Looking for Decent Chinese Food [Archive] - Talk of The Villages Florida

Michael 61

12-02-2022, 11:53 AM

Good luck finding any decent Chinese in The Villages, or any surrounding towns for that matter. If you like Americanized, Panda Express-style Chinese, then you will be satisfied. If looking for something more authentic (think non-sugary, non thick, corn starchy-sauces), then your best bet is the “Chinatown” area in Orlando on Hwy 50. That’s where you’ll find local Asians dining out. Good dim sum there as well.

LuvtheVillages

12-02-2022, 12:16 PM

I like Sunshine Asian @ Trailwinds Plaza on 466a.

We also liked them a lot when they first opened. Lately, their quality has declined.

raynan

12-02-2022, 12:25 PM

We like Changs on 466 next to NYPD Pizza. Took a long time to find one we liked.

Keefelane66

12-02-2022, 01:19 PM

Kenswing

12-02-2022, 01:34 PM

Compared to what’s around here, Yummy House in Ocala is pretty good.

chrissy2231

12-02-2022, 02:35 PM

I like Sunshine Asian @ Trailwinds Plaza on 466a.
yuk

Babubhat

12-02-2022, 02:59 PM

Sunrise Asian trailwinds

ThirdOfFive

12-02-2022, 03:40 PM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.
Not TV, and not strictly Chinese, but there is a Korean supermarket just outside Orlando; Altamonte Springs I think, that has an Asian food court. Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, and I believe Chinese also though to be honest I can't precisely recall. We've eaten there a couple of times; Vietnamese and Korean, which was good though pricy. No reason to think their other offerings aren't comparable.

Pinball wizard

12-02-2022, 03:53 PM

We like kayame and Ichiban

I agree with Ichiban in Leesburg but I was told that Koyame sold and will be opening a new restaurant in the future.

Stu from NYC

12-02-2022, 04:32 PM

I agree with Ichiban in Leesburg but I was told that Koyame sold and will be opening a new restaurant in the future.

We still think Koyame is good and they do have new owners. The previous owners of Koyame are opening a new restaurant near NYPD in the near future.

Skip

12-02-2022, 07:39 PM

Yummy House
Mostly Canton Provence cuisine.
3500 SW College Rd. (SR 200) on SW 35th Tr.
Ocala, FL.
Never disappoints.

Skip

Nucky

12-02-2022, 07:45 PM

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:Keep looking. Lemme know when you find a good one around here. We have had no luck yet.

Wo Hops is pretty great but I forget where it is!!!! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::mmmm:
I do remember it was freezing when we came outside after eating. :cold:

shut the front door

12-02-2022, 07:50 PM

Haven't found it here yet. I've tried all the places in the above responses. I still can't find decent hot and sour soup without going to Ocala or Orlando.

Mrs.Guy

12-02-2022, 08:48 PM

We still think Koyame is good and they do have new owners. The previous owners of Koyame are opening a new restaurant near NYPD in the near future.

Koyame WAS good...... not now with the new owners. I believe the new place will be a little east of the NYPD Pizza - like next door to Giovanni's in the same strip mall as Publix on 466. Could be wrong but that's what I heard. :ho:

Pairadocs

12-02-2022, 09:18 PM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.

If you are looking for Chicago, NYC, Vancouver, etc. etc. authentic, not grease, not corn starch, and not "Americanized", even luck won't help you. Even much better (authentic) where we are from in South East Florida. Having said; if we must satisfy a craving and really don't have the time to drive to Orlando's mostly Vietnamese section (but a few good Chinese there also) we order from Koyame, but be forewarned, this is also a fusion, heavy Japanese influence, but generally good. Same for Sunrise, much better luck with their Thai, than what they call "Chinese", but it was acceptable. To get something a bit closer to what you may be looking for, Yummy House in Ocala is about as close as you can come without driving to a true city with a "Chinatown" restaurant row. This is a very bad area to look for really good Chinese, Greek, and even German food. Probably just too "rural" to be able to support such restaurants... but branch out a bit and you can find at least "decent" replicas to big city establishments. I try to keep in mind that restaurants sell what people WANT, and here they definitely want their "ethnic" cuisines HEAVILY "Americanized". That's the way it just is... got to follow the demand of course.

Pairadocs

12-02-2022, 09:31 PM

I agree with Ichiban in Leesburg but I was told that Koyame sold and will be opening a new restaurant in the future.

Question about Ichiban in Leesburg, is that authentic Chinese dishes now ? Have not been there for a very long time, but last time it was the typical, greasy, thick corn starch taste, and really over cooked vegetables served buffet style. Will for sure give another try if it has changed !

Stu from NYC

12-02-2022, 09:34 PM

Question about Ichiban in Leesburg, is that authentic Chinese dishes now ? Have not been there for a very long time, but last time it was the typical, greasy, thick corn starch taste, and really over cooked vegetables served buffet style. Will for sure give another try if it has changed !

I have been to China and nothing here is authentic. Do find the vegetables to be nice and crispy.

We do enjoy the place.

Mongolian BBQ guy seems to be cooking with his eyes closed with zero emotion.

Pairadocs

12-02-2022, 09:35 PM

We also liked them a lot when they first opened. Lately, their quality has declined.

YES ! Sunrise has really taken a slide DOWN. Had $43 order last week that shocked us compared to when they opened. Will say the Thai dish we ordered was the same quality as always. Cook changes perhaps ? Good help is very hard to find, seems the Covid thing has left this strange lack of employees in every state and area, that could be the case at Sunrise ?

Chi-Town

12-02-2022, 10:24 PM

Cheng's is my go to Chinese restaurant here.

Sensei

12-03-2022, 12:24 AM

Yummy House, Ocala

jim@jedward.com

12-03-2022, 04:39 AM

I really like China Chef in Mangolia Plaza. Excellent food, reasonable prices, and their online ordering system is superb.

Worldseries27

12-03-2022, 05:07 AM

i have been to china and nothing here is authentic. Do find the vegetables to be nice and crispy.

We do enjoy the place.

Mongolian bbq guy seems to be cooking with his eyes closed with zero emotion.
can't china use that hypersonic delivery service so we could try it out?

HeleneGB

12-03-2022, 05:09 AM

Bamboo Bistro on the 441 where Michaels is.

HeleneGB

12-03-2022, 05:13 AM

Bamboo Bistro on the 441 where Michaels is. Great Peking Duck.

bropel

12-03-2022, 05:17 AM

We LOVE Chengs on 466

George Page

12-03-2022, 06:40 AM

You may have better luck looking for the Holy Grail!

Sandy and Ed

12-03-2022, 07:01 AM

I like Sunshine Asian @ Trailwinds Plaza on 466a.
YUP!!! Good stuff

skippy05

12-03-2022, 07:02 AM

I myself have been to China many times. Real authentic Chinese food is bland as hell with no spice, salt, or savory. Just stir fry with no seasonings at all of any kind. However, at some 'Spicey' restaurants in China you can get nice-tasting food that has heat and onions, and spice. Real Thai food is far superior to real Chinese food any day in terms of flavor. Unfortunately, I can't find any good tasting variety of any of this in our areas here. There was nice food in a Thai restaurant in Eustis. However, due to high supply prices he has cheapened the quality of ingredients, and now it is terrible. On a different subject, I have found the best latin america food in the world at pio pio in Ocoee. Go there and enjoy. Be sure to use the green sauce on the chicken. Out of this world and amazing flavors.

Barbscats

12-03-2022, 07:11 AM

If you don’t mind the drive, 168 Chinese on 468 in Apopka is the best we’ve found.

WharfRat

12-03-2022, 07:17 AM

Lee’s Kitchen in Pinellas Plaza off 466A. Right by Roberto’s.

msilagy

12-03-2022, 07:22 AM

Yes the previous owners of Koyame opening next to Giovannis in The Publix shopping area off 466. They are currently inside working. I found them to be the best (have not been to the new owners Koyame and because of the reviews will not). Looking forward to the new location. Changs on 466 also good. I really am a bit confused as to why all the bad comments, when these 2 places have fresh good tasting Chinese food.

Nucky

12-03-2022, 07:27 AM

Forgot about Bamboo Bistro on 441 near Target. Pretty damn good!

defrey12

12-03-2022, 08:15 AM

I agree with Ichiban in Leesburg but I was told that Koyame sold and will be opening a new restaurant in the future.

…NOT Chinese, Japanese. Big difference.

TeresaE

12-03-2022, 08:17 AM

sowtime444

12-03-2022, 08:31 AM

You didn't specify which region of China, but if you are looking for spicy, e.g. Sichuan

Sohao Cafe and Gator Suyaki (those two restaurants combined during the pandemic) in Gainesville is pretty good. Order from the old Gator Suyaki menu items, e.g. the spicy ones. It is next to the large asian grocery chain "Enson" there.

In Orlando, go to Taste of Chengdu or Spicy Girl. The ones in the Chinatown square are not bad.

jimh24444@gmail.com

12-03-2022, 08:37 AM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.

We like Chengs, rt 466, next to McDonalds

Stu from NYC

12-03-2022, 08:41 AM

can't china use that hypersonic delivery service so we could try it out?

They could but the upcharge will get you every time

larrycrilley@gmail.com

12-03-2022, 08:44 AM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.

Shanghai Chinese Restaurant in Mulberry Grove Plaza is really good. I am from NYC and lived near Flushing (if you know, you know). This is the darn near as good as any Chinese take out back home. Haven’t had a bad meal, soup or appetizer yet. Reminder - it’s a take out and not a sit down. Address and website linked below.

(352) 751-1133

Shanghai Restaurant | Chinese Restaurant | We Online Order 10%OFF | Add:8744 SE 165th Mulberry Ln The
Villages,FL 32162 | Tel:352-751-1133 (https://shanghai42.m988.com/phone/pages/home.html)

chinese food mulberry plaza - Google Search (https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+food+mulberry+plaza&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#)

larrycrilley@gmail.com

12-03-2022, 08:46 AM

larrycrilley@gmail.com

12-03-2022, 08:49 AM

They could but the upcharge will get you every time

I miss the speed of NYC Chinese food deliveries. And it was free…just tip the driver!

Sjshanl

12-03-2022, 08:57 AM

Bamboo Bistro in Lady Lake is pretty good.

merrymini

12-03-2022, 08:58 AM

My son tried Cheng's and liked it. Will give it a try.

dooffy

12-03-2022, 09:38 AM

chengs-the best

Bea&Mike

12-03-2022, 09:50 AM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.

We found two one in Ocala called Ocean Buffett they have it all; and one in Leesburg Itachaban Buffett by Mall off 441 going East going to Dt Dora.

Michael 61

12-03-2022, 10:00 AM

Reading many posts, I see there are many who don’t know the difference between Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, etc. I don’t eat any “fusion” type Asian places, as their menu is all over the place, and they don’t fully execute any one singular Asian cuisine well. (i.e. I won’t go to sushi restaurants where the sushi chefs are Korean).

eweissenbach

12-03-2022, 10:14 AM

Worldseries27

12-03-2022, 10:58 AM

shanghai chinese restaurant in mulberry grove plaza is really good. I am from nyc and lived near flushing (if you know, you know). This is the darn near as good as any chinese take out back home. Haven’t had a bad meal, soup or appetizer yet. Reminder - it’s a take out and not a sit down. Address and website linked below.

(352) 751-1133

shanghai restaurant | chinese restaurant | we online order 10%off | add:8744 se 165th mulberry ln the
villages,fl 32162 | tel:352-751-1133 (https://shanghai42.m988.com/phone/pages/home.html)

chinese food mulberry plaza - google search (https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+food+mulberry+plaza&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#)
bayside guy?

banjobob

12-03-2022, 10:58 AM

Good reply so many have the same response. My thing is nowhere in Florida do home grown sweet corn or tomatoes compare o those in grown Ohio. But corn and tomatoes are really good here also.

BostonRich

12-03-2022, 12:20 PM

Shanghai Chinese Restaurant in Mulberry Grove Plaza is really good. I am from NYC and lived near Flushing (if you know, you know). This is the darn near as good as any Chinese take out back home. Haven’t had a bad meal, soup or appetizer yet. Reminder - it’s a take out and not a sit down. Address and website linked below.

(352) 751-1133

Shanghai Restaurant | Chinese Restaurant | We Online Order 10%OFF | Add:8744 SE 165th Mulberry Ln The
Villages,FL 32162 | Tel:352-751-1133 (https://shanghai42.m988.com/phone/pages/home.html)

chinese food mulberry plaza - Google Search (https://www.google.com/search?q=chinese+food+mulberry+plaza&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#)

We've tried this a few times and were not impressed. Maybe it has improved in the last year or so? This location is really convenient for us and we do wish it was better. Why are the owners of Koyame starting over? Seems a little weird but we will have to see about the new place. Until then Chengs is our place to get Chinese food as we know it.

rogerk

12-03-2022, 12:24 PM

We like kayame and Ichiban

Where in TV are these located?

Spikearoni

12-03-2022, 02:06 PM

We still think Koyame is good and they do have new owners. The previous owners of Koyame are opening a new restaurant near NYPD in the near future.

We used to enjoy Koyame but recently found that the quality of the beef they use as well as the chicken dishes are sub-par in our opinion. We were quite disappointed as we frequently dined there if we were in the mood for Chinese in a restaurant without ambience. Now it reminds me of places we used to go to when we were teens and didn't know any better! If all you want are large portions with plenty of sauce so that you can take home meals to eat for several days, it's a good choice. To each his/her own.

Chamo

12-03-2022, 02:57 PM

We like Changs on 466 next to NYPD Pizza. Took a long time to find one we liked.
Changs is the best your going to find around this area. I’ve tried many and there was none close to the real style

Just jimmy

12-03-2022, 03:11 PM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.. Lees in pinellas plaza on 466a is very good.

END OTT

12-03-2022, 03:55 PM

Bamboo Bistro Lady Lake

Eat in restruants one that I found that wasn't take out

daniel200

12-03-2022, 04:11 PM

New YorkCity, Boston and Chinatown Orlando any experience we found in The Villages subpar actually Panda Express might be one of the better to try. Seems the village Gourmet experience is burgers and fried chicken fingers which we make at home for a fraction of the prices charged.

Last i checked chickens don’t have fingers. If you find a chinese restaurant serving chicken feet … you will have found an authentic chinese restaurant. They can be served either crunchy or soft.

Stu from NYC

12-03-2022, 05:06 PM

Where in TV are these located?

Kayame is near the village hospital, Ichiban is on 441 in Lessburg.

Waze will easily get you to both

ThirdOfFive

12-03-2022, 06:29 PM

Funny; anytime there is a discussion about specific food types you can count on a few responses that go, “there is nothing in this area that compares with where we used to live”. I am sure that if you go to Talk of Chinatown, San Francisco, someone would post “Nothing around here compares with blah blah Chinese restaurant in The Villages, Florida”.
Agree.

I would add that "authentic" Chinese food may be many different things. Sort of like "authentic" American barbeque. There may be some similarities but there are probably a dozen distinct varieties that differ tremendously one from another. China is huge; there may be as many or more differences, region to region, in "authentic" Chinese as there are in American barbeque.

Stu4206

12-03-2022, 08:08 PM

We've ordered from the China Wok 3337 Us Highway 441/27, Fruitland Park, FL 34731 a few times. I love the wings with Garlic Sauce!! So far we haven't had anything we didn't like.

Red Rose

12-03-2022, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the info. We liked the original owners of Koyame and didn't know they would be opening a new one.

Pinball wizard

12-04-2022, 02:28 PM

…NOT Chinese, Japanese. Big difference.

Excuse me but Ichiban in Leesburg IS Chinese. Along with the regular Chinese food they have some sushi and a hibachi grill. All included in one price.

ICHIBAN BUFFET | Order Online | Leesburg, FL 34788 | Pickup (https://ichibanbuffettogo.com/#home)

WharfRat

12-05-2022, 08:12 AM

Perhaps the confusion is the word ”Ichiban,” which is Japanese.

Whitley

12-05-2022, 09:10 AM

Compared to what’s around here, Yummy House in Ocala is pretty good.

Yummy House in Sarasota is the best in the area as well.

Sandancer

12-06-2022, 06:45 AM

Any good Chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in TV.

China Max in lady lake-take out-always fresh!

Dani & Bill

12-06-2022, 07:05 AM

Bamboo Bistro gets our vote for the best dine in!! No. 1 Chinese in Traverse by Brownwood for carry-out.

pauld315

12-06-2022, 09:59 AM

Lam's Garden in Orlando

chrissy2231

12-06-2022, 10:11 AM

We've ordered from the China Wok 3337 Us Highway 441/27, Fruitland Park, FL 34731 a few times. I love the wings with Garlic Sauce!! So far we haven't had anything we didn't like.
my friend also recommended. my meal was not good

Calisport

12-06-2022, 10:58 PM

Nothing probably in the whole state of Florida. Mostly hole-in-the-wall family restaurants.

bioman419

12-07-2022, 07:53 AM

any good chinese food in the area? I have not been able to find any in tv.

try yummy house in ocala on 200 just off i-75. Traditional.

pauld315

12-10-2022, 09:29 AM

try yummy house in ocala on 200 just off i-75. Traditional.
Personally, I think this place is not very good. I would save the trip.

BobnBev

12-25-2022, 11:04 AM

Decent Chinese Food....now there's an oxymoron.:a040:

Pairadocs

12-25-2022, 11:26 PM

We also liked them a lot when they first opened. Lately, their quality has declined.

Definitely agree ! USED to think it was pretty good (for the villages that is), but has really declined (change of cooks ?, quality of meat purchased ?) Only been open a couple weeks, but we've already ordered 4 times from new Kung Fu Chef near Publix on 466. First thing we noticed was the egg rolls, crab Rangoon, and other deep fried items did NOT have the OLD OLD grease taste... I guess since it just opened ? Perhaps so many do not change the grease often enough ! We've tried different entrees each time and all were very good, including the mango chicken we really enjoyed at their former restaurant (Kyome). The walnut shrimp was also a stand out for us, and found the Thai chicken a very good version. Just hoping they keep the quality UP, and the deep fry grease FRESH...LOL !

Flyers999

01-03-2023, 03:51 PM

Definitely agree ! USED to think it was pretty good (for the villages that is), but has really declined (change of cooks ?, quality of meat purchased ?) Only been open a couple weeks, but we've already ordered 4 times from new Kung Fu Chef near Publix on 466. First thing we noticed was the egg rolls, crab Rangoon, and other deep fried items did NOT have the OLD OLD grease taste... I guess since it just opened ? Perhaps so many do not change the grease often enough ! We've tried different entrees each time and all were very good, including the mango chicken we really enjoyed at their former restaurant (Kyome). The walnut shrimp was also a stand out for us, and found the Thai chicken a very good version. Just hoping they keep the quality UP, and the deep fry grease FRESH...LOL !

I agree about the grease. Got takeout twice at the new Kung Fu Chef near Publix on 466 and couldn't be happier. The vegetables actually tasted fresh/crisp and not like stale cardboard! Count me in as a regular customer as long as the grease doesn't get old.

BTW Chinese restaurants aren't the only ones guilty of not changing the grease. There's a very popular breakfast/lunch place in TV where my wife & I routinely get sick at. They can't even make a couple eggs without making us queasy.

Aloha1

01-03-2023, 04:58 PM

Grease in fryers should be changed once a month. As a restaurant operator for 36 years, the standard is change grease on the first of each month. So by the end of the month, the grease is still good but a week or so later it starts to affect the taste of food.. With the cost of cooking grease today I suspect many restaurant owners are saving money by extending the life cycle of their fryer grease. That does affect the taste and quality of the food.

Pairadocs

01-03-2023, 07:09 PM

Compared to what’s around here, Yummy House in Ocala is pretty good.

AGREE ! Actually just went to Ocala this week to do some shopping and have dinner at Harry's....but.... before returning to the V's, we called in and picked up a large order from Yummy House, so much better than anything closer !

Pinball wizard

01-04-2023, 03:29 PM

Compared to what’s around here, Yummy House in Ocala is pretty good.

Agreed. Especially on Saturday and Sunday when then serve dim sum.

Michael 61

01-08-2023, 06:08 PM

Decent Chinese does not exist in The Villages, unless Panda-Express style is something you consider decent. I was about to give up finding a decent Chinese place in the area, but based on a few referrals here, made the easy (25 highway miles) drive up to Ocala to Yummy House -very good - would rate a B+ and will return again.

mgkw1

01-08-2023, 06:59 PM

Kungfu Chef on 466. Next to Giovanni's. Owners used to own Koyomae in Spanish Springs. Good food, great flavor and fresh

Stu from NYC

01-08-2023, 07:03 PM

Kungfu Chef on 466. Next to Giovanni's. Owners used to own Koyomae in Spanish Springs. Good food, great flavor and fresh

Interesting. A group of friends were there about 10 days ago thought food had no taste and served in very small portions.

We enjoyed Kayame for a few years before they sold it and thought it was great.

Ellwoodrick

01-11-2023, 07:13 AM

Try the Ichiban Buffet in Leesburg:

10301 US Highway 441 , Leesburg, FL, United States, Florida
(352) 728-6669

The variety is amazing. Quite the selection of Chinese, Japanese and American on the Buffet. My wife and I just ate there on the 10th.