China Gourmet - West Orange

My family has been dining at this restaurant for over 20 years, and it has consistently provided excellent food. We prefer it over other Chinese restaurants in the area as well as those in NYC's Chinatown. Our favorite dishes include the Hong Kong-style beef pan-roasted noodles and the salt-baked squid. We also enjoy the eggplant casserole, sizzling beef, and moo shu pork. While we often visit as a family, we've also celebrated special occasions with groups of 10 at times. We typically go for dinner, though we sometimes enjoy dim sum as well. The staff is always friendly and courteous.

I’ve been dining at this restaurant for over 20 years. Some might recall the jazz nights and the live fish in the tank. The restaurant and bar used to be bustling with customers—it was a vibrant spot. The food and atmosphere were exceptional. Sadly, things have changed. The jazz is long gone, and it seems they’ve moved the seating away from where the music used to be played, probably due to the decline in customers. However, the food still remains surprisingly good. The shrimp fried rice, which is one of my favorites, is excellent. The quality of the beef is noteworthy—it’s tender and not tough, unlike at many other places. The vegetables are consistently fresh and tasty. Though there are fewer servers now, the remaining staff are friendly and accommodating. It’s still a great place for Chinese food, and I find myself eating here often. Looking around, it appears that many of the restaurants I’ve frequented over the years are also seeing fewer patrons. I believe this is a result of a changing economy and a more discerning clientele.

This restaurant is just a few blocks from our house, making it very convenient for when we're craving Chinese food. One tip: if you visit during regular dinner hours, be sure to order from the small red menu instead of the standard large menu. The small menu features authentic Cantonese dishes, which are a much better option than the typical American Chinese food that often relies on “brown sauce” for everything. Also, it's worth mentioning that their dim sum on weekends is as good as what you would find in Queens, without the hassle of a long trip. And if you're Asian, you can skip the chicken feet!

Good authentic Chinese food without MSG on most dishes. Dim sum is one of the best in the West Orange/Montclair area. Definitely worth a repeat visit. The service is attentive. Quick and fast.