Chef Wang Hai has spent a quarter century in the kitchen, starting when he was just 15. Hai worked under a number of chefs in northern China and learned different types of Chinese cuisines from different regions. He left China ten years ago and traveled to Europe and Russia, working in various restaurants with western influences.
For the past three years, Hai worked alongside Peter Chang in Maryland where he eventually became Chang's partner and regional chef. Hai's wife, whom he met while working in restaurants, specializes in steamed buns and northern style dumplings, and will be making both in her husband's new restaurant.
For the past three years, Hai worked alongside Peter Chang in Maryland where he eventually became Chang's partner and regional chef. Hai's wife, whom he met while working in restaurants, specializes in steamed buns and northern style dumplings, and will be making both in her husband's new restaurant.
Reviews (18)
The O.
Jan 30, 2022
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Ordered two appetizers and a braised short rib to go. Everything was outstanding. The braised rib was one of the best I've ever had. That said, best of show was the Scallion Bubble Pancake. Not at all what I was expecting . . . but one bite was all it took to make it a "must order" next time I go there.
Linda M.
Jan 04, 2022
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Mansi R.
Jan 02, 2022
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Absolutely love this place whenever we want authentic Chinese cuisine. There haven't been too many things we've tried that we haven't enjoyed so far.
Two go tos we always get are Grandma's noodles and the Szechuan Chili Chicken. You can't go wrong with those.
Other items we've enjoyed are the lamb chops, dry fried eggplant, and veggie dumplings that we would get again.
The restaurant is clean and bright with servers that check on you often. The food arrives quickly and we always leave full and happy!
Two go tos we always get are Grandma's noodles and the Szechuan Chili Chicken. You can't go wrong with those.
Other items we've enjoyed are the lamb chops, dry fried eggplant, and veggie dumplings that we would get again.
The restaurant is clean and bright with servers that check on you often. The food arrives quickly and we always leave full and happy!
Roxy C.
Dec 20, 2021
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I've been really excited to try Hai because I have been craving for szechuan food and glad I didn't have to drive super far for it. We came on a Sunday for a super late lunch and we were to only table there, so I didn't think service would be an issue, but sadly it was. Our waiter got us our drinks and food and never came back afterwards. That urks me big time. All three employees just stood next to the bar, and didn't come by to check on us. Never refilled our waters and had 3 of us share two napkins. Jeez, what's a gal gotta do around here to get some service?
Food was
Food was
Diana T.
Dec 18, 2021
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This is Hai's second location, so this must be doing something right! I enjoyed the food at their first location, so I knew the second location wouldn't disappoint.
I ordered the soup dumplings, mapo tofu, szechuan chili wontons, and Grandma's noodles. I enjoyed the soup dumplings, szechuan chili wontons, and mapo tofu. However, I was not a fan of grandma's noodles. Grandma's noodles does not include any protein and had too much oil for my liking.
Overall, good Szechuan food outside of the perimeter!
I ordered the soup dumplings, mapo tofu, szechuan chili wontons, and Grandma's noodles. I enjoyed the soup dumplings, szechuan chili wontons, and mapo tofu. However, I was not a fan of grandma's noodles. Grandma's noodles does not include any protein and had too much oil for my liking.
Overall, good Szechuan food outside of the perimeter!
Sona P.
Nov 20, 2021
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Hai Authentic Cuisine had flavorful food and a friendly staff. My husband and I went there around 8:30 PN on a Friday night and there was no wait. We ordered 3 dishes that came out very quickly. They also serve basic wine and Asian beers.
The Szechuan chili chicken came out first and was very flavorful. The red chili peppers however were the majority of the dish and were inedible due to the texture which was a bit annoying since you had to eat around them.
The hit and numbing flounder stone pot was our favorite dish. The fish was cooked perfectly and was soft and flaky. The sauce was hot in temperature
The Szechuan chili chicken came out first and was very flavorful. The red chili peppers however were the majority of the dish and were inedible due to the texture which was a bit annoying since you had to eat around them.
The hit and numbing flounder stone pot was our favorite dish. The fish was cooked perfectly and was soft and flaky. The sauce was hot in temperature
Nkenge G.
Sep 06, 2021
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I was in the area, read the Yelp reviews and thought I'd give Hai a shot! I was neither impressed nor surprised. I could tell they'd spent a pretty penny classing up the joint. Hai looked nice inside, like first date nice. But as long as the food is delicious and authentic it could be a hole in the wall. I should have driven to Buford Hwy...
My take-out Sesame chicken was piping hot, fresh and a decent sized portion. It took less than 10 minutes. But I didn't care for the flavor. This was hardly "authentic" Chinese food (says the girl who's never been to China.
My take-out Sesame chicken was piping hot, fresh and a decent sized portion. It took less than 10 minutes. But I didn't care for the flavor. This was hardly "authentic" Chinese food (says the girl who's never been to China.
Stephen W.
Sep 02, 2021
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I've heard good things but this was my first time in. They had several things on the lunch menu that looked good but I picked the chicken with scallion and chili along with hot and sour soup. My meal was ready promptly and the presentation was awesome (check out my pic). I hoped it tasted as good as it looked. It was very good. I like spicy food and it was spicy but not crazy. There are A LOT of dried chili's in this dish, but you don't have to eat all the dried chili's. They're what makes the dish get it's spiciness. The hot and sour soup was different than what
Kenny R.
Aug 06, 2021
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Extremely solid authentic Chinese food.
Everything was super tasty and not at all what I'm used to with most "Chinese food". I just happened to swing by for lunch while in town. Ordered some Sezuan beef that came with a hot and sour soup. It was literally exactly what I was looking for and "hit the spot" perfectly. Maybe I was a little hungover from a concert..... Maybe I've just been starved of legit restaurant experiences since right before covid.... Or maybe this was the best $10 lunch I've had in years!!!.......?
Everything was super tasty and not at all what I'm used to with most "Chinese food". I just happened to swing by for lunch while in town. Ordered some Sezuan beef that came with a hot and sour soup. It was literally exactly what I was looking for and "hit the spot" perfectly. Maybe I was a little hungover from a concert..... Maybe I've just been starved of legit restaurant experiences since right before covid.... Or maybe this was the best $10 lunch I've had in years!!!.......?
Brad G.
Jul 19, 2021
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Another gem found thanks to Yelp. We had been traveling all day and stuck in classic Atlanta traffic. Finally got to our hotel and really didn't want to get back into the car for dinner. Opened Yelp, and right there was Hai and only a 6 minute walk. We ordered take out and it was ready very quickly. All of that is great, but the food! It is so good! We ordered Szechuan dumplings, fried pork belly, red chili Szechuan chicken and custard dumplings. Food is super fresh and super flavorful . Score!
Pam G.
Jun 24, 2021
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I had heard good things about Hai and was not disappointed. I used to live in Virginia outside of DC. When I saw the menu at Hai, I noticed several old favorites from a Chinese restaurant that I used to frequent in Virginia run by none other than Peter Chang, one of the best known Chinese chefs in America.
He used to be the chef for the Chinese embassy a while back. I remembered that Peter Chang had spent several years in Atlanta before moving back to Virginia; apparently he left a footprint. A short google later and I discovered that the owner of Hai used to be Peter Chang's partner in
He used to be the chef for the Chinese embassy a while back. I remembered that Peter Chang had spent several years in Atlanta before moving back to Virginia; apparently he left a footprint. A short google later and I discovered that the owner of Hai used to be Peter Chang's partner in
Shalin P.
Jun 22, 2021
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We loved our dinner at the new Windward location of Hai. We ordered:
Spring rolls- These was the only disappointing item. I thought they were pretty bad. They are cheap though (you get 4 for $4).
Hot N Sour soup- It tasted much better than what you get at a run-of-the-mill Chinese spot. I really liked it. Also, the waiter said it's vegetarian as it's made from a mushroom-based broth. The $3 price makes it a bargain too.
Grandma's Noodles- Very flavorful and had a good kick to it from the chili oil. I would definitely order this again. It's a pretty big portion for only $7
Spring rolls- These was the only disappointing item. I thought they were pretty bad. They are cheap though (you get 4 for $4).
Hot N Sour soup- It tasted much better than what you get at a run-of-the-mill Chinese spot. I really liked it. Also, the waiter said it's vegetarian as it's made from a mushroom-based broth. The $3 price makes it a bargain too.
Grandma's Noodles- Very flavorful and had a good kick to it from the chili oil. I would definitely order this again. It's a pretty big portion for only $7
Chris S.
Jun 14, 2021
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Okay my family decided to go back to Hai because it's such a great place near our home in Alpharetta but this time I made sure I knew what we were ordering LOL
The Dragon Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce is a classic Chinese dish where they slice the eggplant in a way that it's all still in one piece (think spiralized). It's sauteed in a lightly spicy garlic sauce that is very reminiscent of Yu Xiang Qie Zi to me. A must try!
The curry seafood stone pot combines a bunch of seafood in the classic stone pot with curry sauce. The curry sauce is delicious but the shrimp, scallops, and
The Dragon Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce is a classic Chinese dish where they slice the eggplant in a way that it's all still in one piece (think spiralized). It's sauteed in a lightly spicy garlic sauce that is very reminiscent of Yu Xiang Qie Zi to me. A must try!
The curry seafood stone pot combines a bunch of seafood in the classic stone pot with curry sauce. The curry sauce is delicious but the shrimp, scallops, and
Marcus O.
Jun 05, 2021
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Hai Authentic Chinese is such a welcome addition to the Alpharetta dining landscape. The spicy Szechuan flavors are nearly unique to the west side of 400 this far north.
Hai offers a comprehensive menu consisting of appetizers, small plates, and full entrees providing a range of diverse flavors and textures. With all of the handmade dough going into the dumplings and noodles, it was difficult to deciding what to try which practically ensures more trips back to this place.
If you're a fan of pork, the crispy pork belly is a great way to start though the puffed scallion pancake has such an
Hai offers a comprehensive menu consisting of appetizers, small plates, and full entrees providing a range of diverse flavors and textures. With all of the handmade dough going into the dumplings and noodles, it was difficult to deciding what to try which practically ensures more trips back to this place.
If you're a fan of pork, the crispy pork belly is a great way to start though the puffed scallion pancake has such an
Nicki K.
Jun 01, 2021
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Hai made it's way to Alpharetta. The other location is in Decatur. I met up with a friend to check it out. I've been digging Szechuan food lately too. They have outdoor dining and opted for that.
I ordered dry fried eggplants (Deep-fried eggplant frites seasoned w. cilantro, scallions, Szechuan spices & dried chill peppers) and hot & humbling vegetable casserole (Potatoes, lotus root, mushroom, snow pea, bok choy, asparagus, and broccoli stir-fried with spicy and numbing sauce). I forgot what my friend ordered. Dish comes with rice.
I feel the food was a bit salty but the rice
I ordered dry fried eggplants (Deep-fried eggplant frites seasoned w. cilantro, scallions, Szechuan spices & dried chill peppers) and hot & humbling vegetable casserole (Potatoes, lotus root, mushroom, snow pea, bok choy, asparagus, and broccoli stir-fried with spicy and numbing sauce). I forgot what my friend ordered. Dish comes with rice.
I feel the food was a bit salty but the rice
Ashley K.
May 03, 2021
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This is a fairly new spot that branched out from the original spot in Decatur.
FOOD:
Xiao Long Bao - I believe they make their soup dumplings with chicken instead of pork. Tasted very homemade and was delicious. It took a while to come out though, they mentioned it takes 15-20 minutes once the order goes in.
Sesame Chicken - This also was very tasty and high quality. Not too doughy and the sauce was balanced perfectly.
Mapo Tofu - This tasted incredibly authentic and was delicious!
SERVICE:
Our waitress was attentive and very friendly. Loved how they interacted with the customers!
FOOD:
Xiao Long Bao - I believe they make their soup dumplings with chicken instead of pork. Tasted very homemade and was delicious. It took a while to come out though, they mentioned it takes 15-20 minutes once the order goes in.
Sesame Chicken - This also was very tasty and high quality. Not too doughy and the sauce was balanced perfectly.
Mapo Tofu - This tasted incredibly authentic and was delicious!
SERVICE:
Our waitress was attentive and very friendly. Loved how they interacted with the customers!
Kristen T.
May 03, 2021
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We were so happy to finally try Hai which is right up the street from us. We called to order and were surprised to hear 5-10 minutes for our large order. We got right in the car and headed on over.
We ordered the following:
S5. Hot and Sour Soup ($3)
P7. Sweet & Sour Spare Rib ($10)
P4. Pepper Salt Calamari ($10)
M6. Kung Pao Chicken ($13)
M4. Black Pepper Beef ($16)
D9. Wuhan Sesame Noodles ($8)
D7. Grandma's Noodles ($7)
N1. Lo Mein Noodles - Vegetable ($11)
M14. Chicken with Mixed Vegetable ($13)
N2. Fried Rice - Combination ($14)
The food was all great. Really flavorful and fresh
We ordered the following:
S5. Hot and Sour Soup ($3)
P7. Sweet & Sour Spare Rib ($10)
P4. Pepper Salt Calamari ($10)
M6. Kung Pao Chicken ($13)
M4. Black Pepper Beef ($16)
D9. Wuhan Sesame Noodles ($8)
D7. Grandma's Noodles ($7)
N1. Lo Mein Noodles - Vegetable ($11)
M14. Chicken with Mixed Vegetable ($13)
N2. Fried Rice - Combination ($14)
The food was all great. Really flavorful and fresh
Gretel Y.
Apr 16, 2021
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Hai love this place! I came by on a Saturday afternoon for a late lunch. The place was bright, open and clean. Plenty of seating. The staff was friendly and helpful. I was craving Szechuan food and Hai delivered!
I ordered the following:
Scallion bubble pancake $4
Mapo tofu $12
Grandma's noodles $7
Feast for one! And I enjoyed every bit of it. I didn't finish everything, but I sure made a huge dent and still had leftovers. Everything was flavorful and the portions were generous. I'm so happy Hai is here and can't wait to go back!
I ordered the following:
Scallion bubble pancake $4
Mapo tofu $12
Grandma's noodles $7
Feast for one! And I enjoyed every bit of it. I didn't finish everything, but I sure made a huge dent and still had leftovers. Everything was flavorful and the portions were generous. I'm so happy Hai is here and can't wait to go back!
