House Of Foong Lin

Love the food. Always exceptional. But the service is horrible. Very slow, very amateur. Tonight I waited for 20 mins after I sat down to order. Never ordered, I left at the 20 min mark.
I usually eat here once a week and the poor service was more than compensated for by the great food. But not tonight. I cannot take it anymore.

Awarding 5 stars for Chinese in Bethesda. *Great* surprise for Bethesda if you order correctly. We had overlooked this establishment. No longer.
This restaurant is traditional (nothing edgy), but delivers lively, fresh flavors and does an exceptional job with vegetables.
Items that we have enjoyed:
–Shrimp wonton with red sauce (a delicious dumpling with a chili-​based sauce)
–Lamb with ginger and scallions (the ginger and scallions were breathtakingly flavorful)
–Squid with garlic sauce (notable for the depth of the garlic sauce)
–Peking duck
–Yuling duck (with the caveat that just a tad of the sweet-​ish sauce goes a long way)
–Cabbage appetizer (rather like a Chinese version of cole slaw.

Service is gracious. The larger dining room off to the side is the more spacious place to sit.

Great place for the tiki vibe on Thursday nights. Foo and his staff are friendly and adept at mixing a rotating variety of discounted, exotic potables. The Mai Tai 44 is exceptional, and the Black Magic will cast it’s spell over you. The food is good quality, with some fun specials. I recommend the spicy calamari. Look for the tiki lights to be lit, sit back for the screening of some tiki flick while an exotica soundtrack washes over everything, and enjoy the inevitable stimulating conversation at the bar!

Always, hands down, a delicious and relaxing meal. The staff is friendly and efficient, the chef loves to walk around and check in. Drinks are delicious, come for a tiki Thursday. Or on a rainy day ask for a seat near the fireplace!

My wife and love this place! The food quality is great and the dishes are delicious! It will be a regular dinner destination for us!

I wish I could give House of Foong Lin zero stars for their terrible management. I called and spoke with the lady manager two weeks ago, in an attempt to make a dinner reservation for Christmas day. She told me that they only accept reservations for parties of 14+ people. Since my party was only for four people, the manager assured me that we could walk in and have a minimal wait. When we arrived at 5:30pm, the place was crowded and we were told that we should try coming back at 9pm! I spoke with the manager again and reinforced how it was wrong of her to have misled me and my friends into thinking they would be able to accommodate us easily on Christmas Day, since they obviously give a much higher priority to larger parties — and how I would have made alternate arrangements if I had known this. She was completely unapologetic, dismissive, and rude. Interestingly, two other parties who were waiting in line overheard my complaint and mentioned how they were lied to as well. I told the manager that I planned to lodge a complaint on Unilocal,and her assistant responded: «Go ahead and do what you need to do.» So here we are. House of Foong Lin has forever lost my patronage. We ended up dining at Positano several blocks away and had a lovely experience.

I’ve been going here for over 20 years and they are so mismanaged it’s unreal. We do delivery all the time and I’ve been told «sorry we can’t accommodate you»!!
Tonight I sat on hold after the rudest person ever answered the phone for 10 minutes and gave up!
What kind of owner doesn’t heavy up their business at peak time ?
Anyway I’m saying goodbye to Foong Lin forever!
I guess they are doing well enough to turn away business.
They won’t be around long if they keep pissing off the ones loyal to them!

Poor service, rude people, over priced.
This place took and hour and a half to deliver our overpriced food. We called the place twice asking how long it would be and was told two different things. They also hung up on us without finishing the conversation both times. The food itself was subpar and not worth the money. Most of the dishes are $ 10−15…We will not order from here again, and I hope anyone reading this review will not order from here either.

Pretty good food at reasonable prices — I’ll be back!

Nice staff. Good real Chinese if you speak mandarin. I got some ma po tofu and snow pea leaves, both weren’t sweet and tasted great. Hun la!

I’ve frequented this restaurant for years: old location and new location. I really like the owner/​chef and the manager and have never had issues like some others write on this forum. You can see them both walking around the restaurant ensuring patrons are satisfied. I always eat in the bar area and the manager pours a mean/​strong drink which is appreciated! This is a real bar with plenty of space — not just a bar jammed into the side of a restaurant. The food is fresh and of quality. It tastes good, as well. I love the Orange Beef, General Tso’s Chicken and Pork Fried Rice. The soups are OK and the Szechuan Noodle Soup is the best of the offerings.
This is one of three prime Chinese restaurants in Bethesda Proper. It’s the easiest place to park as public parking is usually ample immediately across the street. I do think it’s a little pricey compared to the competition; hence, four stars instead of five.

Very strong drinks but that’s about the best thing about the place. I was not very impressed with their Peking duck, especially for the price. The waitress also commented about my age and my boyfriends age while cutting up the duck, which I found weird. Also ordered soup to go one night since I live nearby and my boyfriend was sick. It was perfect for a sick person because it had no flavor and very light broth but unfortunately wasn’t palatable for anyone not sick.
I find tiki night at the bar intruiging but there are so many other good Asian restaurants around that I doubt I’ll come back here.

I read the reviews before going to this restaurant and should have trusted and believe the poor reviews. This place was awful. We had a table next to the window where the ledge was full of dust, dirt and dead bugs. I asked for tea and I had to ask 3 times to get a cup without someone else’s lipstick on it. The crab Rangoon was the worst I have ever tasted. Hard and tasteless, no hint of crab or creaminess. The orange beef was so over cooked and tough that the cloying sauce did not help it. There was no hint of orange in the sauce. I asked for water refill at least 2 times, finally had to get up go to the desk and ask the woman for a glass of water. Our checks were placed on the table and I said to the server I guess we can’t order dessert. I will still search for a decent place for a Chinese restaurant and the various types of food. I wasted a lot of gas and and I am pissed about the misleading positive reviews. The place was half empty on a Saturday evening.
Please don’t review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you’re connected in any way to the owner or employees.

My wife and I live in Baltimore, but we’ve been known to drive down here when we get the urge for some great food and cocktails. This place is as good as it gets when it comes to food. We always start off with the crab wontons. They’re made with fresh ingredients, including real crab meat, not the fake crab the other guys all use. My favorite dish there is the general tso’s chicken… out of this world. And the drinks. They’ve got an authentic vintage style tiki cocktail menu that delivers the goods. Every drink is delicious, and guaranteed to whisk you away to a tropical island, where you forget you’re in the middle of downtown Bethesda. The owners and the others that work here are truly nice people, and they all make you feel like you’re a regular from your first visit.

I came here with a large group from work. I had walked by here several times but had never been inside. They spread us out over two tables, and while it’s okay for larger groups, their tables can only accommodate about 10 people. The interior was nice, though, and everybody was very nice and accommodating, from the hostess to the waiter. They handed us a menu, but then we also asked for the lunch menu, which was smaller but cheaper ($ 7 – 10). The lunch menu consisted of a dish, rice, plus a side (choice of soup, spring roll).
They brought us out hot tea, water, and a bowl of friend wonton strips. Then, our sides came out (spring roll or soup). Then our lunch came out, but the timing was a bit off, so some of us got our food 5 – 7 minutes before everyone else. My General Tso’s chicken was pretty good, and the portion was large for lunch. However, my second to last chicken was raw when I cut into it, which was off-​putting. I was already full by then, so called it a day. The whole process was a bit over an hour for a very large group of us.
Overall, not bad American Chinese food (probably one of the better choices in the area), and a casual place for lunch. Lunch prices are very reasonable, and I’d definitely come back for lunch if someone suggested it. Hopefully the chicken was a fluke due to the large number of dishes they had to put out at once.

We have not dined at this restaurant for 12 years. It has not lost its appeal, good wait staff and, most important, excellent food with sensible prices.
Though sitting back of Wisconsin Avenue behind the Morell’s Sporting Goods Store, it has some of the best Chinese food in the area.
The wait staff is attentive. The menu has all the favorites. The best part is the preparation and sensible portions. Cannot wait to visit the restaurant again even though we live 1,200 miles away.

What a pleasant surprise to have my first impressions disproved. On my first visit a few years ago, I was convinced this was a glorified «chow mein palace». But considering the dearth of sit-​down Chinese restaurants in Bethesda, I thought I should give Foong Lin another chance. I’m glad I did. On my last visit, I had a beef chow fun, and the ma pu tofu. Both were flavorful and fun to eat. This last visit, I repeated the ma pu tofu and was pleased again. Another plus — there’s a real bar in the restaurant, so I can have an adult beverage while waiting for my carry-​out order.
Service from the hostess and bartender has always been cordial, very welcoming, and competent.
No, the dining room does not have a single Asian customer — it hasn’t any time I’ve been there. However, it doesn’t stop the kitchen from turning out a good product. DISCLAIMER — I haven’t yet sat down for table service, just done the carry-​out — my experience could be different when I dine in. If it is, I’ll update this review.

Every Thursday is «Tiki Thursday» with drink specials. The Mai Tai 44 is legit. Ask one of the regulars to point you to Jeff who’ll explain what makes it different.
The food is also excellent.

Foong Lin is the real deal! I just discovered them and spoke with the Chef and Owner Mr. Fu. He has been a chef trained in Hong Kong, and brings his authentic HOME MADE recipes here for us to enjoy! They even hand make/​roll the wantons, and the pancakes for moo-​shi dishes! He also sources fresh veggies from around town!
He is a great chef, he says that to cook well you don’t need lots of salt and oil.
IF you get a chance to sit at the bar and talk with him, he is there every day!
They also do a pina coloda with fresh pineapple. The whole friend rock fish is amazing as well. incredible presentation.
Three words: fresh, homemade, authentic!

When I stopped in at 10:14, knowing that they were closing in 16 minutes, I didn’t expect the warmest reception. And boy did my expectations align. But ya know what… as long as they took my money and gave me food — I would reserve those feelings. And I also understand how hard it is to make a poker face… I’m particularly awful at it.
The chef was actually out in the seating area, chatting with what seemed to be a few regulars there.
He came over and told me that I had 5 minutes to order. Ok… ok… I get it. As long as I can order. That’s all I really care about in the end. So the chef went to the computer to take my order and I breeze through the menu with rapid intent to find some semblance of authentic Chinese cuisine.
I end up ordering the Sezchuan Noodle Soup W. Pork Shrimp Squid Scallop and the Spicy Tang Shrimp Dumpling. The chef comments… «oh you like spicy». And I said, «yeah I like spicy.» And then he went back into the kitchen and let the Woman who was working the bar cash me out. And at that point, I realized… oh man… he’s gonna make this shiz REALLLL spicy. Ok… fine… better than not spicy I thought.
10 minutes later I leave with a bag. I get home, take out the soup container and see a visible inch layer of chili oil on the top of the soup, like a tiger staring me in the face, sharpening his claws, with a gun in his hand, polishing his fangs, with a look of hunger in his eyes and his face saying «you sure you really wanna mess?»
So I skimmed off about half of the chili oil, poured the soup into a bowl and went to town. And by went to town, I mean… I ate a Dragon and then breathed its soul.
Spicy, nasal clearing, eye watering, delicious soup filled with tender pieces of squid and scallop. Love the contrast of the pork in the soup. I put each spoon back into my mouth with caution and water and a defibrillator at the ready.
The Spicy Tang Shrimp Dumpling. I could eat 3 orders of these dumplings for dinner. The sauce that they are swimming in is crucial! The shrimp inside are fresh and super flavorful. VERY IMPRESSED with the dumplings. They remind of of spicy wontons from JD’s Shanghai. I enjoyed them as much or more than those dumplings, and believe me, I love those dumplings!
The chef definitely called my bluff. He was like «oh you like spicy?», with a devilish grin, and boy did he deliver.
Fantastic soup, wonderful dumplings, and their open till 10:30 in Bethesda.
SIGN ME UP!
Full Bar with a classic cocktails too. Watched a woman there make a piña colada with fresh pineapple, some mix, and Malibu. I almost jumped across the bar… I’ll be back for one of those babies too.

The food was great, we got such a ridiculous amount that I can’t even list all the food (but I’ll try)
General Taos was actually some of the best I have ever had because the chicken was quality
Vegetable lomen was nothing special but also very good as was the vegetable dumplings
EVERY dish was was good, this place was better than most Chinese food places, but at the same time it wasn’t too unique in its menu.

Good tasting food, great portions, unique lunch menu. The egg drop soup was flavorful and the mop po tofu was delicious. I’ve never seen this dish before on on a lunch menu and I was very surprised. The food was quick and service was good. Only issue I find is parking but if you’re already in the area it shouldn’t be an issue. Overall, I’m glad I stumbled by this place.

My wife and I found the restaurant prior to their move and have continued to visit on a regular basis. The owner and staff are courteous. We typically share their volcano drink, with some pan fried dumplings. I’m Cantonese, so the thin dumpling skin with the pork filling reminds me of dumplings my mother used to make.
We’ve always been pleased with their fresh veggies… But my favorite dish is the Kung pao. They don’t use a ton of filler like other restaurants.

I came out to Foong Lin for Tiki Thirstday. I was very impressed by how friendly the regulars are; our group was immediately greeted and presented with the opportunity to enter their Tiki Thirstday raffle (I think you have to be wearing «tiki» attire in order to be entered, so wear a lei or Hawaiian shirt or something of that sort!).
The Mai Tai 44s were especially tasty (and potent!). Our large group also ordered tons of food and everything came out hot and fresh.
Having just moved to the area from NYC, I have to say I haven’t found a lot of good Chinese food in the area; this is the best so far! I am definitely going to make an effort to drop by on Thursdays in the future.

3.5 stars.
Foong Lin recently moved to this space (formerly occupied by Moon Gate Restaurant) from Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda. I had heard good things about Foong Lin, and was excited to try it. We walked in and were seated right away. We got egg drop soup and hot and sour soup for appetizers. Both were piping hot and very good. The crunchy noodles tasted homemade, too. For our entrees we got the firecracker chicken, which turned lots of heads in the dining room when it came out of the kitchen sizzling on a hot place, and the bean curd homestyle. The chicken dish was quite good, but the bean curd wasn’t my favorite. Usually the dish comes with vegetables, and I was surprised when it arrived and it was just the tofu and no vegetables. The service was very good, though, and it’s nice to have another decent Chinese restaurant. I’m sure I’ll be back.