Northern China Eatery — Restaurant in Doraville

I decided to write this review before even leaving the parking lot. From the moment we sat down, the experience was disappointing. We were greeted with two cups of lukewarm water, no ice, no straws. The cups looked like they hadn’t been replaced since the 70s, and the water tasted as though it came straight from an old faucet. The waitress dropped the pitcher and cups on the table without a word, no smile, and no greeting, then immediately walked away.

When she returned, she went straight into taking our food order. I had to interrupt her to ask for drinks. My wife ordered a bottled water, and I asked for a Coke. She came back with a bottle of water and a can of Coke, no cup, no ice, just the can. She dropped them off and left again without checking if we were ready to order food. Several minutes later, after I flagged her down, she brought a cup of ice. Before I could pour my drink, a fly landed in it. Even after shooing it away, the fly kept coming back like it owned the place.

It took us stopping her mid-stride to finally place our food order. About 15 minutes later she brought one dish, then returned a few minutes later with a second, and finally the third seven minutes after that. So much for eating together.

The food itself was no better. Everything was bland. I ordered fried dumplings but was given boiled ones. When we corrected her, the dumplings were tossed into burnt oil. They came back with a charred taste and a terrible smell that my wife confirmed was just as bad as I thought.

I honestly couldn’t believe this place was recommended on TikTok. My wife suggested it because we love trying new spots, but this was a big mistake. I won’t be trusting social media reviews again, most must be paid promotions for food this bad.

I even tried to take a picture of the fly, but each time the waitress passed by, it would scatter and then return. If flies are this comfortable in the dining area, I can only imagine what’s happening in the kitchen.

I rarely write negative reviews, but I couldn’t even wait to leave the property before...

I visited this establishment on 06/19/2025 and forgot to post my review on Google, you can validate my original review on “yelp” minus the reference advising “African American” patrons not to visit this establishment, in this post “I STRESS IT”; Anyhoo, after seeing numerous positive reviews and was genuinely looking forward to the experience.....UNFORTUNATELY, it did not meet my expectations. Chiilllle it was a complete and utter mess but lets get into it, Gag worthy at its best, So shortly after consuming the dumplings I ordered, I experienced severe stomach discomfort and gastrointestinal distress, which has raised concerns about food safety.

Now baby, I don't know what they were chopping up in that kitchen, but lets just say my stomach yelled that it was severely whipped up from the pits of hell.

In addition to the food related issue, I was also disappointed by the level of customer service. (Now here is where it gets real juicy) As an African American patron, I couldn't help but notice a lack of engagement and courtesy. Eye contact was avoided, my beverage was placed abruptly on the table without a word, (Let me break this down from you) slung at me and walked away and overall, I felt dismissed. Baby a "RAT" frequenting the establishment would have received better service and treatment than me.

While I understand that cultural differences can sometimes influence service dynamics, the experience left me feeling unwelcome.....especially given the premium pricing of the menu.

I must stress that if you are a person of color “African American” please stay away from this place…….You will thank me later……

Regrettably, based on this experience, I do not plan to return. Side note...If there is someone that you would like to get back at, someone who you despise, you can definitely bring them here!! (SHADE) 80 CHOPS...

I really wanted to like this restaurant — it’s adorable inside and has such a charming outdoor space right on the BeltLine. Unfortunately, the food and service just didn’t live up to the atmosphere.

Our appetizer came out raw when it should have been fully cooked, and it had to be sent back. Another item we ordered turned out to be unavailable, but it took 30 minutes for anyone to inform us, which was frustrating. We ordered several chicken and beef dishes, and the meat quality was poor across the board — tough, filled with ligaments, and just not pleasant to eat. Having owned restaurants in the past and dining with others who manage businesses, it was clear the ingredients were not high quality.

The waitress was kind but seemed overwhelmed and poorly supported. Her tables were scattered across the restaurant — inside and outside — making it almost impossible for her to manage efficiently. She often walked back and forth empty-handed, clearly stretched thin. Meanwhile, the managers avoided eye contact with guests, which gave the impression they were trying not to be approached.

Food came out slowly despite the restaurant not being full. Several dishes we were told were “not spicy” turned out to be extremely spicy, almost inedible. The only highlight was a sweet chicken dish that was actually tasty.

Overall, the space is lovely and has potential, but the execution, training, and food sourcing need serious attention. With better meat quality, clearer communication, and more efficient staff organization, this could be a great spot.

💡 As restaurant consultants, we’d be happy to provide an evaluation or consultation to help refine operations and elevate the dining experience — this place truly has potential if managed...