Kung fu chef

[patfla06]

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[Michael 61]

We had lunch at Kung Fu Chef ( Southern Trace ) today.
I’m from NY. so really picky about Chinese food.

We loved Kung Fu Chef!!

Husband got Gen. Tso’s chicken with rice & broccoli
and egg roll. I got Chicken LoMein with a spring roll.
Both were delicious!!

Egg roll good (I didn’t like it because I think it had pork)
but it was good. His Gen. Tso’s was sooooo good.
My LoMein and Spring roll were delicious.

I’ve been bringing Chinese food from Tampa where I
previously lived and Kung Fu was even better.

We will be repeat customers.

Thanks for posting - I’ve heard from others that Kung Fu is pretty good.

I spent my early adulthood in San Francisco, and got spoiled on authentic and very good Chinese (mostly Cantonese and Hong Kong style). After leaving the Bay Area, I have found most Chinese restaurants lacking, and very “Americanized” with sugary and corn-starch-laden sauces. I finally bought a good wok and self-taught myself to cook good, authentic Chinese dishes, since I wasn’t finding that in most “Chinese” restaurants.

I’m going to try Kung Fu tonight, and will report back.

[Stu from NYC]

They used to own Kayame which we enjoyed.

Been to Kung Fu thought food excellent and we will be back.

[Taltarzac725]

My brother and I had my 2-24 birthday lunch there and we both really enjoyed the food.

[Michael 61]

Thanks for posting - I’ve heard from others that Kung Fu is pretty good.

I spent my early adulthood in San Francisco, and got spoiled on authentic and very good Chinese (mostly Cantonese and Hong Kong style). After leaving the Bay Area, I have found most Chinese restaurants lacking, and very “Americanized” with sugary and corn-starch-laden sauces. I finally bought a good wok and self-taught myself to cook good, authentic Chinese dishes, since I wasn’t finding that in most “Chinese” restaurants.

I’m going to try Kung Fu tonight, and will report back.

Here’s my update —

I’m writing this from Kung Fu - Nice, clean restaurant with pleasant servers. Here for dinner. I ordered a cup of Won Ton Soup and Kung Pao Chicken.

The soup had a good, rich Chicken broth base, filled with three plump, meat-filled won tons - I was thinking this would be outstanding soup to have if sick or feeling under the weather. Very good flavor.

The Kung Pao Chicken was (actually is, I’m still savoring it), very good - Large, generous pieces of moist, well-seasoned Chicken that is stir fried with fresh, crisp vegetables. Great spices, and a decent amount of heat (though I like quite a bit of heat). The Sauce was light, and did not over-power or hide the taste of the chicken and veggies. Came with a very tasty fried rice.

I had about given up on Chinese here in TV - the places in the southern area where I live are absolutely terrible - and I have thrown away food from them more than once.

Kung Fu is a pleasant surprise - I would rate a B+ / I’ll be back - just wish it was a little closer to where I live.

[Stu from NYC]

Here’s my update —

I’m writing this from Kung Fu - Nice, clean restaurant with pleasant servers. Here for dinner. I ordered a cup of Won Ton Soup and Kung Pao Chicken.

The soup had a good, rich Chicken broth base, filled with three plump, meat-filled won tons - I was thinking this would be outstanding soup to have if sick or feeling under the weather. Very good flavor.

The Kung Pao Chicken was (actually is, I’m still savoring it), very good - Large, generous pieces of moist, well-seasoned Chicken that is stir fried with fresh, crisp vegetables. Great spices, and a decent amount of heat (though I like quite a bit of heat). The Sauce was light, and did not over-power or hide the taste of the chicken and veggies. Came with a very tasty fried rice.

I had about given up on Chinese here in TV - the places in the southern area where I live are absolutely terrible - and I have thrown away food from them more than once.

Kung Fu is a pleasant surprise - I would rate a B+ / I’ll be back - just wish it was a little closer to where I live.

Try Ichiban good buffet with excellent mongolian bbq.

[Kenswing]

Here’s my update —

I’m writing this from Kung Fu - Nice, clean restaurant with pleasant servers. Here for dinner. I ordered a cup of Won Ton Soup and Kung Pao Chicken.

The soup had a good, rich Chicken broth base, filled with three plump, meat-filled won tons - I was thinking this would be outstanding soup to have if sick or feeling under the weather. Very good flavor.

The Kung Pao Chicken was (actually is, I’m still savoring it), very good - Large, generous pieces of moist, well-seasoned Chicken that is stir fried with fresh, crisp vegetables. Great spices, and a decent amount of heat (though I like quite a bit of heat). The Sauce was light, and did not over-power or hide the taste of the chicken and veggies. Came with a very tasty fried rice.

I had about given up on Chinese here in TV - the places in the southern area where I live are absolutely terrible - and I have thrown away food from them more than once.

Kung Fu is a pleasant surprise - I would rate a B+ / I’ll be back - just wish it was a little closer to where I live.
You mean to tell me you don’t enjoy China Chef in Magnolia Plaza? :1rotfl:

I have no idea how that place stays in business.

[Dotneko]

We tried it a couple of weeks ago and loved it also! Too bad they are so far away from St Cats.

[Stu from NYC]

Bamboo Bistro is also good and we do like Kayame for takeout when in the area.

[Pairadocs]

We had lunch at Kung Fu Chef ( Southern Trace ) today.
I’m from NY. so really picky about Chinese food.

We loved Kung Fu Chef!!

Husband got Gen. Tso’s chicken with rice & broccoli
and egg roll. I got Chicken LoMein with a spring roll.
Both were delicious!!

Egg roll good (I didn’t like it because I think it had pork)
but it was good. His Gen. Tso’s was sooooo good.
My LoMein and Spring roll were delicious.

I’ve been bringing Chinese food from Tampa where I
previously lived and Kung Fu was even better.

We will be repeat customers.

Agree, we've ordered carry out at least once a week since the opened. Unfortunately, none of these Asian places seem to be able to keep the same cooks indefinitely, and that always changes things seriously. But for now, completely agree with both their dinner offerings and lunches. If you happen to like Mu Shu (chicken, pork, or shrimp) they do have very good Mu Shu. If you go to Ocala occasionally, definitely check out Yummy House if you like Chinese... long standing reputation for keeping same staff same recipes and cooking methods.

[sdeikenberry]

Try Ichiban good buffet with excellent mongolian bbq.


Respectfully, asian cuisine should never come from a buffet if you truly want good asian food...quantity vrs quality. Asian buffets by nature of sitting over heat sources produce over cooked and soggy veggies...not quality asian food.

[Michael 61]

Agree, we've ordered carry out at least once a week since the opened. Unfortunately, none of these Asian places seem to be able to keep the same cooks indefinitely, and that always changes things seriously. But for now, completely agree with both their dinner offerings and lunches. If you happen to like Mu Shu (chicken, pork, or shrimp) they do have very good Mu Shu. If you go to Ocala occasionally, definitely check out Yummy House if you like Chinese... long standing reputation for keeping same staff same recipes and cooking methods.

I second Yummy in Ocala - very good Chinese - worth the drive to Ocala

[Pinball wizard]

I second Yummy in Ocala - very good Chinese - worth the drive to Ocala

They have Dim Sum on Saturday and Sunday for lunch.

[buster21]

You all are making me hungry! I know I’m off topic but I’m making a lot of Jamaican dishes lately. Coconut milk is my new best friend! I have a great recipe for Jerk ( not that kind of jerk) paste. It’s from a video from America’s Test Kitchen called Jerk Chicken. You could put this stuff on an old sneaker and it would taste delish!

[msilagy]

Koyame was sold and rumor has it the food is not as good. KUNG FU CHEF is excellent! They were the owners of Koyame when the food was just as good as Kung Fu Chef.

[nn0wheremann]

We had lunch at Kung Fu Chef ( Southern Trace ) today.
I’m from NY. so really picky about Chinese food.

We loved Kung Fu Chef!!

Husband got Gen. Tso’s chicken with rice & broccoli
and egg roll. I got Chicken LoMein with a spring roll.
Both were delicious!!

Egg roll good (I didn’t like it because I think it had pork)
but it was good. His Gen. Tso’s was sooooo good.
My LoMein and Spring roll were delicious.

I’ve been bringing Chinese food from Tampa where I
previously lived and Kung Fu was even better.

We will be repeat customers.
Great place! Same people who established Koyame, and sold it, if I have been correctly informed.

[dougjb]

Kung Fu is superb!

Best Hot and Sour soup I have had in or near the Villages!

Wonderful service and very clean! It was a pleasure to eat there!

[Stu from NYC]

Respectfully, asian cuisine should never come from a buffet if you truly want good asian food...quantity vrs quality. Asian buffets by nature of sitting over heat sources produce over cooked and soggy veggies...not quality asian food.

When the restaurant is crowded and dishes turn over quickly buffet can be good. Find veggies at ichiban nice and crunchy.

[dbrooks]

Koyame was sold and rumor has it the food is not as good. KUNG FU CHEF is excellent! They were the owners of Koyame when the food was just as good as Kung Fu Chef.

We love Koyame! It's is consistently delicious! They same people have worked there since we have lived in TV. Kung Fu is good also.

[Notsocrates]

Thanks for posting - I’ve heard from others that Kung Fu is pretty good.

I spent my early adulthood in San Francisco, and got spoiled on authentic and very good Chinese (mostly Cantonese and Hong Kong style). After leaving the Bay Area, I have found most Chinese restaurants lacking, and very “Americanized” with sugary and corn-starch-laden sauces. I finally bought a good wok and self-taught myself to cook good, authentic Chinese dishes, since I wasn’t finding that in most “Chinese” restaurants.

I’m going to try Kung Fu tonight, and will report back.

"Americanized" Chinese is found everywhere including Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou where it is loaded with enough msg to swell anyone's legs.

"Authentic" is a word beloved by food snobs who would recoil from much if it when they saw the exotic animals and body parts on the menu.

[MandoMan]

We had lunch at Kung Fu Chef ( Southern Trace ) today.
I’m from NY. so really picky about Chinese food.

We loved Kung Fu Chef!!

Husband got Gen. Tso’s chicken with rice & broccoli
and egg roll. I got Chicken LoMein with a spring roll.
Both were delicious!!

Egg roll good (I didn’t like it because I think it had pork)
but it was good. His Gen. Tso’s was sooooo good.
My LoMein and Spring roll were delicious.

I’ve been bringing Chinese food from Tampa where I
previously lived and Kung Fu was even better.

We will be repeat customers.

Forty years ago I was living in Beijing and eating Chinese food at nearly every meal. I loved the food. I’ve also had wonderful Hong Kong style Chinese food in Hong Kong. But there are a lot of food districts in China. In my opinion, south Chinese cooks don’t really know how to cook Chinese food from other areas, even if they are very good at making their own food. I know New York has some outstanding Chinese restaurants, but definitely not all of them! I’ve had mediocre meals in Chinatown. I’ve also had excellent dishes from tiny restaurants in small towns. It really comes down to whether the place has a good cook at that time, not to how fancy the place is. (And a lot of the cooks in Chinese restaurants may have real Chinese cooks, but that doesn’t mean they were trained as cooks in China. Many were not, but instead learned to cook here because they needed a job.) Some dishes, like General Tso’s Chicken and Moo Goo anything and LoMein anything and spring rolls and potstickers (remember Chop Suey?) may taste good, but they are popular American dishes, and not really Chinese. If that’s what you order, I’m not sure I can trust your review. But maybe I’ll try it.

You may think Chinese is Chinese, and where a cook learned doesn’t matter, but what really matters is what the cook grew up EATING. For example, a cook from Shanghai may know a lot about how many Shanghai foods should taste and so know if he is getting that taste when he cooks, but if he hasn’t spent a lot of time eating Szechuan food, he may make it without knowing how it is really supposed to taste. It’s a bit like going to, say, Applebee’s (where I’ve never eaten) and ordering a Philly Cheese Steak or a Hot Pastrami on Rye or Gumbo or even New York-style Pizza. The food may arrive at the restaurant in a single serving plastic bag frozen or is made by a chef who has never tasted the real thing. Consider that in New York a thousand delis make hot pastrami on rye, yet some are much better than others. Same with pizza. Ever gone to London and ordered a Big Mac at McDonald’s? (No, I haven’t either, but I hear that McDonald’s food in England and France and Japan, etc., don’t taste much like what we are used to. That’s partly because the cooks don’t know what the dishes are supposed to taste like.)

[Chi-Town]

I mostly carry out Chinese food. Cheng's is my favorite as it's quick, well packaged in stay hot containers, and quite tasty. King Fu Chef is also very good and just a notch below.

[Carla B]

We were in the area of Koyame last week and decided to have lunch there. Hoped it would be good like the old Koyame but it wasn't. I ordered my favorite, Hot and Sour Soup. The soup had decent hot but not a hint of sour. The Sweet and Sour Chicken didn't have much chicken in it. Can't wait to try Kung Fu Chef.

[Burnie]

The wife and I like Chengs, Kung Fu Chef, Koyame and even Panda Express. All slightly different but all tasty. Sometimes good, sometimes not so good. But we keep going anyway.

[Geodyssey]

We had lunch at Kung Fu Chef ( Southern Trace ) today.
I’m from NY. so really picky about Chinese food.

We loved Kung Fu Chef!!

Husband got Gen. Tso’s chicken with rice & broccoli
and egg roll. I got Chicken LoMein with a spring roll.
Both were delicious!!

Egg roll good (I didn’t like it because I think it had pork)
but it was good. His Gen. Tso’s was sooooo good.
My LoMein and Spring roll were delicious.

I’ve been bringing Chinese food from Tampa where I
previously lived and Kung Fu was even better.

We will be repeat customers.

People "from NYC picky about Chinese food"- then first thing mentions a dish (Gen Tso's chicken) that is completely American, is not a Chinese dish.

NYC people believe their own BS.

LOL

[Stu from NYC]

People "from NYC picky about Chinese food"- then first thing mentions a dish (Gen Tso's chicken) that is completely American, is not a Chinese dish.

NYC people believe their own BS.

LOL

Please do not generalize. Having said this some of the Americanized Chinese dishes we have had are still rather good.

And after going to China about a dozen times think I am qualified in my opinion

[flamilak]

We had lunch at Kung Fu Chef ( Southern Trace ) today.
I’m from NY. so really picky about Chinese food.

We loved Kung Fu Chef!!

Husband got Gen. Tso’s chicken with rice & broccoli
and egg roll. I got Chicken LoMein with a spring roll.
Both were delicious!!

Egg roll good (I didn’t like it because I think it had pork)
but it was good. His Gen. Tso’s was sooooo good.
My LoMein and Spring roll were delicious.

I’ve been bringing Chinese food from Tampa where I
previously lived and Kung Fu was even better.

We will be repeat customers.

Agreed!!

We just closed on our Villages house early May from NY. KungFu was just as good as NY Chinese restaurants.

Also found we love NYPD pizza. We are thinking they must have the water shipped in from NY.

[TedfromGA]

Respectfully, asian cuisine should never come from a buffet if you truly want good asian food...quantity vrs quality. Asian buffets by nature of sitting over heat sources produce over cooked and soggy veggies...not quality asian food.
I agree about a buffet, however they have raw selections and a person that will make your stir fry with everything that you may want to add. (Veggies and protein) While they are cooking I go over and get my hot sauce off the buffet. My only complaint is that their mirrors and windows aren’t clean.

[Dotneko]

Agreed!!

We just closed on our Villages house early May from NY. KungFu was just as good as NY Chinese restaurants.

Also found we love NYPD pizza. We are thinking they must have the water shipped in from NY.

While we liked Kung Fu, we found NYPD Pizza to be trash. No better than frozen Sams Club pizza.

[Stu from NYC]

While we liked Kung Fu, we found NYPD Pizza to be trash. No better than frozen Sams Club pizza.

Hard to find pizza that is as good as NY here. Napolino is the closest we have found. Have been getting more Calzones as that is easiest to make well.

[gshoemaker]

Just got home from Kung Fu Chef
Excellent meals Husband had cashew chicken
I had shrimp with mixed vegetables
Love pea pods and all vegetables were just cooked right
not over cooked and mussy
Also love their orange chicken
Glad they're so close by

[patfla06]

People "from NYC picky about Chinese food"- then first thing mentions a dish (Gen Tso's chicken) that is completely American, is not a Chinese dish.

NYC people believe their own BS.

LOL

I never said I only like authentic Chinese.

We just like Chinese food that is better than the tasteless stuff here in every shopping center.

If you screw up an egg roll and fried rice then that’s not a place I am willing to eat.

[Eg_cruz]

Went last night. Was very good. They are busy, 45 minutes wait on Togo so be sure you order a head.
We did try the Gen Tso and asked for it extra spicy ������️ came out perfect.
Thank you for the post this will be our new spot for Chinese food

[asianthree]

So Asian food in our household is held in great respect of the person doing the cooking, and the region, they left in China and Nam, to live in the states.

Visits from each over the last 20 plus years consisted of multi days of wok prep of every food in their memory. Food is consumed, extra made to be vacuumed and frozen, so fond memories continue.

Asian food like deli or southern food is so regional that one finds it hard to find back home ethnic meals once you move to TV.

Sometimes they are good, but rarely does one find the WOW this is just like ————-. That’s reserved for going back to hometown, or a visit from the Asian family. But that’s just an opinion from asianthree

[dbrooks]

We love Koyame! Kung Fu was good but the lunch service was slow.

[Whitley]

Something just sounds wrong with the name.

[Villages Kahuna]

I’m amazed that Koyame hasn’t gotten more recommendations here. It’s our ’go to’ Chinese restaurant. Not the fanciest decor, but the service is superb. We’ve never had food there that was anything better than fresh, hot, tasty and good to look at.

[PugMom]

You mean to tell me you don’t enjoy China Chef in Magnolia Plaza? :1rotfl:

I have no idea how that place stays in business.

that is quite possibly the worst chinese food i'd ever had. very bland, tasteless & frozen veggies used in the rice, (you can taste the difference.) thx for the recommendation, i'll try it this wknd!

[TedfromGA]

Food as others stated is very good - I'd say the best around the Villages and the menu prices are good. Went Friday at 6pm. Yes there was a line. By 7:15 the line was gone so I'd suggest dinner before 6 or after 7. As to Koyame in Ocala - it is very good, better than KungFu, but the menu prices might take your breath away. It is worth the price by the way.

[Vermilion Villager]

It's about a 25 min drive from Marsh Bend. I wish there was something of this caliber closer… Hopefully someday as they build up south of the turnpike. When I lived in the Minneapolis burbs it was 25 minutes to most decent restaurants downtown.To put it in proper perspective, our summer lake home where we are now it is 35 miles to the grocery store… The ONLY grocery store.:1rotfl:

[Stu from NYC]

I’m amazed that Koyame hasn’t gotten more recommendations here. It’s our ’go to’ Chinese restaurant. Not the fanciest decor, but the service is superb. We’ve never had food there that was anything better than fresh, hot, tasty and good to look at.

Food is good, been there many time for takeout and always enjoyed it but started doing takeout during covid and never thought to actually have dinner there.

[RPDaly]

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[Carla B]

A recurring theme I hear on here is that "Their" food is not real like you get in New York, or China, etc. I've been to New York a few times but never had pizza there, so I don't know what that should taste like. I think Sam's does a good job. I've never been to China, but have been to San Francisco and I thought the Chinese food was pretty good but I've lost the taste for Chinese food to the point where the only thing I really like is Hot & Sour Soup, not those sticky orange or brown sauces.

There was a restaurant in Houston called Kim Son, which served Vietnamese food and Chinese food both. The owners were refugees from Vietnam. They started out on the edge of downtown and eventually purchased a whole city block and built a grand restaurant. Anyway, I grew to love Vietnamese food or what we called it. One day I was in a ladies' restroom at a college and I mentioned how I loved the food at Kim Son to a girl there and she told me she had married into the Kim Son family and the food they cooked was "Americanized," not real Vietnamese.

Now, here in The Villages, I am a big fan of Sakura, Japanese food. I wonder if it, too, is "Americanized." If so, I'll just enjoy and not worry about how authentic any food is, only if I like it.

[Ecuadog]

... I'll just enjoy and not worry about how authentic any food is, only if I like it.

Bingo.

[Stu from NYC]

A recurring theme I hear on here is that "Their" food is not real like you get in New York, or China, etc. I've been to New York a few times but never had pizza there, so I don't know what that should taste like. I think Sam's does a good job. I've never been to China, but have been to San Francisco and I thought the Chinese food was pretty good but I've lost the taste for Chinese food to the point where the only thing I really like is Hot & Sour Soup, not those sticky orange or brown sauces.

There was a restaurant in Houston called Kim Son, which served Vietnamese food and Chinese food both. The owners were refugees from Vietnam. They started out on the edge of downtown and eventually purchased a whole city block and built a grand restaurant. Anyway, I grew to love Vietnamese food or what we called it. One day I was in a ladies' restroom at a college and I mentioned how I loved the food at Kim Son to a girl there and she told me she had married into the Kim Son family and the food they cooked was "Americanized," not real Vietnamese.

Now, here in The Villages, I am a big fan of Sakura, Japanese food. I wonder if it, too, is "Americanized." If so, I'll just enjoy and not worry about how authentic any food is, only if I like it.

We also think Sakura is great but no idea how authentic it really is

[coffeebean]

Bamboo Bistro is also good and we do like Kayame for takeout when in the area.
Bamboo Bistro is step up from most. The restaurant has a very nice ambience and the food is great quality and flavorful.