A Response to The Food Guy on Chinese Restaurants
The Food Guy over at the Daily Mail recently responded to a reader’s question about the best Chinese restaurants around here. He said his favorites are Main Kwong on the East End and Main Tin by the mound in So. Charleston. I haven’t been to Main Tin, but with regard to Main Kwong, I have to respectfully disagree. I’m curious what The Food Guy orders there, because I was surprised when he named it as one of his two favorites. Personally, I think the place is teetering on mediocre, and just about to tip over into bad.
I hate to insult Main Kwong, because whenever I’ve gotten take-out from them, the woman there gives me a container of tiny cakes for free, and that gives me a warm fuzzy. In the past, ordering a meal there has been decent in a pinch, since it’s very close to where I live. But the last meal I ate from there was just plain bad, so I don’t think I’ll be going back, since there are much better options.
Wok ‘n Roll on Patrick Street is better, and they’ll even deliver to the East End from their West Side location if you don’t want to go pick it up. My preference for Wok ‘n Roll over Main Kwong is based on eating their respective sesame chicken, steamed dumplings, and crab rangoon - I preferred all three at Wok ‘n Roll. However, it’s not my favorite Chinese place in Charleston.
In my opinion, the very best place to get Chinese is Taste of Asia, which is right next to Main Tin by the mound in South Charleston. As I said, I’ve never been to Main Tin, so I can’t argue with The Food Guy on that one, but since I like Taste of Asia so much, I’m disinclined to ever wander over next door to try out a different place. Why mess with a good thing, right?
I don’t have any photos to share from Taste of Asia (hopefully I’ll remember to snap a few next time I’m there), so you’ll just have to take my word for it that the food there looks far better than this, my last meal at Main Kwong:
Though I usually order sesame chicken, I decided to branch out and order shrimp and snow peas. I was very disappointed. I have no idea what that thick, red sauce is, but it was kind of a gloopy mess and it didn’t taste very good. It didn’t have any real, discernable flavors, which I guess was the problem. The shrimp, snow peas, and water chestnuts were all fine, but the sauce drenching the whole thing kind of ruined it for me. That’s crab rangoon sitting to the side, which is mediocre, like pretty much everything I’ve eaten at Main Kwong.
So back to Taste of Asia. First, and this is less important than how the food tastes, their dishes have great presentation value. They serve them on large, white, square platters and have a nice little garnish on the side. Presentation may seem unimportant, but I think it definitely makes a difference if the food I’m about to eat looks attractive when it’s served to me. But they win on taste too.
The food at Taste of Asia is not too greasy, which I think is a problem at Main Kwong. Sure, Chinese food is heavy and greasy by nature, but it can be too greasy. Everything I’ve eaten at Taste of Asia is superior to Main Kwong in every way. I’ve had the sesame chicken, which is sweet and crispy and not overly fried. It’s served with a large helping of broccoli, which makes me feel a little bit better about eating deep fried chicken coated in a sugary syrup. I also love the shrimp with broccoli, which has a lighter garlicky sauce. Their spring rolls are fresh and delicious. Everything there just has fresher, cleaner, more distinctive flavors than any other Chinese place that I’ve tried in the area.
What I also really like about Taste of Asia is its atmosphere. It has a cleaner, cozier, and more updated decor than places like Main Kwong or Wok ‘n Roll, which for me are takeout or delivery joints only. Taste of Asia is a nice place to kick back and enjoy a leisurely meal - with a beer, which is another advantage to this place. On my last visit, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they had replaced the tables along the walls of the restaurant with booths and that they had expanded into the space next door. That extra room is pretty big and has a full bar, so I’m guessing they are trying to make that side into a night spot.
Of course, Taste of Asia is not just a Chinese restaurant - they have a full Japanese menu as well, with a large sushi selection. I don’t go there for the sushi, though, since I much prefer Fuji or Sushi Atlantic for that. The sushi at Taste of Asia isn’t bad, but I go there for the Chinese. It is nice to have the option of ordering Japanese appetizers, though, like edamame, squid or seaweed salad, and miso soup.
So go ahead, call me a snob if you will, but I think the sum total of the quality of the food, its presentation, and the restaurant’s atmosphere make Taste of Asia far superior to any other Chinese restaurant around here.
IF YOU GO: Taste of Asia, 236 7th Avenue, South Charleston (by the mound), 304-744-8933
HOURS: Mon. to Thurs: 10:30am to 10:00pm, Fri. & Sat.: 10:30am to 11pm, Sunday: noon to 9:30pm
EXTRAS: full Chinese and Japanese menus, wine & beer, delivery if you live close by
June 28th, 2006 at 4:33 pm
“So go ahead, call me a snob if you will” Snob. Just kidding
I will have to agree with you on Taste of Asia. They have excellent food and good sushi (maybe not the best in town but good enough). Not to mention they are one of (the only?) places which will deliver sushi. Great for when you had just a tad too much to drink on your deck to go outside.
However, the best part of Taste of Asia is the place itself. For me at least, it feels like you are in an actual restaurant in Japan. Go figure. That could be the first time I went, there were 20 Japanese people who spoke not a lick of English. But it made it that much more fun.
Will not comment on Main Kwong. Been there enough and it serves its purpose. If you ever find an asian place in Charleston with great soft shell grabs, feel free to post away.
June 28th, 2006 at 4:44 pm
Oooh, I’d love a soft shell grab right now! It depends where, though.
June 28th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Seriously, I have routinely enjoyed the garlicky broccoli and tofu at Main Kwong. Never a miss. Jennifer, I think it was that icky orange sickly sauce. NEVER eat anything orange except when it’s an ORANGE.
June 28th, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Main Kwong is convenient for me, too. But as far as Chinese within the city limits is concerned, it’s all about the Mala Chicken at Hong Kong of China (sometimes or formerly known at China Garden). It’s good stuff. Their rice is horrific, but the chicken is good stuff.
And while Taste of Asia’s sushi isn’t at the top of my list, they do have the yam roll which is delicious and I’ve not been able to find anyplace else.
June 29th, 2006 at 9:51 am
You’re both wrong; Taste of Asia in South Chas., Dragon Garden in St. Albans and The Rice Bowl in Cross Lanes are the best, cleanest, freshest “Chinese” food in the area. For those with more discriminating tastes, try these out. For teh rest of you the greasy usuals mentioned here are for you!
June 29th, 2006 at 11:37 am
I think it’s more spotty. No one place seems to do more than a couple of things really well. I like being able to see my food cooked at China Gourmet, but think their Hot and Sour soup is made with kool-aid. I like Main Kwong for their noodles, but can’t stand the fried stuff much. The joint across from the mall, if you skip the buffet and order off the menu, it’s been pretty decent.
June 30th, 2006 at 9:01 am
Wow, Jennifer! I just read your food blog for the first time, and had to tell you how much I enjoyed it. It is so refreshing to read food reviews that tell it like it is. You go, girl!
June 30th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
I looooove Main Kwong’s “Singapore noodles” and “homemade bean curd with garlic sauce.” They aren’t on the menu so you have to ask for them. I really missed the Kwong when I lived away. The service is also the BEST! Corina rocks!
Taste of Asia is also good, and they deliver!
June 30th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
Bummer.
I thought I was the only guy who the Main Kwon lady gave little cakes to.
July 1st, 2006 at 2:20 pm
You’re way off base.
Main Kwong is simply the best Chinese food anywhere. Whenever ex-pats or out of town friends come into Charleston, the first place we go is Main Kwong.
My ex, from the Bay Area of San Francisco (with the most dense asian population in the US) claims Main Kwong as the best.
I have to make the conclusion that you’re just an ignorant redneck. You probably enjoy La Choy soy sauce, as well. If that’s the case, we don’t want you at Main Kwong.
July 1st, 2006 at 5:41 pm
She’s a “redhead,” not a “redneck,” silly! I think she has her reasons- perhaps different “what constitutes good Chinese food” criteria?
For the most part, I trust our new critic–but I have eaten Chinese food ALL over this country and Canada. I lived in NYC, and the “nourriture chinoise” in Paris is actually quite tasty. There is something about Main Kwong’s food that makes it better though. Kwong and Sitar of India were the 2 things I missed most about Charleston!
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:14 am
Sheesh, what is it about food blogging that brings out the vitriol more than a discussion of Bush’s Iraq war strategy? I just offer my opinions, I don’t claim to be “right.” Other people have the ability to voice disagreement without being @$$holes about it, and I’d say some of our anonymous commenters could take a lesson from them.
To the 2:20 PM anonymous - you’re lying through your yellow teeth. The best Chinese food I have ever eaten in my life was in San Francisco. I can’t remember the name of the place, but it was right down the street from the City Lights bookstore - that beatnik place that Ferlinghetti owns. I had sesame chicken, my usual order, but it was a whole different animal from any other I’ve tried. It had sweet potatoes in it. Mmmmm. Anyway, there’s no way in hell that someone from San Francisco would claim that Main Kwong is the best Chinese food anywhere, unless all of her taste buds were seared off in an unfortunate waffle iron accident.
For me, Taste of Asia easily beats Main Kwong, though the comments here have convinced me not to give up on the place entirely. I haven’t had any of their noodle dishes, which is strange, because when I eat Thai, I always go for the noodle dishes.
Oh, and I always buy Kikkoman soy sauce, if anyone else thinks that’s relevant.
Just remember folks, we’re talking about food, not abortions. Relax a little.
July 4th, 2006 at 3:59 am
It’s hard to judge a Chinese place by just one meal. The quality of the food changes from day to day, and even from hour to hour. It really depends on who is cooking when you order your food. Since most of these places are not chains, they don’t have any real control over the consistancy(sp?)with the preparation of their menu. Overall the only Chinese food I have had that I thought was better than Main Kwong was some unidentified fried rice type thing I got from a cart in Chinatown, NYC. 7 outta 10 times Main Kwong rocks tha house, and I have sampled a hella lot of Chinese dishes in several major cities in the U.S. I would bet my left foot that their Singapore Rice Noodles are probably among the best in the world
July 4th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
LOL You people are cracking me up! Thanks for this review. We moved here in December and have been wondering where I can get good chinese food in this area.
July 6th, 2006 at 10:06 am
“I had sesame chicken, my usual order, but it was a whole different animal from any other I’ve tried.”
Was it dog?
The thing is, you can’t compare Main Kwong and Taste of Asia. Main Kwong is one of those wonderful hole in the wall greasy take out places while Taste of Asia is an actual sit down to eat restaurants. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. It’s simply not done.
July 6th, 2006 at 11:44 am
Seriously, Wok & Roll, the best in Charleston??????? Mwaaaahhhhaaaa. Come on now. I’ve never had anything from there that was half as good as anything from Main Kwong. Compare shrimp toast. No comparison. Compare, well, anything. Apparently the food snob got weaned on some bad soy sauce or something. I’ve had Chinese food from New York to San Fran and MK holds up against the best of them. W&R simply does not. I have to agree that Taste of Asia is good, but I prefer the dialect of MK to theirs. I used to love to eat at New China when Bill Chin was still alive. It was different from most. Where else could you get Moo Goo Gai KEW instead of that oniony concoction most asian places sell as Moo Goo Gai PAN. Their egg rolls were the best ever. Chinese places come and go. I just wish MK was a little bigger, but perhaps its minisculeness is part of its charm. Seriously, you’re kidding about W&R being better, right?
July 7th, 2006 at 8:49 pm
It’s like comparing apples and oranges. It’s simply not done.
Oranges are better than apples.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
I’m still hurt I’m not the Main Kwon lady’s only cake guy. Sniff, sniff. Tito, get me some tissue.
August 10th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
I llived in charleston for years and loved both Main Kwong and Main Tin. When I am still in the area (about monthly) I still try to eat at MAin Tin. However I will say this. I think since they expanded the quality has gone down. It doesn’t seem the same to me. I haven’t found a Chinese restaurant that I love here in Akron area though.
August 13th, 2006 at 2:51 am
main kwong is ok. main tin is your normal buffet. wok n roll is ghetto good. taste of asia is the best. they have incredible sushi and i love the dinner boxes for the sushi. plus they deliver sushi and their delivery guy is hot!