About
Welcome to Da Lian, a charming oasis for authentic Chinese cuisine nestled in the heart of Berkeley, California. Located at 1674 Shattuck Ave, this women-led, Asian-owned restaurant has quickly become a local favorite, renowned for its incredible variety of homemade noodles and the ability to cater to diverse dietary preferences.
Da Lian stands out not only for its menu but also for its commitment to accessibility and sustainability. With features like wheelchair accessibility, compostable containers, and reusable tableware, this establishment embraces eco-friendly practices while ensuring a welcoming environment for all. The inviting, casual atmosphere complemented by outdoor seating and wifi makes it an ideal spot for families, groups, or a quiet meal.
One of the hallmark offerings at Da Lian is their selection of homemade noodles. Signature dishes like the Garlic Noodles with Pork Brisket, drenched in a savory garlic sauce and topped with tender braised pork brisket, are an absolute must-try. For a comforting yet spicy experience, consider the Pickled Cabbage Noodle Soup with lamb or fish, which showcases the restaurant's flair for marrying traditional flavors with freshly sourced ingredients. These dishes reflect the essence of Da Lian—where richness of flavor meets the authenticity of preparation.
Customer reviews further highlight the standout experiences at Da Lian. One diner, Brenda C., mentions that the restaurant is "worth the hour drive," praising both the quality of the food and the attentive service. Meanwhile, Amber C. emphasizes the commendable portion sizes and the especially delightful vegetable dishes that cater to various dietary needs. As many customers have noted, Da Lian is a haven for both vegans and meat-lovers alike, making it easy for friends with diverse palates to enjoy a meal together.
When it comes to specials, don't miss the PanPacific Salt and Pepper Salmon, which pairs crispy fried salmon with spicy lapeno peppers, or Da Lian's exquisite Kung Pao Fish, where fish fillet mingles with fresh vegetables and a signature sauce that packs a punch. The menu also features the beloved Mu Shu, served with hand-rolled wraps and homemade plum sauce—a dish that immerses you in the authentic flavors of Chinese dining.
In summary, Da Lian is more than just a restaurant; it’s a culinary experience that brings the community together. Whether you're craving a quick lunch, seeking a cozy dinner spot, or organizing a group meal, Da Lian truly delivers. The ambiance, combined with hearty, flavorful dishes and accommodating service, makes this establishment a gem of Berkeley. Don't miss out—your taste buds will thank you!
For reservations or takeout, call (510) 883-1883 and prepare to indulge in the delightful offerings that Da Lian has in store for you!
“ Food was delicious, service was tops, clean, comfortable atmosphere!! Worth the hour drive to get there. ”
“ Come here for authentic Chinese food! Their house made noodles were delicious. Also highly recommend their vegetable clay pot. And any vegetable dish. Great portions for the price. ”
“ Food service and ambiance all very good. A favorite local Chinese restaurant for our family! ”
“ Hands down the best Chinese in Berkeley! And I've tried most if not all. I can't honestly believe it took me so long to find this place. Everything we've tried is so good and fresh with clearly real ingredients. Third time ordering from here this week I'm obsessed. ”
“ Nice restaurant very accommodating staff. There were 7 in our party, 4 vegans, a vegetarian, and 2 "regular" eaters. The menu had a vegetarian section, and I asked if the food was vegan. The server told me she could have any of the menu items prepared vegan by subbing tofu and they had a "clear" broth for the soups. We ordered one of the house made noodle soups with pickled cabbage (normally spicy beef) but had it with tofu instead. It was delicious! We also had the veggie clay pot, Kung Pao tofu, and 2 chicken and veggie dishes with a few sides of rice. Generous portions and excellent flavor. Everything tasted freshly made and nothing was too oily. Service was great and very clean restrooms. ”
“ Noodles were very tasty and service was good. Soup base was delicious and I drank it up afterward. Big interior, so didn't feel cramped at all. ”
“ Been on the search for good Chinese food in Berkeley that won't break the bank. This was nothing amazing, but definitely some solid hearty Chinese food for the price point. Ordered the Beef Noodle Soup and Sour Lamb Noodle Soup. Both were very comforting and loved the noodle texture, although I wish the beef was slightly more tender. Service was also a bit slow, but the interior was clean, spacious, and very pretty. ”
“ Decent Chinese food; generous portions for the price point. We were here for lunch, but ordered from the dinner menu, as it seemed to have more of your typical authentic Chinese fare. Ordered the Zhajiang noodles, seafood clay pot, and sichuan chicken, which was more than enough for a group of 3. Solid flavor from all 3 dishes; nothing to write home about but no complaints and enjoyed a good meal. ”
“ Great authentic Chinese cuisine! I came here with my picky mother & her recommendation did not disappoint. The Salmon dumplings were very unique and tasty, the salmon gave the dumplings a good deep savory & creamy flavor that it be never had in a dumpling before. The spinach dumplings were packed with spinach, and I appreciate that they were generous with the amount of veggies in there, but I would've appreciated some other flavors and textures in there. Their bin was nice and breast, covered in fun crunchy seasame seeds, and had some well oiled green onion in the middle to add a flavor punch. We got three dishes in addition to those 3 appetizers and a large bowl of noodles to share between 5 people and it was maybe just a little too much food (not a ton of large appetites though)! I deferred to the parents in ordering since they're much more familiar with the regional cuisine that this restaurant is named after. We got a series of vegetable dishes, and boy were they delicious! The eggplant was SO good, super tender and flavorful. All the vegetables in the dishes were done well, cooked just right with flavorful sauces that didn't overwhelm the tender vegetables and their own flavors. We got a chicken dish as well that fell under the same boat. The noodle soup was delicious, but be wary as it's spicier the lower the pot goes! I personally hate it when dishes are all spice without flavor, and this place was great about that. The peppers were certainly felt by their heat and flavor, but there were so many other flavors with the green onions, fish, and other garnish. We finished off with some mini sesame balls that were a great way to cap off a delicious meal. I'd highly recommend a stop here for some authentic Da Lían Chinese cuisine! ”
“ Quick Summary - Lovely interior, great to dine in for celebratory reasons - Dinner comes with tea - Listing their fried rice as one of my favorites - Friendly staff We arrived here on Mother's Day. The restaurant ambience was pleasant and nice to have on a day to celebrate. The glassware and the utensils, that served the dishes, were pretty and visually amplified the mood. Oh yes, before entering, we were attracted by the large posters at the entrance. The noodle dish stood out to us very appetizing, and that was the dish we decided on. the other two we picked our usual: fried rice and hot and sour soup. The kettle of hot tea arrived at our table without us requesting, so that felt like a kind bonus to the meal experience (we love tea). The order arrived around the same time, but the first was the hot and sour soup, my favorite. Upon first glance, it didn't look like the typical hot and sour soup that I remember. Color is whiter and had a different type of mushroom than the wood ear. Sipping it, yes, it's spicy and sour, just like how I like it (almost coughed). The spiciness is mostly from the peppercorn, maybe white because the broth was pearly white. I would list this as one of the delicious hot and sour soup dishes I have tried and would return here to try it again. (maybe order one just for myself xD) The fried rice here is so good! If anyone reads my list of food places, I have a handful of restaurants, where they make my favorite type of fried rice. I'll list this one in there as well. It could be that I chose the combination fried rice because the seasoning of the rice is spot on. Every spoonful had flavor, no grain was missed. Lastly, the zhan jiang noodles was another good dish. I had tried a similar dish in a different place, but the black bean sauce was salty. Here, that wasn't the case. While the sauce looks condensed and rich, the flavor merged well with the noodles. It has a well-rounded flavor that coated the noodles well and it also balanced evenly with the cucumbers; it didn't cause a conflict between the rich and refreshing. The staff was very kind and attentive as well. The timing of when the dishes arrived and when we had finished eating and began asking for the check was perfect. They were also very helpful, when we returned to the restaurant, because we left something at the table and came back to retrieve it. Overall a fantastic experience, and I think visit here not only on special occasions, but just days when we want to eat the fried rice or trying out their dim sums. ”