Great China
Chinese restaurant · Downtown ·
Peking duck, double skin, extensive wine list, modern ambiance
Peking duck, double skin, extensive wine list, modern ambiance
"Chic enough for the style-savvy, cheap enough for students and authentic enough for local Chinese families, Great China is one of the few Berkeley restaurants everyone can (and does) agree on. Spicehounds should look elsewhere, as the food is somewhat mild, but the ingredients are higher quality than the average Chinese spot.Kick things off with an aromatic bowl of hot and sour soup or an order of vegetarian egg rolls. Then sample generously portioned favorites like the sweet-and-spicy kung pao chicken; beautifully lacquered tea-smoked duck; or the beloved “double skin”—a platter of mung bean noodles tossed with pork, mushrooms, squid and a soy-mustard dressing. Only larger parties can reserve, so be aware there may be lines at peak hours." - Michelin Inspector
"Great China is the best spot for an upscale group dinner, especially if you’re out on the company card, or are a Cal student on a mission to prove you’re not a total degenerate when your parents come to town. The Northern Chinese restaurant, which could pass for an industrial fine art gallery, serves non-stop hits in mountainous portions. Have the whole Peking duck on your table. The crisp skin is fanned out like a sun over a mound of roast meat, and the side pancakes are delicate enough to see through. Fish dumplings, sticky spare ribs, and platters of slippery double skin should also fill your lazy susan, along with a bottle or two (you’re here to impress after all) from their 26-page wine list." - julia chen 1, lani conway
"Great China’s chic home on Bancroft is a favorite for family and group dinners. Don’t miss out on the “double skin” dish, a signature of the restaurant, which features a mix of mung bean noodles, egg crepe, seafood, mushroom, and pork. The Beijing roast duck is also a favorite, arriving with pancakes, plum sauce, and scallions ready for wrapping. The oenophiles in the group will want to peruse the extensive wine menu, with several options available by the bottle, including a deep list of Burgundy." - Dianne de Guzman
"It’s might be the least accessible of campus ‘restaurants’ in the vicinity of UC Berkeley, but Great China stands on its own, and rightfully so: it continues to serve some of the most elegant Northern Chinese food in the Bay. The Peking duck deserves all the praise it gets, but the menu is also loaded with outstanding seafood dishes and sublime dumplings, as well as a number of Korean-Chinese specialties. Oenophiles will appreciate the deep, well-priced wine cellar focused on Burgundies." - Dianne de Guzman
"Great China is an excellent place to take groups, as the longtime Berkeley favorite seems practically built to accommodate larger parties, especially given its proximity to the Cal campus. Don’t skip the Double Skin dish as an appetizer, made with mung bean noodles and an assortment of seafood, meat, and vegetables. The roast duck is also worth consideration; meanwhile, wine aficionados will want to peruse Great China’s extensive wine list, which has earned an excellent reputation." - Dianne de Guzman
