Rickshaw Corner — Restaurant in Foster City

I ordered a fried rice and 2 item combo for $12. The server heaped a massive scoop of the rice into my takeout box. Awesome! Then she went back and piled on another scoop. Amazing! Then she went in for the three-peat and I grew concerned.

She asked me what I wanted but I was still shook, and I kind of just stammered, “S-sesame chicken, uh please, and uh, thank you.” One scoop. Can you even call it a scoop? She slam dunked the bowling ball of sesame chicken into the takeout container. The corner pocket of the box never stood a chance at containing the chicken, and it overflowed. The mountain of fried rice was pummeled with stray meteors of chicken but it was packed so tightly it didn’t budge. Then went back in for another scoop. Maybe she misheard me and thought I wanted two scoops of sesame chicken, but instead of clarifying I just whispered a prayer. For what? I don’t know. To who? I still don’t know who could have had more power than her in that moment. The second asteroid struck the tectonic plate and the mountain of rice showed signs of seismic stress as its integrity was challenged.

I thought she was done. She could have been done. Then she stared into the depths of my eyes with the calm, indifferent grace of a goddess who has crafted worlds with a scooper hundreds of times that day and asked, “Your second item?”

Chills.

I would have fallen to my knees, but I had to save my strength and prepare my posture to literally carry out the reason I had come here that evening.

It doesn’t matter what my second item was. The mountain of fried rice, one proud and indomitable, was buried under the rubble of an even greater heap of sesame chicken. That sesame chicken in turn stood no chance against the tidal waves of tofu and eggplant. It was only at that moment that I realized the box was still in tact. A metaphor for the durability of forever plastics against nature, I suppose. But how would it close? I had no right to question the power of a practiced god—it would close. I stood like a child stunned before a magician unveiling a trick that would defy the laws of space and time.

But then she looked at me, and paused.

No. It couldn’t be. There’s no way…right?

“Anything else?”

—

I’m a big guy. I made it through half of the plate before thinking that if this was a test of gluttony, I would be first and foremost among its willing sinners. Everything was seasoned well, perhaps maybe a bit salty for my tastes (but equivalent to Panda Express). The food had way better texture and flavor than Panda Express though, and was constantly coming out of the kitchen fresh. The fried sesame chicken was still shatteringly crisp despite being tossed in that sweet and sour sauce. The tofu and eggplant were incredibly tender. I genuinely don’t know how they keep prices so low given the quality and portion size. Great selection that’s akin to the non-premium section of Panda Express, and with a few more options!

10/10 would recommend. Cheap, fast, delicious, 3 meals worth of food for...

First time in I ordered the dinner special which is two meats and one side. I learned that you can split the sides to get half of one and half of another. So the first side I ask for is the pork fried rice and they start the pile it on. I'm thinking, this is what they do, pile on the sides so that I get little meat, so I tell her to ease up on the rice but she just keeps on piling it on. Half of my other side was chicken chow fun, and again she starts piling it on. I'm thinking oh my God, there's not going to be any room for the meats! I ask for my first meat and again she starts to pile it on. I'm thinking, how can she fit so much on this plate!? My last meet was beef and broccoli. I figured she can't possibly fit anymore on his plate so I asked for a little broccoli so that I actually get some meat. Again she just starts piling it on, with plenty of broccoli, and again I'm thinking, this is where they got me... All broccoli and no beef! Wrong again! I've never seen so much food on one plate. I ate until I was ready to burst and the plate still looked like I didn't touch it! They have a few sides to choose from, usually around 5-6 meat dishes and even a few vegetarian options, all good. Sure some of the smaller pieces in some of the dishes are mostly batter, but you can ask for bigger pieces or select from the other variety of choices. All of this for only $9.50! If I went to any of the three Asian restaurants that are in the same plaza I would pay double that for much less food. I'll keep...

Visit time stamp: Monday, 032524 at approximately 1230. As we rolled up there was a small line just out the door. This establishment offers take-out only. It's tiny; don't expect a red carpet. Everyone is standing. You order from right to left (you'll see). The base platter starts with either chowmein or fried rice or half & half. From there you can order 1, 2, or three add-ons. Right off the bat, the chowmein base was huge already and I mean humongous. The grub here is deeeelish with gut busting portions. Their food is hot, freshly prepared and is served up by three very efficient women who understand English better than me. They are paying attention and go out of their way to fill the white styrofoam 3-course container, leaving you to think, '...there goes my diet.' On the side (not part of the lunch deal) I ordered 6 pot stickers that were moist, golf ball sized and very delish. Additionally, I ordered a couple of BBQ pork steaks that were wonderful. What a feast. Staff efficiently bags everything so your drive back to the office doesn't end up in a disaster. I highly recommend this establishment. I cannot imagine any other restaurant matching Rickshaw Corner in portions , price or tastiness of food...I'm not kidding you, those pot stickers are the size of golf...