Da Tang Foot Spa

It was either a 30 or 60 min foot massage, I forget. The whole process was fairly smooth. I was given the short lady and she did a great job — especially my neck during the pre-​foot soak… my neck is the worse spot ever.
In these Chinese places, it also helps to learn how to communicate with physical gestures (ouch, that hurts, less pressure, etc). I. e, for pain, get their attention and make a «scrunchy face» (like biting into a lemon when you wake up or having your ear pinched).
Paying at the end cleared shortly. I paid incl tip, but she just got change and gave it to me with a large bill. I wanted smaller change for her tip so I motioned an «ax chopping wood» (on this bill) to hint spliting it smaller.
Don’t trip… these spas are no Gene Juarez, Massage Envy, etc. —BUT you can get just as good, if not better, massages once you cross the communication barrier.

This was no Massage Envy.
I knew what I was getting myself into before I even walked in. 30 min body massage for only $ 20 is way too good to be true. After waiting around for 5 minutes without seeing a single soul, I was led to a recliner and told to lie down on my tummy (there’s a hole for the face). The masseuse didn’t know any English so communication was kept to a minimum. Once those palms were placed on my back (mind you, I still had two layers on) — I knew I was a goner. Either he was trying to shove my entire body through that small breathing hole… or he didn’t know what the heck he was doing. Too much pressure was placed on areas that were already tender and eventually I had to tap out.
That’s right. I had to cut my 30 min body massage short because it was more painful and doing more harm than anything.
Do NOT come here if you have any back problems. Any shoulder problems. Or any serious medical conditions.
And if you still insist on coming, learn how to say the following in Chinese:
1. Stop it.
2. Stop it now.
3. What the bloody heck are you doing?!

I visited this place at 10:30pm Friday night after being turned away from a too full Imperial Foot Massage. The place was completely empty, so we had it to ourselves. The man and woman working were prompt, the massage I got from the lady was very nice, and the price was $ 15 for a half hour massage. My friend who was massaged by the man said it was a little rough, but she didn’t try and request a more gentle massage. In my experience Chinese masseuses have no problem being told to go easy if you need them to change their style, so I would say if you need something more gentle or more rough, just ask them. Also, Chinese style is different from other types of massage, so expect a typical Chinese style massage.
I’ve traveled and lived in China and I thought this ranked among the top 10 cheap foot massages I’ve gotten. I was very satisfied with the massage, the service, the chairs, the tea, etc., especially after seeing Imperial Foot massage packed to the brim. I would definitely return and recommend this place to anyone, though I had no experience making appointments as other reviewers have here. It was perfect for a Friday night walk-​in when every other place was packed.

$ 28 an hour!!! How can u beat that??? Plus they gave really good massage… whole body and foot!!!

OK, first let me say that I am well-​versed in all things related to bodywork whether it be massage (many styles), myo-​fascial release work, hydrotherapy, yoga, pilates, soaking and body scrub at the Olympus Spa (the best thing ever!), Banya 5, etc. And I am curious about other cultures’ bodywork methods, spas, bath houses, etc.
A work associate goes to the Beijing Foot Massage in Kirkland. She told me all about her great experiences there. I hope to get over there soon.
But I heard about Da Tang from an acquaintance who suggested I check it out. So I did…
I walked in and was lead to one of the plush reclining chairs made especially for this style of massage. Got the feet soaking, all as previously explained to me.
A young woman started my session with the face, head, and shoulder massage and I thought, «Oh this is gonna be good… ok I can relax and get the kinks out and have an hour of ‘down’ time.»
Then the guy came over the take over the session. He started with the feet and it was a little rough. But I’ve been on my feet a lot lately, playing more tennis and I chalked it up to over sensitive sore ligaments and soft tissue. So far so good I thought even through a little wincing.
I enjoy a deep tissue massage and have no problem with that. He then asked me to turn over, the chair has the breathing hole like a massage table. OMG, he worked on me so hard, digging his elbow into my trapezoids, entire should blade area, neck, etc. I thought I was going to loose my cookies. There was nothing relaxing about it. It hurt alot! I tried to relax and breathe my way through it and not tense up and wince because that would just make it worse. Some of the other work down the back and hips was fine… but he’d return to the upper back and I couldn’t wait for it to be done.
He even put my arm behind my back, which is a typical move to change the position of the shoulder blade to be able to get your serratus and subscapularis… all I can say is thank goodness I have no rotator cuff issues, because he pressed down really hard and it was physically uncomfortable.
I bet other places are great and I would appreciate hearing about other spots in Seattle. I think it is wonderful to have this type of place where people can come in off the street and get some good bodywork. It is a healthy paradigm. I am totally OK with the fact that this is a certain style where they aren’t going to take an intake form, they just do their thing. If you want the whole medical intake form, go to a traditional LMP. But, if you have musculo-​skeletal issues, don’t go here. you may come out broken!
And the end was awkward. There was a guy who spoke English. but I had to ask who do I pay and it was just weird.
As I said, I think the premise is awesome but this may not be the best choice. I will need to go to Kirkland to compare.
Any other suggestions??? If you go to Da Tang let me know what you think.

We went in here saturday night after walking around the Bite of Seattle for couple hours. I was starting to feel bad for them given the fact we just got done walking around Seattle Center in flip flops! HAHAHA! I was thinking «Man! I bet my feet looks torn up right about now!» Hahaha Soon as the guy came out with the foot soaking bucket, I scrubbed away!(disgusting I know)
Anyhow I thought the foot massage was «different». The guy just sat there punching away on my calfs, then fingering the hell out of my toes, then starting with the «This little piggy went to the market» and then yoink! OMG! Pain! After all that pain the guy plays mercy with me! I know he was just probably trying to cripple me, but ouch! I would’ve given this place a 1 star but I thought the price was cheap.
Highly not recommended, you all have been warned. BTW I read about some people getting some sort of plum tea, we didn’t get anything!

one star for decent massage and fragrant red date tea.
my first visit was good. the male-​owner was there and he was friendly and inviting. but i didn’t like it when i asked what his name was and he told me his surname… hello!?! who the hell introduces himself as ‘mr smith’!!! idiot!
the massage was good but because i was out of cash, i had to run out to the nearest atm to bring back cash. i WAY over-​tipped! ‘coz i didn’t have small change and they had started massaging the next group of customers and i didn’t want to interrupt in him getting me change. so i just stashed the money into the guy’s hands and left.
then the next day, i tried to make a phone appt for my friends. now i speak mandarin — which is what they speak — and the lady-​boss who answered the phone was plain rude! wtf?! i asked if they had four masseuse… she said ‘no three’ and that was it. ticked me off but oh well… they lost the business. we went to imperial foot massage.
my second and final time here… we had a 10am appt (they open at 10) but they were already massaging another couple. hmmm… i had to wait a good 20 mins… got my massage by the same guy and tipped him more than 30% — that’s 11 bucks for a $ 29 massage. he thanked me, walked to some back-​room and came back and started with his next client. he then turned around and asked me ‘was your payment including tip?’. HUH??? WHAT!!! at first i was puzzled… so i asked if i’d given mistakenly given him $ 30 thinking i’d given him 40. he told me i gave him $ 40. Ummmm… so what was he trying to ask?! mind you, this was all exchanged in chinese — so there is no excuse for miscommunication. that ticked me off and i left without probing further.
they like to sell you all sorts of packages, all sorts of combos so you would give them a heap of cash (no credit card payments) and then who knows what they will claim later. i don’t trust these people and i’m not returning. they speak much less english here too. well, the lady boss is the ONLY one who does and she certainly isn’t the friendliest nor nicest chinese around!
btw, on the first visit, they claimed they’re waiting for their credit card machine… yeah right!

So, I was excited to see $ 25/​hr foot massage sign! I have tried it there few times and kept checking Unilocal for how other people find this place.
I have decided to write a review based on my 5 visits.
my experiences have been between 1 – 3 stars…
reasons for 3 star experience:
massage is pretty good. I could give even 4 stars for one of the therapist there, but others are between 2 – 3 stars.
they give you yummy sweet date tea.
reasons for 2 star :
appointments are never kept. Why do they even take appointments??? Always had to wait even with an appointment.
Free parking. Though that parking lot is a mess.
reason for 1 star:
odd conversations and false advertisement.
They speak little English, which is fine. But when they first opened, they were giving out coupons for $ 3 off of $ 25 massage. I gave my therapist $ 35, and he asked me if it included tip, but no intention of getting a change for me. (that’s $ 13 in tip for him) I thought it was his English, but he asked the same to my Chinese friend in Chinese, too, on a different day. I would be still happy to get out of an hour massage for less than $ 60, but that’s when it says so. It was really frustrating and not the best way to end a massage session.
Then, they also advertise buy 5 get 1 free. I had 5 stamps on my card, and they now tell me that was only for the «membership» prepay deal. They never told me that. (in English or Chinese) I would have done it if it was the case. They never offered that at all, and now they are telling me after 5 massages. That place has been only open few weeks, and I have been there 5 times, they should figure I would keep coming back if they realize they didn’t communicate well and just work it out. Nope. No where on printed ad says, prepaid only.
This place is so far cash only.
They have locations in San Jose where they offer $ 20/​hour regular price.
The sign says it opens at 10am, but they may not be there at 10am.
There always has been very uncomfortable conversations at this place and I really think that is the last thing you need at massage places.
If you can just ignore all that, and just looking for a Cheap deal, this maybe a place for you. I would say you get what you pay for, but in this case I am not sure it balances so. I would pay more for much better experience.