King Yen Restaurant

About

Chinese

Price Range : $11-30 ($$)

  • star
    Yelp rating
    4 stars

Location

Adress: 2995 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705

Phone: (510) 845-1286

Work Hours

Mon 11:30 am-9:30 pm
Tue 11:30 am-9:30 pm
Wed 11:30 am-9:30 pm
Thu 11:30 am-9:30 pm
Fri 11:30 am-10:00 pm
Sat 11:30 am-10:00 pm
Sun 11:00 am-9:30 pm

Business info

  • list_alt
    Takes Reservations
    Yes
  • directions_car
    Delivery
    No
  • move_to_inbox
    Take-out
    Yes
  • credit_card
    Accepts Credit Cards
    Yes
  • thumb_up
    Good For
    Lunch, Dinner
  • local_parking
    Parking
    Street
  • directions_bike
    Bike Parking
    Yes
  • accessibility
    Good for Kids
    Yes
  • group
    Good for Groups
    Yes
  • insert_emoticon
    Ambience
    Casual, Classy
  • volume_up
    Noise Level
    Average
  • local_bar
    Alcohol
    Beer & Wine Only
  • transit_enterexit
    Outdoor Seating
    Yes
  • wifi
    Wi-Fi
    No
  • tv
    Has TV
    Yes
  • fastfood
    Caters
    Yes

Reviews

  • Cassie M.

    star star star star star 2 June 2026

    BEST CHINESE FOOD, FAVORITE FAMILY RESTAURANT IN THE BAY. Hands-down our favorite restaurant for the past 20 years.

    We have come here for every graduation, wedding party, special life event, or just any time we can. The staff and owners know our orders by heart and are always so wonderful. This place is like home! I DREAM about the fried rice--no other fried rice can compare, they all seem to be missing something compared to this one. I hate going back to college because it means months and months of no King Yen unless my parents come to visit and bring some on the plane.

    Our usual order is chicken fried rice (get extra and eat it for leftovers the next day!), dry cooked chicken garlic string beans, szechuan chicken, honey walnut prawns, and potstickers. Take out or leftovers from here are great the next day too!

  • Donna S.

    star star star star star 26 May 2026

    Although my parents and I were the only Chinese diners the night that we visited, I was honestly a little nervous but the food was delicious!

    The salmon (highly recommended), braised eggplant, and garlic chicken were favorites at our table. Service is very attentive and kind. I would definitely come back again.

  • Tracy W.

    star star star star star 20 May 2026

    This is by far the best Chinese food I've ever had!!!! My father, step mom, and I were desperately trying to find a place to eat after church on Father's Day. They didn't want to eat at the expensive buffet brunches and most places had excessive wait times or reservations only.

    After driving from Oakland to Emeryville then to Berkeley we came upon King Yen. The restaurant at first glance was very clean. I thought it was a French bistro with its white table cloths and napkins, front patio seating and minimalist decor.

    The wait staff was great! Charles was very attentive and got our special order of no garlic right in every dish. We ordered the house special calamari, general tsar chicken that wasn't breaded and fried surprisingly, combo chow main, combo fried rice, beef and broccoli cooked soft, and sweet and sour pork. All of the food was flavorful and delicious! No need to add soy sauce. Everything came out hot and fresh. The meat - beef, pork, chicken - was tender. I'm usually able to eat one plate of food but I actually had seconds.

    The price was ok considering we were in Berkeley - 13.95 for a dish vs 10.95 in Oakland. But it was well worth it. Our bill was $90. We'll be back for sure!

  • Tevye K.

    star star star star star 17 May 2026

    Best Chinese in the east bay, hands down, and you can always get a table!  So reliable and everything is good!  Service is super fast and efficient.

  • Joan C.

    star star star star star_border 12 May 2026

    I'm liking this restaurant more and more with each visit.

    Update on new dishes:

    Hot & sour - chunky, tangy, lots of tofu/mushrooms/etc to fill in the broth, very flavorful. Don't know how I'm going to find a place to replace this dish if I move. 5/5

    Eggplant and chicken - not too much sauce, eggplant is the right consistency (i don't like it too mush or too hard - it's gotta be right in the middle). Overall pretty good, but it's lacking a bit in the usual spicy/tangy combo. I'll still order it again though. 3.5/5

    Service 5/5 - they're always so quick and attentive!

    Forgot to mention if you're not familiar with the area you can park in nearby 2 hour parking any day of the week for free as long as you don't mind a short walk.

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