Chen Ji — Restaurant in Barcelona

An Authentic Chinese Gem in the Heart of Barcelona Stumbling upon Chen Ji was one of the best surprises of my trip to Barcelona. Nestled in a busy area near Arc de Triomf, this restaurant may look unassuming from the outside, but what lies within is a true culinary treasure for anyone who appreciates genuine Chinese food.

The moment I walked in, I noticed it was packed with people — not just tourists, but Chinese locals and expats. That alone told me I had come to the right place. The ambiance is simple, almost modest, but warm and welcoming. This is not a place for flashy decor — it’s all about the food, and rightly so.

I tried several dishes to get a broader sense of the menu, and everything was outstanding. The handmade fried dumplings were crisp on the outside and juicy inside — truly some of the best I’ve ever had, even compared to those I’ve tasted in China. The stir-fried noodles were beautifully seasoned and had just the right texture, and the mapo tofu was bursting with flavor, with just enough spice to awaken the palate without overwhelming it.

One of the highlights is the incredible value for money. Portions are very generous, prices are more than fair, and the quality of the ingredients shines through in every bite. It’s rare to find a place where you can eat this well without spending a fortune.

The service was quick, efficient, and respectful. While the staff isn’t overly chatty, they are polite, attentive, and happy to help if you have any questions about the dishes. There’s an honesty to the way they run things here that feels refreshing.

What stood out most to me was the feeling of authenticity — this is not a restaurant trying to cater to trends or stereotypes. It’s a place that stays true to its roots and serves food the way it’s meant to be: flavorful, fresh, and full of soul.

I will absolutely be coming back the next time I’m in Barcelona, and I wholeheartedly recommend Chen Ji to anyone craving a real, honest, and deeply satisfying Chinese meal. It’s not just a restaurant — it’s an...

What are your expectations when you eat out❓ Of course, that depends on the context, who you're doing it with, what type of restaurant you go to, etc. And of course, my expectations are not my son's. And our tastes in terms of food are different too. 😅 For the last few weeks, he and I had to be in Barcelona's "Chinatown" quite late every Thursday. I've come to realize that, if we eat at home when we come back, he goes to bed too late and he's tired the following day. And since "Chinatown" is full of cheap restaurants and we both like Chinese food 🇨🇳, a couple of weeks ago, I decided to eat out there with him. We went to Chen Ji, a place that had been recommended to me a very long time ago. I did not remember why. 🤔 Apparently it was because the food there is cheap, cause the 2 of us ate there and took food away for 2 more meals for... €20. It certainly wasn't for the service, very rough (but efficient), or for the venue cause it probably hasn't changed at all since the owners took over (I mean they probably kept everything left by the previous owner! 😅). And it certainly wasn't for the quality of the food... I mean that was not bad, but that was not good either... and suuuuper greasy. 😵‍💫 Still, I was satisfied cause that day my expectations were to eat fast and not to spend too much money. ✔️. And my son's were to eat something he knew he would like and, most of all, spend some time alone with his father. OK, I admit: that was my goal too, and I enjoyed it like I enjoy all these precious moments with him. 🥰

Quality & taste: 4/10 Quantities: 10/10 Atmosphere: 4/10 Originality: 6/10 Ratio price / quality: 7/10 Service: 5/10 How I felt...

I am visiting from the USA and wanted to try some Chinese food. When we first got there it was PACKED so we thought it was going to be great. But it was NOT!! We walked in and no one seated us they made us find our own table but they seated the group that came after us. We found a table and things were looking up until the worker came and told us to move and took our cups and walked away to a new table, NOT okay. She did not check to see if it was okay or even asked us. We order hot and sour soup and it was alright. They then gave us one very small chili sauce. We asked for 2 more because we had 4 people that really love spicy stuff and the worker asked us where we were from that we need 3 spicy sauces with an horrible attitude! Not very nice. Now don't get me started on the food it was HORRIBLE. The food tasted so bad worst Chinese food I have had this whole trip and I have been here for a month. The fired rice was definitely not fried and had no flavor. We order soup dumplings and did NOT get our soup dumplings. Also our sauce dish had a crack and was leaking all over the table. I will never go here again horrible...