In the bustling city of New York, No. 1 Chinese Restaurant has been in business for around fifteen years. In an area as populated as New York City, it’s extremely difficult for Chinese take-out restaurants to stay afloat due to the large quantity of fierce competition. However, staying afloat is no problem for No. 1 Chinese restaurant; loyal customers return to the restaurant again and again for the delicious food and the friendly and efficient service.

Even during this time of recession, No. 1 Chinese Restaurant is still thriving. It has definitely felt some of the economic downturn, but overall, customer traffic is still up and the restaurant is running smoothly. With the help of the loyal customers, the restaurant has been able to beat the recession.

• Location: 825 W. 181 St. New York, NY 10033-4438


• Cuisine: Americanized Chinese cuisine


• Signature Dish: General Tso’s Chicken, Chicken with Broccoli, Chicken with Mixed Vegetables, Lo Mein, and Chow Mein


• Offers: Take-out, Delivery


• Year of establishment: 1995


• Phone: (212) 740-3188

Americanized Chinese Food at Its Best

No. 1 Chinese Restaurant serves Americanized Chinese food, with characteristics of both Hunan and Szechuan cuisines. The menu was designed to suit the locals’ taste and traditional items such as Chop Suey and Chow Mein are available.

The most popularly ordered dishes are the General Tso’s Chicken and the Chicken with Broccoli. General Tso’s Chicken is a widespread American favorite, so owner, Mr. Wang, is keen on making his the best in the area. Only the best ingredients and seasonings are used. The Chicken with Broccoli is popular because the dish is a perfect combination of healthy ingredients including white meat chicken and vegetables. Sometimes this dish can sell as many as seventy orders a day! But not matter what customers decide to order, than can be sure they’re meal will come with one of No. 1 Chinese Restaurant’s delicious homemade sauces and high quality, fat-trimmed meat.

According to Mr. Wang, “Healthy and tasty should be well balanced.” He places an emphasis on serving healthy foods that are still high in flavor to his patrons. Additionally, the kitchen staff at No. 1 Chinese Restaurant will gladly make adjustments to cooking preparation per customer request. If a customer asks for something steamed or boiled or for their sauce on the side, all they have to do is ask.

Another reason why No. 1 Chinese Restaurant stands out from the rest is because of the high quality food. The meat and the produce is always the freshest and highest quality available.

As for the homemade sauces, they are constantly updated to be the best in the area. Mr. Wang or members of the kitchen staff will get an idea from another restaurant or from a cookbook and incorporated into No. 1 Chinese Restaurant’s menu. They also always take suggestions and recommendations from the customers.

Passionate Service

The well-trained staff at No. 1 Chinese Restaurant follows two rules: 1. Always be polite to the customers and 2. Satisfy the customers’ needs. The family style restaurant is well aware on how to make their customers comfortable and feel like they’re at home. “The customer is always right,” says Mr. Wang. The staff also does a thorough job when it comes to keep the restaurant clean.

Mr. Wang’s passion for the restaurant industry and his restaurant are obvious. “I take my restaurant as my life career,” he says. According to Wang, passion is the key component to being successful. He also stresses the importance of getting to know the customers; he remembers the regular customers’ preferences and takes care of them accordingly. Finally, Mr. Wang touched on innovation; it’s important for restaurants to continuously innovate and make improvements to stay in business.

Best in the Area

According to Mr. Wang, there are two main reasons why the locals keep returning to his restaurant. The first is food quality and freshness. Mr. Wang chooses the ingredients for his restaurant himself, and he only chooses the finest and freshest available. “Even the most skillful chef will fail without fresh ingredients,” explains Wang. The second is speedy service and delivery. No. 1 Chinese Restaurant makes deliveries to residents within a 15-block radius, and does so in a timely manner, usually in less than twenty minutes. The busiest time at the restaurant is between 7:00 – 9:00 on most evenings and the small staff expertly handles the rush.

Wang’s Success

Mr. Wang came to the United States in 1992 with a goal of achieving the American Dream. He took a job at a restaurant and learned how to cook in American style. At first, the differences between American and Chinese cuisines were hard to tackle, but eventually he began to excel. After he mastered his cooking skills, in 1995, he opened the second restaurant, named No. 1 Chinese Restaurant.