China Red - Helensville

If you are in the mood for Americanized Chinese cuisine, then the classic dishes like sweet and sour pork and spring rolls are satisfactory at this restaurant. They also offer a limited selection of fish and chips, with options like hoki that are more flavorful than those at a neighboring fish and chip shop, and are also reasonably priced. However, there are some drawbacks to this establishment. The restaurant has undergone multiple changes in management and staff, and the current team seems disorganized. The premises are not well-maintained and the ambiance is unwelcoming. During our visit, we observed a staff member bringing their young child to work and allowing him to run around, as well as another employee appearing to be tired and possibly hungover. In terms of the food, we found the squid dish to be overcooked, the vegetable noodles lacking seasoning with only carrot and cabbage, and the beef black bean dish to be overly garlic-heavy. It is disappointing when a Chinese restaurant is unable to deliver authentic Chinese flavors.