Highlights
- Fireplace
- Sports
- Great tea selection
oChef » ChiHo – Seattle
ChiHo - Seattle
Photo from ChiHo
ChiHo at a glance
Seattle Central Business District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 95 of the guests
#301 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#13 Chinese Restaurant out of 53 in Seattle
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
551
Reviews
77.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food Quality
- Cozy Ambiance
- Attentive Staff
Frequently criticized
- Parking Issues
- Value Concerns
- Waitlist Problems
The restaurant ChiHo, a Chinese Restaurant in Seattle’s Central Business District, welcomes you with its inviting ambiance. You’ll find a cozy and casual spot, perfect for a relaxed meal.
One of its standout features is the warm fireplace, creating an exceptionally comfortable setting. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a delightful dinner, or late-night food, this place has you covered with its diverse offerings and friendly service options.
Overview: Introducting ChiHo
ChiHo offers a dining experience where the portions are often generous and the ingredients fresh, making for satisfying meals. Many appreciate the attentive staff who contribute to a smooth visit, even during busy times.
The overall setting provides a comfortable and relaxed ambiance. However, some guests have found the value to be inconsistent, with concerns about pricing for certain dishes.
There have also been instances of frustrating wait times and issues with service attentiveness, suggesting areas where ChiHo could refine its guest experience.
Good
7.8
out of 10
551
Reviews
77.9%
Satisfaction
98
negative
24
neutral
429
positive
Overall, ChiHo earns a solid 7.8 out of 10, indicating a good dining experience, with customer satisfaction also reflecting this positive sentiment at 77.9%. This consistent feedback, drawn from 551 customer observations, suggests a generally well-regarded establishment.
The Food (8.2) stands out as a particular strength, frequently praised for its quality and flavor, while the Ambience (8.1) also contributes significantly to a pleasant visit, creating a comfortable setting. While the culinary offerings and atmosphere shine, the Service (6.9) and Value (6.6) aspects, though still rated as good, show a bit more room for refinement.
Guests generally find the service attentive, but some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies. Similarly, while many appreciate the reasonable pricing, a segment of feedback suggests that the perceived value could be improved for certain items, balancing the 429 positive remarks with 98 negative ones.
What people like
- Exceptional Food Quality
- Comfortable, Cozy Ambiance
- Attentive, Helpful Staff
What people don't like
- Parking Challenges
- Inconsistent Value
- Waitlist Frustrations
With a strong 8 for recommendation, ChiHo generally delivers a satisfying experience, particularly for those prioritizing excellent food and a pleasant atmosphere. If you’re seeking a meal where culinary quality and a relaxed setting are key, this spot is certainly worth considering for your next outing.
However, be mindful of potential parking difficulties and occasional inconsistencies in value or wait times. While these aspects might require a bit of patience, ChiHo remains a solid choice for its core strengths, offering a good dining option if you manage expectations around these minor points.
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Verdict: Our expert take on ChiHo
Food (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place truly shines! With a strong score of 8.2 and an impressive 83.9% customer satisfaction, it's clear diners are loving the culinary journey. Out of 341 comments, 286 rave about delicious food, highlighting favorites like the honey roast duck, black truffle wagyu fried rice, and especially the authentic soup dumplings.
However, not every dish hits the mark, with 45 comments noting areas for improvement. Some found the fried rice bland, while others mentioned inconsistent chicken texture or cold soup. A few also pointed out greasy stir-fried dishes, suggesting some room for refinement in certain areas.
Food
341
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
45
negative
10
neutral
286
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, authentic cuisine
- Excellent soup dumplings
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Bland fried rice
- Inconsistent chicken texture
- Greasy stir-fries
Often praised
- foodAfter complaining to my sister about the nearly empty restaurant requiring a reservation, the staff allowed us to come in and sit down to eat. The food was good, but the restaurant was still less than a quarter full while we were there. I was very disappointed in the way we were treated by the staff.
- soup dumplingsThe skin of the soup dumplings but is more resilient/less likely to be broken by chopsticks.
- FoodFood:5
- dumplingsThe Dan dan noodles, honey walnut shrimp, and any of the dumplings (soup or non soup) are incredible.
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The portions were generous and the dishes were bursting with fresh, delicious ingredients. It’s clear they have a high pursuit of excellence in both their food and service.
- Dan Dan NoodlesDan Dan Noodles, all entrées were exceptional
- Dan Dan noodlesMy favorite was the Dan Dan noodles. Perfectly spicy and oily.
- fried riceThe fried rice... were all pretty much perfect.
- noodlesThe noodles were well cooked and had a good spice.
- variety of dishesMy experience at this restaurant was a great dinner with a variety of delicious dishes. We went for a very affordable Deattle Restaurant Week meal with a large group and had an amazing time.
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food is not done in the right way
- chicken fried riceMy experience with the chicken fried rice was not good. The rice looked like it was barely cooked, appearing white and underdone.
- fried riceit was too oily and most importantly, Where is the wagyu?
- kung pao chickenkung pao chicken...tasted of nothing but dish soap
- ricerice looked like they threw it in for 1 second then took it out the rice was white
- Chinese foodone of the worst Chinese food I’ve experienced
- FoodFood:2
- General Tso's Chickenthe texture was way off. Instead of being crisp the chicken was very chewy and unpleasant.
- Jasmine RiceOvercooked. Lots of hard pieces in the rice
- Ma Po TofuMa Po Tofu and it was inedible
If you're craving delicious, authentic Chinese cuisine, especially their acclaimed soup dumplings, this spot is definitely worth a visit. While most dishes impress, a few might not hit the same high notes.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 74% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark, earning a 6.9 score. Many guests rave about the friendly staff and quick service, noting how food came out fast and servers were attentive. With 80 positive remarks out of 127 total, it seems many appreciate the impeccable service and helpful recommendations.
However, the customer satisfaction sits at a 63%, indicating a mixed bag. Some experiences mention frustrating waiting times and issues with reservation policy, leading to long waits even with bookings. There are also concerns about underwhelming staff and occasional server attitude, suggesting areas for improvement despite the overall positive sentiment.
Service
127
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
39
negative
8
neutral
80
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick, efficient service
- Helpful recommendations
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Reservation issues
- Inconsistent staff attitude
Often praised
- serviceMy fiancée and I stumbled upon Chiho after we came in late from the airport, and it was one of the only places near us that was open. It was super busy but service was quick, and everything was soooooo delicious and flavorful. The soup dumplings are a must-try.
- ServiceService:5
- staffThe staff is attentive and precise.
- serversThe servers were amazing and so helpful and kind.
- wait timeWe also had their wagyu beef soup dumplings and the truffle fried rice, which was delicious! The server was friendly, and we were seated right away. I would definitely come back here again.
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- waitThere was no wait which I imagine is due to the large volume of rain
- boss and chefThe boss and chef are very nice!
- courteous staffCourteous staff.
- dishesThe dishes came out pretty fast
Frequently criticized
- serviceBad service, no effort to try and make things proper
- staffThe food was good, but the restaurant was still less than a quarter full while we were there. I was very disappointed in the way we were treated by the staff. It felt like we were being profiled and discriminated in the beginning.
- waitMy experience at the restaurant was frustrating due to their waitlist system. We joined the waitlist online and arrived at the suggested time, only to be told there was another hour wait and that the waitlist wasn't working. It would have been appreciated if they had called to inform us or turned off the waitlist.
- $100 billthey don’t accept $100 bill as she has no ability to identify the real or fake money
- 30 minutesIt took 30 minutes from ordering onsite
- ServiceService:2
- attention to detailattention to detail
- complete an ordertake over an hour to complete an order
- empathySome empathy from the server could have helped
- food arrival timesfood arrived at all different times
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag. While many enjoy quick and friendly interactions, be prepared for potential wait times or reservation hiccups, especially during busy periods. If you value efficiency and a warm welcome, you'll likely be pleased, but some inconsistencies might pop up.
Ambience (8.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to the atmosphere, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 8.1 and a solid 88% customer satisfaction. Based on 50 customer remarks, with 44 positive observations, many guests rave about the overall atmosphere and cozy ambience, often describing it as having a cool vibe inside and a comfortable setting perfect for a relaxing meal. You'll likely find a warm and welcoming environment here.
However, not every experience is perfect, as indicated by 6 negative comments. Some patrons have faced challenges with street parking, and a few mentioned the restaurant temperature being too cold. There were also instances where the small restaurant felt cramped, even when it appeared empty, which can be a bit of a head-scratcher.
Ambience
50
Reviews
88%
Satisfaction
6
negative
0
neutral
44
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy ambience
- Warm atmosphere
- Clean restaurant
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Cold restaurant
- Small space
Often praised
- atmosphereThe casual and comfortable atmosphere sets the mood
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceWe find ourselves returning every few weeks because it's just too good. The service is great, and the ambiance is super relaxed and cozy.
- restaurantThis restaurant was clean
- amazing timehad an amazing time
- comfortable settingin a comfortable setting
- cozy ambienceCozy ambience and friendly service
- environmentEnvironment at restaurant was welcoming and warm
- great environmentgreat service and a great environment
- large groupwith a large group and had an amazing time
Frequently criticized
- empty restaurantwith a completely empty restaurant
- parkingParking is a challenge
- restaurant emptyI was asked if I had a reservation, and after replying that I didn't, the restaurant turned me away, stating they only accepted clients with reservations. Keep in mind, the restaurant was almost completely empty. The staff explained that they were waiting on many reservations, which they claimed was the reason for turning me away.
- restaurant temperatureThe manager should have planned better, especially with other people arriving and takeout orders being taken. The restaurant was also very cold; they need to turn on the heat early to warm it up for lunch, as we had to wear coats. While the food is usually good, today the rice and broccoli were cold.
- small restaurantsmall restaurant closely seated to other patrons.
- street parkingStreet parking is somewhat difficult to find
If youre looking for a place with a generally warm and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant is a great choice. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and perhaps bring an extra layer, as the temperature can sometimes be a bit chilly. Overall, its worth a visit for the good vibes alone!
Value (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners have found some real gems here! With 19 positive opinions out of 33 total, guests often praise the affordable meal and reasonable price, noting its quite "cost-efficient. " The "SRW menu" particularly stands out as a great deal, offering amazing value for the quality.
The score for value sits at a respectable 6.6, indicating its generally seen as average to good. However, the picture isnt entirely rosy, with customer satisfaction being a bit more mixed at 57.6%. Some of the 8 negative opinions mention "high prices" and feeling the food was "overpriced, " especially when portions didnt quite match expectations.
Concerns about the overall food price and even unexpected charges like a 20% after-tax tip have also been noted, suggesting that while some find great deals, others feel the pinch.
Value
33
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
8
negative
6
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Reasonable deals
- Good quality for price
What people don't like
- High prices
- Overpriced food
- Unexpected charges
Often praised
- priceThis place is very reasonably priced
- pricesthe prices are very reasonable
- valueoffers amazing value for the quality of food
- 5-course mealthe special menu option did not disappoint—$65 for a 5-course meal.
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- SRW menuSRW menu was a good deal
- affordableAffordable, great service and a great environment
- affordable mealvery affordable Deattle Restaurant Week meal
- cost-efficientvery cost efficient
- mixed basket$14 for a mixed basket. Was plenty and gave the chance to try them all !
Frequently criticized
- $22it was $22 for a average portions of sadly prepared fish
- 20% after tax tipswe were charged 20% after tax tips without notifying us
- food priceThey don’t respect their reservations, and we had to wait 30 minutes because a table wasn’t held for us despite having a reservation. Furthermore, the food was overpriced and not that great either.
- high pricefor the high price I would not recommend
- high pricesfor the high prices they charge I don’t think I could recommend them.
- parkingParking is a nightmare
- priceNot worthy.
- valueused to be great food and good value
This spot can be a fantastic find for value, especially if you catch a special menu or know what to order. Just be mindful of the regular menu prices and any potential extra charges, as some diners have found it a bit steep.
How are the prices at ChiHo?
You’re looking at roughly 31 per person – reported by 95 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 31, many guests actually spend a bit less, with a good chunk falling into the $21–$30 range. There’s also a mix of both cheaper and more premium experiences available.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 95 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Chinese restaurant. With options spanning from more budget-friendly to slightly higher-end, it offers good flexibility for different dining preferences.
Customer Reviews: what people think about ChiHo
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Great Food, Minor Service Hiccups
This is a great small space for a relaxing dinner with friends. We were seated quickly as we had reservations. The staff was a bit slow to get with us for orders, but we didn't notice much due to chit chat amongst the group.
It seemed like they might have been short some staff, as all the rest were rustling around, seeming they might not have direction. The food came very quickly and was top-notch and very fresh and hot. Almost everything was delicious, with the exception of the ribs, which weren't that great.
Definitely recommended for a friend's night out. Order dumplings and starters for sure. The fried rice is in point.
Other than the ribs, everything else is delicious.
- small space8
- seated quickly9
- staff6
- ribs3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Chiho: A Must-Try for Xiao Long Bao Lovers
If you're ready to elevate from typical Din Tai Fung, this is the place! They have "rainbow" xiao long baos so you can try all different fillings and flavors. My parents (from HK) are hard to impress.
Dad doesn't care for Din Tai Fung but he loves Chiho. We also hosted 2 parties here and all our guests LOVED the food. Thanks Uncle Luke and Chiho fam for the hospitality.
*BONUS: you're supporting small family business when you dine here*
- rainbow xiao long baos10
- food10
- hospitality10
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Amazing Thanksgiving Find!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, especially since it saved us on Thanksgiving when many places were closed or overpriced. The food was amazing, the prices were good, and the service and atmosphere were great. It was a wonderful find for a holiday meal.
- food10
- prices9
- service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Excellent Chinese Food, Especially Honey Walnut Prawns
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's a solid place for Chinese food that isn't too expensive. The Honey Walnut prawns were exceptional, and the mapo tofu was pretty good too.
Other dishes were decent. The atmosphere and service were both rated a 5, and the food a 4. The price per person is around $20–30, and they have clearly labeled vegetarian dishes, making it somewhat recommended for vegetarians.
The wait time was between 10-30 minutes for a group of 3-4 people.
- Chinese food8
- Honey Walnut prawns10
- mapo tofu7
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Large Group
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Affordable Deattle Restaurant Week Gem
My experience at this restaurant was a great dinner with a variety of delicious dishes. We went for a very affordable Deattle Restaurant Week meal with a large group and had an amazing time. The restaurant offered affordable prices, great service, and a great environment!
- delicious dishes10
- variety of dishes9
- affordable meal10
What ChiHo offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Vegan options
- Happy hour drinks
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Happy hour food
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Pets
- Dogs allowed
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at ChiHo?
At ChiHo, you’ll discover a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere perfect for any occasion. You can relax by the fireplace, enjoy the free Wi-Fi, and experience a welcoming environment that’s good for kids and even allows dogs.
What dining and service options are available at ChiHo?
ChiHo offers diverse dining options including lunch, dinner, brunch, and dessert, with table service and seating. For convenience, you can choose no-contact delivery, takeout, or traditional delivery. Reservations are accepted, and dinner reservations are recommended for your visit.
Is ChiHo considered good value for money?
Opinions on value at ChiHo are somewhat mixed. Many find the pricing reasonable and portions generous, offering good value. However, some guests have expressed concerns that certain dishes can be overpriced.
What should I know about visiting ChiHo regarding convenience?
While ChiHo generally provides attentive service, some visitors have reported frustrations with wait times and the online waitlist system. Additionally, finding parking near the restaurant can often be a challenge.