Home Taste — Restaurant in Arlington

The feeling that filled my heart in this moment was one finding a long lost love. One that you had once, one that eventually drifted apart due to whatever circumstances, and then finding each other again in the most unexpected moment and regaining that wonderful traction of a friendship all over again. Yes, I’m talking about food.

It was once a tale of two spots. One in Watertown and one right here. As I resided in closer to the Watertown location since the move here, I frequented it and found solace in their dishes - absolute comfort food that was done very well. However, like all businesses, things change and eventually the business was sold. I knew there was a transition period and the owner and chefs stuck around to “train” the new owners. I hoped that the “good” would remain and that the new owners would continue the tradition of wonderfully curated dishes and keep the regulars coming back. Did it happen? No. I gave them about a month of repeated visits to gauge their level of culinary competence but it never came through.

Long story short. I stopped going and that feeling of lost love began to fester.

I didn’t think much of it. I thought he had sold this place too since I’ve often overheard him saying how hard it was to run this business to his associates as he tried to satisfy every customer walking in the door or ringing the phone off the hook. So when I finally found a chance to be on this side of town, I decided to stop by and give it a shot. Maybe, maybe I thought, the new owners here would do a much better take on what they had taken over.

What I didn’t expect after placing an order was to see the owner walking out from the kitchen with dishes in hand to serve another table. Eyes wide open, I couldn’t help but say, “HEY! Good to see you again.” He in return showed the same look and smiled greeting me back with fondness and delight.

That’s when I spoke to the lady and asked more about the whole situation, wherein she explained how they sold the other place but kept this one. Regulars of the other spot now take the 15-20 minute drive just to come up here instead for a meal. I smiled. It made sense. They must have felt robbed when they went back after the place was sold. Food wasn’t even remotely the same. Don’t even talk about service either.

Anyways, long story short, when the food came out. I felt this completeness return back to my soul. Here, once again, I felt home away from home. The food did me justice. The flavors impeccable. The culinary finesse was displayed thoroughly with each bite. So it is, once again, I found my long lost love again in Boston and can’t wait to be here every single Sunday for a wonderful special meal that teleports me back to what “Home...

Home Taste – Arlington, MA 📍 1312 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476 ⭐️ Food: 8/10 | 💸 Affordability: 8/10 | 🌟 Ambiance: 5/10

If you’re looking for authentic Chinese comfort food in Arlington, Home Taste is a hidden gem worth checking out.

We started with the Scallion Pancake, a crispy and flaky delight with just the right amount of chew. The Wonton Soup stole the show — tender wontons filled with perfectly seasoned pork swimming in a rich, savory broth. This dish is a must-order and easily earns a 9/10.

The House-Made Hand-Pulled Noodles were another standout. With just the right bounce and chew, they’re tossed with crisp green vegetables and a light sauce that lets the noodles shine. Another 9/10 in our books.

We also tried the Orange Chicken, which came glazed in a sticky, sweet-tangy sauce and served with fresh broccoli florets — a classic done right. The House Special Fried Rice was hearty and satisfying, filled with chicken, beef, shrimp, and veggies, making it a solid shareable option.

The Chinese Beef Burger was something unique and memorable — cumin-sautéed beef, onions, garlic, and peppers stuffed into a crispy, flatbread-like bun. Bold, flavorful, and satisfying.

Lastly, the Fish Fillet was fresh and delicious. Definitely for fish lovers.

Most dishes were a solid 8/10. With reasonable prices and generous portions, it’s easy to see myself coming back for more — especially for those standout noodles and soup.

The ambiance is minimal and no-frills, more of a casual takeout or quick dine-in vibe, but the food more than makes up for it.

👉 Must-Try: Wonton Soup & Hand-Pulled Noodles 💰 Worth It: Yes! Especially for the...

Omg!!! This place is amazing. My wife and I stopped here on a whim after picking up her car from getting some work done and saw the reviews say how amazing the hand pulled noodles are. She got the cumin lamb ones and I got the braised beef with bean sprouts and both are phenomenal!! Hers came with free popcorn chicken from an Uber deal and I bought us a side order of scallion pancake. Everything is extremely reasonably priced and homemade and delicious!!! No wonder it gets such good reviews. The staff were so friendly and food came out very quickly. I cannot state just how amazing this place is and have absolutely zero complaints. I will definitely be checking out the Watertown location now as it's much closer to home for...