Review Yee Foong Chinese Restaurant

Stuart Robinson

Seriously, hands down one of the most unique dining experiences in Brisbane. You won't come here for the decor or fine dining experience, instead the proprietors know their menu - and more than likely will tell you what to order. If you're lucky your duck pancakes will be made for you - and try them you must. It's only 4* - not 5 - to let you know that perhaps it's a slightly different experience than what you may be used to.

Free Lee

Sadly I didn't receive a good meal from the friendly lady boss. 2 plates of rice plus diluted Chinese tea for A$33 is a little too much. Meat was re-fried and only 1.5 piece of dried up duck. I'll never ever visit again!!!

Julie

The ambience does NOT reflect the food. BUT the Peking Duck, Fresh steamed fish and string beans with pork belly were the best flavours my mouth had tasted for a long while. Our meal was amazing. The dear owners looked after us as if we were family. We’ll be going back without a doubt.

Lily Woodhouse

What a fantastic experience! Hands down the tastiest Chinese food I have EVER had. The Peking duck pancakes and mapo bean curd were standouts 😍 The couple that runs the restaurant are such characters and make sure your every need is met with a smile. This is an untouched treasure that will surely become your local. The ambience at face vale does not match the quality of the food and service - do yourself a favour and get to Yee Foong’s!

Darren Pickup

5 stars for service but food (albeit good) is not so worthy unfortunately. Popped in for lunch on a Saturday and was only one in there. Received 5 star service from the lovely elderly patron. Very chatty and made me feel genuinely comfortable. Will likely be back, more for the experience than food however. Try it at least once. 👍

Kirsty Lauren

OMG AMAZING! BYO and hands down 100% better than The Vietnamese next door. We had a party of 5 people and ordered a variety of dishes to share. The Singapore noodles was amazing! Our bill was beyond reasonable EXTREMELY great value for money! The owners were so lovely and friendly. We will all be going back very soon!

Ben Elphick

Fist time there today. We were a bit apprehensive when we first walked in. However once we were greeted by the lovely owners we felt right at home. Everything we ate was perfect and the peaking duck was the best I've ever had. Yee Foong serves the best Chinese food in Brisbane hands down!!

Jenna T

I always have a great time whenever I visit. The food is exceptional (Peking duck especially), but the service deserves an honourable mention. The owners are a lovely old couple who always make you feel like you are a family member in their home. I’d recommend this place to anyone :)

Beccy Margaret Hagan

Always greeted by the lovely owners on arrival who remember you even if it has been months between visits. The restaurant doesn't look like much and is generally empty but I keep going back for BEST duck pancakes in Brissy. BYO is also a bonus.

Chris Perry

This place is usually empty and looking run down. However the food is surprisingly great. I would say this is the best Chinese in the Chinatown / Wickham St / Valley area. The spring rolls are crisp and tasty - home made with fresh veggies and also meat if desired. Their spring roll pancakes were doughy but nice in the crispy edges. Bbq pork and duck are specialties and very good. Good value and worth a try!

Hodge Derek

This place has great duck and BBQ dishes. The old couple who run it are lovely. They were closed for a while late last year, due to some health issues with Grandma. She’s all good again now and running the show.

Ian Ho

This place has quite a warm and welcoming hospitality. I remember the second time I went here (with a span of a couple of years in between) the lady running the shop remembered me! (including the people I had come with) It's like coming to eat with your family. I have a scant recollection of the food... Verdict: will require a revisit ... wanna see if the lady remembers me again - lol!

Mark

1/10. I decided to join Zomato to leave my first ever review so the good people of Brisbane get a fairer assessment of Yee Foong. Our party of three read decided to eat at Yee Foong due to the other positive reviews. Apart from the owner's friendly service, there was nothing else good about this restaurant. The food was bland, overcooked and way over-priced. The $25 roast duck was bone-dry and leathery. I don't mind eating at dingy restaurants as long as the food is good and not exorbitantly priced. At $88 for two terrible meat plates, a plate of drab vegetables, 3 serves of rice, and two beers, I'd rather go almost anywhere else. Think carefully before stepping foot into Yee Foong. This may not be the tasty but dingy Chinese restaurant you are hoping for.

Jonnyr82

Not good. Went there for takeaway lady is nice. But that where it stops chicken cashew was off. Ordered mongolonian lamb got some hot stuff. Beef and black bean made me dry reach. Not happy eighty dollars down the drain and still hungry

Kkiimmii

THIS PLACE DOES NOT HAVE DUCK PANCAKES!! I had been craving duck pancakes and stumbled across all these amazing reviews about their duck pancakes and went out of my way to get here. However, the duck pancakes were not listed on the menu and so I asked if they had any and was told they didn't serve them at Yee Foong.To my disappointment I decided to order deep fried duck instead to suppress my cravings. It was nothing too special compared to what I would usually get at other restaurants, I am not particularly keen on returning for the food anytime soon. However, despite my many complaints, Yee Foong had redeemed itself with its friendly staff who give excellent customer service, and their homemade recipe drinks can make up for the food. The prices are reasonable and I don't feel ripped off, I will probably give this place another go if I happen to be nearby.

Papakento

Best Restaurant on the strip. Dined here the other weeknight and thoroughly enjoyed it. The decor is the thing that turns most customers away but you must not let this deter you and starve your stomach of awesome food. The Aunty and Uncle there are super nice and with an extensive menu and 20 yrs experience, they make some great food. The lady has a special hot style pork that has the sweetness of honey which finishes with a bit of spice for a lovely combination of taste. The peking duck is superb as is their fried rice. A definite must visit!

Fishpool

Great duck!. Have been eating at the Valley for 45 years but had not previously been to Yee Foong. Research indicated that if it was Peking duck you were after, then Yee Foong was the place to go. It more than lived up to its reputation on our visit on 27/7/2014 - beautifully prepared duck, modest surroundings and BYO. And then there is the wonderful Helen. Great meal!

DiningDiva

9/10. Yes, this place is very dingy and off putting on first glances but I have learnt to never judge a book by its cover (or restaurant by its appearance). Best crispy roast pork and roast duck I think I've ever had, so succulent and juicy. The lady there cut the pork straight off the slab to the size we wanted and cut it up for us, even insisted we tried a free piece it to make sure we liked it before paying her for it. The rice was free and the couple who owns is are so lovely. Don't be turned off by its appearance, this place is authentic and delicious and is also one of the best value meals I think I've ever had, so cheap for such good quality meat. Definitely going back!

Ewan Saunders

Best duck in Brisbane. Best duck in brisbane hands down. Decor is awesome and the old couple running the joint are awesome too, particularly Helen. Also, best duck in brisbane.

Robbie Zuttion

International Foodie. Bring on the Fanfare, If like me ,you are a whore for Peking Duck, then you have hit the motherload.An ageing and proud couple are the complete team in this 20yr old cafe.My visit had no expectation so the thrill of finding the real " Silver Dollar" Peking Duck was an uplifting, joyous pleasure.. Crispy skin with just a skerrick of juicy, fatty meat with all the trimming and a spectacular sauce to be added to their light and perfectly crafted pan cakes. We opted to take home the meat which made a stunning San Choy Bow. The roasted Pork that followed was rich and gamey with perfect crackling atop that tested the Bite in my teeth. This is as good as it gets in Brisvegas for authentic Chinese favourites, just close an eye to the decore, I dont think the old couple care much for show. just the superb quality of their offerings.

Joanne

Ordered take away roast duck once, only a few cold pieces sitting in the box!!! Doesn't worth at all!!! No customer service... Won't go back again! Doesn't recommend.

Kimandbillclaridge

Excellent. Went to this restaurant today and was not disappointed, it was empty so we had Helen's undivided attention. Went for the Peking duck which was amazing :-) Lovely duck, lovely lady.

D

Was a little worried when we turned up on a Friday night & the restaurant was empty. However we had no need to fear; the Peking duck was amazing! Crispy skin, tender meat & lovely owner chatting to us the whole time. Recommend the duck for sure.

Abbie Wang

It's not what you expected from the outside. When you enter, you will be greeted by a nice old couple who have been running the restaurant for more than twenty years. We ordered a whole Peking duck for two people which is served in a delicious sauce and very yummy. We highly recommend paying a visit!

Foodie_from_KL

The Peking Duck which is the restaurant's signature dish is an absolute must have! I went in with my partner and I have to admit we were initially slightly skeptical about it especially with the $45 price tag but boy were we wrong! It was the best Peking duck I have ever had, and if you catch them at an off peak time the aunty helps you make them just perfect so that the play of flavours in your mouth was an epic mouth-watering event with every bite. This is my new favourite, and I'm surprised not many people have found them yet. If you're ever in the Valley do give them a try, you won't regret it!

Nat. L

Absolute value for money!....and BEST duck yet!!!. My new favourite is found! Loads of crispy skin. Sweet, in house made, hoisin, and firm pickled vegetables. All delicately layered atop a tender pancake by the chef's sweet, other half. We chose the chow mien option for the meat of the duck. Perfect. Not only was the portion huge, but we had never had such tender cooked duck. Before heading out, slightly food comatosed, a delightful little bowl of sliced banana and orange was offered up as a fresh ending to a wonderful dining experience. Thank you!!

ELFKP

Love Yee Foong. Yee Foong's for late lunch. Well known for their excellent Duck but explore for more and be delighted. Drunken Chicken - Great Dumplings - Yummy Peking style Pork - To Die For Even the fried rice is special! There are fancier looking places in the Valley, but its your loss if you judge this book by it's cover. Go, Now, Quickly

Deidre

We had the best meals great service by the lady owner will come again. Good atmosphere .

Derek Chew

One of the better places to eat in Chinatown. I've eaten here many times over the years, and the food is fairly consistent. There's just one thing though: do not, under any circumstance or whim, ever, ever, ever order the steamed vegetable dumplings. It's beyond awful. Stick to the pan-fried dumplings, claypot rice, and Cantonese BBQ meats. Or better yet, let Helen decide what you're going to eat and drink! There's a certain element of Fawlty Towers here, but all in good fun. You'll get some nice fruits to end your meal, and you might get a free drink if Helen likes you lol.

J Peter

Authentic. It felt like walking into a Hawker's Centre in Singapore, the smell and the ambience. The Chinese grandmother who seated us and took our orders was very cute and attentive, even providing some fruit after our mains were served to freshen our palettes. The food was wonderful, we had half a duck and the Chicken and salted fish fried rice.(we ordered 2 and should have only ordered 1) The decor is a little aged, and could with a little tlc, but overall we had a wonderful time and the food was great.

Wilbur75

The worst meal I have ever had... 7 of us went to this restaurant for Chinese New Year. Service was non existent. We had to go to the counter and get our own wine glasses, "cooler buckets" etc. When we did get anyone near our table they were pretty rude. They begrudgingly brought us a jug of water.. with no glasses to drink from! When we got food (pretty much thrown on the table)... it was DISGUSTING! Inedible prawn toast and all the main meals looked the same.... I have never seen Sichuan beef look the same as the chicken and cashews before! They didn't even bring the rice to have with the dishes (which is a shame as steamed rice would have been a tastier option). In the end, we just had to tell them to stop bringing anymore inedible food... The owner just looked at us like she was confused..... No apology or explanation. My rating 0/10 Service 0/10 Food 0/10 Décor I do not know how this place is in business....

Julie-Anne Carroll

After tipping despite shoddy service and rudeness - the woman owner shook her finger in our faces and said 'you very bad!' for coming with one extra person - she chased us up the street after we had left to charge five dollars for a broken wine glass. Disgusting ! Will never ever go back. Banquet was far too small and we left hungry. Decor is jail-like and depressing. Dont go!! Too many better spots over the road!

Boomstix

Myself and two friends ate here last Saturday night. We were shocked to be the only people on the place and quite frankly were worried why that was. But the food was delicious! May be a slight price increase to other places but I was happy to pay for fresh tasty food and in quite generous helping. The service was also great, grandama was constantly topping up our glasses! Possibly one of the valleys best kept secrets!

DaveW

Mad! But good. Don't come for the decor but come for the food.

Stu Brown

We had dinner there tonight as a group of 7 and we were offered a great banquet of peking duck, dumplings, beans, rice, 2 meat dishes. It was fantastic and the service was great

Kat

Best restaurant I have found in a long time! Me and a friend were the only 2 people in the restaurant on a Friday night. The most amazing dumplings I have ever had! And dim sims! And the lovely owner kept topping up our byo wine. I ended up booking for a group dinner next week and tipping $20 on a $60 bill. Honestly some of the best food and service I have ever experienced. Everybody should visit at least once.

Brownbred

Great Service. Recently celebrated my birthday here and could not have enjoyed it more! Was made to feel very special by the staff who not only made a fuss over the 'birthday girl' but also went to the trouble of choosing a specialised banquet for myself and my guests. The food was great, plentiful and really good value for money, with what has to be the cheapest corkage in Brisbane - only $1.50 pp! Highly recommend it!

PekingDuck

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE = DELICIOUS. Yee Foong have been in the valley for 30 years! We went last night and were taken back at how much I felt like I was back in Hong Kong. It is owned by an the sweetest old couple; many nickname 'Grandma & Grandpa'. Grandpa was a specialist BBQ chef in Hong Kong 30 years ago, before moving his trade and family to Brisbane. try his Peking Duck, Roast Duck, and BBQ Pork for a taste of real Cantonese food. If you want classic chinese, the Ma Po Tofu and Eggplant with minced pork are beautiful with steam whiterice! For a more Western-appealing dish try the Mongolian Lamb my friend loves. Do NOT be put off the plain decor which is common in traditional smaller Chinese restaurants that focus on food and service. This is one place I honestly feel we should try and support one of our community's longest serving restaurants.

Dan

Yee Foong is my favourite Chinese restaurant in fortitude valley...had Chinese new year here again for the third year in a row and all 20 of us loved it. Go here regularly for dinner and lunch and love it. Try the vegetable dumplings!

Grasshopper

Went back to yee foong for the first time in almost 12 mths and the food is still spot on. We reckon they have the best duck and dumplings in bris. Heard there's now lunch specials for $8 so will be sneaking down for some roast pork during the week- yum!

Tim

Cheap and cheerful. Doesn't look like much when you enter but the food is all consistently good and prices are low. Service is very friendly - Helen is a scream.

Hollowlegs

Best value duck in Chinatown. Been to this place a few times. The peking duck is great and cheap too compared to larger Valley restaurants. Service is good too. Recently renovated so nicer inside. Recommend the dumplings too! yum!

Review Yee Foong Chinese Restaurant - Brisbane