Lucky at Lung Fung

Luck is the theme at Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant, as evidenced by its colorful dragon-and-phoenix decor — both mythical creatures are said to symbolize good fortune in Chinese lore. That’s a pretty good reason for dining at the popular eatery, which has been serving customers for decades on Oahu. After all, everybody could use a bit of luck and good fortune these days.

Salt and Pepper Tofu ($9.95)

But, for hungry non-meat eaters, there’s an even better reason to dine here. As luck would have it, Lung Fung is vegetarian-friendly, according to manager Eddie Ma.

“When people order we can make it vegetarian,” he says. Within reason, of course, as not every dish can be modified without compromising on flavor and quality. But even if you don’t feel comfortable making special requests, Lung Fung has it covered.

For example, in its Vegetables section (conveniently for vegetarians), the menu lists Salt and Pepper Tofu ($9.95), a savory dish in which the tofu is deep-fried, then simply stir-fried with garlic, salt and pepper.

“It’s a very popular dish,” assures Ma. “The vegetarians like it.”

Ma adds that Lung Fung also can prepare a sweet and sour tofu dish, if requested, and there’s no luck involved at all — just good customer service. It’s a sign of the times that restaurants are moving out of their comfort zones to accommodate not only regulars but prospective patrons as well, although some, like Lung Fung, have always put the customer first. In any case, this is a very positive trend for non-meat eaters, and one that should be encouraged and embraced.

So the next time you’re craving Chinese food, head over to the East side and feel free to order your favorites just the way you like them — meatand fish-free — at Lung Fung.

Good fortune awaits.

Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant