google. Now I went in with a very open mind, but my initial assumptions were that this was a Chinese fast-food place and exceptions were relatively low. Furthermore, we ordered a very VERY "Canadian-Chinese" item, the dinner combo for 3 that came with beef and broccoli, chicken balls, chicken chow mein, honey garlic ribs, and spring rolls. We got what we ordered, the dishes were very unauthentic, which is OK. BUT. What made me give it 1 star is the quality of the food despite lowered expectations given that it is both fast-food and non-authentic "Canadian Chinese" food.

The ribs were just a bunch of heavily battered bones and cartilage with a few (maybe 6?) pieces of heavily battered meat smothered in sugar (and maybe some honey). The chicken balls were...well this one is not their fault, chicken balls are always horrible. The chicken chow mein was extremely average but still edible (99% noodles, 1% chicken and beansprouts). The broccoli in the beef and broccoli was undercooked, the beef had a very unfresh taste to it (but I didn't end up with stomach problems so maybe it was ok?).

Now I'm not here to complain. I got what I ordered. However, even the most "Canadian-Chinese" food dishes can be cooked well. It might not be authentic but it can still be good. A couple good examples of this is Kent's Kitchen in East Van and My Home in the UBC village. This place...

Lady at the counter was awesome. Very friendly very attentive. Food was made swiftly. And packaging was on point with an awesome cloth type takeout bag A+

My order, Szechuan chicken (extra spicy) 2 egg rolls.

The chicken was bland. It was not Szechuan style, it was just sliced steamed chicken, white onions,cooked iceberg lettuce?, assorted green and red pepper strips, and some garlic chili paste (I can spot thai stuff from a mile away) . No Szechuan peppercorns, no dried Chiles, clear watery sauce?

Egg rolls... What a disappointment I threw them away as soon as I opened them.

Egg rolls were battered in pancake batter?? Then fried??? The inside was soggy mush, no flavor and tasted like they were from a box. So sad. I guess you can screw up egg rolls!

In a neighborhood surrounded by amazing Asian food, you would think that the competition would drive quality. But this is not the case.

I get that this is supposed to be "western Chinese" but you could get better food from the freezer section sadly. Hell, I cook better Chinese food than this on the regular.

I won't give up on this place as it's my first order. I will try again with something more safe.. Maybe it was an off day? Maybe this dish isn't something they make much of? Who knows.

I want to like this place. It's hard to find good takeout for...

We have ordered from Bamboo Express twice now, always delivery. We loved their food, loved how fast it came- both times we ordered we got it delivered withing 30min of calling. Very well priced for the food you receive! And both drivers were very nice! Kudos to them too!

Update: I hate cooking, so when it's my turn, I will usually buy instead of cook. There are other restaurants that we eat at/order from, but we've been ordering from here the most lately. I have some food allergies, and the one place (I won't name it) we have frequently visited for over 4 years always messes it up when we order delivery. I spend 20+ min taking out food I literally can NOT eat. Bamboo Express did something so simple, yet so extremely meaningful for me- they put a note under our number (6016) stating no bean sprouts. It might seem like nothing to most people, but for me, its huge. And they have never messed it up, never forgot and left it in like the other places. We are now, and will always be, regulars, due to this simple act. I don't have to worry a out my throat closing up while eating here because they take the time to remember. I appreciate it very much! Thank you for the excellent service and for staying open during covid. I highly recommend trying their food (delivery is still...