To the Moon and Back

Nestled in Middletown, Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant has been wowing the community since its establishment. No stranger to the dining scene, the restaurant has been around awhile before Twu Yang took it over in 1992 from one of his relatives. Due to its location in a tourist area, the restaurant has its own reputation among tourists who tend to crowd the establishment during tourist season. Also popular with locals, Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant appeals to resident foodies. In fact, Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant is actually more geared towards the local residents with some of them having been regulars for decades.

If you were in the area in August 2011, you would remember the weather conditions when Hurricane Irene blew through the area leaving Aquidneck Island without power. Luckily, Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant was there, ready to serve local residents who were all eager for a bite of warm food. Even during that chaotic time, the restaurant was still able to feed hungry customers efficiently.

Not only is Ming Moon a homey place to dine in, but it is also an ideal destination for those looking to grab a take-out meal. Offering Chinese food, Ming Moon specializes in Szechuan, Cantonese, Hunan and Mandarin cuisines. With healthy food and exceptional service at reasonable prices, Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant outshines the other Asian restaurants in the area.

The key to success for Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant is that it features delicious food. It is well known that Chinese cuisines cover a wide range of dishes. Not surprisingly, the restaurant boasts an extensive array of items on the menu, which helps it stand out from its competitors. Given a glimpse of the lengthy list, there are appetizers, soups, chow fun, noodles, chow mein, meat, seafood, and vegetables available for diners to choose from. 

For first time diners, the most popular dishes include General Tso's Chicken, Golden Finger, Boneless Ribs, and Roast Beef. As for those in the mood for specialties, Peking Duck and Cantonese Seafood Pan-fried Noodles are good options. Innovation is important for a restaurant to keep the regulars' interest piqued. Tuw Yang, the owner, knows this and occasionally comes up with new dishes which are first taste tested for a period of time then added to the menu.

If you are a fan of Chicken dishes, the Imperial Chicken is a must-try. Coated with a thin layer of corn flour, the chicken breast is fried until crispy. Then, the crispy chicken is chopped with vegetables and seasoned with special Szechuan sauce. Garlic and pepper are used to enhance the flavor. It is a must for those looking to have an “imperial dining experience.”

In addition to food variety, Twu pays great attention to the ingredients, which is essential for seasoning delicacies. To make sure that the materials are fresh and of quality, he does the procurement five times a week on his own. Moreover, in order to best cater to the American palate, the chefs use white meat for dishes even though it is more expensive.

On top of this, Ming Moon also satisfies those fancy with healthy diet. In order to cheer up local foodies, Twu Yang procures Chinese ingredients from New York. The eggplants, mushrooms, and string beans are steamed and stewed with mild saucing. The newly debuted Green Jade Shrimp has become one of the diners' favorites. Circled with broccoli, boiled jumbo shrimp is elegantly plated and sprinkled over with the chef's special white sauce. Green Jade Shrimp is flavorful and healthy, yet never too strong for the palate.

Bean Curd with Eight Precious is another favorite for those seeking healthy food. As the name of the dish suggests, there are eight precious ingredients sautéed with bean curd—namely shrimp, scallop, beef, chicken, pork, snow peas, baby corn, and carrot. Seasoned with the chef’s special brown sauce, the dish is a treasure trove of taste served up in a way that makes for an absolutely incredible experience. 

A bundle of delicacies are certainly vital in leading a restaurant to prosperity, but what accounts most is customer service. That is the secret to success since customers always come first. As a family-run restaurant, Ming Moon gives a homey impression with his wife in charge of the front and his uncle managing the kitchen so as to best cater to customer needs. The wait staff are friendly and considerate. With smiles on their faces, they respond promptly and serve patiently, guaranteeing a pleasant dining experience.

Before Tuw Yang took over Ming Moon, he traveled all around the world to learn about the culinary arts. Szechuan, Cantonese, and Taiwanese cuisine were all among his areas of study. In 1993, he stopped by Virgina, where he opened a Chinese restaurant. It turned out to be a huge hit and motivated Tuw Yang to further his career in restaurant management. With his previous experience in this industry, he went back to Ming Moon and decided to try to put his own creative touch on the restaurant. People in Middletown have been dining at the restaurant for decades, thus Tuw Yang focused on keeping the regulars while attracting new customers.

Last but not least, Ming Moon is generous to the diners by offering discounts and gift cards. The restaurant provides free delivery for orders of $10 or more. Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant accepts credit cards, which gives customers another payment choice. What’s more, the private parking lot is really a blessing for those who need somewhere to park.

Scrumptious food and excellent service at affordable prices—this is Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant. It is not a place to go for an action packed dining experience but rather a tasteful location that warms family members, friends, and couples.

Ming Moon Chinese Restaurant

Location: 694 Aquidneck Ave. Polo Center, Middletown, RI 02842
Phone: 401-848-5111
Offers: Dine-in, Take-out
Cuisine: Chinese cuisine
Signature Dishes: Green Jade Shrimp, Bean Curd with Eight Precious, Imperial Chicken
Capacity: 30
Year of Establishment: 1992
Website: mingmoonchineserestaurant.com