|
|
|
 |
Mid Rivers Newsmagazine is St. Charles County's
exclusive direct-mailed community newspaper. |
 |
Mid Rivers Newsmagazine Restaurant Spotlight Archive |
|
|
Hunan King Restaurant Brings Spice To AreaBy Mary Ann O'Toole Holley
Mei Wu may struggle with her English, but when it comes to talking food, this co-owner of Hunan King Restaurant at the Lakeside Shoppes in Winghaven, says it all with her eyes. "Whatever customer like, we do," Wu said with a look that meant customers come first. Glancing over the restaurant's extensive menu, she easily points out the most popular and the most unusual. There are about 200 items to choose from - a collection of five pages filled with culinary creations that may be eaten in their beautiful dining establishment, carried out or delivered to homes within a 10-mile radius. Specializing in spicy cuisine from the Hunan region of China, Hunan King Restaurant brings the best of Chinese foods to your table in an environment of bright primary colors, shining chrome, glittery lights and beautiful fish tanks. Owned by partners in business and partners in the kitchen, Jack Wu (Mei's husband), William Huynh and Khai Nguyen share the challenges of providing a collection of dishes found in their homeland outside the capital city of Chengdu - a land of gentle hills where meat, vegetables and spices grow in abundance. Growing up in a fertile region of food, flora and fauna, the three chefs integrate a greater variety of spices, vegetables and meat selections. So, whether you want a hot night on the town or a cool dish for a long springtime lunch, Hunan King Restaurant in Winghaven will fill the bill. While h-h-hot is the specialty, Hunan King also dishes up plenty of other choices. Wu, Huynh and Nguyen's dishes use primarily fresh chili peppers. Their meat and vegetable entrees are enhanced by overnight marinades, lengthy simmering, steaming, stewing and frying. Hot and sour and sweet and sour are also popular flavor combinations, Mei Wu said. "What sets us apart is that we have a fish tank with live crab and lobster," Mei Wu said. "Customers can pick their lobster or crab and it is cooked steamed with butter or cooked with ginger scallion, salt and cracked pepper. Few other Chinese restaurants have fresh lobster." Another unique offering is the Hong Kong-style won ton soup, different from American style, Mei Wu said. The soup, she said, is made with shrimp and pork together. Peking duck is wrapped in pancakes, Mei Wu said. "Anything can be changed to the way a customer likes it," Mei Wu said. Appetizers like include delicacies like egg rolls and fried wontons, and there are luncheon specials like double sautéed sliced pork and Buddhist delight, a no-meat special. All lunch specials are served with hot and sour or egg drop soup with fried rice. One thing you won't find is a buffet. "We have Hong Kong cuisine, or Hong Kong style," said Mei Wu, who waits tables and helps with the family-owned business. "Special roast duck and honey barbecue pork with honey sauce on top are some of our most popular." Hunan is heavy on the use of red chili peppers - a tangy touch that is said to cleanse the palate and cool the body. Red peppers, food aficionados say, dry out and cool down the body, making it easier to handle the heat and dampness. If you are wondering which are the hottest, watch for the red-pepper flags on the menu. If you're diet conscious, there's a special menu with steamed mixed vegetables, sliced chicken with vegetables, prawns with broccoli or mixed vegetables - all prepared free of salt, sugar, cornstarch and MSG. Sauce is served on the side for $1. Hunan King's menu boasts plenty of poultry, pork and beef, but the Chef's Specialties run front and center. Top entrees include Tien-Fu chicken, a scrumptious sliced chicken with snow peas, red pepper and baby corn ($8.95); Golden Chrysanthemum Chicken, tender boneless chicken with spicy sauce and broccoli ($9.45); and Crispy Sesame shrimp or scallops ($12.95) featuring jumbo sliced shrimp or scallops fried with honey sweet and spicy brown sauce circled by broccoli. The moo shu shrimp is a four-pancake meal ($9.95). Kung Pao shrimp features a spicy flare ($9.95). Even if you're not a fan of Chinese, special roast duck ($5.95, $7.95 and $13.95), honey barbecue pork and honey barbecue chicken wings will melt in your mouth. Hunan King is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 10:30 p.m. Reservations are accepted, and delivery can be provided within a 10-mile radius of the restaurant. For delivery, call 636-561-7771 or fax your order to 636-625-7425. A minimum $8 order is required for delivery. For pickup, call 636-561-7773.
Hunan King Chinese Restaurant Lakeside Shoppes at Winghaven Dine-In, carryout and delivery available 3038 Winghaven Blvd. O'Fallon, MO 63366 |
|
|||||||
