Fan Tang Asian Cafe — Restaurant in Kirkland

I think this is a newer spot in Kirkland. Stopped by on a visit to the area based on the ratings. This rating isn't a negative at all, just 3 for an average experience. There's a hint of authenticity in the taste, but nothing too strong. I've been spoiled with home cooked meals for the summer though and as you all know, nothing beats mom's cooking. With that in mind, I feel like my opinion may change when I'm craving comfort Taiwanese/Chinese food.

The biggest pain here was the value (price for the quantity). Taste was solid in some aspects and average in others. Nothing stood out positively or negatively. Did not interact with staff enough to formulate a strong opinion on service but they were friendly and welcoming. Overall positive with a greeting and then bringing food, but other than that there wasn't much interaction. You pour your own water from a counter and grab utensils from another. They have two tablets to order from.

Garlic Green Beans - exactly what you expect. Green beans sauteed with garlic. Tasty but I can't justify the $9.50 price point. They do have a happy hour from 2-5 where the price is slightly above half, which is better. I'm not sure if the amount is reduced so can't report on that, but $5 sounds more reasonable especially for a smaller appetizer.

Mei Cai Pork Belly Bowl - I love mei cai kou rou, it's a staple. As a side note, dong po is also a great staple. Anyways, the pork belly was juicy and tender. Spectacular, but you only get about 5 pieces in a bowl for $16. The small salad and regular rice are okay supplements to the meat, but they don't contribute enough to justify the price point either in my opinion. Taste is great but underwhelming in quantity.

12-Spice Beef Noodle Soup - okay beef noodle soup is my number one comfort food so I have stronger opinions here. You get a mix of both meat and tendons here and they're tender pieces. Noodles were great and longer pieces, if you told me they were handmade in store, I'd believe it. However, on the disappointing side were the vegetables and soup. I only had about 5 or 6 baby bok choys and maybe not everyone likes their vegetables, but it's a big part of my expectation. The soup tasted a bit watered down. While still slightly spicy, it was very difficult to taste much of the bone broth or beef.

Overall, it's a nice spot for authentic Chinese food but isn't perfect. Personal bias to home cooking and Taiwan food may be reflected in my taste and this review so I'd keep the thoughts in consideration but not completely sway any action. Value feels underwhelming in regards to price versus quantity. Hopefully can revisit after being away from home for a while to...

I had one of the worst dining experiences of my life at Fan Tang Asian Cafe, and I feel compelled to warn others about the potential dangers of eating here. After dining at this restaurant, I experienced severe food poisoning that was so bad it landed me in the emergency room. What was supposed to be a pleasant meal turned into a terrifying ordeal, and it has completely shattered my trust in this establishment.

The food here is clearly not fresh. Many of the dishes appear to be pre-made and rely heavily on food additives and artificial flavors. Instead of authentic and delicious cuisine, the food tastes processed and overly manufactured, leaving you questioning what you're actually putting into your body. This is not the kind of meal anyone should be consuming if they care about their health and well-being.

What’s even worse is that these shortcuts seem to prioritize profit over quality and safety. The way the food is prepared is a recipe for disaster, and unfortunately, I learned this the hard way. Restaurants should uphold the highest standards when it comes to hygiene and freshness, and it’s clear Fan Tang Asian Cafe has failed miserably in this regard.

If you value your health and your life, I strongly advise you to avoid this place at all costs. No meal is worth the kind of pain and danger I endured after eating here. There are plenty of other restaurants out there that take pride in offering fresh, safe, and authentic meals—Fan Tang Asian Cafe is not one of them.

Yes, you made the best...

Terrible service. There is no sign of “seat you yourself” or any kind so I patiently waited at the door for several minutes. The waitress saw me but ignored me, I had to ask her if I may have a seat for dine in. She then gave me a sarcastic look like I should have known I can sit down rather than stand in the lobby like a fool. and when I asked them for to go boxes. The same waitress refused to give me a regular size box for my noodle and soup. She said they don’t have it, they just ordered but has not arrived yet. So My only choice is the flimsy small boxes made from paper. However In the meantime I saw cook using the plastic regular one for packing other’s order behind the counter. I pointed at the stack of plastic boxes and asked for it again. This waitress then reluctantly gave me one after long hesitation.

I have no idea why this restaurant hire an employee like this, and I don’t understand why I need to fight for a single togo box which is honestly the only option for packing noodle with soup. The paper one will just be soaked in and broken in no time… Literally the worst dining experience...