Da Hong Pao

Our friends kept telling us that of all the restaurants along 14th Street, Da Hong Pao is one of their favorites, so we finally tried it, and yeah... I'm surprised and impressed. The prices are high, but you really can see where your money is going: delicate steamed dumplings that are huge and stuffed with seafood, crab dishes that are full of jumbo lump crabmeat. Vegetables that are fresh and treated with care. Fresh seafood including live fish and lobster. I can't complain. And the menu is packed with legit authentic specialties like abalone, frog, hand-pulled noodles and braised E-Fu noodles. Initial rating: 5 stars. We will definitely be back.

We ordered the General Tso's Chicken, a dish traditionally known for its tangy, spicy kick. Da Hong Pao's version, however, tasted like someone dumped a bag of Skittles into a deep fryer and called it "fusion cuisine." The sauce? A syrupy sludge that could double as adhesive for a kindergarten art project. I half-expected Wilford Brimley himself to rise from the grave, point a quivering finger at my plate, and mutter, "Diabeetus". Then came the Lemon Chicken, a dish that should sing with citrusy brightness. Instead, it arrived as a soggy, neon-yellow tragedy, dripping with what I can only describe as liquefied gummy bears. The "lemon" tasted like it was sourced from a can of Mountain Dew left open in a sunbeam. My teeth hurt just writing this.

I went to DC to visit my daughter and wanted to surprise her by taking her to a dim sum restaurant. After much research, these guys had the highest reviews so I made the reservation. I've been to alot of dim sum shops in NYC and Chicago and their food was always great BUT we always felt like we were having to rush. Da Hong Pao was so different. No, they didn't push carts, but this restaurant is so clean, sunny and my favorite, no rush! Our server spoke great English, as well as having the menu not only in English, but the explanations were perfect. I truly appreciated the training the servers had - so kind to answer questions and made us feel like we mattered to them. The restaurant is open and decorated subtly and modern. Cleanliness matters to them, it was obvious that they take time with details and that's the sign of longevity in the restaurant business. Restrooms were clean - and I have no inkling how people park in this busy area. There must be public parking garages around here, but we took the metro. Make the time to visit - you won't be disappointed!

Very cute restaurant with an inviting dining room. Excellent service, generous portions of tasty food.

Seriously. Another example of missing a gem right under my nose. Have worked in the area for years, walked by Da Hong Pao innumerable times, watched colleagues order from here and have never taken the time to try their dare.What a tremendous mistake. Recently was working late with a team and we needed to cancel our dinner plans and do take out instead. The consensus was Chinese so we chose Da Hong Pao. Everyone ordered a variety of dishes and each and every order received very positive reviews. Personal I opted for the Singapore noodles, the Bok Choy and Black Mushrooms and a small hot and sour soup. The soup was solid - but nothing really to rave aboutThe bok choy and black mushrooms was quite good. Large whole mushroom caps on top of a bed of nicely sized baby bok choy. All in a rich sauce. Tasty and really filling The Singapore noodles weee my favorite. More than a littleTaste of curry - without venturing into the overpowering level. A nice variety of shrimp and pork, and a level of spice that added just the right amount of heat. While I would prefer more spice, I also know that Singapore noodles are not meant to arrive spiced to my level of preference - that's what the side of chili oil is for!If you are looking for a solid Chinese option - one that is located a few blocks away from DC's Chinatown district - Da Hong Pao is a very good choice.

This clean, spacious restaurant is on a busy street. Parking is difficult, but we found a spot a couple of blocks away on a Sunday. Its location is convenient to public transportation.Service is fast and done with a smile. We had four people and ordered about a dozen dim sum items from a sheet. The skin on the veggie dumplings was a bit thick. The steamed ribs were succulent. The crust on the custard tarts (Dan Tat) was not up to par, neither was the breading on the steamed pork buns (too thick). The siu mai (shrimp and pork) dumplings were good. The pork wrapped in bean curd skin also was very good. The Malaysian sponge cake was new for us, and we liked it. The sticky rice needed some sausage and some more meat, but it was a favorite. Everything else was about average.Lunch for four with tax and tip was $116.

I love visiting Da Hong Pao when I go to DC! It's on a busy street, so no issues walking in the area or taking the bus at night.The staff inside is super friendly. I'm always greeted when I come in and never have to wait long to pick up my order. Their dim sum is top notch in my opinion. No carts from what I can tell, which I normally prefer if I'm dining in. But I always order ahead and get my food to go anyway. Taro cakes, shrimp dumplings, and the duck and taro dish are my go-tos, but I'd love to try more next time I go!

They've got the head on shell on Hong Kong style giant prawns (避風塘炒蝦) which is just great. I had their Hong Kong style crab last time but I guess June isn't the season. Also got half a Peking duck, very nice (bone in).Ordered for self pick up on their app called MealKeyWay. Food was ready and well packed very fast! Nice ambiance inside (not loud). See my photo.

4/11/24Had to have Dim Sum while in DC It was like the old dim sum places in NYC! Turns out it's because most of the staff is from NYC, heheheTripeNever had it this way. It's goodChicken FeetThe only complaint is that they were cut in half, so more bone fragments. But taste great.Sticky RiceIt needed more meat but was goodShrimp RollAh, memories of my childhood in NY ChinatownEggplant Stuffed with ShrimpThis is goodCrispy PorkSo crispy! Delicious Roast DuckThis skin was crispy been forever since I've had crispy skin on the duckSalt and Pepper SquidUsually avoid ordering this because it's usually gummy. But this was delicious Definitely come back next time we're in DC

I love Da Hong Pao. The food is amazing, the place is clean, and the staff is on point--friendly and efficient. But seriously, they need to chill with some of their prices. I paid $29 for salt & pepper shrimp. They literally were bigger and cheaper last time I got them! I know Trump's economy is hitting hard, but have mercy.That said, I'll totally go back. I'll just be wiping away my tears as I devour the deliciousness. Worth it.