Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Foo Lam – Seattle
Foo Lam - Seattle
Photo from Foo Lam
Foo Lam at a glance
Seattle NewHolly
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 54 of the guests
#626 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#32 Chinese Restaurant out of 53 in Seattle
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
392
Reviews
65.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Dim Sum
- Friendly Service
- Group Atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Tipping Issues
- Service Delays
- Parking Challenges
The restaurant Foo Lam is a welcoming Chinese Restaurant nestled in Seattle’s vibrant NewHolly neighborhood. You’ll find a truly exceptional experience here, especially if you appreciate a great tea selection.
Whether you’re looking for a casual dine-in meal or a quick bite, this spot offers a friendly atmosphere and delicious options for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Foo Lam
Foo Lam offers a mixed dining experience, where the culinary offerings often hit the mark, providing flavorful dishes that many appreciate. You’ll find the atmosphere generally pleasant, making it suitable for various occasions.
However, some aspects of the overall visit, particularly regarding value, might leave you wanting more. While the food is a clear draw, with many praising its quality, the service can be a bit inconsistent.
Expect a lively setting, but be mindful of potential issues with pricing transparency. It’s a place with definite highs and some noticeable lows.
Good
6.8
out of 10
392
Reviews
65.8%
Satisfaction
107
negative
27
neutral
258
positive
Looking at the numbers, Foo Lam holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.8, placing it in the average range. Customer Satisfaction sits at 65.8%, indicating a mixed reception from diners.
While not a stark contrast, this suggests that while many find their experience acceptable, there’s still room for improvement to truly delight a broader audience. This assessment is drawn from 392 customer opinions, with 258 positive and 107 negative sentiments.
Digging deeper, the Food (7) stands out as a strong point, often praised for its quality and taste. The Ambience (7.1) also contributes positively, offering a generally agreeable setting.
However, the Service (6.6) is more of an average affair, with some experiences being quite good and others less so. The most significant area for improvement appears to be Value (5.1), which receives the lowest marks, often due to concerns around pricing and additional charges.
What people like
- Delicious Dim Sum
- Friendly, Fast Service
- Pleasant Group Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Mandatory Tipping Issues
- Disorganized Service Delays
- Challenging Parking Situation
If you’re primarily seeking flavorful Chinese cuisine, especially dim sum, and don’t mind a bustling environment, Foo Lam is worth considering. The Recommendation Score of 7 suggests it’s a good option for many, particularly if you prioritize the food itself over other aspects.
However, be prepared for potential service inconsistencies and scrutinize your bill for charges, as value can be a point of contention. It’s a place that delivers on taste but might require a bit of patience and awareness regarding the overall cost.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Foo Lam
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, things are looking pretty good! With a solid 7 out of 10 score and 67.9% customer satisfaction, many diners rave about the delicious, authentic Cantonese style Chinese food and generous dim sum portions. Out of 243 opinions, a strong 165 were positive, highlighting fresh ingredients and flavorful dishes like eel stir fry and honey walnut prawns.
However, it's not all perfect. There were 59 negative opinions, with some folks finding the food quality inconsistent, bland, or lacking flavor. Concerns about cold dishes, undercooked chicken, and even serious hygiene issues like cockroaches were unfortunately mentioned, suggesting some areas definitely need attention.
Food
243
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
59
negative
19
neutral
165
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Cantonese food
- Delicious dim sum
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Lack of flavor
- Serious hygiene issues
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was literally the best ever. We were the only Americans there, and the food was fast and very hot. My wife and I were satisfied and still had leftovers for under $30, even after the tip.
- dim sumMy current favorite place for dim sum. The black sesame balls are a must-try!
- Chinese foodbest place for amazing dine in and take out Chinese food
- portionsThe servers were more friendly than at some other Chinese/Cantonese restaurants around. I agree with other customers that the portions are quite generous compared to other dim sum places I've been to. I’d recommend having at least 4 in your party for a better experience, allowing you to sample more different dishes before you fill up : -P.
- Dim SumAs a matter of fact, I will travel over an hour for Dim Sum. Foo Lam is always worth the ferry ride.
- congeecongee... were all amazing
- fishthe fish was cooked just right so it was super velvety
- flavornever skip out on flavor
- food temperatureI ordered the E-FU Noodles with mushrooms and the chicken chow mein for delivery. The delivery was quick and the food arrived hot and seemingly fresh. However, both dishes were unfortunately tasteless, and there wasn't enough sauce to compensate for the lack of flavor.
- Cantonese seafoodcraving legit Cantonese seafood
Frequently criticized
- foodfood .ake me so sick within the same two hours of eating it
- fried riceAbsolutely horrible fried rice that was on par with Safeway’s fried rice
- meatMy experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. The food was really bad, described as soggy with limited meat. The overall flavor was poor.
- pea shootsthe pea shoots were on the mature side, and weren't tender.
- porkdropped pork on our table without asking
- Chinese foodI would not recommend going here if you're looking for an enjoyable and pleasant dinner with your family. The 'Open Dining Concept' offered no privacy, and the food was blatantly overpriced lousy Chinese food. The overall experience was scary.
- E-FU Noodlesdepressingly and unfortunately tasteless
- allergiesIf you have any allergies I suggest not to go here.
- bbq pork baked baobbq pork baked bao also has old fried meat
- breadingThere was a lot of breading on the generals chicken and the honey chicken wings.
If you're craving authentic Cantonese and delicious dim sum with generous portions, this spot could be a hit. Just be aware that food quality can be a bit of a mixed bag, and some serious concerns have been raised, so you might want to manage your expectations.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.6 and a customer satisfaction of 65.9%. Many guests praise the friendly and attentive staff, especially for quick takeout orders and efficient turnarounds. With 56 positive remarks out of 85 total comments, it seems a good number of folks appreciate the helpful attitude and professional servers.
On the flip side, some experiences highlight areas for improvement. There are mentions of frustrating customer service, disorganized service, and extended waiting times. A few customers also noted a language barrier, which unfortunately led to communication issues and less-than-ideal interactions with the staff.
Service
85
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
25
negative
4
neutral
56
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Quick takeout service
- Professional servers
What people don't like
- Rude customer service
- Long waiting times
- Language barrier issues
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was literally the best ever. We were the only Americans there, and the food was fast and very hot. My wife and I were satisfied and still had leftovers for under $30, even after the tip.
- staffLittle did we know that this Chinese restaurant, which you might easily miss tucked away in a corner of a strip mall, is the best place for amazing dine-in and take-out Chinese food. The prices are good and the staff is always helpful and nice. A special shout-out to the lady we see all the time at the front who always serves us with a smile.
- serversservers are always friendly and attentive
- take outOrdering take out is probably a good option
- FOH staffFOH staff are courteous and friendly
- ServiceService:5
- auntieschat up the aunties! They’re hilarious
- deliveryMy delivery came quickly
- delivery personDelivery person was polite
- dim sum cartsI visit with my family at least once a month, and we particularly love the rice noodles with spare ribs and chow fun. The waitresses are friendly and push the dim sum carts, which adds to the experience. They also have some great deals on king crab and lobster.
Frequently criticized
- serviceOur party wasn't even that large. The majority of our food arrived cold, and the service was mediocre. We were presented with pork without being asked if we wanted it.
- customer serviceThe customer service was poor
- English communicationNo one speaks English.
- delivery orderMy experience with this restaurant for a delivery order was extremely negative.
- disorganized servicea bit disorganized, resulting in extended waiting
- eating herebeen eating for a couple years but this will be last time
- extended waitingresulting in extended waiting
- honest wait timehonest wait time of over 2 hours
- interaction at the endinteraction at the end was just odd and off putting
- itemized receiptgiving us an itemized receipt instead of just demanding
If youre looking for quick takeout or appreciate friendly staff, youll likely have a good experience. However, be prepared for potential communication hiccups or longer waits if dining in, as service can be a bit inconsistent.
Ambience (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 27% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot scores a 7.1, which is pretty good! With 67.6% customer satisfaction, its a bit of a mixed bag, but many folks really appreciate the pleasant atmosphere and the fact theres lots of seating. Based on 23 positive remarks out of 34 total, guests often praise the quiet place, making it good for groups, and even mention the free parking.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Some of the 9 negative comments point out that the open dining concept can mean no privacy, and a few found the location rather dingy. There are also mentions of it being noisy at times, and the parking can be a bit of a challenge.
Ambience
34
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Ample seating
- Quiet environment
What people don't like
- Loud environment
- No privacy
- Parking challenges
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere was very pleasant
- parkingParking in the lot behind the restaurant
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambianceservice and ambiance is second to none
- big groupsperfect spot for big groups
- energyGreat energy from the moment I walked in
- environmentgood environment for all to enjoy
- fish tankwhen you see a fish tank in the dining room 😎
- free parkingFree parking in lot
- groupsGood for groups
Frequently criticized
- parking lotWhile the food is very good, the selections aren't what you might find at other places. There is a parking lot, but it can get very chaotic, so you might want to look before committing to pulling in and consider parking on the street. All in all, it's a great dim sum place.
- locationrather dingey location
- loudit was a bit loud inside
- musicPerennial lullaby music on infinite repeat.
- noiseIt's also sometimes noisy.
- parkingDifficult to find parking
- placeThe place looks so dingy.
- privacyThe Open Dining Concept gives you no privacy
If youre looking for a lively spot with plenty of space and a generally pleasant vibe, especially for groups, this place could be a good fit. Just be prepared for a potentially noisy environment and some parking hurdles, and dont expect a super intimate setting.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1 (which is average) and customer satisfaction sitting at 46.7% (definitely mixed). Many diners appreciate the overall prices and find them affordable, with some even highlighting great deals and the bonus of free parking. Based on 14 positive comments out of 30 total, you can find some real steals here, with folks raving about reasonable costs and even calling some dishes the best $6.00 I've spent on food.
However, the value proposition gets tricky due to an equal number of negative comments (14 out of 30). Many customers were caught off guard by unexpected costs like mandatory tip and service charge, leading to feelings that the meal became too expensive. There are concerns about additional tipping pressure and a lack of transparency, making the final bill much higher than anticipated and leaving some feeling they wasted their money.
Value
30
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
14
negative
2
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great deals
- Free parking
What people don't like
- Mandatory tip
- Service charge
- Too expensive
Often praised
- pricesWhile the dim sum is average, the quality is high. The service is fast and the prices are moderate. I definitely recommend this place.
- Moderately pricedModerately priced
- PricePrice is reasonable
- affordableand affordable
- feesavoid fees for you and them
- foodbest $6.00 I've spent on food
- free parkingthe free parking is a nice bonus
- great dealssome great deals going on
- priceunder $30 even after tip
Frequently criticized
- priceI would not recommend going here if you're looking for an enjoyable and pleasant dinner with your family. The 'Open Dining Concept' offered no privacy, and the food was blatantly overpriced lousy Chinese food. The overall experience was scary.
- $30.00wasted 30.00 on dinner
- additional tippingpressured additional tipping
- billforgot to charge something on our bill and took our card again
- food pricefood price was $9 more than usual
- mandatory tipsaid the tip was mandatory
- mealWe spent a lot of money to not at all be satisfied with our meal.
- service chargeThe restaurant was completely packed on Christmas, which is understandable given the quality of the food. However, like other reviews mentioned, the restaurant was not transparent about the service charge and there was pressure to give additional tips.
- tipthey take their tip automatically, $20 per person
- tip amountrestaurant demand we tip more. demanding we up the tip amount
If you're looking for a good deal, this place can deliver with some genuinely affordable options. Just be sure to clarify any potential service charge or mandatory tip upfront, as these can quickly inflate your bill and turn a good value into a disappointing one.
How are the prices at Foo Lam?
You’re looking at roughly 33 per person – reported by 54 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average hovers around 33$, customer spending is quite spread out. Many diners spend less, often in the 11-30$ range, suggesting some budget-friendly options. But we also see a good number of guests opting for more premium experiences, with some spending well over 40$, even past 100$.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 54 reviews.
Comparing value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, for a Chinese Restaurant in Seattle, we think the pricing feels fair. It offers a good range of options, catering to different budgets while maintaining a solid mid-range average.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Foo Lam
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Amazing Dim Sum, Long-Time Favorite!
I absolutely love this place! My experience here has been consistently amazing, especially with their dim sum, which is both incredible and offers an endless variety. I highly recommend checking this place out.
I first discovered it through Seattle Met Magazine over 6 years ago and have been a loyal customer ever since.
- dim sum10
- variety10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Best Chicken Wings Ever!
My experience at Foo Lam's was fantastic, especially with their salt and pepper wings. They have become a staple for my football Sundays. The wings were very crispy and by far the best I've had.
The atmosphere was great, rated 5/5, and the noise level was quiet, making it easy to talk. The food also received a perfect 5/5 rating, and the service was excellent at 5/5.
- chicken wings10
- salt and pepper wings10
- crispy wings9
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Roach in food, last visit
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I found a roach in our food. I have been eating here for a couple of years, but this incident will be my last time visiting.
- roach in food1
- eating here2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Best Chicken Feet and Dim Sum!
My experience at Foo Lam was fantastic. I enjoyed being the only person who did not speak Chinese in the restaurant. I had my lifetime best ever & easiest to eat Chinese Style chicken feet at Foo Lam today, 1 October '25.
It was the best $6. 00 I've spent on food in Seattle. The shrimp & leek dim sum was also very good.
My guess is that the rest of the items on the cart that I did not try are every bit as good.
- Chinese Style chicken feet10
- shrimp & leek dim sum8
- food10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Special Occasion
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
Wedding Reception Food Was a Hit!
We had our wedding reception here, and the food was the most talked-about part of our event. The service and atmosphere were also excellent, both receiving a perfect score.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
What Foo Lam offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What accessibility features does Foo Lam Chinese Restaurant provide for its guests?
At Foo Lam Chinese Restaurant, you’ll find comprehensive accessibility. The establishment features a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all patrons.
What dining options and special offerings are available at Foo Lam Chinese Restaurant?
You can enjoy a variety of dining options at Foo Lam, including lunch, dinner, and dessert with table service. They also offer catering, small plates, vegetarian options, and quick bites, alongside a selection of alcohol and beer.
What is the overall dining experience like at Foo Lam?
Foo Lam offers a generally average dining experience with an overall Restaurant Score of 6.8 and mixed customer satisfaction at 65.8%. While the Food (7) and Ambience (7.1) are often well-regarded, Service (6.6) is average, and Value (5.1) is a notable area for improvement.
Are there any common issues to be aware of regarding service or pricing?
Yes, some customers have reported issues with service, including disorganized operations and extended waiting times. There are also frequent concerns about value, specifically regarding mandatory tipping, additional service charges, and dishes being perceived as overpriced.
Is Foo Lam a good option for groups or special occasions?
Foo Lam can be a good option for groups, with many finding the atmosphere pleasant and suitable for larger parties. However, be mindful that the dining concept might offer less privacy, and parking can sometimes be challenging.