China Garden

Have you ever been lucky enough to come across a take-out restaurant with not only delectable food, but also friendly and attentive staff? China Garden, a humble restaurant located in Troutman, NC is just that and more.

Tucked away on Church Street in the outskirts of Troutman, China Garden is remodeled to feel like a rural take-out eatery. Without pretentious gimmicks or huge signs, this restaurant has outwitted severe competition through good word-of-mouth.

In late 2008, with the specter of economic recession looming, Shifeng Ke braced for the challenge posed by the decrease of consumer spending as he took over China Garden. Despite having only been in business for only two years, China Garden has become well known, and the owner Mr. Ke is often seen greeting and chatting with customers. Being a man who likes to keep a low profile, Mr. Ke has been in the restaurant industry for more than a decade, accumulating a wealth of experience in restaurant startup and running daily operations. This paved the way for starting his own business which he has run well by virtue of the knowledge he gained while working his way up. Many Chinese immigrants start off on the same road but their level of success depends on which approach they take.

In the past, Chinese restaurants marketed themselves as being firmly within one style whether referring to the food offered or the price of a meal at the restaurant. Years ago, a Chinese restaurant was classified as either upscale Chinese or casual Chinese. Now the lines have become blurred, with restaurants blending upscale décor and plebeian dishes together in a way unthought-of before. A diner at an extravagantly decorated fine dining restaurant can now order General Tso’s Chicken and Orange Beef or more pricey classic Chinese dishes such as Sharks Fin Soup or Braised Abalone with Sea Cucumber.

China Garden falls in the casual Chinese category. Opening a casual Chinese restaurant is the safer choice for those interested in entering the industry because it entails taking on less risk than one would if they decided to open a grand buffet or fine dining establishment. To cater to customers, the restaurant offers an American style amalgamation of Cantonese, Sichuan, and Hunan cuisine. According to the owner, the recipes for China Garden’s sweet and sour dishes have been adjusted to make them less spicy and tongue numbing.

Given a glimpse of the menu, one might need extra time to look through the vast selection of menu items. The lengthiness of the menu reminds one of an encyclopedia with different categories of dishes, ranging from appetizers, soup, to chicken, beef, and seafood dishes. Among a lengthy string of choices, General Tso’s Chicken and Honey Chicken are the most highly acclaimed items.

General Tso’s Chicken, derives its name from General Tso, a Qing Dynasty general from Hunan. First reviewed as a new dish in the 1970s by the New York Times, it has quickly become one of the most popular American Chinese dishes. Now it has become the symbol of traditional Americanized Chinese cuisine, and is on the menu of almost every Chinese restaurant in the US. At China Garden, the General Tso’s Chicken is a harmonious combination of crispy chicken nuggets with a vibrant texture doused in succulent sauces, and accentuated with a hint of sweet and sour sauce.

Another star is Honey Chicken, a popular dish with those who have a sweet tooth. The honey and sugar give the dish a sweet kick while the chicken is fried to a golden glaze, Chinese dishes aren’t complete without sauces and while China Garden keeps their sauce recipes secret, their presence in the food is very obvious without being overbearing. Pulling in the customer while giving them enough space to savor the dish, the sauce adds a sensual yet appropriate element to the meal.

To start your meal try some of the lovely cheese wantons. They are a pleasant accompaniment to a bowl of Hot & Sour Soup. Follow your appetizers with one of the nutritious entrées. One customer favorite is the Broccoli Beef. This dish is poetically arranged with slices of beef quietly lying in an attractive bed of broccoli greens. If shrimp is more your thing try the Shrimp with Mixed Vegetables. Meat lovers will go wild for the Teriyaki and Grill. Mr. Ke introduced this style of dining in this little restaurant to be able to better serve guests, especially families. Whenever there is a family gathering, the Teriyaki and Grill is a hit with the customers who can choose the ingredients and sauces used to truly customize their meal.

The key is how the chef prepares the food. In response to the healthy dining trend, all ingredients are carefully checked before cooking. China Garden always abides to the “First In, First Out” principle in its daily operations. In addition, there is no MSG, or even a hint of MSG in each dish, and the amount of salt and oil added is strictly controlled in order to conform to dietary habits and or food allergies.

Another point is how the chef makes it in a timely manner. At China Garden, all the orders are taken care of immediately and the orders can be prepared within ten minutes. The ability of the kitchen staff is indisputable, upon walking into the kitchen, you will see the orderliness of the kitchen and how workers all know their roles thereby being able to do their jobs with a high level of efficiency. 

China Garden, greets its customers with open arms. Stop by and pay a visit next time you are in the mood for delicious food served with a smile.

 

Location: 111 West Church St. Troutman, NC 28166-8522
Phone: 704-528-9999
Offers: Take-out
Cuisine: Americanized Chinese cuisine 
Year of establishment: 2008