Hong Kong House Restaurant

I am absolutely astounded that there are even average (let alone good) reviews for this diabolical establishment.

I mean ... I've eaten in some bad restaurants in my time. However, I’m quite a passive, easy-going person. So what’s driven me to writing this – a review of the WORST CHINESE RESTAURANT I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED IN MY WHOLE LIFE?

Hong Kong House in Nanaimo has pushed me over the edge. The food they served us wasn’t bad, it was INSULTINGLY BAD! It was so indescribably revolting that I find myself absolutely hell bent on warning anyone in, or planning to visit, Nanaimo NEVER to eat at this god forsaken hell-hole, this wretched, stinking, rancid abomination and insult to Chinese cuisine.

We ordered spring rolls. I think they were left over from the buffet and quickly re-fried. The “plum sauce” came in sachets. I knew we were in trouble.

The egg fried rice arrived and went cold before any main courses materialised.

The meat in the Kung Po Chicken must have come from an extra-special factory. One where they save the fattiest, nastiest scrapings of an intensively reared bird’s rectum - bag it, freeze it and sell it off to the lowest bidder.

The “beef” in the strangely absent black bean sauce was off white / grey. It was about 90% pure fat and gristle.

These guys couldn’t be using cheaper ingredients if they tried.

So this occasion marked the first time I ever got up from my table and told a restaurant’s management that I wasn’t eating it, and wasn’t paying for it.

The manageress ranted and raved at us.

“We been in business 12 years nobody ever complained.” - Oh that old TINNED chestnut !!!

“REALLY! I said. Well as of tonight you can NEVER say that again. Because I’m complaining!”

Then she tells me not to get angry. I’m not angry. I’m just insulted that she thinks she can get away with serving us meat that’s barely fit for a dog to consume.

As I suspected, the anger was all hers. I’d affronted her ego.

“We been serving everyone in Nanaimo. Everybody say they like it. Now you say you don’t like it. But this is YOUR problem. It is not OUR problem.”

I hope you’re reading this Ms. Manageress. Because I must expose you to as the charlatans that you are. I bet it’s your white Mercedes parked outside isn’t it? Made from the huge profits derived from 12 years of serving chicken and beef abortions with tinned mushrooms in pre-packaged MSG-ridden sauces and calling it Chinese food to the people of Nanaimo who really, really should know better.

HONG KONG HOUSE, Nanaimo. My name is Nemesis. If you had taken my constructive and polite criticisms with a little grace you might not have created this monster. You know and I know that the quality of the meat you buy in is the lowest that is allowed for human consumption. In fact, I wonder even if it is. That’s why I’ll be tipping off the health inspectors to pay you guys a random visit.

We had to ask the waitress to smile, the host waiter said he was not having a good night and was too tired to care if telling us was a problem, the food was only ok. None of the staff smiled and because of this, it created an unpleasant atmosphere for any type of restaurant. The lighting was also too bright.
All in all... We won't be going back...

I love the Hong Kong House......when ever I want to go out for Chinese...I go here!Great selection of different food....with salad bar and deserts.......never had one complaint about the food....sometimes the service can be slack....but I don't care. I have been going there for 13 years....and unless I move out of Vancouver Island,I will be going there for many years to come.

our experience was very positive

Generic Chinese food. The hot and sour soup was excellent. The sweet and sour pork was good. The chow mein and chop suey were both bland. We ordered delivery in our hotel room as we were spending the night due to excessive BC Ferry wait times. We should have not ordered after the lady on the phone gave us prices from the "new menu" which was different from the menu in the phone book but we were tired and hungry. Overall I don't think I'd recommend this place.