C&M Bistro

388 9th St STE 181, Oakland, CA 94607, United States
+1 510-338-3776
$$$ Chinese restaurant
(42 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

C&M Bistro is a straightforward Chinese restaurant tucked into Oakland’s bustling 9th Street corridor, catering mostly to locals looking for hearty, no-frills meals that hit familiar comfort zones. The vibe here isn’t about lingering or ambiance—it leans firmly toward efficient, practical dining with a focus on generous portions and traditional flavors.

The menu offers a solid range of classic dishes, from breakfast noodle soups with a choice of meat to rice bowls featuring staples like bbq pork, curry beef stew, and braised tofu over rice. One of the standout practical details is how the kitchen serves crispy duck separately with their noodle soup, preserving the texture and flavor in a way that shows attention to the eating experience rather than just rushing food out.

This spot is especially suited for those who want a substantial meal without fuss—think workers or families grabbing a filling lunch or breakfast at a reasonable price. The breakfast noodle soup combo, complete with a drink for around $10, is an example of good value that draws a steady local crowd. Lunchtime diners can opt for combo deals or enjoy generous plates of beef chow fun and pulled pork dishes. Portions are large and meals arrive piping hot, though some more slow-cooked items like the clay pot meat may vary in tenderness.

Atmosphere-wise, C&M Bistro prioritizes function over form. It can feel a bit utilitarian inside and doesn’t have the cozy warmth or attentive welcoming you'd find in smaller neighborhood spots. Service is efficient but can be on the reserved side, with occasional waits at the entrance during busy periods. If you’re okay with a straightforward, no-nonsense setting — where the food speaks louder than the décor — this is a reliable place to satisfy classic Chinese comfort food cravings.

Ideal times to visit are just before or after the main lunch rush to avoid waiting. The restaurant works well for casual catch-ups over familiar dishes or a quick, comforting solo meal. Those who appreciate traditional Chinese bbq and scaled-back dining rooms will find enough here to return for repeat visits.

Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Paid street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

42 Reviews
lucy

14 Dec 2025

This is the $9.50 breakfast. The price is amazing. Comes with noodle soup, choice of meat, and drink. They give you the duck separate from the noodle so that it maintains crispy skin and flavor. This is a thoughtful touch that I don’t see often. By this, I think the other bbq would be good. It’s my first time trying this place.

Ann

27 Nov 2025

A traditional Chinese BBQ restaurant with a hearty breakfast menu is perfect for the right crowd. It's hard to beat a big bowl of noodles with duck and a drink for $10. The food is good and comforting and prices are reasonable, but it's far from a typical cozy eatery. If you're dining in, just sit at a table and wait. It might take a while for someone to acknowledge you. But on the bright side, food comes out pretty quickly after your order is taken. There can be a communication barrier. I don't speak Mandarin or Cantonese (they mostly speaking Canto) and had trouble understanding the server. The server also cleared my bowl at the end before I decided whether or not I was done (it was probably for the better), likely in an effort to turn tables more efficiently. Communication is definitely a weak point for serving non-Chinese speaking customers. Card payments under $20 are not accepted. I paid with cash and wonder if they would have brought change for my $10 meal if I did not explicitly request it. Tldr; come for the food, not the experience Pros: reasonably priced food, breakfast menu Cons: communication barrier for non-Chinese speakers, efficient turnover

Carol Chong

15 Nov 2025

Had lunch here with family and friends. Food was delicious. Waitress was attentive. I recommend the grill beef with green beans and mushrooms. There will be return visits in the future.

mr_ russ

27 Sep 2025

We had their lunch special which included any 3 dishes from the menu for $40. An additional $16 for salt fish fried rice. Each dish was large and plentiful and each one came thermally hot and tasty. Clay pot meat could have been cooked longer, bristle was tough. Service was quick too. We got there ahead of the lunch crowd. A popular place, people waving to be seated or waiting at the meat counter. We enjoyed the food. We come here ever time we visit the in laws.

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