Cafe 88 - Charlottesville

Food is decent not as flavorful as I would have expected, but they at least give you a good portion for what you get. I got the Kung Pao chicken combo and the orange chicken combo. The combo comes with eggplant which is DELICIOUS sweet and savory and was probably the best thing on the plate. The orange chicken wasn’t the syrupy sweet kind you might get from another Chinese food restaurant. It tastes like they use actual orange essence to flavor the chicken it’s subtle and not overpowering. There was a wide variety of things on the menu to try, so I will likely be going back to try something different. Would recommend if you’re in the area. Cant sit inside but there are a couple tables outside to sit if you want to say. I would recommend ordering ahead because it took a long time for the food to cook.

If you like authentic Taiwanese food, this is a good place to go. Food quality is excellent and price is very reasonable. It may not be as fancy as some of the high end Chinese restaurants in DC or NYC, but it is definitely better than your random Chinese restaurant that you see in any small city.

A small restaurant in a corner of a plaza not big, but could give you extremely surprising experience. They provide different tradition Taiwan-style dishes, and together with American Chinese food. The restaurant is decorated with a tradition and warm style, and very clean. What surprises me more is how they treated food. They really keep using the conventional ways to cook, and the dishes are authenticated and of very good taste. They made everything from the raw material by themselves. E.g., the pickles are made by themselves. The beef in the noodle soup are tender, and this cannot be done without hours stew with different spices. what surprises me more, is that they don’t use MSG, which are used by too many restaurants nowadays. I can assure this is because I don’t feel dry mouth afterwards, which is usual after I take food in many other places. Don’t surprise if you found that you are asked to pay at ordering, and get the water yourselves. The manager is kind and the food definitely worth trying.

One of the most underrated spots in Cville. Bento bowls are delicious and authentic. Husband and wife service is a little more scattered than other places but I view it as part of the charm.

Dropped in for a snack. Looks legit. Popcorn chicken was REALLY GOOD. Dark meat chunks fried up and dusted with 5 spice and fresh basil. Beautiful snack!