Restaurant Review by the Phantom Diner

Chinese House Restaurant

"Enough!" you say? No more mixed grill and salads. Asia has finally come to Palestine, I tell you, and under no fraudulent terms.

Chinese House restaurant doesn't look much different from the seafood diner that once worked out of this second floor spot in Ramallah. But what this Chinese food restaurant lacks in looks, it makes up for in abundant taste, quality and quantity. No restaurant in Palestine such a broad menu. Here duck, shrimp, beef, fish and chiken are forced to share the same table, stewed in rich sweet and sour sauce, hot peppers, or ginger and lemon.

A meal at Chinese House begins quickly as fried dumplings are lain on the table, with sour, bitey cabbage salad to much on before the real appetizer: a thick steaming spring roll or soup.

Without much wait, main dishes are served on trays warmed by candles - Chinese chicken and cashews, spicy orange beef and shrimp stir fried with fresh snap peas. Strong green tea (perhaps a little too strong) washes it all down. Praise God, there are not yet any substitutes for hard-to-find menu items and the Asian cook staff seems a guarantee that Chinese House will stay authentic as long as it stays around.

Still a seemingly well-kept secret. Chinese House is quiet and cozy. Its prices are moderate - from $ 7 - 10 an entree - but with a group of five, three entrees are plenty. The service is polite and prompt. There is no other way to say it - visit! You will not be disappointed.
 

Location: On Ramallah's main street, between Rukab's Ice Cream and Angelo's Restaurant, on the same side of the street.
Menu: Wide array of authentc Chinese cooking. Takeout available. Alcohol served.

Phantom Diner Rating: ++++
 

Rating Scale:
++++ next to heaven
+++ a place to come back to
++ if you're hungry you'll eat anywhere
+ not a ghost of a chance

Note: The views expressed in this section reflect the Phantom Diner's personal experiences in the restaurants featured.