Ming Garden

Oh, No! I think that Ming garden is closed! Supposedly, an Indian-​Chinese joint is going in. Obviously, I’ll try it, but I weep for MG.

It’s all about the Dan-​Dan noodles here for me. It’s honestly my favorite Asian dish around. Ground pork with some spicy pepper sauce, cilantro and rice noodles. It’s just really good. The first thing I tried here, and it is still what I always get. Got a good kick to it too. My favorite hot and sour soup ever too. And you get these things with a drink for under $ 8 for lunch.
I’ve been here with quite a few people over the years who’ve explored more of the menu than I have, and they love it too. A vegetarian friend loves their Thai lettuce wraps. Just a really good lunch spot.

Run of the mill Americanized Chinese food, which isn’t to say it’s bad, because this place is at least okay. The lunch combos for ~$ 6 is a good bargain, and the way they do it here.
Flavorwise, this place is a little less ‘zesty’ than other Chinese places, which I hope means less msg, but have no idea either way.
The ingredient quality here is a little higher than the average 6 – 7 dollar lunch combo places, the chicken is leaner, the veggies a bit greener, and the rice is meh (average). The vegetables in the hot and sour soup are better cleaned, that is to say, the tough skin has been completely peeled off. Overall, they seem to spend more time cleaning up their ingredients than most places.
The tradeoff seems to be about 30% less food than the average Chinese lunch combo, which I think is a good trade, because honestly, the average gives too much and I end up feeling lethargic if not straight up bad after eating it.
Compared to other Chinese places in the area of similar caliber, it’s infinitely better than Asia café on Franklin (but that really doesn’t say much), and less greasy and higher quality tan China Wok on Weaver Dairy.

This place is great one of the freshest Chinese places around the area. Their chicken is actual chicken and not the poor quality stuff you get at some other Asian places around here. I have to recommend the lettuce wraps :) great for a light lunch/​dinner.

Was very good when they first opened but has gone down hill. The lettuce wraps and cashew chicken are tasty.

Good ol’ strip mall Chinese food… long may you reign.
When I get a Chinese craving around here I typically head for larger, darker fare. I like a hugish buffet, and Ming Garden’s more proper, portioned style simply doesn’t suit me. The food is decent, sure, but I want to grab a whole mess of different things, not one plate, you know?
The upside is Thai. The Thai food here isn’t great, but it’s still Thai, which is a rarity around these parts, and I will do whatever I need to do to get my hands on it. More traditional pad thai, though… where’s the love?

Meh. I come here for the ease of it, but it’s a bit lackluster Americanized Chinese. Service and speed of food is always great, but the food itself is nothing special. I’ve tried their take on Thai and Vietnamese, as well as the more traditional Chinese fare (General Tso, beef & broccoli, etc.) — and the consensus is «meh.» Lunch comes served with your choice of soup for around $ 7. A good-​sized open space, if you want to dine-​in but it can get pretty busy around noon to one.

This primarily Chinese restaurant has good, unique food and a cool, comfortable atmosphere in the Chapel Hill North shopping center. I particularly love the dan-​dan noodles, which are are sinus-​clearingly delicious, and not easily found at every other Chinese restaurant around. There are plenty of other tasty noodle dishes as well, and some Thai and Vietnamese-​influenced entrees. Good place for a satisfying dinner with a little extra flair.

I wouldn’t say this is wholly authentic Chinese food. However, the food is fresh, and it’s the closest thing I can find to good Chinese food that’s satisfying. The Hot and Sour soup is usually consistent and has a nice little kick to it. Ordering any of the dishes veggie style is great. They’ll come with squash, broccoli, carrots, etc… not just celery and bean sprouts which can be common at some Chinese restaurants. The mabo tofu is ok, but really not spicy. Dan Dan noodles when ordered extra spicy are excellent. Ho fun (chow fun) is also good. It is a little pricier than some Chinese restaurants for dinner, but I gladly pay the little extra for the fresh food.