TLDR (5/5) Easily one of the most authentic Southern Chinese Food you'll get probably on the East Coast!! It has the stamp of my family members when I brought home some left-overs. They loved it even though it hadn't come out fresh from the kitchen. The plum drink is on the sweeter side but extremely tasty and worth it for those who are familiar with plum or willing to experiment. If you are looking to try new foods, whether you want a kick of spice or a large bowl of savory goodness, you cannot go wrong with Nai Brothers in Edison.
Food (5/5): For people who love SPICE, it can get REALLY spicy. They have options for those who can't handle it. It has plenty of options from tofu strips to mushrooms. Chances are you won't have anything like it and it's tasty as well. So it gets a 5/5 in my book for uniqueness that matches the flavor to satisfy the palate. Especially great in the winter when it's cold. :) If you can't choose, the house signature is really solid, recommended by the owner as well. I had one drink here and it was the Plum Juice. My mother gave it her stamp of approval and destroyed it whole when i brought it back. Sooo give it a try if you want.
Service (4/5): The waiters and waitresses aren't out of this world, but they do their job perfectly fine. They aren't rude and they have ones that speak Chinese and some that are bilingual. The owner is there at times and they are quite friendly! They will gladly tell you about the store and the food.
Decor and Ambience (4/5): The outside is a bit hard to notice as it is in a mini outlet off the main road. If it ever gets packed you might have to park locally on the neighborhood roads. The inside is rather simple but has character. Nothing that really stands out besides the occasional decorations they place around. I also don't judge the total score harshly due to decor just because it isn't OUTSTANDING. It has a modern feel to it.
Overall(5/5) The food is really good, I mean so good I'm not going to lower the score due to the other aspects despite being on the lower side. It really does provide that craving for something different. Not Americanized, culturally accurate delicious food. You won't regret it if you are an explorer of food willing to try new cultures. It's great,...
Read moreHubby was in the mood for Chinese food, so I used my trusty Google Maps to find a place we hadn't visited and found Nai Brother in Edison. The area looked familiar to us, and we realized it was the space next door where Tiger Sugar had been when it first opened before moving over into H-Mart, in Edison. After eating here, I feel this place is a true hidden gem at a very reasonable price for the dishes.
This Chinese restaurant is famous for their sauerkraut fish. I was not in the mood for that because my eczema had flared, and I could not take things very spicy, and that dish had two chilli peppers next to it on the menu. Knowing this place is known for its seafood, we chose Signature Steam Fish Dumplings and Salt Pepper Fired Fish Fillet.
From their handmade dumpling section, we chose their Signature Steam Fish Dumplings. Succulent fish with thick skin was exceptional. The fish gave it a more delicate taste, and it was a perfect pairing with our main entree, Salt Pepper Fired Fish Fillet, which was delicate and moist but packs a flavor punch!
The young gentleman who was the host was also our waiter. He later told us if we ever wanted to tame the spice down, they could do that for us. If things get too spicy for me, I could always order their Coconut milk beverage to help calm the spice down.
Clean and nicely decorated interior. Excellent food accompanied with exceptional service, you know we will be back to try their signature dish: House Signature Chinese Sauerkraut Flavor!
It should be noted that they do charge an extra 3% if you use a credit or debit card. Limited parking is...
Read moreEXTREMELY GENEROUS PORTION SIZES! Great tasting food. First time trying this kind of “more authentic” style Chinese cuisine. I’ve only had “westernized” Chinese food previously but sought a more authentic mainland experience as I do hope to visit sometime soon (I am not chinese or asian by heritage). We got our XMAS Eve Dinner here and spent a little over $100 for the three of us in my immediate fam. Unlike most restaurants where that’d be a single plate + a single leftover plate (if that) for us, we weren’t expecting the massively generous portion sizes! I’ve got about 2 gallons worth of HotPot leftovers in the fridge as a result. I’m glad we tried this, as some of the ingredients were more “exotic” lets say, and i wouldnt have otherwise tried; but I’m glad I forced us to try something new and definitely dont regret it. Be forewarned though: if you’re used to sugary westernized Chinese food, this may come off unexpectedly spicy, so if you have sensitivities to heat you may wish to ask for modification. Staff inside were nice and cordial, we only picked up so didn’t dine in, but the dining area was larger and very clean, wouldn’t hesistate to eat inside this lovely place at a future...
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