Best Chinese food in McLean, hands down! Fresh ingredients always used and all who work there are very kind and customer oriented. So happy they're here!
Jay Heidel
I’ve been ordering takeout from Forbidden City since 2017. The food is always ready very fast prior to my arrival for pickup and service is always friendly. I’ve ordered an array of items from the menu such as Kung pao chicken, chicken fried rice, general tsos, and crispy shredded chicken/beef. Everything always tastes great. It’s the best takeout Chinese I’ve found in the area. Definitely recommend supporting this local small business!Edit: I’m seeing other reviews that say the business was sold and renamed Hunan Express. I have not ordered since the change and am sad to hear the news.
Nate Rosenblatt
Ordered dinner off their website menu and it never arrived. No one answered the listed phone number - tried several times over the course of an hour and got the same message saying that the line was busy.
Ford Mann
The food and service were beyond our expectations. We really enjoyed the ambience of this restaurant. Fantastic place to take my family out for dinner.
M W.
This place was a staple in McLean for many years. Closed now. Sold to new owner and is now known as Hunan Express. The four stars are for the previous owner and Forbidden City not for the new owner and Hunan Express. Last ate here at the time of transition from Forbidden City (mid JAN 2020). Was not as good as it had been. Egg rolls were overcooked - almost burned, The steamed dumplings were much like I am used to but the sauce was a little funky. The Pork Lo Mein was also below the standard I am used to and I swear the noodles were thinner. Also, no fortune cookies! I do understand things may have been a little unsettled during the transition so I will probably try again before I make a final decision. Further, the new owner was very nice and I hope she will be successful.
Pinky D.
My wife grew up in Mclean and this was the go to Chinese restaurant for at least the last 20-25 years. Food was high quality, consistent and spot on. New owners now and the only thing that is the same is the phone number. The food was dissapointing to say the least. Something I would expect from a stand in the mall food court.
Chris M.
Best hot and sour soup in our area. Best hot and sour soup in our area. I was told they are changing name to hunan express soon.
Cris C. D.
Our favorite Chinese restaurant, House of Fortune in McLean, closed after 3 decades of business. Needed to find a new closeb place so tried today Forbidden City Express because some reviews sounded quite good. Unfortunately those reviews were far from accurate. Guy at front was very nice but the food was average at best. Got Kung Pow Chicken and Orange Beef and again nothing at all to get excited about.
Laurén M.
So disappointed. I've been eating at Forbidden City the majority of my life, growing up here in McLean. It's incredibly inconsistent now. It used to be one of my favorite spots, but the last couple orders have been wildly different despite having ordered the exact same thing each time.
Fast american chinese cuisine. You get what tou pay for and there arent suprise. I got Beef with winter vegatablea. Im not upset buy paltr wasnt wowed either.
zero zero
OUT OF DOOR 。
P C.
This is our go-to for takeout Chinese food. It's consistent and tasty. We just get the basics - beef broccoli, lo mein, General Tso's, dumplings.... but it's always good. And delivery is quick.
Tiffany T.
Best seasme chicken ever!! My boyfriend grew up living in the area and always stops by when he comes home. We live in NYC and still haven't found better seasme chicken!
T. Branson
General Tsos chicken was Tuff and practically not edible. Wouldn't order from this place again. Food is going in the trash... very disappointed.
Best Chinese food in McLean, hands down! Fresh ingredients always used and all who work there are very kind and customer oriented. So happy they're here!
I’ve been ordering takeout from Forbidden City since 2017. The food is always ready very fast prior to my arrival for pickup and service is always friendly. I’ve ordered an array of items from the menu such as Kung pao chicken, chicken fried rice, general tsos, and crispy shredded chicken/beef. Everything always tastes great. It’s the best takeout Chinese I’ve found in the area. Definitely recommend supporting this local small business!Edit: I’m seeing other reviews that say the business was sold and renamed Hunan Express. I have not ordered since the change and am sad to hear the news.
Ordered dinner off their website menu and it never arrived. No one answered the listed phone number - tried several times over the course of an hour and got the same message saying that the line was busy.
The food and service were beyond our expectations. We really enjoyed the ambience of this restaurant. Fantastic place to take my family out for dinner.
This place was a staple in McLean for many years. Closed now. Sold to new owner and is now known as Hunan Express. The four stars are for the previous owner and Forbidden City not for the new owner and Hunan Express. Last ate here at the time of transition from Forbidden City (mid JAN 2020). Was not as good as it had been. Egg rolls were overcooked - almost burned, The steamed dumplings were much like I am used to but the sauce was a little funky. The Pork Lo Mein was also below the standard I am used to and I swear the noodles were thinner. Also, no fortune cookies! I do understand things may have been a little unsettled during the transition so I will probably try again before I make a final decision. Further, the new owner was very nice and I hope she will be successful.
My wife grew up in Mclean and this was the go to Chinese restaurant for at least the last 20-25 years. Food was high quality, consistent and spot on. New owners now and the only thing that is the same is the phone number. The food was dissapointing to say the least. Something I would expect from a stand in the mall food court.
Best hot and sour soup in our area. Best hot and sour soup in our area. I was told they are changing name to hunan express soon.
Our favorite Chinese restaurant, House of Fortune in McLean, closed after 3 decades of business. Needed to find a new closeb place so tried today Forbidden City Express because some reviews sounded quite good. Unfortunately those reviews were far from accurate. Guy at front was very nice but the food was average at best. Got Kung Pow Chicken and Orange Beef and again nothing at all to get excited about.
So disappointed. I've been eating at Forbidden City the majority of my life, growing up here in McLean. It's incredibly inconsistent now. It used to be one of my favorite spots, but the last couple orders have been wildly different despite having ordered the exact same thing each time.
OUT OF DOOR 。
Restaurantji Recommends
Fast american chinese cuisine. You get what tou pay for and there arent suprise. I got Beef with winter vegatablea. Im not upset buy paltr wasnt wowed either.
OUT OF DOOR 。
This is our go-to for takeout Chinese food. It's consistent and tasty. We just get the basics - beef broccoli, lo mein, General Tso's, dumplings.... but it's always good. And delivery is quick.
Best seasme chicken ever!! My boyfriend grew up living in the area and always stops by when he comes home. We live in NYC and still haven't found better seasme chicken!
General Tsos chicken was Tuff and practically not edible. Wouldn't order from this place again. Food is going in the trash... very disappointed.