Mowden Chinese Takeaway in Darlington

First experience of a decent Chinese carry out in Darlington. Good value and very tasty. Cash only was a surprise but thankfully they are set up for bank transfer so initial panic averted. Will be using again.

Always enjoyed this takeaway, and since it has been taken over last year it has continued to improve. Excellent customer service and food as always. We need more takeaways like this !

Have not been for a while but it was as good as it always has been.

Advised it would be 25 minute wait, was actually 55 minutes, poor quality food, it’s our local and have given up on it. Slowly gone down hill over the last year

Having read the reviews I was disappointed to say the least. Anyone who knows me will agree I an not a big fan of what is passed off as authentic "Chinese" food so simply ordered a mushroom omelette and chips. Omelette must have been made with the smallest eggs available and not many mushrooms, even found a piece of chicken in there, not sure if that is a bonus or not. As for the chips, straight out of the freezer and into over heated fat or oil. Will NOT be using again, would rather go hungry

Even though I went to the shop, ordered it, and waited to pick it up, everything was dry. Really poor-quality food, almost uneatable. Lots of it but extremely poor quality, shame though as i remember it being better.

Quick pleasant service; massive portions. My Hong Kong style sweet and sour was good, four friends all happy with various dishes. Reasonable pricing too. Collection only is annoying.

Standard British style Chinese food in a classic takeaway. Order and then nip to The Model T for a pint while you wait! Sweet & sour chicken balls are great!

Not good crispy beef was so hard couldn't even chew it the whole meal was waste of money

First and only Chinese from here. We ordered plenty of food.. hugely disappointed when we left everything. Even the sauces from the dishes were gross. One of our dishes was deep fried king prawns in garlic butter.. usually we fight over the last prawn.. not today, we ate one each 🤢.

Love the food but don’t ever believe the timings Always 30 mins later than quoted but tonight over 1 hour sat waiting for it! Spent more time in the shop than the cook time of the food Obvs since ownership changed timings have got worse. Be realistic with your customers or you will lose them to better takeaways.

Always loved this chinese, and always will the food is outstanding and you get plenty of it for your money, give it ago you won't be disappointed

Lovely food we had a number of dishes and everyone was good.

Good taste and reasonable prices. Recommended.

Ordered a couple of meals for 6 pm tonight. It was ready on time. Food arrived back home still piping hot. Sweet n sour Chicken King prawn and chicken curry Soft noodles / Mushrooms Boiled rice / Chips I can honestly say this food was gorgeous. Not one complaint. Will definitely be making this our regular takeaway.

The food as usual was good but service left a lot to be desired. Despite placing a telephone order I had to wait another 30 minutes when I arrived at the booked time.

Visited again even though I pass 4 Chinese takeaway on route Portions of chicken bit light since been taken over Needs to get back to roots of Good food Good portions Good service Or people will find another takeaway

Ordered my food and it was ready to collect within 20 minutes, on a Saturday which is fab! Food was hot and so nice. Really good idea they have with the screen in the window to let you know when to come in and collect your food.

Never had a bad meal from here and have tried others when they were closed and nobody comes close on taste or value for money.

Food is the worst i have ever had the misfortune of tasting. Supposed to close at 10 not 10:30, have a look around the back the place is disgusting. Extractor has never been serviced and is dripping in fat, plus the noise that comes from it is unreal! Filthy dirty place!

Used to be lovely but I’m afraid last nights ended in the bin. Chicken didn’t taste good and was bland disappointing because it used to be the best by far

I couldn't find an online menu so I have attached it. A great meal! Tasty prawn crackers, tasty chicken satay, tasty chicken and black bean, nice chicken how mein and tasty vegetables in oyster sauce

Agree with previous review, food has totally gone downhill in our experience, ordered house special fried rice noodles and curry , only to get it home to have gravy instead of curry, the girl even repeated my order , also went cold very quick , not to the same standards from previous owners, sadly will not be returning!!!!!!

Awful since new owners have taken over its gone right down hill. Mushy rice everything soaked in garlic, place stinks....

sat back stood up laughing. was spot on. done me well good in between my drop offs. perfect after getting the bags in after a night out at the the model t. more life. photo attached two happy customers.

This takeaway had a fabulous reputation. I ordered a simple chicken curry and fried rice, usually tasty and delivers on expectation. Well I dont know what has happened but this meal was disgusting. The chicken was so heavily soaked in MSG it was gelatinous and rubbery. All in all inedible and not cheap £7.20. Dont waste your money very disappointed.

I've changed my review as I tried this place again, and it has improved. It's not wonderful, but not too shabby. Some dishes are better than others, the best ones have been delightful, the worst have been bland. All in all, it's now adequate.

Gone down hill since new owners took over. Rice was over done,too soft and mushy. food tasted burnt also.

Very disappointed with our food tonight. Normally recommend this Chinese as the chicken is of good standard. Unfortunately I can't say the same tonight. Chicken was very cheap and we needed to check whether it was actually chicken and still not sure if it was. Sorry to give this review but very disappointed.

Lovely food, and a big range, they have lovely veggie meals so friendly for most diets!

Hi best Singapore fried rice ever ****

Mowden Chinese is bar fare the best in Darlington the quality of food is first class the special curry is the best I have ever had

Same owners and the same dishes, never have been let down by here. Only live round the corner and always has been our Friday tea. The gravy is the best.

Have used this takeaway since I was little, lovely food and always hot. The noodles are simply the best.

Food is OK - not the largest of portions. Quite expensive compared with other takeaways. No facility to pay by card - cash only, which is a bit old fashioned nowadays and no delivery service. As an alternative, worth trying China Star on Victoria Road. Great food, portions and delivery service. Again, no card payments seems to be a Chinese thing!

We love it! Staff brilliant! We don't like onions or beef....never a problem!

Great food and plenty of 'classic' Chinese dishes - Cantonese. One thing to watch for, is that policy of cash only. At least an ATM just outside!

Consistently tasty, high quality meals and always friendly customer service. Never hesitate to recommend.

Without a doubt! I visit regularly and it's always fantastic ! Cash only, no cards but there is a cashpoint a couple of shops away.

Ordered a meal for four people. 3 different dishes. Picked up, got home , only to find it wasn't what I ordered. Not the first time it's happened, but will be he last

Food was amazing but for what I got on this occasion very expensive. All I got was Fried rice and Chips with curry sauce and it was £6.00 or £6.50 (I don't recall the exact amount) this is almost double what it would cost elsewhere. Maybe this needs looking at? Other than that the food was lovely.

Best Chinese food in Darlington.

Local to us this Chinese takeaway is great and has a comprehensive menu. Lovely chicken and cashew nuts and spare ribs.

I tried this place for the first time tonight. It is also the last. I ordered fried rice & curry sauce for a light tea. So simple. It is the worst we have ever tasted. The rice had a sweet sugary taste and the very dark, odd looking sauce was extremely salty. If they get this wrong I dread to think what a full meal would be like.

Good chinese food and quick service

Brought two chicken dishes and rice , total of meal was twenty one pounds, worst chicken we have tasted, it was rubbery and didnt even resemble chicken, we do not often complain but I felt it necessary so rang the chinese, to b told that they have never had a complaint about their chicken before, well this will b the first, did not taste at all like real chicken or resemble it, very disappointed and will not b using this chinese ever

This is our benchmark for Chinese food, been going for years! Meals excellent but it can get busy so expect to wait sometimes. Good portion sizes and decent variety on the menu. Shredded chilli beef, wonderful dragon or Cantonese S&S; chicken highly recommended.

Best Chinese in Darlington just check you have everything before you leave and take the wait time with a pinch of salt when it's busy

Can't go wrong here lovely food and very good size portions and the staff are friendly what I have seen of them.

The member of staff who served us was pleasant and friendly. We did not have to wait long for our meal. There was more than enough food, which was delicious

Love this place food is lovely. A little pricey but worth the extra . Staff are always pleasant too . Close enough to other amenities and parking is never a problem

Popped in late after arriving home with nothing in for meal.Quick service with polite and pleasant staff.All looked very clean and seats whilst you wait.

top notch food... top notch people

Fantastic chinese restaurant, must try the Dragon. My personal favourite is the shrimp fried rice. the portions are huge and delicious. the crispy beef is out of this world. Its aFriday night must!

Food and service always excellent

Some time ago I ordered a meal here and then had to listen to someone in Kitchen coughing and barking as if they had TB, I took meal home but could not bring myself to eat it...the lot went in bin and I have never been back since, however I have heard it may have changed ownership and if so I would be interested to here what people say about it now

I live only a stones throw from here, been going for years, pleasant Chinese family run business, food is great, and pretty fast too, it can get very busy on Fridays though, best to order by phone first, then you don't have to wait too long.

Noted previous reviewer regarding poor service at this takeaway, phoned this evening with order told it would be ready in 25-30 minutes, on attending only received blank looks from two staff behind counter, one said she probably had"t done it the other checked with the cooks to return to me saying there was no order. No apologies or effort to fulfil my order while I waited just blank looks and then speaking to the next customer. It is amazing these places survive with this level of incompetent customer service.

Mejor comida china para llevar en la ciudad. estaba cerrado esta noche y tenía que ir a otro lugar te hace apreciar más

Pedimos cuatro comidas y todos eran incorrectas. El arroz frito era simplemente un poco de arroz con huevo esparcidos entre. Por el precio, sin duda no vale la pena el dinero. La próxima vez será un Chino de M y S.

Really good place to go if you love chinese food to treat yourself with on a saturday night, very good food, tasted amazingWould definitely go back!

Really enjoyed our Friday night treat. Glad I over ordered as we had lunch on Saturday. We'll be back!! Service quick even on a busy night!

We had roast chicken chips and peas - not very Chinese but very tasty and enormous portions. We also asked for it without MSG which was not a problem. Friendly service and very good value

Mowden Chinese takeaway situated on an estate in Darlington, easy to find and open every day except Tuesday. Large menu, and most meals come with either rice or chips within the cost of the meal! Average price of a meal £6.50. My particular favourite is the salt and pepper chicken. Well worth a visit and by far the best Chinese takeout in the area for both value and flavour. :)

This place has been good foe years,maybe thirty.So that says it all and telephoning is advisable because certain times can mean a wait if you ha e not ordered.

ordered food over the phone. got there 20 minutes later. sent neice in to collect food which on going in was asked the name of the order. she gave it and was told to wait. 30 minutes later my neice asks about her order to be told they don t have the order written down. then sent her back to the car with a pad and pen for me to write down. dont think so. Surely they should check if they have the order when you say who its for nevermind letting someone sit there for 30 mins without wondering why. shocking service. As for the food i cant comment. i hope its better than there customer service. Try the ming chef. cant beat there food or service

This is a bog standard Chinese take-way which relies on Monosodium Glutamate to give flavour. OK if you're not particular or very hungry

Love this take away can get very busy on Friday Saturday night shame it dont deliver I've not had a bad meal potions are big

We have been using this takeaway for years even though it is about a 12 mile round trip to get there. When you order the standard answer is always 10 minutes, which is perfect for us because it is usually just ready as we arrive. Not the cheapest takeaway around, but definitely the best Chinese food in the area!. Would recommend the Singapore Chow Mein or Fried Rice, spicy but very very tasty!!

I have always experienced excellent customer service, tasty hot food. Sometimes a bit of a wait at busy times but good things are worth waiting for.

Owners are extremely friendly & helpful building up a good rapport with regular clients. Food is always consistent. Never had a bad experience. Highly recommend

Curry is one of the best I have had My wife loves there chicken chow mienEverything is cooked to order but the wait is worth it

Good value and batter always good.15minutes is the standard answer for years.Disliked nothing at all. If you want a quick and above a enrage take away go for it.

Ordered a pick up for 8.30 this evening at 6.50, arrived 8.35 advised a 5 minute wait for my meal. A gentlemen arrived after me and was served and left with his meal before i was eventually served after 8.50. No apology for the 20 minute plus delay and no other customers in the premises. Very poor

Fantastic food and service, excellent value for money. Best Chinese takeaway. We have never had a bad meal, I would certainly recommend special Kung Po.

OK Cantonese cuisine and consistently good value, although best to order over the phone and collect as can be made to wait during busy times. No delivery and take some cash, although there is a handy ATM outside.

we were recommended this take away , we have used it about 6 times now and have never been dissappointed. the food is of a very good quality and the portions are of a good size. there is no delivery from this take away so its best to pre order over the phone,we have only ever used this on a saturday night and when i have gone to collect my meal it is always busy, so that tells you something,great tasting food and great value

I love this Chinese take away cheap and delicious best combination.Love it love it.Would return anyday

We attend here regularly and the food is of a good quality and the service excellent. Unfortunately they do not deliver which is a shame, but you can pre order via the telephone prior to collection. Overall, very good for a takeaway.

Fantastic food the only better in town is the ming chef

Love it !!! Massive portions :)

utterly terrible takeaway. was given wrong meal then told i had to bring the meal back - they took this meal off me and then refused to give me a replacement!! Cook came out and told me loudly infront of shop to "[--] off". On top of this the food contains tinned vegetables and the portions are tiny. Terrible food, unbelievably bad service - TO BE AVOIDED.

utterly terrible takeaway. was given wrong meal then told i had to bring the meal back - they took this meal off me and then refused to give me a replacement!! Cook came out and told me loudly infront of shop to "f**k off". On top of this the food contains tinned vegetables and the portions are tiny. Terrible food, unbelievably bad service - TO BE AVOIDED.

Have been coming here for Years even when moved away from the town. I know people who travel from as far away as Barnard Castle. Beef Chow main is a must and huge portions.

We eat hear as last resort! The food tastes very bland and is uninteresting. Similar to most Chinese takeaways in Darlington - I wish we could find a decent one!

Superb but best order early on a week end. Closed Tuesdays. Good menu, clean kitchen and good service.

edible but nothing exciting and at times the chicken has felt and tatsed like reconstituted rubbish