The Bamboo House in Colchester

Great dining experience with authentic Chinese dishes. The owners are wonderful people.

Having moved back from Hong Kong not long ago I really crave authentic Chinese food. Bamboo House serves amazing authentic Northern Chinese food. The food is always super good, staff are very friendly and helpful. Menu also has lots of the usual favourites. The staff will help you choose authentic Chinese dishes also. Personal fave is the cumin lamb, have it every time, super good!

It’s my eighth time here and I just keep coming back! Ordered cumin lamb, fried chilli chicken and egg fried rice this time. Yum!

This restaurant is Colchester’s best kept secret. The food is beautiful, all freshly prepared, huge portions and sensational flavours. Our go-to for a meal out - We absolutely love The Bamboo House & it gets better every time we go!

Oh my god, I think I’ve found the best Chinese food in the UK! This place, with its lovely older owners who couldn’t do enough for us, is a true gem. It was a Friday night, my 12 year old son’s birthday and he wanted a Chinese. We found this place and wandered in. It was empty save for a couple at another table. I have no idea why it was empty - the food was out of this world! Everything, and I mean everything cooked from scratch and fresh, innovative and truly authentic. And so goddamn delicious! I had roast lamb, Mongolian style. Something I’ve never had before. It was amazing. We had freshly made and fried pork dumplings, home made prawn toast, chow mein out of this world. Nothing was greasy, just full of flavour. My wife is a veggie and asked them if they could make her a veggie Chinese curry, her favourite, but it wasn’t on the menu. No problem, out it cane, quickly made, vegetables all fresh and bright and colourful. It’s frankly criminal that this place didn’t have more customers in it at that time of night, because it really, really deserves it. We’ll definitely be back!

Really poor experience . Not eaten here before and not likely to return. Starters were fine but for a main I ordered the crispy chilli beef, this consisted of batter, sauce and no discernible beef. No one came to ask if everything was ok so having left my dinner I called the waitress and explained my problem no alternative was offered so asked for a no charge for this dish which they obliged with. By

Good restaurant design. Great service. If anybody wants spicy food, can tell them to make extra spicy 🌶️

We have visited The Bamboo House on several occasions now and have been impressed every time! The staff are extremely friendly, polite and attentive, and the food is second to none; huge portion sizes and bursting with flavour. Also love the decor in the restaurant! Our go-to place for a dinner out!

This is definitely a hidden gem service amazing and fresh food out of this world - will be back for sure thank you

Food taste is good in this price range. If you are nearby and wanna Sichuan spicy taste of Chinese food, this one serves the purpose.

I feel like this is a hidden gem. I've dined in as well ordered takeout. Food is always great quality and decent portion sizes. This has fast become a regular of mine!

Had a very tasty meal with family at The Bamboo House tonight. Service was welcoming and friendly and overall good, although a little slow at times. We had to wait a while for all of our dishes to come out together. The decor was a bit bold and dated to me, but you don't go out to eat to study the walls do you.

This is the best Chinese restaurant I have ever been to, 100% on food, service and location. We will be returning, it has such authenticity. The food was quick and really delicious. It was also reasonably priced for what we had, cooked to perfection. The food was not too salty, greasy or oily. Absolutely splendid. Our server was a really kind and lovely lady. Made our night special. The crispy chilli beef was an all time favourite and was full of flavour. Noodles were really fresh. Happy happy happy.

First time here and a really good meal will presented A sensible menu weth quaily food served fresh and well by the staff Surprised the restaurant was not full as we have eaten in many chinese restaurants in Colchester and this one certainly near if not at the top for value No desert menu but it wasnt needed!

Fantastic authentic Chinese food home cooked and fresh..

Very delicious food. There is serious talent in that kitchen.

Amazing tasty food. Very fresh. Lovely lady serving.

The best Chinese in Colchester. And I’ve been to all of them!

Been there a couple times with my friends and we always love it. Good food for good prices!

My partner and my daughter have only lived in Colchester for 1 year so are slowly trying all the restaurants in the area. I had driven past this restaurant a number of times and thought we would try it. It was EXCELLENT. The food delicious and the service was fantastic. Loved it and will definitely be back, not too pricey either like some of the other Chinese restaurants in the area. Top marks for this one.

Wow - absolutely amazing food. Maybe the best Chinese meal we've ever had! Lovely staff too. Perfect end to our day after visit to Sutton Hoo.

We visited last night a group of 14 of us for a birthday just wanted to say the food was amazing so much of it and tasted excellent staff were lovely and friendly . Will defiantly be visiting again.

Really really nice food, there are authentic and less authentic options 😆. I would really recommend, the friendliness of the staff is top notch and we felt very welcomed. Give it a go! The chilli chicken was simply amazing.

I ordered delivery from here and was very disappointed. I asked for crispy shredded beef from the specials and received a starter size quantity. It cost me £8.00 . I phoned the restaurant to see if I could receive some money back or an apology. All I got was silence and then a quote " not my problem " Very rude !!!!

Kong Po absolutely delicious and chef's special fried king prawns with chilly and bread crumps - rainbow in your mouth. Aunt Lee is the cherry on top- she is absolutely adorable, made us feel very welcome. We'll be back as we leave near by. Xie Xie!

Had a sit in meal . Can’t fault the food was delicious, served promptly . Felt the menu was not as comprehensive as some other places and a tad pricey . Small bottle of still mineral water £3.50. Decor was ok but nothing special no real ambience . Chairs were a bit uncomfortable . Toilets were scruffy and felt like you walked through a large broom cupboard to get there with step ladders and stuff laying around not ideal . Staff were pleasant but dressed scruffy . Waiter had tracky bottoms on and the lady a body warmer and leather apron though they were polite . Felt more like a chinese cafe than a restaurant. Prob wouldn’t go back as a meal out .

Second time dining here recently and I cannot rate the food highly enough!! The salt and pepper squid was excellent, as was the king po king prawn. Wonderful service too.

Gorgeous meal. Not too greesy and sweet like other chineese restaurants. Friendly helpful staff. Lovely atmosphere. Would definitely recommend.

Bamboo house has now become our weekly treat for many reasons. Firstly the most friendly women behind the counter are always so smiley and helpful whilst welcoming with a warm greeting at the door. The food is unmatched and the turnaround time is so quick from the moment you order. So reasonably priced and will not be going anywhere else for our food. LOVE LOVE LOVE

The BEST Chinese restaurant! Staff are lovely, attentive and get your order right and on time every time. Couldn’t fault them. Menu has an extremely wide range of options and tastes immaculate. 10/10 food, service, staff, restaurant.

Tonight was the 3rd time we ordered from The Bamboo House. All of them were excellent. Its not the cheapest but you get what you pay for. Quality and good quantity! Salt and pepper squid is lovely and quite generous. My son had the beef fried rice it was nice and moist..My only slight issue would be about 2 pound delivery charge. I understand for a small order you have to put a delivery charge but ours was almost 50 pounds. Having said that it is not going to put us off.

Hands down the best Chinese in town!!

We usually order delivery sweet and sour chicken and kung pao chicken and they are really tasty and good price. Will order again for sure! Thank you!

My daughter loves Chinese and wanted to have it as her 16th birthday treat. Wow what can I say the food was truly amazing and totally authentic. best Chinese we have ever had. The staff were wonderful to and as I have a wheat Intolerance were super helpful with this. Will be going again and all ready telly others about it.

This little Restaurant is at the top of the road from where i live and its a great little find. To be honest, doesn't look much or very inviting from the outside and the decoration inside is a tad interesting but the food speaks for itself, absolutely fantastic authentic food at very reasonable prices. As a table of four we had set menu A and B and you won't believe the amount of dishes we had on our table from Sweet n sour chicken to Beef in black bean sauce lovely and delicious. Just a bit surprised it isn't more busy but the restaurant 'lacks' something but I can't quite put my finger on what. Definitely worth a visit though as is just as good as the other top Chinese restaurants in Colchester.

Stumbled across this looking for something different on here! Must say what a find. Venue was lovely and the service was very attentive. Now for the best bit the food... We had the seafood platter for starters.. The king prawns were huge and delicious. My husband had the vietamise curry he said the flours were outstanding I had the lemon grass grilled chicken again this was amazing. We will defently be back...

Fresh, tasty and clean food. The staffs are very friendly. I love the variety of tea options. 😊👍

I purchased some chicken balls with sweet and sour sauce from this restaurant. Ate almost half of it and then noticed the DEAD ANTS in the sweet and sour sauce. When called they didn’t offer a refund just discount next time (there won’t be a next time)

Really small portion for takeaway. It is London price. 中国人吃了都会哭，千万不要点肥肠，肥肠根本就是洋人中餐的炒肉做法，谁吃肥肠谁哭。其他两个味道都挺好。 PS，正好我有时间，回复老板，顺便再给您改个评论，谢谢您的200g的牛肉。因为80%的水煮牛肉（伦敦/考文垂/曼城/York/剑桥等）打包都有给两个外卖盒，我觉得小有什么问题吗…… 谢谢您对于我是您同行的猜测，就因为我给了2星，洋人给1星2星您咋不回复，对同胞就那么上心。整个英国中餐给现金很多就有打折啊，顺口问问就恶意揣测我是捣乱的同行，有这么多心思还不如改进一下肥肠的口味。 作为一个热爱吃川菜的人在英国从南到北吃了几十家川菜的人，您家的肥肠就是不适合中国人口味啊……我真的满怀期待1个半小时在车上闻着这个味道，吃到真的很难过。 重新评价给您5星，省得您说我是同行拉低您评分。。。

The food was good and they provided a good service. It’s nice when you get in but does not look very inviting from outside. Most restaurants want you to see people eating inside but the blinds make it difficult to see in. Would go again as it was good food but needs a bit of a re think on the building itself.

Delicious flavors, good service. Not your average Chinese food joint.

We have visited quite a few times(6/8) and have found the food to be amazing every single time with great atmosphere & waiters. The summer spring rolls aretruly phenomenal!! Sometimes I just order 2 Of these starter , they are that good. !! We have worked our way through the menu, and everything is above par . The curry’s etc are hot and creamy. Can’t suggest this place enough. The lime cordial is brilliant too! Jcoustue

Really good food. As a Chinese I have to say it is full of typical Chinese food. Really good experience come again.

Food was of poor standard. The decor is old and cobwebs on ceilings etc... the only positive was that the lady on the front desk was helpful and attentive

Food was fantastic. Bar was limited.

parking is bad as it sits within university site accommodation, but the surroundings are excellent, though will say there are very unpleasant smells from the quay that its next to! though the food is amazing

Just had a takeaway from there and they must have shares in onions! A vegetable chow-min with the vegetables being 90% onions, I DONT THINK SO.!! Off my revisit list

We came here for a meal out, far surpassed expectations. The food was delicious, so fresh and so much nicer and more authentic than normal Chinese restaurants. We will 100% be back!

Not the standard run of the mill "English" Chinese restaurant, the Bamboo house produces home cooked Chinese food to restraunt standard. Attentive service, but not overbearing, I've been three times now, each occasion has been a memorable experience. If you want to try Chinese food, and fed up with sweet and sour pork, go here, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Absolutely beautiful, traditional food. Everything was fantastic!

Great spicy proper chinese food. Not your usual English take on Chinese food....

Absolutely beautiful food. Spectacular. Well worth a trip from any where in the UK. It's bloody gorgeous! Plenty of tasty vegetarian options and all the flavours were perfect!

This is a great place. I always get excited when I go into an Asian restaurant and the majority of customers are Asian. Such a good sign and this is one of those places. They do the usual anglicised dishes but also more authentic dishes on the Chefs Specials section of the menu.If you eat in, you can try a famous hot pot; which is what all their Asian clientele go for!Don’t be deceived by the rather ordinary outside - give it a go.

The best Chinese take away in Colchester, ever!

It's been a while since our last visit, but somehow the lovely owner remembered my son and we were greeted warmly.Lovely authentic Chinese dishes, including the most delicious garlic aubergines, and chicken with dried chillies that looked scarily hot but was aromatic and delicious.Service was attentive and friendly.Prices very reasonable for lovely food.We will be back again soon!

Great food (exactly how it has been when we have eaten in the restaurant in the past). Only thing missing were the prawn crackers that are usually given with orders but the food was all freshly prepared and ready at the time stated

Great food (exactly how it has been when we have eaten in the restaurant in the past). Only thing missing were the prawn crackers that are usually given with orders but the food was all freshly prepared and ready at the time stated

Excellent meal tonight. Would definitely go there again!

Food was really good, a very enjoyable time

Good food but staff needs to smile a bit and make visitors comfortable. They take their work way too seriously and forget to smile!!!

The food was fantastic, friendly atomosphere I would definitely come back.

I have wanted to dine here for some time, the Lunch that we had - set menu 1 & 2 - was just lovely, the Waitress, she may very well have been the owner , was so attentive and created a green tea specially for me! She took the time to explain about the dishes even giving a warning about the hotness of Chilli that i wanted to try in an additional dish. The ressie was packed out with Chinese folk who were enjoying a pre booked buffet that they cooked them selves in a vast vat of hot broth stuff ... Next time i think i will try to pre book that buffet. We managed to park the car in their small car park, and had a WONDERFUL 2 hour Lunch. Thank you.

Really tasty authentic food, friendly staff and atmosphere. Kid friendly too

Avoid avoid avoid!!!. Ordered my meal just before closing time and I believe it can't have been cooked properly. It's the only thing I had eaten that day so could only be from that food.

Food was late, restaurant unsympathetic when I called. And they delivered egg fried rice, not the special fried rice that we ordered. That said, the food was nice, and still warm enough to eat on arrival. Lots of flavour and veggies, no (or not much!) msg. Chicken balls were a bit too doughy, but they were very big which compensated.

Food was late, restaurant unsympathetic when I called. And they delivered egg fried rice, not the special fried rice that we ordered. That said, the food was nice, and still warm enough to eat on arrival. Lots of flavour and veggies, no (or not much!) msg. Chicken balls were a bit too doughy, but they were very big which compensated.

All I wanted was a little pot of ketchup and I was assaulted by a mob of Chinamen who carried me of the premises. Would not recommend. May have internal bleeding.

The chow mien didn’t look like chow mien it was thin and stringy and dry and the spring rolls were not very well filled also dry

The chow mien didn’t look like chow mien it was thin and stringy and dry and the spring rolls were not very well filled also dry

Really enjoyed our dinner, food was lovely and the people were kind x

Very nice food and honest prices...I'll go again. I went to this restaurant with friends, everyone was happy with the food, very tasty

On March, We ordered the delivery and it took around 2 hours for several times .......OMG Is the restaurant kidding me? Who knows.......

I don't know what the sweet and sour sauce was... but it wasn't sweet and sour sauce. Worst Chinese I have ever had.

I don't know what the sweet and sour sauce was... but it wasn't sweet and sour sauce. Worst Chinese I have ever had.

Fabulous food and friendly staff 😁

Así ha sido más de un año desde mi primera crítica del restaurante y alegra decir aún es buena. . Lo que es un misterio es por qué no es más popular? . . La comida aquí es fantástico. Todos los platos chinos y otro menú de platos más auténticos, tanto que hace una buena mezcla de comensales chinos. Ir y probar, o ir a recoger su propia comida para llevar, estoy seguro de que no le decepcionará. Su fresca, sabrosa y tan buena como las otras 2 mejores restaurantes chinos de la ciudad.

Food wasn't any good, chicken balls batter was rock hard and chicken was tough and sweet and sour sauce just tasted like vinegar. Rice was o.k.Worst Chinese I've had for a while.

Food wasn't any good, chicken balls batter was rock hard and chicken was tough and sweet and sour sauce just tasted like vinegar. Rice was o.k.Worst Chinese I've had for a while.

The food was absolutely vile. Crispy seaweed tasted like pure sugar, chicken was like rubber crispy chilli beef tasted fishy and kung p.o. just yuck. Never again will I order from here. £30 I spent and it went straight in the bin

The food was absolutely vile. Crispy seaweed tasted like pure sugar, chicken was like rubber crispy chilli beef tasted fishy and kung p.o. just yuck. Never again will I order from here. £30 I spent and it went straight in the bin

Food is great, service very good, can't ask for much better.

Food is great, service very good, can't ask for much better.

I ordered 3 plain chow mein for me and my friends and we only received one, 6 pounds were lost because of this. Disappointed.

I ordered 3 plain chow mein for me and my friends and we only received one, 6 pounds were lost because of this. Disappointed.

Best place in colchester very friendly

Excellent thoroughly enjoyed it all ribs were particularly good.

Excellent thoroughly enjoyed it all ribs were particularly good.

The best Chinese restaurant ever.

Our usual Chinese was closed so thought this was a good alternative. Lovely food but more expensive and the chips were missing!

Our usual Chinese was closed so thought this was a good alternative. Lovely food but more expensive and the chips were missing!

Ordered Singapore chow mein and Singapore rice noodles from the menu which obviously different name but they came with both are the same taste and ingredients. Confusing and misled.

Difficult to fault really. Great food...Chef is happy to cook food off the menu and service is always good. We eat in often, but typically takeaway more often. Worth a try if looking for a step up from the usual Chinese restaurant/takeaway in Colchester.

Ordered Singapore chow mein and Singapore rice noodles from the menu which obviously different name but they came with both are the same taste and ingredients. Confusing and misled.

Really nice and tasty food + friendly service. Bad points: plastic covers for tables.

We ordered our food and it said it will be here at 7:15 we waited till 8:25 and it was not here so we called and they said that they didn't get the order so we called just eat and they said that bamboo house did indeed accept the order. Just eat gave us a £10 voucher all in all it was a disaster do not order from them if you have some were to be.

We ordered our food and it said it will be here at 7:15 we waited till 8:25 and it was not here so we called and they said that they didn't get the order so we called just eat and they said that bamboo house did indeed accept the order. Just eat gave us a £10 voucher all in all it was a disaster do not order from them if you have some were to be.

Love their food, so tasty and fresh, if you like tofu I'd highly recommend their dishes!

Crispy duck was soggy, very fatty and cold. Chicken chow mein was rubbery, bland and stone cold. Will definitely not be ordering from here in future.

Took 2 hours to come and was tasteless and very very oily

Dreadful service! Food arrived 1hr late and when calling the restaurant to see where our order was they put the phone down on me then didn't answer. Will never order from them again!!