An Intriguing Mix

By Jun Wang

Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant & Lounge

Location: 61247 S Highway 97, Bend, OR 97702
Phone: 541-389-9888
Offers: Dine-in, Take-out, Full Service Bar
Cuisine: Americanized Chinese Cuisine
Signature Dishes: Walnut Shrimp, Singapore Chow Mein, General Tso’s Chicken, Hot Sesame Beef   
Year of Establishment: 2001

Bend, Oregon is an outdoorsman’s paradise that attracts “explorers” from around Oregon and even from California and Washington. Visitors can ride their bikes through lush forests, play a round of golf, or even hike through a lava tube. Of course, being that active means people are going to be real hungry and looking for good dining options when they get back into town. One favorite of both tourists and the locals is Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant which has been an integral part of Bend’s vibrant dining scene since 2001.

Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant & Lounge has molded itself into one of Bend’s most popular restaurants by being dedicated to quality offerings and attentive service.

Owner, Casey Chan is a veteran in the restaurant industry. First arriving in America in 1980, he came here to chase the American Dream. While not everyone has a clear definition of their dream, Mr. Chan knew from the start that he wanted to own his own business. However, first he needed to learn more about American culture and master the language. While getting better acquainted with American culture, he found a job at a Chinese restaurant. There, he turned challenge into opportunity, slowly moving up from busboy to kitchen assistant, and then finally becoming a cook.

He toiled away for years but knew in his heart that opportunity favors those who are prepared. Good fortune finally shined on Mr. Chan when he got a chance to take over a bar in Bend. He jumped at this opportunity and astounded those close to him with his business prowess. Then he followed that by taking over a German restaurant in 1985. Having accumulated extensive experience in bar and restaurant operations, Mr. Chan finally decided to open Red Dragon in 2001, successfully combining a restaurant and bar together into one great experience.

To make the restaurant unique and provide customers with a comfortable dining experience, Mr. Chan designed and decorated the restaurant, creating a multi-functional establishment that can accommodate dine-in customers, private parties, and events. The décor features an Oriental touch, which is accented by exquisite Chinese paintings on the wall and symbolic statues, such as the guardian lions, Happy Buddha, and Guan Gong. The light fixtures and soft background music give the dining area a cozy and homey ambiance. In addition, a fish pond with koi and potted plants gives the restaurant a tranquil vibe.

The Phoenix Lounge comprises the west end of the 5,000 square foot establishment. This full service bar offers a variety of beer and wine choices as well as your favorite liquor. The signature Mai Tai is always a favorite. Patrons are welcome to order from the full Red Dragon menu while relaxing inside the bar or enjoying the weather on the enclosed open-air patio.

If you’re hungry you’ll probably want to head over to the main dining area. The menu at Red Dragon offers usual run-of-the-mill Americanized Asian fare such as egg rolls, lo mein, chow mein, fried rice; and chicken, beef, and seafood dishes. However, while the names are ordinary, the tastes sure aren’t. You’ll be absolutely blown away by the symphony of flavors in each remarkable entree. The chefs use their experience and channel Mr. Chan’s creativity to turn bland entrees into unforgettable dishes.

Walnut Shrimp, King Tao Chicken, Peking Shrimp and Peking Beef Pot are among some of the shining stars on Red Dragon’s menu. Walnut Shrimp is a popular dish as this dish nicely balances crispy battered shrimp tossed with creamy sweet coconut milk sauce.

“Know the customers, and know their preferences, then you can prepare the type of food they really want,” says Mr. Chan. “Customers are seeking more choices. Nowadays they don’t just want traditional standbys like Chow Mein or Egg Fu Young. They are looking for new inspiring dishes.”

King Tao Chicken is a successful invention, harmoniously incorporating the essence of Chinese cooking style and American flavors. The chef prepares the dish by first slicing the chicken then dousing it with King Tao sauce which is made of ketchup and hoisin sauce.

Tired of American style Chinese food? Don’t worry. The chefs also have some authentic Chinese dishes to delight your appetite. The Peking Beef Pot, which is actually of Szechuan origin, will impress you with an adventurous yet exciting culinary experience. Flavored with green and red peppers that deliver a pungent punch, this dish will leave a thrillingly tangy aftertaste in your mouth.

“It is actually part of our responsibility to teach the customers something about what real Chinese food is like,” says Mr. Chan.

Having been in the restaurant industry for 20 years, Mr. Chan knows how to keep up with trends and adjust the restaurant’s offerings to better suit customer needs. With increasing concerns about health, the concept of healthy dining has taken the nation by storm. Red Dragon is one of the many restaurants that believes in healthy dining and is doing their part through offering an array of light dishes with little salt or oil, and no MSG. Another measure that has been taken is offering steamed or boiled vegetables, which gives customers delicious meal choices without exposing them to unnecessary fat or calories. Mr. Chan believes in the power of eating healthy but also would like to add that eating healthy is even more powerful when combined with regular exercise.

A restaurant won’t be successful if the staff is not focused on the customers. Of course teamwork is also essential and that’s what you’ll find at Red Dragon—a harmonious team that strives to give customers a quality dining experience. When dining at Red Dragon you will see them racing around the restaurant, answering the phone, refilling drinks, and preparing orders all while keeping a smile on their face. Of course, that’s not all, if you can’t decide what to order, the staff will recommend dishes based on your preferences.

“I’m very glad that they all do a good job,” says Mr. Chan.

Throughout the years, Red Dragon has received a lot attention from local media, including The Bulletin and The Source which have gushed over Red Dragon, calling it the “best kept secret” in Bend. Recently, a mystery diner employed by AboutFace visited the restaurant and gave it a perfect score of 100.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Chan is always looking for ways to better his restaurant, hoping to infuse new elements that will help take it to the next level.