Chinese Favorites You Can’t Resist

My family and I often eat at Chinese restaurants, and most of the time it’s take-out. And while many Chinese restaurants have the same dishes on their menus, I can tell you they don’t all taste the same.

Of course, taste, cleanliness, quality and price are very important factors for me when choosing any restaurant. But, when it comes to a Chinese restaurant, I also look to my family for their approval, especially my mom, who is a great Chinese cook, and my two little children, who only get excited about eating Chinese food if it tastes really good.

One of our favorite places is Asian Mix located at 1234 South Beretania St. (in the same complex as the new Safeway). It’s quick, convenient and the fact that we never have any leftovers means the kids have eaten everything to the very last bite without the usual excuses of feeling full or a stomach ache in hopes of not having to finish their plate.

Asian Mix opened in May 2012 and features a nice menu of local Chinese food favorites, such as Shrimp with Honey Roasted Walnuts, Fish Fillet with Choy Sum, Roast Duck Hong Kong Style, Chicken with Black Bean Sauce, Beef with Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, Mapo Tofu with Ground Pork, Egg Fu Yung, Crispy Gau Gee Noodle, Shrimp Fried Rice and more.

Among its popular dishes is the local favorite Ginger Sauce Chicken ($8.50), which is slowly boiled and prepared at varying temperatures to achieve the perfect tenderness, and served with a homemade sauce mix of ginger, oil and green onion.

Another customer favorite is the Pork Chop with Salt and Pepper ($8.50), which is deep-fried with just the right amount of batter, and then stir-fried with chili pepper, green onion, salt and black pepper.

There also are weekly specials (available all day) which are always a great deal. This week (Sept. 15 to 21), enjoy the Meat Sauce Won Ton Noodle for $7.95. This dish, which is new to the menu, features hand-made shrimp and pork won ton, thick Northern China-style noodles, and a savory, mildly spicy meat sauce made with sweet bean sauce, peppers, shoyu, chili sauce and ground pork. The dish is topped with green onions and also comes with a side of chili sauce in case you want to raise the level of spiciness.

The restaurant also offers a selection of local-style plate lunches such as barbecue chicken and shortribs, and ready-to-go Japanese bentos such as butterfish, salmon and yakitori chicken.

And in a few months, Asian Mix plans to open a tea station serving Asian-style drinks and desserts, including milk tea and puddings, and is looking into extending its hours.

Asian Mix
1234 S. Beretania St.
521-1688
Open daily, 10:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.