Native Plate — Restaurant in Richmond

The ambience is pretty much the only thing good here. the service is OK at best. It's a semi-casual spot, so I ignored the lackluster service. ( I have been a server for about a decade and I am pretty lax when it comes to service standards, but this place could use some work). This is the second time I have been here. the first time the food was, for me, pretty good, I got the salmon poke bowl. My boyfriend got the dan dan noodles he did not enjoy it at all. We both decided it wasn't worth the money for either dish, and havent been back since.

BUT I love the look of this place, it is so cute inside! And I love asian fusion food. I WANT to LOVE this place. I live close so I decided to give it another go last night. This time, I got the Singapore noodles. I am a TRUE foodie, but I rarely treat myself to a meal out, so this was something I was really excited for! I will eat almost anything and I am truly not picky and have never EVER sent my food back. which I still did not do this night, but I sincerely barely touched my meal. which, is unheard of for me, ya girl can eat.

After trying it (think spaghetti thats been cooked and then left out for too long, mixed with straight up curry powder and a few veggies and shrimp, just very dry, pretty bland, and lukewarm at BEST), telling my friend to try it who also, did not enjoy it at all, I ate the few shrimp, and set it aside. when she arrived I admit, I did not as the customer make my issues blatant, because I hate giving servers a hard time, so I just said everything is fine, and after all its not here fault the food was terrible nor did I want to wait for a different dish should they choose to offer that if I did complain at that time. But when she came to take our dishes away (mine still completely full of food, barely eaten, and declining to take a box with me), she didn't say anything like, " just checking, was something wrong? everything okay?"

idk I just know that if I was in her shoes, along with many of the servers that I have worked with, we would've done something about it. made sure everything was OK... maybe the person was just full and traveling so didn't want to take leftovers, or make it right, because if she had asked me at that point I would've definitely said that this meal was very disappointing. I paid full price and tipped 18%, and was out of there.

Overall its a cute place to get drinks with a friend or on a date but dont waste your money...

Stepping into Native Plate, you're met with a genuinely warm vibe, the kind that makes you feel instantly at ease. And the food? Well, let's just say it lives up to the welcoming atmosphere. On a recent visit, I had the pleasure of trying their Schuzean Chicken and the Salmon Teriyaki, and here's the lowdown: The Schuzean Chicken is a delightful surprise. The name itself hints at a bit of mystery, and the dish delivers on that intrigue. The chicken was cooked beautifully – tender and juicy on the inside with a lovely crispness to the skin. But the real star here is the "Schuzean" element. It's not just a sauce; it's an experience. There's a subtle sweetness that dances with a gentle, building heat. It's complex and layered, leaving you wanting another bite to unravel its secrets. It's not overwhelmingly spicy, but it definitely has a pleasant kick that awakens the palate. The accompanying sides were thoughtfully chosen, complementing the richness of the chicken without overpowering it. This dish feels both comforting and exciting – a real standout. Then there's the Salmon Teriyaki. Now, teriyaki can often be predictable, but Native Plate's rendition offers a refreshing take. The salmon itself was clearly high-quality, with a lovely, flaky texture and a richness that spoke to its freshness. The teriyaki glaze was the perfect balance of sweet and savory, avoiding the cloying sweetness that can sometimes plague this dish. It coated the salmon beautifully, creating a glossy, appealing finish. What impressed me most was the restraint – the sauce enhanced the natural flavor of the salmon rather than masking it. Served with perfectly cooked rice and vibrant vegetables, this was a well-executed classic that felt both satisfying and nourishing. Overall: Native Plate has clearly put thought and care into crafting their menu. Both the Schuzean Chicken and the Salmon Teriyaki showcase a commitment to quality ingredients and thoughtful flavor combinations. The Schuzean Chicken offers a unique and exciting culinary adventure, while the Salmon Teriyaki provides a comforting and elevated take on a...

I don't want to short change this establishment so I am ONLY reviewing our dishes which was my Pho Noodle Soup w/ brisket and Wife's Miso Ramen soup. First off my background, my wife is from Thailand. For years I have adopted her way of cooking, flavorful and tasty. So you cannot imagine the way I felt when I tasted my soup from Native Plate?? Absolutely NO TASTE. The brisket was moist but very few pieces of meat, the rest of the bowl was just a glob of noodles in a liquid. What I was taught eating from home is to always add Fish Sauce and White Vinegar to Asian soup which brings out the taste. Native Plate had fish sauce but no white vinegar on hand, 😕 bummer. Unfortunately I could not finish my bowl with satisfaction.

In conclusion Native Plate has a very nice atmosphere. Tables are tight and patrons are shoulder to shoulder in some places. There is seating at the bar and by the window which might offer a little more space and privacy. Street parking is metered and does take coins, bills and credit cards. There was a nice working class crowd mixed in with the locals when I was there. The other dishes at this restaurant actually looked more flavorful on the other patron tables, which I am sure offered way more taste than my bowl of soup. Asian food is very tough to master if a Chef doesn't have an Asian culinary background some dishes may slip under the radar without noticing which Is why I changed my trademark mask for this review.

The Review...