Little Hong Kong

10443 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530, United States
+1 510-524-0888
$$$ Chinese restaurant
(454 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Little Hong Kong is a longtime staple on San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito, offering a straightforward Chinese dining experience that leans on familiarity and comfort rather than trendy flair. The restaurant’s interior reflects its years of service with a somewhat old-fashioned, no-frills décor that many locals seem to find reassuringly homey. It’s the kind of place where regulars are known by name, and where families have gathered for generations, marking birthdays and weekend meals alike.

The atmosphere is quietly bustling without feeling rushed or noisy, making it a solid choice for both casual weekday lunches and relaxed family dinners. Service here tends to be friendly and attentive, with staff who seem genuinely happy to engage with guests, further adding to the welcoming vibe.

When it comes to the menu, Little Hong Kong covers a broad range of classic Chinese dishes, including crowd-pleasers like Chicken Chow Mein, Szechuan Eggplant, and Spicy Mongolian Beef — many served at approachable prices. The lunch specials are particularly popular and notably available even on weekends, which makes midday visits convenient for a quick yet satisfying sit-down meal. If you’re stopping by with friends or family, the Sizzling Platters and Hot Pots offer hearty options, while the variety of vegetarian dishes like the Vegetarian Delight and Garlic Flavored Spinach cater well to plant-based diners.

Expect dishes that prioritize solid flavor and familiarity over bold reinvention. Some plates, like the Mongolian beef, may lean toward more aromatic onion-forward profiles, and BBQ pork appetizers consistently receive positive nods for taste. This spot can satisfy those craving comforting Asian flavors without the fuss.

Little Hong Kong fits into the neighborhood as a dependable, no-nonsense choice where locals come for reasonably priced meals with a hint of nostalgia. It works best for diners seeking a straightforward Chinese meal in an unpretentious setting—whether you're dropping in for lunch specials or celebrating an occasion with close family. Early evenings and weekend lunch hours are good times to catch the place comfortably busy but not overcrowded, giving you time to enjoy the food and informal, easygoing environment.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Tuesday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Wednesday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Thursday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Friday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 8:30 PM

454 Reviews
tu t

28 Nov 2025

Old-fashioned Chinese restaurant with a homey feel. it's probably been around a long time judging from the decor. The food is decent and the service is good. Affordable prices. It appears lots of customers are regulars, so that's saying something.

Barbara Chin

19 Nov 2025

My family has been coming here for literal decades, even when they were located in their previous location further down on San Pablo Ave. My grandparents loved going there when they were still alive and got to know the owner and staff well. Nearly all of the adults' birthdays were spent there. Family doesn't eat out nearly as often these days, but still visits from time to time. We decided to get a large take-out order from here for Christmas dinner this year. I called early in the afternoon for a 5pm pick-up to give them time especially because we were ordering a whole Peking duck. We arrived at 5pm to pick-up the order, but it wasn't ready yet, but they were unsurprisingly VERY busy with a ton of take-out orders and a good handful of parties dining in as well. The staff was doing their best to juggle both take-out orders and those dining in, but the system is old-fashioned with pen and paper. They would probably operate faster and with a little less chaos with some kind of computerized system, but they seem determined to stay with the traditional system. We were patient and waited to be asked which order we were waiting for and for our food to be ready. (Other people waiting were patient as well, but I can imagine there could be people who would get impatient and unforgiving.) Finally the order was ready and we took everything home. Everything we ordered was correct and looked great for take-out. The Peking duck looked amazing (even though I couldn't eat it), and the rest of my family said it was delicious and perfectly cooked. My dad was savoring it and feeling nostalgic as he ate. I got an order of salt & pepper tofu, which, despite being fried, was surprisingly very light and fluffy. I inhaled a lot of that tofu. We also got an order of garlic pea vines, which are delightfully delicious. Easily one of my favorite vegetables that I don't often eat. Boyfriend got their garlic chicken and really enjoyed it. (My dad tried some of it, too, and also really enjoyed it.) We were extremely satisfied with our entire meal and happy to have some traditional Cantonese food for Christmas dinner!

Naomi Alfaro

11 Nov 2025

This venue was recommended to us, so we decided to give it a try. My husband loved the peeking duck, and stated this is his new favorite Chinese restaurant! We also had the BBQ pork appetizer, chow mein, Mongolian beef, and sweet and sour chicken without veggies. The beef had more onions than meat but had great flavor, and the sweet and sour was just ok. Everyone enjoyed the BBQ pork.

Robert Beebe-Diaz

26 Sep 2025

Great service. Longest hours for lunch special also the lunch specials are available on weekends!

Tyler Southard

12 Sep 2025

This Chinese restaurant looks and feels like a truly authentic spot you’d see in tv shows and movies. The waitress was good as gold. She was happy to serve us and constantly had a smile on her face. Each item we ordered was absolutely delicious.

Join the Little Hong Kong Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.