Dined there last night.. I’d say their quality has improved since some of the early reviews – they had all the usual chinese takeaway selection, and also roast duck, scallops, octopus legs, prawns with shells on and a chicken and corn soup.
Their desert could be a better – was a range of fruit, two ice cream flavours (looked like their freezer could fit 4 tho), jelly and banana / carrot cake. When asked they also had cream and chocolate sauce..
Value seemed fair and with a large group of us they gave us a discount on corkage too
Would have been nice to have background music – they’ve got a decent sound system and cheezy birthday track.
All in all pretty basic buffet but no major complaints

I am shocked at these reviews! I grew up in a neighborhood with some Chinese families (USA) and can tell the difference between authentic and fast food dishes. Sun Wah has authentic, the flavors melt in your mouth with each and every dish. The care taken to make their dishes wins my vote. We try to eat there every time we come into Whangarei. I love the graciousness of the owner who at times comes to the table to ask if everything was fine…the waitress is lovely and fun to talk with and makes sure we are cared for while dining there. And, I do not know these people…just great food. I wish they would move to Waipu! Chinese cafe here is disgusting. I sent friends there who were celebrating her granddaughter’s 19th birthday…they called to rave over the food as they also enjoyed it. You have my business for lunch or dinner—you’re a 10 in my book!

Yep would say the same as bellow normal Chinese food, definitely no place for dessert. The place looks clean and service was good.

This place is fairly average.For a Buffet style restaurant that you pay a fixed price, you would expect a reasonable selection. The variety was quite limited for a buffet. Ive seen a selection just as good in local Chinese Takeaway shops. Just the usual old stuff you see when you order off the board in a Takeaway Shop, nothing slightly better to serve in a restaurant.Their dessert selection is a joke, mainly fruit. OK, if you want a cheap feed of Chinese food for around $20 and you want to just get in there and blow your guts out until you can’t eat anymore Won tons or Spring rolls, then this is your place. If you are looking for more traditional cooked dishes, forget it.

If you want service, this place is not for you. We waited at the front waiting to be seated, until finally after several minutes, the owner comes out of the kitchen to seat us. We ordered drinks and it took more than 10 minutes for them to arrive. The buffet is a joke, there is only like 10 trays which after all of which are empty, they are no replenished. When our drinks finally came, my soft drink was flat and I let him know which the owner told me that nothing was wrong. A buffet does not mean 6 dishes and a dessert cabinet with hardly anything in it, it means a good selection of various foods and desserts. Us being the only ones eating there on a Wednesday night should mean we get exceptional service….reasonable service…. any service.. would never recommend this place to anyone. After trying all 6 dishes was very upset and went across the street to grand Hotel and ate there.