Chinese food is popular all over the world, and for good reason! Chinese cuisine is incredibly diverse, with distinct regional styles that use different flavors and cooking techniques. From the spicy dishes of Sichuan to the delicate flavors of Cantonese cuisine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
If you’re looking at a “China King Menu” or a menu from just about any local Chinese restaurant, you’re likely to find a huge selection of dishes. The goal is to appeal to a wide range of palates and preferences.
This article will take you on a tour of a typical China King menu. We’ll explore the most common categories, dishes, and variations you’re likely to find, so you can confidently order your next takeout meal.
Appetizers: Starting the Meal Right
In Chinese cuisine, appetizers aren’t just little bites; they’re specifically designed to wake up your taste buds and get you ready for the main course. A good appetizer should be flavorful and satisfying without being too filling.
If you’re looking at a China King menu, you’ll typically find a bunch of familiar favorites, like:
- Egg rolls (sometimes listed as “pork egg roll [1 piece]”)
- Spring rolls
- Crab Rangoon
- Fried wontons
- Fried chicken wings
- Steamed or fried dumplings
- Sesame noodles
- Pu Pu Platter
Two of the most popular are probably egg rolls – savory fillings like cabbage and pork wrapped in a crispy fried shell – and crab rangoon, those little pockets of creamy cheese and crab (or imitation crab) that are also deep-fried to golden perfection.
Soups: Warmth and Flavor in a Bowl
In Chinese cuisine, soup isn’t just a side dish; it’s an integral part of the meal. It might be served as a starter, or it might accompany your main course to cleanse the palate.
If you’re looking at the China King menu, you’ll see plenty of tempting options. Here are a few:
- Egg Drop Soup
- Wonton Soup
- Hot & Sour Soup
- Vegetable Soup with Tofu
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Rice Soup
- Dragon & Phoenix Soup
- Seafood Soup
Two of the most popular choices are Egg Drop Soup, with its light, silky texture and savory broth, and Wonton Soup, featuring delicate dumplings filled with seasoned meat or vegetables.
Poultry Dishes: Chicken and Duck Delights
No Chinese restaurant menu is complete without a selection of chicken dishes. The Chinese King menu is no exception, with many familiar favorites represented.
Chicken Dishes
You’ll typically find dishes like chicken with broccoli, chicken with cashew nuts, moo goo gai pan, sweet and sour chicken, chicken with garlic sauce, Szechuan chicken, Hunan chicken, kung pao chicken, and hot and spicy chicken listed on the menu.
Kung Pao Chicken is a perennial favorite, featuring tender chicken pieces stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers in a savory, slightly spicy sauce. Moo Goo Gai Pan is a lighter option, showcasing sliced chicken and mushrooms in a delicate white sauce.
Duck Dishes (If Available)
Keep an eye out for duck dishes, as some Chinese restaurants offer Peking Duck or Roasted Duck. Peking Duck is a culinary masterpiece, known for its crispy skin and tender meat. The duck is traditionally roasted in a special oven, and the skin is served separately with thin pancakes, scallions, and a sweet bean sauce.
Pork Dishes: A Savory Selection
China King’s menu features a wide variety of pork dishes. You can find:
- Pork with Garlic Sauce
- Pork with Broccoli
- Pork with Chinese Vegetables
- Szechuan Pork
- Hunan Pork
- Sweet & Sour Pork
- Mongolian Pork
- Pork Chop Suey
One of the most popular choices is the Pork with Garlic Sauce. This dish usually features sliced pork stir-fried with vegetables in a savory, slightly spicy garlic sauce. The sauce is often a blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili paste, giving it a complex and flavorful profile. It’s often served with steamed white rice to soak up all that delicious sauce.
Beef Dishes: Rich and Hearty Options
Chinese King, like many Chinese restaurants, offers a range of beef entrees. You’ll often see dishes like beef with broccoli, beef with mixed vegetables, Szechuan beef, Hunan beef, beef with garlic sauce, beef with oyster sauce, Mongolian beef, curry beef, and beef with mushrooms on the menu.
Two popular choices are Beef with Broccoli and Szechuan Beef. Beef with Broccoli is a classic, featuring tender beef slices stir-fried with crisp broccoli florets in a savory brown sauce. Szechuan Beef, on the other hand, is known for its spicy kick, with the beef and vegetables tossed in a fiery Szechuan sauce made with chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns.
It’s worth noting that depending on the region the chef is from, the spice levels and sauces used in these dishes may vary. Some regions favor a milder, sweeter flavor profile, while others prefer a more intense, spicy taste.
Seafood Dishes: Fresh and Flavorful Catches
Chinese King boasts a wide variety of seafood dishes, most featuring shrimp. You can choose from:
- Shrimp with Mixed Vegetables
- Shrimp with Cashew Nuts
- Shrimp with Garlic Sauce
- Kung Pao Shrimp
- Sweet & Sour Shrimp
- Hunan Shrimp
- Curry Shrimp
- House Special Shrimp
- Hot & Spicy Shrimp
Two of the most popular are Kung Pao Shrimp and Shrimp with Garlic Sauce. Kung Pao Shrimp features succulent shrimp stir-fried with peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers in a savory and slightly spicy sauce. The Shrimp with Garlic Sauce offers a milder, but equally flavorful experience, with shrimp cooked in a rich garlic sauce that perfectly complements the seafood’s natural sweetness.
While shrimp is the star, you’ll sometimes find dishes featuring scallops, and occasionally lobster or crab for a truly special treat.
Vegetarian Dishes: Plant-Based Delights
Chinese King offers a range of delicious vegetarian options. Tofu and fresh vegetables play a starring role in many of these dishes, offering satisfying flavors and textures.
Some popular choices include Vegetable Delight, Broccoli with Garlic Sauce, Ma Po Tofu, Tofu Family Style, Hunan Vegetable, and Szechuan Vegetables.
Two vegetarian dishes in particular stand out: Ma Po Tofu features silky tofu in a spicy and savory sauce made with fermented black beans and chili oil. Vegetable Delight is a lighter, more refreshing option, showcasing a colorful medley of crisp-tender vegetables in a delicate sauce.
Whether you’re a dedicated vegetarian or simply looking to enjoy a meat-free meal, Chinese King’s vegetarian options offer a tasty and satisfying experience.
Noodles and Rice: The Foundation of the Meal
Many Chinese King meals start with a base of noodles or rice.
Lo Mein
Lo mein features soft egg noodles tossed with crisp vegetables and your choice of protein. You can order pork lo mein, chicken lo mein, beef lo mein, shrimp lo mein, vegetable lo mein, a house special lo mein with several different meats, or a seafood lo mein.
Fried Rice
Fried rice is made with fluffy rice stir-fried with vegetables, scrambled eggs, and protein. It comes in pork fried rice, chicken fried rice, beef fried rice, shrimp fried rice, vegetable fried rice, house special fried rice, Young Chow fried rice (with roast pork, shrimp, and vegetables), or seafood fried rice varieties.
Mei Fun
These thin rice noodles are stir-fried with vegetables and protein. You can order chicken chow mei fun, pork chow mei fun, beef chow mei fun, shrimp chow mei fun, vegetable chow mei fun, Singapore mei fun (with curry powder), or house special mei fun.
Chef’s Specialties and Combination Plates
No Chinese King menu would be complete without the chef’s specialties. These are signature dishes that the chef is particularly proud of. You’ll often find familiar favorites like General Tso’s chicken, sesame chicken, and Happy Family on this part of the menu, as well as seafood dishes.
Chinese King also offers combination plates, which provide a complete meal at a great price. Typically, you get an entree, fried rice, and an egg roll. If you’re looking for value and variety, these are a great option.
Sweet and Sour Dishes
Sweet and sour dishes get their name from the tangy sauce that coats the protein and vegetables. It’s a flavor combination that balances sweetness with a pleasant, slightly acidic tang.
You’ll find a few variations on this theme at Chinese King. Some popular choices include:
- Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Sweet & Sour Pork
- Sweet & Sour Shrimp
Wrapping Up
From egg rolls and wonton soup to General Tso’s chicken and shrimp with lobster sauce, the China King menu is a testament to the diversity and deliciousness of Chinese cuisine. Whether you’re craving a comforting classic or something new and adventurous, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your appetite.
Chinese food has a rich cultural history and is beloved worldwide. It’s also known for its flexibility, as chefs adapt dishes to appeal to local tastes while retaining the essence of Chinese cooking.
The China King menu, with its wide range of affordable and accessible dishes, continues to be a popular choice for diners looking for a quick, tasty, and satisfying meal. It’s a style that has stood the test of time and remains a cornerstone of Chinese-American culinary culture.