Lovin’ New Flavors at Lung Fung

As many loyal readers know, Dining Out absolutely loves exploring Chinese food restaurants. Lately, it’s fancied a particular spot in Niu Valley Center, where old favorites as well as innovative eats keep any generation of diners satisfied. While Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant offers an extensive menu of Cantonese cuisine — and has done so for more than 30 years — manager Eddie Ma is always on the lookout for ways to keep his menu current.

“I like to do my research,” says Ma. “I try to find out what the cooking styles are in Hong Kong and around China. I get ideas from what’s popular in Asia.”

One customer favorite that blossomed out of this approach — and happens to be perfect for the holiday season — is Seafood Pumpkin Casserole ($16.95). “Right now it’s popular to add some fusion,” says Ma when describing his idea to mix pumpkin, curry, vegetables, fresh basil and a seafood combination of shrimp, fish, scallop and clam into one dish. “It has become our specialty and it’s very unique.”

More recently, Ma felt inspired to create new dishes that feature the restaurant’s ever-popular garlic chili top-ping. “I don’t want my loyal customers to get tired of my food,” he explains. “They’ll always have something new to try here.”

Patrons have embraced Deep Fried Whole Flounder with Garlic Chili ($15.95), which is lightly battered and flecked with crispy, golden speckles of garlic. Chili and green onion add a colorful burst of flavor.

Garlicy goodness also can be found wrapped around a Fried Whole Egg with Garlic Chili ($8.95), which is skillfully fried whole before it is doused in the topping. “The garlic is the secret,” says Ma with a smile. “It really makes a difference.”

In addition to serving flavor-filled cuisine, the eatery also makes an effort to keep its food as healthy as possible by making sure fried menu items don’t absorb grease during the cooking process. Lung Fung stopped adding any MSG to its dishes three months ago as well. For another healthy option, try Stir Fry Chicken with Honey Roasted Walnut ($10.95) made with white meat chicken.

A menu full of bright and fresh additions means Lung Fung is sure to please any palate.

Lung Fung Chinese Restaurant

Niu Valley Center
5724 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu
377.5555
Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.