Even though it is located among the wide-open spaces of rural Oklahoma, Taste of China stands out with its spacious interior and vast dining area. Located near the 1001 E. Highway in Guymon, Oklahoma, Taste of China Super Buffet covers 6,000 square feet and can accommodate more than 200 people comfortably. The variety of food selections and amicable service are unmatched by other eateries in Guymon.  

The Owner

Since Xiangkui Jiang came to the United States, he has dedicated himself to the restaurant industry. He’s occupied numerous roles in his culinary journey- from waiter to chef. After traveling to many restaurants in various parts of the country, he finally opened his own restaurant in 2003. To attract more customers, in 2006 he took over another restaurant to give his customers more space. After purchasing the restaurant, he renovated the building and added some touches of Chinese décor to make the establishment more ethnic and fashionable. Since stepping out from a supporting role and into the spotlight of management, Mr. Jiang has thrived.

Despite only facing competition from two Chinese restaurants in the neighborhood, Mr. Jiang is always striving to enhance his business by exploring new ideas. In compliance with the current “go green” trend, the owner took some measures to stay ahead. Switching to eco-friendly devices, such as energy saving bulbs, has been one part of his plan.

Many restaurants have seen a decline in sales due to rising inflation, the soaring costs of ingredients, gas, and house rent. But at Taste of China, the owner is glad to see the exact opposite- rising customer traffic and thus a more profitable business. The underlying reason for the surprising result, according to Mr. Jiang, is promoting the restaurant to an eager public. By achieving recognition in the 4^th annual Top100 Chinese restaurants competition as a winner in the “Top100 Best Value” category, Taste of China spread its reputation in the surrounding area, and the eatery is frequented by more diners.

Another key to success lies in Taste of China’s stable team of staff. A blossoming restaurant cannot grow without loyal staff. Many restaurateurs know this but can’t sense the crucial role it plays in restaurant operation. While in the remote Guymon area, the owner is presented with a difficult problem: Chinese workers are rare and hard to employ in the area. However, there are a plethora of potential Mexican staff members in the Guymon area. Mr. Jiang has hired a number of Mexican-American staff members, and has found that they communicate well, and that language is rarely a barrier. Whether interacting with a Chinese or Mexican staff member, Mr. Jiang treats them all equally and never puts too much pressure on them. This explains how he has been able to keep a steady staff for four years. 

In addition to treating his staff well, Mr. Jiang finds a general sense of sincerity is an indispensable element in restaurant operation. Providing the customers with sincere service and a reasonable price are goals every owner strives to pursue. “The price now rises a bit but customers can accept it. Be honest to your customers, you will gain more, ” explained Mr. Jiang.

In Focus

Countless buffet restaurants offer a lengthy menu featuring an extensive selection of authentic Chinese specialties, from soups and fried rice to compositions featuring chicken, beef, pork or prawns. But at Taste of China, that’s only the beginning. At Taste of China, over 60 items roll out to suit the needs of different diners. Among the well-crafted dishes perhaps the most remarkable entree is the Sesame Chicken. Chunks of chicken are deep-fried until golden, making the meat tender inside and crunchy outside. Brown sauce gives a heavenly flavor and a juicy texture to the dish. The chicken is presented on a bed of broccoli to make the dish healthy and appealing.

Another notable dish is the Jalapeno Chicken, a Mexican-Chinese fusion creation. It is a wonderful treat for Jalapeno fans. The dish is a delectable concoction of lightly battered chicken in a chili-laced sauce combined with jalape?os and onions; it creates an alluring spicy taste. Fried Shrimp is also a unique creation. With self-rising flour wrapped the shrimp, and flavored with the ground pepper, the shrimp takes on a crispy texture and incorporates a spicy yet appetizing taste. Teriyaki Chicken is common at any Chinese restaurants, while the sauce of Taste of China is unbeatable. Combining barbeque sauce, plum sauce, sugar and salt together, along with the crunchy chicken, the dish is a palatable invention to delight the diners.

In the summer many operators shift their focus to providing profitable, popular, and unique drinks to supplement their menus. Having researched his customers’ summer preferences, Mr. Jiang has begun to offer a cold sweet ice tea to refresh customers during the summer heat. After introducing the drink on the menu, it has been so well received that the restaurant can sell 10 gallons of the drink on a daily basis.

There are other exciting items on the menu during the summer months. Taste of China serves an exciting array of dim sum, such as pudding, cakes, and other delectable treats sure to delight the unique tastes of summer diners. Apart from the American-style Chinese dishes, a bounty of sushi offerings is available as well. All in all, the restaurant can give diners plenty “all-you-can-eat” options.

Keeping dishes fresh is one of the most difficult tasks of buffet owners. If the dishes are put on the buffet table for too long, they automatically change color and gradually lose crispiness. Of course, leaving the food sitting out spoils the taste as well. To maintain freshness, the restaurant owner and staff members always monitor the sourcing channel, guaranteeing that all the ingredients are kept fresh. From vegetables to poultry, each item is checked carefully. Top quality food calls for a keen eye. 

“The sourcing channel is strictly regulated, and the materials for cooking are carefully checked. That’s the only way we can effectively monitor the quality of our dishes,” owner Mr. Jiang explained. “After all, the customers’ satisfaction is the top priority.” 

Message from the owner:

“A favorable geographic location will help you bring in more customers, so please be prudent, or better to take some extensive surveys on the consumption trend and habit when you decide to open a restaurant.”