HaoShiGuang好食光 — Restaurant in Boston

We searched for Chinese food on the RedNote and saw good reviews of this place. So we drove 30 minutes to Allston to try it.

Upon arrival, we were greeted nicely and had a table right away. You will need to scan the QR code and order online. We were excited to see several dishes on the menu and felt a pity that we could not order too many (which BTW was a wise decision based on our later experience). We ordered two main dishes, and one appetizer, and we talked about visiting again to try some other dishes next time.

Now the unpleasant experience came:

We sat there for 10 minutes before the server brought the water. We did not care for the water so we were not concerned at all. Then they brought us some snacks. After another 20 minutes, we almost finished the snacks, the appetizer came. Two skewers. We cleared the plate for less than 1 minute. After another 20 minutes, one main dish came. The table next to us ordered the same dish, and the server brought two dishes together. We suspected they made the whole food together at one time, put into two bowls and served one bowl to us and the other bowl to the table next to us. After another 20 minutes, the last main dish came. It is funny that another table ordered the same dish again. And the two dishes for the two tables came out together, one plate for us, one plate for the other table.

I have been to many Chinese restaurants, and most complaints I've seen are about cleanness, server's attitude, but never saw one complaint talking about Chinese restaurant serving food slow. This is the first time I spent 1 hour at a Chinese restaurant for only two main dishes. People coming after us had the food ready before us, and the table that arrived the latest got the food at the same time as us, just because they ordered the same dish.

The food tastes good though, but the food is soooooooooo slow. There were like 5 tables with people in the restaurant so there is no sign that they were having a busy day. And the food we ordered were just regular Chinese dishes, not those fancy and large plates that take time to prepare. So be aware, you may get lucky if you order a dish that some folks arriving 20 minutes early ordered the same. Otherwise, you may expect to wait for long, begging that someone arriving later ordering the same food so you can at least have something to eat.

We came into the room hoping to visit again, but left the room with the decision that we would...

HaoShiGuang好食光 is truly a fantastic restaurant. I thoroughly enjoyed the food and appreciated their flavorful seasoning. However, I must note that the staff could use some improvement in cleanliness and hygiene, particularly in the post-COVID-19 era. I observed instances where staff members handled food with their bare hands, including the string-like crackers served as pre-meal snacks, without any signs of washing. While the crackers were tasty, the lack of hygiene was concerning.

Additionally, sometimes the wait times can be long, especially during peak hours. However, I would definitely recommend waiting if you have the capacity, or alternatively, making a reservation beforehand to avoid any inconvenience. The experience is well worth the wait.

The restaurant's family-style dining format is ideal for larger groups, allowing diners to sample a variety of dishes. Unlike many other options in the area, the spicy dishes here are authentically spicy and cater to Asian tastes. Additionally, I found the prices to be reasonable compared to other establishments in Allston.

I also appreciate the attention to detail in their takeout packaging, which is both cute and functional. It's always a pleasure to return to this restaurant. The ordering process is streamlined and convenient, with customers able to scan the menu, place orders, and pay directly from their phones at the table. The servers are attentive and responsive to any additional requests or concerns.

HaoShiGuang好食光 offers a delightful dining experience with delicious food, efficient service, and reasonable prices. I highly recommend...

One of my new favorite restaurants in Boston :) It brings together a lot of nostalgic threads of home, from the environment to the kind of dishes on the menu. We ordered the 凉粉 (tossed clear noodles with chili sauce), fried calamari, stir fried green bean with pork and dried shrimp, mala lamb spine, paired with some matcha IPAs and a mango mein mein ice for dessert! Everything else was pretty standard tasting, but the lamb spine was probably my favorite bite of meat I’ve had at a restaurant in the Western hemisphere. You NEED to come try it. For the price, the mango mein mein is definitely worth ordering. Lots of fresh mango and the texture of the ice is amazing - it resembles the thin fibers of the fruit itself. 5/5 highly recommend if you’re in the neighborhood! I’ll be back to try other dishes on the menu. Also it’s hard to find matcha IPAs on the menu these days, and I’m a matcha fiend :)

Plus, the whole ordering & payment system is on your phone through Toast and it’s a super seamless process so you don’t have to wait for the check. Lots of reviews describe this restaurant as a rare reflection of modern Chinese dining - what the young people like to eat in China. Based on my experience, I’d agree. It’s been so rare to find this combo of dishes in any of the restaurants I’ve been to in Boston. My parents are from Dong Bei/Northeastern China and I’m so thankful to have something in Boston that gives me a portal to my homeland. Also, what a peaceful vibe...