Out with the Old In with the Liu

Customers seeking classic Chinese dishes at reasonable prices have a variety of takeout and dine-in options at New Liu’s Chop Suey, located in the heart of Kamehameha Shopping Center. The eatery, which opened in March 2002, is especially popular with the lunch crowd, according to owner Henry Liu.

“We have good food at good prices,” Liu says. “Our most crowded times is during lunch on Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our restaurant is good for busy people; those who want fast, easy and convenient meals at a reasonable price.”

When Liu mentions “reasonable prices,” he means business. The average price per customer is $5-$6, and the restaurant’s menu offers more than 20 dishes that are daily specials, priced at $4.75 each. These specials feature entrees such as Stuffed Bitter Melon on Rice, Orange Chicken on Rice and Ginger Onion Beef on Rice.

“The specials are offered both day and night,” Liu confirms, “only at $4.75. These specials include our Crispy Chicken on Rice, Minute Chicken Cake Noodle, Salt and Pepper Shrimp on Rice and Salt and Pepper Pork Chop on Rice.”

The latter is the restaurant’s signature dish, according to Liu. He explains that the eatery’s bestseller was the result of a forgotten recipe.

“The master taught me the recipe (for the pork chop) and I forgot an ingredient,” Liu says. “I used my own ingredient instead — I made my own recipe — and it became the restaurant’s signature dish. That’s what’s so special about it; the pork chop is tender and a little bit spicy. It’s been one year now (since we used that new recipe) and it’s repeatedly requested. When people do takeout orders, they usually order that.”

Other popular dishes at New Liu’s include Honey Walnut Shrimp ($9.95), Stuffed Eggplant on Rice ($4.75) and Poached Fish ($8.50/$16.95).

“In our Honey Walnut Shrimp, the batter protects the flavor in the shrimp,” Liu says. “Once you taste this dish, you will remember it for the next 100 years. Our Stuffed Eggplant on Rice has a touch of Beijing cuisine. Beijing cuisine is northern (Chinese) cuisine, so it’s more spicy; the dish is based on our sweet and sour sauce and has a touch of spice. Our Poached Fish is ‘country style,’ meaning it’s very simple — containing shoyu, ginger, green onion; no complicated ingredients — but it tastes very good.”

The most recent additions to the restaurant’s menu include Oxtail Soup ($9.50) and Salt and Pepper Duck Wing on Rice ($4.75).

“We added the Oxtail Soup a year ago; the duck wing, we just added on (the menu),” Liu says.

While the restaurant offers both dine-in and take out options, Liu notes that 80 percent of his customers prefer takeout. In addition to the daily specials for $4.75 each, the lunch plates ($5.50) — Pot Roast Pork, Sweet and Sour Ribs, Chop Suey, Crispy Gau Gee and Rice — and dinner plates ($5.95) — Ginger Chicken, Sweet and Sour Spareribs, Beef Broccoli, Crispy Gau Gee and Fried Rice — are popular options as well.

New Liu’s is also a popular destination for those looking for party venues. The restaurant provides several different party menus — featuring dishes such as Beef Broccoli, Roast Duck, Oyster Sauce Chicken and Steamed Fish — from which customers can choose. Customers also can opt to order party trays (small, medium or large sizes) and select a variety of dishes, including Shrimp Vegetable Noodle and Crispy Gau Gee Mein.

New Liu’s Chop Suey

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