Hong Kong Bistro – Chandler, AZ
Having traveled the world with many trips to Asia, I am a fan of excellent Chinese food. Also, I am quite critical of restaurants that do not measure up to me personally. But, when you come across any of my reviews, they are positive: if I don’t like the establishment, I don’t take the time to write about it.
Since we moved to Gilbert, AZ in April 2006, Norm and I have been searching for an exceptional Chinese restaurant in the East Valley. Several times we stopped by Hong Kong Bistro on the corner of the northwest corner of Chandler Heights and Gilbert Road. In early spring 2008, we decided to give it a try. Our search resulted in a successful experience. Hong Kong Bistro is excellent value for money for the quality of its food.
We have been back to the restaurant more times than I can count. I’m open to trying something different each time, but Norm tends to prefer Mo-Shu Pork, while trying my main dishes.
Hong Kong Bistro’s menu has everything that most Chinese restaurants offer. The unexpected comes with the chef’s specials that are more than special. Among our favorites are: Happy Family which is a combination of shrimp, scallops and chicken with vegetables is a chef’s sauce; Double Pleasure where shrimp and scallops are combined with vegetables in a special spicy sauce; The Sizzling Rice Combo is a giant shrimp and chicken breast delight with fresh Chinese vegetables sautéed in a smooth and delicious sauce, served over sizzling rice; Sizzling Seafood Platter is a combination of scallops, shrimp, lobster tail, and crab meat with Chinese vegetables on a hot platter where you can hear everything sizzling. It is covered with a delicate oyster sauce.
While it’s not on the specialty list, definitely one of my favorites is the walnut shrimp. These giant shrimp have a mayo sauce topped with fried walnuts and are served with broccoli. It’s delicious. Orange chicken and Mongolian beef are more of Norm’s favorites.
For $ 1, you can add an appetizer, soup, and fried rice to your order. We enjoyed the sweet and sour soup, won ton, and egg, all of which were wonderful.
The presentation of all the dishes we’ve seen served is charming, with meticulous attention to detail. What impressed me a lot was the preparation of everything. Even fried foods are lightly battered and deep fried to produce a light creation, not a heavy battered oil-soaked dish often found elsewhere. Also, there are many light input options. Even better, Hong Kong Bistro doesn’t use MSG. Its ingredients are fresh and you can tell the difference.
There are many more selections that we can continually test. It’s hard for us to go beyond some of our favorites, but Michelle Zhen, owner of Hong Kong Bistro with her husband, continues to encourage us to try different dishes. They encourage their customers to order something that is not on the menu if they want a particular dish.
The atmosphere is relaxing and comfortable, far above most Chinese restaurants.
Michelle and her husband purchased the Golden Canyon in Mesa in 1999. Their continued success prompted them to purchase Hong Kong Bistro in 2008. We are glad they did and encourage you to try it. The drive to the SE Valley from Phoenix is well worth it, and you’ll be able to savor every bite of bistro.
Hong Kong bistro
4990 S. Gilbert Road # 8, northwest corner of Chandler Heights Road and Gilbert Road
Chandler, AZ 85249
480 802 1818