Chin's Szechwan - La Jolla — Restaurant in San Diego

I had an absolutely delightful dining experience at CHIN’C Here are the highlights:

Ambiance Warm and inviting atmosphere with tasteful decor that balances traditional Chinese elements and modern style. Comfortable seating and a pleasant background soundtrack that enhanced the dining experience without being overpowering.

Service Attentive and friendly staff who greeted us with smiles and were quick to assist. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offered thoughtful recommendations, and ensured our needs were met without being overbearing. Timely service with dishes arriving hot and well-paced.

Food GARLIC BEEF Described as GARLIC BEEF , with perfectly balanced flavors and tender texture. TANGERINE A standout for its crispness, aroma, freshness Note-worthy for its balance of sweet, savory, tangy, ] and generous portion. Vegetables were crisp, sauces were rich yet not overpowering, and the presentation was vibrant. If you’re into spice, the delivered a satisfying kick without overpowering the other flavors.

Drinks and Extras [Drink/Tea] was the perfect palate cleanser between bites. The [dessert] was a delightful finish, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Value Generous portions at a fair price, with clear attention to quality and consistency. Clear care taken in sourcing ingredients and presenting an authentic yet approachable menu.

Overall A truly enjoyable experience that left us eager to return and try more of the menu. Highly recommended for families, date nights, or a casual meal with friends.

If you’d like, share some details from your visit (name of the restaurant, dishes you tried, and any standout moments), and I can tailor the review to be even more specific...

Chin’s Szechwan: A Second-Chance Redemption Story!

Sometimes, giving a place a second chance pays off big time, and Chin’s Szechwan just proved it to me. I’ll admit, my first visit years ago left me unimpressed—the dishes then didn’t live up to their potential, and I wasn’t in a rush to return.

Fast-forward to now, and wow—what a turnaround! I ordered the Shanghai Crispy Pork and Fried Pork Wontons, and let me tell you, they were absolutely phenomenal. The crispy pork was perfectly cooked with just the right amount of crunch and flavor, while the wontons had that golden, satisfying crisp paired with a filling that was next-level delicious.

If you’ve written Chin’s off in the past, it might be time to reconsider. Whatever they’ve done to improve has worked, and this meal was proof they’ve earned their reputation back.

Pro tip: Always be open to second chances—you might just find your new favorite dishes...

I was skeptical about a "great" Chinese spot in La Jolla, but Chin's delivered in a serious way.

The service was very slow to take our order, but once we got started, the service was great the rest of the night. The staff was warm and inviting, and they made sure we had everything we needed.

We got the pan fried pork potstickers (solid - more dough-y than I prefer), tangerine beef (a little too fruit-forward with the glaze), Szechwan crispy pork (delicious), ku ting shrimp (a hit across the table) and spicy honey & sesame chicken (the crowd favorite of the night). Not pictured: crispy wontons and seafood fried rice (the table liked both).

The space is small, but the portions are HUGE. Four of us were eating, and we took home at least half of three entrees. I'd love to return to try more savory dishes...and hopefully more veggies.

Well...