Kuwazi — Restaurant in Lisbon

Small chinese restaurant for an authentic chinese experience.

The restaurant is located in the lower floor of a rundown shopping mall. Fortunately, it sits right at the entrance, down a flight of stairs to the right. It is a tucked underground, windowless small space with kitchen, counter and dining room. The ecclectic decoration includes a classical fountain, happy cloud wall lights, a frame depicting a window towards a green landscape, a cartoon with chinese characters wallpaper, amongst many other seemingly random choices. Yet, it feels like an authentic, neighborhood, low-budget, everyday place one could find in China. The costumers seem to confirm it, with plenty of chinese eating there.

This is true for the food too. The menu makes no concessions to the average, usually cantonese dim sum expectation of the uninformed foreigner. The food aims at a central-southern Chinese crowd, with its heavy casseroles, greasy fried food, its barbecues, its spices... The place is particularly well known for its dumplings (recommended steamed), which can be also sold frozen to go. Everything is tasty (and quick) but expect a heavy stomach. Dishes are better shared, so the bigger the party the better. Desserts are not a strong aspect of the menu.

Service is friendly. Cutlery is offered to westerners, along with a paper block and a pen for noting down the dishes. The waiter will collect it later.

Reservations are recommended unless one arrives way earlier than normal dinning times.

Toilet is outside the restaurant, in the mall, but unrecommended. Make sure to bring some paper with you (available in the restaurant...

Want a dash of racism with authentic northern Chinese food? This is your spot.

We showed up and waited 10 minutes for the lady who appeared to be the owner. The group in front of us was welcomed in such a kind and friendly manner.

Then we were next; and she showed up with a frown on her face and told us to wait outside. We asked to sit on table outside and she said that’s a big table until we stated we just wanted to sit down until our table is ready… then she churlishly acceded to our request. We ordered our dishes, which were good. The dumplings were good. Fish flavored pork. Too sweet.

We had eaten for 40 minutes, and we wanted to order more food. She said dumplings would take time. We told her we are happy to wait. Apparently, she wanted to turn our table over quickly to her predominantly light -skinned clientele and kept insisting they are fully booked (with a 2 person table next to us ecplty)… andwith a guy who was sitting next to us for 1.15 hours.

I explained we were not feeling very welcome and apparently screaming at me was her response and this after saying all her clients are family. Apparently she likes to verbally abuse her family if I’m any indication.

They get 2 stars for their food..I’m expecting another abusive reply from her her as that’s her SOP for...

Sincerely don’t go. Awful service, unhealthy amount salt to add flavor instead of add more meat, Been there 4 times, I think quite objectively to judge. But for sure the owner will response filthy words, it’s her standard SOP. If you are interested nicer Chinese food or dumpling, go to “飞鱼 Petiscos Chineses “.

last time Icouldn’t even finish 10% of my food .this time Iask for less salt she feels offened and replied: never heard this…The worst is rude service although owner always smile but FAKE and MONEY oriented. While I finished food but still having my drink, she came to ask to leave. At the end, the environment of this place is awful, your cloth smell oil . also as Chinese, many of the food is NOT authentic…only eatable food is wonton but again with very very little meat inside ( at least not extremely salty)never go back again! There is another Shan Dong food restaurant in Lisbon center, owner is much kinder , service oriented people, and less salty. I am very disappointed for this one , tried to give another chances and just worse n worse. I also usually gave tips , they don’t...