China Max of Columbia Mall: Dim Sum, Noodles, and Roasted Meats in Midtown

What China Max serves and where to find it

China Max is a full-service Cantonese restaurant in Columbia Mall, the shopping center on Two Notch Road in midtown Columbia. The menu centers on dim sum, hand-pulled noodles, roasted meats, and stir-fried dishes typical of Guangdong province cooking. The restaurant occupies a large space with booth and table seating, and dim sum service runs during lunch hours when carts roll through the dining room.

The roasted meat counter is visible from the entrance—whole ducks, chickens, and pork belly hang in the window, and you can order them by the pound or as part of a rice or noodle bowl. The kitchen also prepares wonton noodle soup, chow fun, and seafood dishes to order. Dim sum items include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), and egg tarts, among others.

Key Takeaways

• Dim sum service is available during lunch hours, with servers pushing carts through the dining room so you can point to what you want.
• Roasted meats—duck, chicken, and pork—are prepared fresh daily and visible in the front window; you can order them standalone or over rice.
• The restaurant is located inside Columbia Mall on Two Notch Road, with parking in the mall lot.
• Noodle soups and stir-fried dishes round out the menu for those who prefer cooked-to-order items over dim sum.

Dim sum service and how it works

During lunch service, dim sum carts circulate through the dining room. A server will stop at your table with a cart loaded with bamboo steamers and small plates. You point to what you want, and they place it on your table and mark your bill. This continues throughout your meal—carts keep coming, so you can order as much or as little as you like. The final bill is calculated by the number and type of plates you've accumulated.

Dim sum portions are small by design, meant for sampling and sharing. A typical lunch might include three to five different items per person. If you're new to dim sum, asking your server what's on a particular cart or what they recommend can help you navigate the options. Peak dim sum hours are usually between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.

Roasted meats and rice bowls

The roasted meat program is one of China Max's strengths. Whole ducks are roasted until the skin crisps and the meat stays tender, and they're cut into pieces and served with a light soy-based sauce. Roasted chicken and pork belly are prepared the same way. You can order a half or whole bird, or ask for a portion over steamed white rice with vegetables on the side.

These roasted meats are also available as toppings on noodle dishes—a bowl of chow fun or crispy chow mein topped with sliced roasted duck or chicken is a standard order. The meat counter staff can tell you what's ready to go and what the wait time is if you're ordering something fresh.

Noodle soups and stir-fried noodles

Wonton noodle soup is a house specialty—thin egg noodles in a clear broth with wontons (pork dumplings) and bok choy. The broth is simmered for hours and has a clean, savory depth. Chow fun (wide rice noodles stir-fried with soy sauce, vegetables, and protein) and crispy chow mein (fried noodles tossed with sauce and toppings) are also on the menu.

Most noodle dishes come with a choice of protein: chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, or a combination. Vegetarian versions are available. These dishes are cooked to order, so there's a short wait, but they arrive hot and customized to your preferences.

Parking and location details

China Max is inside Columbia Mall, which sits on Two Notch Road between Beltline Boulevard and Forest Drive. The mall has a large parking lot with free parking. The restaurant entrance is accessible from inside the mall, and the space is easy to spot because of the roasted meat display in the front window.

The dining room is spacious, with both booths and tables, so there's usually room to accommodate groups or families. The atmosphere is casual and busy during peak lunch hours, especially on weekends when dim sum service draws crowds.

Hours and what to expect on different days

China Max typically opens for lunch and stays open through dinner service. Dim sum is served during lunch hours, so if dim sum is your goal, plan to arrive between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Weekends are busier than weekdays, and you may wait for a table during peak hours on Saturday or Sunday.

If you're coming for dinner or outside dim sum hours, the full menu of noodles, rice bowls, and stir-fried dishes is available. The restaurant is closed on certain holidays, so calling ahead during holiday weeks is a good idea if you're planning a special visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know Cantonese or Chinese to order dim sum?

No. Servers will stop at your table with carts, and you simply point to what looks good. If you're unsure what something is, ask—staff can describe the items. Many dim sum dishes are recognizable by appearance once you've seen them a few times.

Can I order from a menu instead of using the dim sum carts?

Yes. If you prefer to order specific items without waiting for carts, you can ask for a menu and order dim sum by name. This is also useful if you arrive outside peak dim sum hours or want to may provide a particular item is available.

Are there vegetarian dim sum options?

Yes. Vegetable dumplings, taro croquettes, and vegetable spring rolls are typically available. Let your server know you're vegetarian, and they can point out which carts carry meat-free items.

How much does dim sum usually cost per person?

Prices vary by item—small plates of dumplings or buns cost less than larger items or seafood dishes. A typical dim sum lunch for one person runs between $15 and $25, depending on how many items you order and what you choose.

Is there parking at Columbia Mall?

Yes, the mall has a large free parking lot. Parking is abundant except during peak shopping seasons or major sales events.