I've been coming to this restaurant since I was in high school and since then, not a whole lot has changed. This is a pretty standard Americanized Chinese restaurant that is classier than your typical strip mall place. However, the food is really good. And when I'm in the mood for Chinese, this is my place. I'm a huge fan of the Fresh Mango Chicken: Chicken with fresh mango chunks and fresh vegetables in a sweet brown sauce. Hunan also has fantastic Pad Thai and their tofu dishes are delicious (seriously, my two year old asks for tofu every time we come here). It's kind of pricey, but we always leave with leftovers, so it's like getting two meals out of every visit. I'm a big fan and will continue to come here for years to come.
(4)
Zack R.
I have to say that this place was everything we hoped it would be. P.F. it is NOT, and for that, we thank the fine folks at Hunan Lion! We were in the area, and were really craving Sun Tong Luck, but alas, they are closed on Sunday and Monday. We clickly jumped on our Yelp apps to see what else was near, and Hunan Lion roared with some good reviews. We had to try it. It was only about three blocks away, but during the ride over, we were hoping for a giant fish tank, overly friendly/attentive service, and a totally non-ironic mood set by dim lights, gawdy decor, and a paper liner protecting the table cloth. They delivered on all accounts! Our server, Emma, was super nice! She made our lettuce wraps table-side, and put them all together before she left. I have to say that they were the best ones we've ever had. I'd go back just for them, and you get four really big ones for like $7. The General Tso's chicken (yeah, so what) was outstanding. Not too spicy and not too sweet, the pieces were just the right size. Sometimes you get a bunch of way-too-big pieces from some places. The beef lo mein was very good too. Lots of fresh crispy vegies, and small but whole mushrooms accompanied nice tender beef strips and a savory gravy. Again, a simple dish that's served everywhere, but often the beef is way over cooked. Not here though. It was perfect. As with most Chinese-American places, the portions were huge (yeah, we were hungry an hour later), so you'll definitely have some leftovers which they'll box up for you (a dying trend at a lot of places). The place was pretty packed for a Sunday night at 8pm too. Everyone from the blue hairs to the hipsters to a family of Middle-Easterners having a birthday party. Awesome. It's just what we wanted!
(4)
Steve E.
Slow steady decline over the years. I will not go back. Bland and tasteless, terribly overlooked vegetables, salty watery sauce with no kick or spice. Too bad.
(1)
Codi F.
I've only ordered Hunan to go, but I can say it is extremely delicious and never disappoints. The portions are large so I make two meals out of it. Good value. I would recommend the general tso tofu, the veggie lo mein and spring rolls! There is a also large salt water aquarium when you first walk it which is pretty cool to see.
(5)
Shawnda D.
As far as Chinese food, this has to be one of, if not the best place in Columbus. I've been going here for years, at least since 2000, if not a little before that. Their menu is fairly large and I have yet to order a dish that I did not like. Granted, I like some dishes better than others, but the food is great and made rather quickly, considering this isn't a "fast food," Chinese place. I don't think I've ever waited more than 10-12 minutes for my food, and the service is always friendly. They just recently remodeled the inside and it looks pretty upscale now, even though the prices have remained around the same. Two people can easily order two beverages, an appetizer and 2 entrees for LESS than $40. That's pretty damn cheap, at least in my book, for a dinner that you know is going to be delicious. I'm sort-of surprised by some of the not very good reviews here, as I've been to Hunan Lion more than 30 times, and I have yet to have a disappointing meal. It is definitely my family's "Go To" place for fabulous Chinese.
(5)
Bernadette M.
Pretty good for Columbus..... So this place is kinda misleading on the outside. Located in this strip mall and giving off vibes that it could be dumpy. But the inside is actually really nice. The name does say Chinese dining so I assumed they only offered Chinese food. However, upon reading the menu, I noticed they offer some Thai dishes as well. My sister had the pad thai in the past and said it was blah. But she said the curries are delicious. I'm thinking this place is not the biz for Thai food and you should just stick to the Chinese. Appies: Salt and pepper calamari: light battered calamari with the right mix of salt and pepper. Loved. Fried dumplings: delish and I'm glad they weren't super oily. Fried rangoon: i like how it wasn't oily and just pure cream cheese like some other places. Entrees: Combination lo-mein: good flavor. Sesame chicken: i'm not really into sesame chicken but it was good for what it was and everyone else liked it. It also had a light breading. Crispy orange beef: my least favorite. I don't like breaded meat. This was too breaded and crispy for me, almost to the point where it was too hard to bite. Bleh. Red thai curry: great flavor. My sister's fave. Kung po scallops and shrimp: my fave. The sauce was so good and love how they use big scallops, not those dinky ones. Our waitress wasn't the most personable, but she kept our waters filled and brought out our entrees quick. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming here again if I was in town.
(4)
Carey S.
Gosh, there are just so many greasy, flavorless, Americanized bad Chinese placed in columbus, and this is one of 'em. Big disappointment. Don't bother trying this place.
(2)
J K.
This is the best Chinese place in Columbus. I have eaten here once a week for the past month. Owners are very nice. The inside is very well kept.
(5)
MJ L.
I had great expectations for this place. From outside, the restaurant doesn't look like much, but the inside looks pretty spacious and nicely decorated. I ordered hunan fried rice and something else I can't remember for take out. I loved their aquarium and I must have stared at it, looking at all the fish for at least 10 minutes before I realized that there were people on the other side of the aquarium, eating and staring at me, LOL! Food looked fairly plentiful, but unfortunately, they were all terribly bland & greasy... very disappointing... I had to add a ton of salt to get some flavor out of the fried rice... I can't stress how much I HATE bland foods that I have to pour salt into to make it somewhat edible. UGH... Whatever other dish we ordered wasn't that good either... it was not quite as bland, but horribly greasy!!! I must have poured out over a tablespoon of oil from the bottom of the container after we scooped out all the food... just gross! I am giving this place 2 stars instead of 1 because the dishes had generous amount of meat and they were nicely cooked albeit without much seasoning. I am not likely to return to this place in the future...
(2)
F Z.
Don't let the exterior of Hunan Lion fool you; the restaurant is actually quite roomy and spacious. Something to do about the complete lack of windows, I guess? HL's menu down to its dish preparations suspiciously resemble that of Joey Chang's over in Hilliard, but I'm not complaining since HL is a shorter drive for me than its sister branch. HL's menu is quite extensive. Yes, you can expect to see your typical Chinese fare, but at the same time, you can also order from the page long Thai menu if you're not in the mood for Chinese food. I personally find most of the dishes to be excellent, simple, and well-executed. The Spicy Triple Delight, Bangkok Fish, and the Sesame Beef are my top three picks. Prices are fairly reasonable for lunch and dinner, imo. For lunch, $9 (average) will get you a choice of soup, a hefty portion of rice, and a portion size large enough for two meals. Four stars, however, for the inconsistency in the food, which could be due to the different chefs working the kitchen on different days. Service is generally spot-on, although the staff does possess an air of brusqueness that may seem a bit standoffish at first. Rest assure, it is probably due to your server taking care of 6-7 other tables. I honestly can't decide if I like the newly renovated interior or not. Closing off a round table for a large party in the middle of the dining area with sheer curtains looks like a cool concept, but it just seems inappropriately placed. The same can be said with the reverse painted mirrors with bamboos spanning the entire dining room wall. Now, I can't enjoy my meals there staring at my own beautiful reflections the way I could when they were the typical glass mirrors. Vanity, you ask? Absolutely :-P
(4)
Wendy D.
favorite chinese place in columbus! you really get your money's worth here.
(5)
Chuck k.
People from my office used to love this place. I found it average at best.
(2)
Kevin M.
Hunan Lion is good, but seems overrated to me. The menu is large and I doubt you'd dislike anything you might order, but talk of it being "the best Chinese food in Columbus" makes me feel sort of cheated every time I go there. I expect miracles, but the food here is definitely of an earthly variety. That said, Hunan Lion is enjoyable and definitely suitable for a more "upscale" occasion or clientele. The atmosphere is a notch above usual "Chinese restaurant" style, the restaurant can accomodate large groups, there is a full bar and large menu of tropical drinks, and the service is good - but my loyalties lie elsewhere. 3.5 stars.
(4)
Keith B.
Hunan Lion is one of my favorite Asian places in Columbus. When I want great Chinese (sit down or takeout) I come here. I've been coming here for several years, and they've never once failed me in food, drink, or service. I haven't had everything on the menu, but they have great General Tso's (let's start arguing how it's not really "authentic") and other spicy dishes. It's always been a good amount of heat and flavor (as well as some of their Szechuan dishes).
(5)
A T.
What a wonderful restaurant!! Just walking in, I was greeted upon arrival. The young man was so kind to me! I especially found the ambiance of the restaurant to be great- love the fish tank and the inside room. The food was delicious. Try the duck! Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Paul F.
Believe it or not I really didn't remember coming here. Although the restaurant looked vagually familiar, I just chalked that up to one restaurant looking like so many others that I'd been to. It was only after I'd gotten home and sat down to write this review, did I realize that not only had I been here before but I also ordered exactly the same thing! Isn't that amazing! Of course, last night was different because I had the company of Mike G. The spicy wontons were just as good as was the orange beef. So a good meal and good company!
(4)
Rae W.
Very beautiful restaurant! It was busy when we were there for dinner. Our server was rude. She didn't say hello.... Just asked in broken English what we wanted!!!! I give them four stars because the food was nice and the restaurant was very clean...but the server was just appalling.
(4)
Brad S.
Hunan Lion is the best Chinese restaurant in Columbus (followed closely by Sunflower). I usually get my food to go, but dining in is a complete trip. Reminds me of something out of a James Clavell novel. Very nostalgic feel to the joint, kinda like how the old Kahiki felt (long time Columbusites will remember). The bar is classy, and you may feel obligated to wear a tweed jacket and light up a cigar (not that it's legal, but the idea will certainly strike your fancy, trust me). It's like time stopped behind the heavy oak doors and nobody but the patrons and staff are the wiser. Order anything, it's all good.
(5)
Rach W.
Absolutely not Chinese food. Completely Americanized. Don't go there if u r looking for real Chinese food
(1)
Jenny B.
We always go here for our Christmas Chinese dinner. Love the sesame noodles, sizzling rice soup, pot stickers and many other dishes. On our last visit the other night for dinner we got the soup (always good) and cashew chicken. We are pretty picky when it comes to veggies in our Chinese and asked for specific vegetables and without water chestnuts (some places use way too many as a filler in this dish). When the dish came it was a huge portion. Three of us ate it and still had plenty to take home. The only bummer was when we received the bill. They charged $3 for the veggies! The food is always fast and tasty!
(4)
Birdy N.
Tried it because it had a high rating in a local survey - never again. The target market seems to be the blue-haired biddies from UA, not people who want to eat real Chinese food. FOOD This is "food-court chinese" food, just fancier. ATMOSPHERE Well appointed and clean, almost upscale. SERVICE Ok - what you would expect from a large busy place. Courteous, but lacking warmth.
(2)
Mike H.
I could see that this place could have some potential. It has a nice atmosphere. It could be a nice romantic spot for a date if you're in the mood for chinese. I hate to comment on the service because we were probably there during the shift change but it started out really bad and then got marginally better. I know this is becoming a recurring theme in my reviews, but what can I say, I like eating one meal a day at 3 or 4 sometimes. We had the manderin duck for an app. It was dry and my dining partner caught a couple bones. Not so good. I had the kung pao shrimp and scallops. I wouldn't say I was disappointed but it tasted of ketchup. The meat and veggies were good but I couldn't get past the ketchup taste. Same ownership and menu as Hunan House but I had a slightly better experience at Hunan House recently.
(2)
Joppy C.
There are way too many negative Nelly reviews on Hunan Lion. As a loyal customer of over 10 years, let me set the record straight. Sure, there are a few cultural differences in service. There have been servers that can be a little curt and this may not be the type of place where you can start customizing the menu without a little friction. And don't try drowning your gourmet food in soy sauce either. So both service snob and Philistine are not welcome here. That said, Hunan produces a number of top notch dishes. True, the menu is too large to be without its pitfalls. But a focus on their Thai and traditional Chinese plates will leave you spellbound. Their red curry dishes, for example, are wonderful, as are the Kung po, pad Thai, and sesame chicken --to name a few family favorites. Hunan is nicely decorated, and features a few potent tiki drinks to keep things lively. And the hot and sour soup is probably the best you will ever taste. So go get some Hunan Lion!
(5)
Alonzo E.
We've been doing carry-out and from to time eat-in. I've always liked the food, service and ambiance but thought today that I never yelped about how I like this place. We decided to go here for lunch after church today and as always, the family is glad that we made this another lunch choice. It's hard to get everyone to agree after Sunday church but everyone agreed. Everything was wonderful and the server was excellent. Karena our server always checked in with us always made sure we had everything we needed (of course for that it was 20% tip for good service). We've been going/eating here for years but something that I've noticed though for the last 1.5 years is the appetizer, Salt and Pepper Calamari (and shrimp) seems to deteriorate in overall expectation and satisfaction. It seemed to have lost it's "spike" of flavor and for some reason, I don't think I'm imagining it, the portions are getting smaller. This appetizer is always my favorite and I keep saying it will probably get back to what it used to be but sadly today, it's the same. I will probably stop ordering it from here on as I had been hoping and waiting for the last year and half and nothing changed. I liked the old menu and the way it was prepared. Overall, I have to rate this place "A-1" in my book. Simply the best Chinese food around and the Pad Tai is never a disappointment. Everything was fresh and tasty.
(4)
Anthony A.
Was pleasantly surprised by this place. Extremely well decorated and clean! The food was absolutely amazing and the waiter always kept our drinks over half full! Great experience over all I will definitely go there again.
(4)
Yavonne S.
consistant great food and service. Get the Minced Chicken lettuce wraps and the garlic chicken, extra spicy
(4)
TJ H.
Food is meh... Because of the high rating, I decided to give it a shot. I asked the owner/manager if he had any Sichuan/Szechuan dishes and he was dismissive, telling me that the menu is sorted by protein type and just look at it. After browsing through the extensive menu, which mostly looked very Americanized (but then again he shoved the lunch special section of the menu at me) and I still didn't really see anything that popped out, I asked if he had mapo tofu. Once again he was brusque, telling me that "here, it's called Szechuan bean curd" and it's basically the same thing. I verified to see if it had pork since it was listed under the vegetarian section and I wanted pork. Also added in an order of hot and sour soup. Total was $12.xx. (Way overpriced for mediocre food.) I got a pint of soft tofu chunks in a sauce that's mildly flavored. Not spicy at all. And a pint of hot and sour soup that's mediocre at best. Best part was the plain white rice, only because I haven't had white rice in awhile... I won't be back. One star for the clean place, another star because the tofu did taste decent, only if what I wanted to order was tofu chunks in plain/mild sauce...
(2)
Zach T.
Food here is pretty solid but far from authentic if that's what you're looking for. It's your standard Americanized Chinese food, and they throw in some Thai food too. I've had a few things here, with the standouts being the general tsos chicken, sesame chicken, and Mongolian beef. Last visit I tried their Thai curry which was pretty mediocre, but did have a nice kick of spice. Overall this place is forgettable, but if you're in need of a Chinese fix this will definitely do the job.
(3)
Jennifer H.
I am sold! This place, hands down, has the best Chinese in Columbus. The portions are amazing, the freshness of the food is fantastic, the ratio of meat to veg is AWESOME, and they don't seem to ever over cook the seafood in a dish!! I was doubly amazed, because we were here on Christmas with a party of 10 diners (2 children included) and it was CRAZY!! The service was great, the server was super friendly, and all of our food was really very good, fresh, and hot! I always get nervous going to places on days when it is typically crazy, but I was happily surprised. My husband and I have already decided that we will be back on a regular basis!!
(5)
Sofia B.
The best Asian restaurant ever, hands down. Service is quick. Great place for a quiet evening. I also order something Thai or spicy, just very authentic, great quality food.
(5)
Lea P.
I'm happy to update this review with an additional star compared to my first visit. I came with the same friend who brought me initially. I enjoyed the Pataya Shrimp quite a bit, while my friend who loves this place got a curry of some kind, and our other companion had the Chicken with Asparagus. The tea remained magically hot throughout the meal again (seriously, if I had that pot I'd never have to get up to make more tea all day), and we were able to sit undisturbed for a *very* long time after finishing our meal. Still, the decor is more noteworthy than the food. It's simply a gorgeous place. And for eat-in Chinese food, I have been won over.
(4)
Candace M.
I've had a rough week and was looking forward to going out to a nice dinner with a friend. We found Hunan Lion on Yelp, decided that a nice Chinese meal was just what we needed, and headed over. We walk in and are not immediately greeted. The woman that I assume to be the hostess is busy with other things. When she eventually acknowledges us, she's a bit short. She looked a bit irritated, but was nice enough, so no big complaint here. We're seated and start to look through the menu. I decide on the beef with oriental vegetables and my friend gets the pad thai. Our waitress was pretty short with us too, which I didn't love. I felt like I was inconveniencing her by being there. Our food was fine. Honestly, I was expecting to be wowed by my beef with oriental vegetables, but it was just alright. There weren't a ton of vegetables in it, it was just a lot of beef. And while the beef was good, it wasn't amazing. I really hate to say it, but I could have saved about $8 by staying home and getting beef with broccoli delivered to me. The ambiance was nice, admittedly. The restaurant itself has a classy ambiance, as others have noted. I think the tables are a little close for my taste; I heard all of the tables closest to us' conversations. Maybe I got the wrong thing (I do have a habit of doing that) or maybe we had the wrong server (a VERY nice waiter thanked us and said goodbye to us as we were leaving) but whatever the case, I don't think I'll be in any rush to come back.
(3)
Grace S.
Been here twice and I love the food ! The menu is BIG so you won't be short on choices. Service is good and everyone is really nice. On both occasions, I tried the spring rolls (2 for $4.95) and they are YUM ! Packed with minced beef and veggie wrapped around crispy springroll skins, a perfect choice for an appetizer. A standout for me is the crispy duck ($14.95) . It's basically lightly fried roast duck sitting on a plate of 5-spice sauce. The meat isn't over-fried so it's still juicy. If you are craving for Chinese food, look no more, head to Hunan Lion !
(4)
Kiara E.
Came here for New Years Eve. Apparently everyone over 70 in Columbus had the same idea. The wait was an hour, until we were finally seated. Whatever. The crab rangoon was not that good for $7. Then I got a combination meat dinner thing in a brown sauce. This was very good. Service on the other hand was pretty terrible and our server seemed irritable and would disappear for large chunks of time, such as when we wanted to pay our bill. All in all, I guess I would say avoid this place on holidays, they can't handle crowds.
(3)
Sanjay M.
Excellent food. I am a vegetarian and I enjoy in particular their General Tso's tofu. Waiters are typically attentive and friendly, and we are seated quite quickly. The portions are quite substantial and the sauces tend to be more flavorful than the competition.
(4)
Leona S.
We have been here several times and it is always a wonderful experience. The service is great and the food even better. I highly recommend their Crispy Duck, it is truly fantastic. I get at least the appetizer every time I go here. One thing I like so much is you feel comfortable whether in jeans or dressed to the nines. If you have not gone here, you should, as they have some of the best Chinese food in Columbus.
(5)
Toine R.
As a villager, I don't let the drive to the NW side of town detour me from the delectable offerings of this fine establishment. Two words, "Sizzling Rice"! If you've been here before and never tried, you must and if you've never been here when you do venture up, this is a must! Hunan Lion has this awesome aquarium full of fish and coral. This is a favorite. Besides the food the staff are wick accommodating, we've had gatherings there for at least 80 odd people at one given time sometimes more and the service is never diminished which is a plus, 8-10 servers for one party can be overwhelming for any establishment. But they've never let us down...I like places that keep my glass filled.
(4)
Nadia O.
Came here with my fiance and his parent's for Christmas' eve as it is his mother's favourite Chinese restaurant. I found it pretty good, in a ritzy looking setting serving contemporary chinese cuisine. I had the Mala lamb which my fiance really enjoyed as well as his father. The General Tso's chicken he ordered was absolutely delicious and I also liked the very fattening sesame chicken his son picked at with the strange little white crunchy noodles I've never seen before!
(4)
Nadine S.
This is one of the better chinese restaurants I have been to. The staff is always friendly and accomodating. My favorite is the hunan chicken, I love the Hunan sauce. I think the sauces at Hunan Lion definetly make it stand out from other chinese restaurants. I have friends that are a big fan of the pad thai. I will be going back for sure.
(4)
Nicky H.
Overall not a very good experience. Food was descent not bad not great. However, horrible experience with the server. Took wife out for dinner decided to try Hunan Lion. Hostess sat us down at the table and brought us drinks. Then we waited at least 10 min. before our server (Roy) greeted us. Then waited another 15 min. before he came and took our order. We turned around saw him constantly texting on his phone. Again no complaint on the food however the service was terrible. Server was lazy and constantly texting.
What a mysterious little gem! The outside of the building poses no windows, or much description of the restaurant but when you walk in you're in for a surprise. An elegant atmosphere with beautiful interior decorations. I would classify this as "classy" Chinese, but the pricing is not too bad. Would definitely recommend the Mongolian beef and the general tso's chicken is also a classic well preserved.
(4)
Sharon W.
It is pretty modern look inside, kind of like Blue Ginger. They have a lot of Asian fusion type of food, and Peking duck is definitely a must try dish!
(4)
Jim F.
I just went yesterday around 3 pm and was hugely impressed. Hunan Lion is in a crappy looking strip mall next door to a dollar tree so I from first glance outside it looks like any cheap chinese food restaurant. Don't let the outside appearance fool you though, it is not your typical chinese food place that serves $5 dollar lunch specials. Inside it was very elegant. Music was sort of jazz/classical and not that stereotypical generic chinese music. It was soft enough for conversation, dim overall in the restaurant but with just enough lighting the table from a hanging light. The walls are mirrored with painted bamboo plants and a lot of elaborate vases and other decorations. Hunan Lion seems like a very intimate place that would be great to impress a date. It also had a HUGE bar area that looked awesome. Service was also phenomenal. My water was always full and our waitress was very polite and our food came out very quickly. There were only two tables of people to serve at the time so it wasn't busy but she really helped make the experience solid. The food was great. I went with a friend and we decided we had to try a typical chinese restaurant dish a long with something different. We split a general tso's chicken to compare to the type of chinese we were used to. It was delicious. The sauce had a bit more garlic hint to it and the chicken chunks seemed a lot less "mysterious" than the typical general tso's that I am used to. The breading had an unmatched crispiness that I really enjoyed. The portion was large too but significantly more expensive at $11.95 than a cheap chinese restaurant's version for less than $5. I also tried the Thai red curry beef. It was very sweet with just the right kind of spice. Sweet at first, from the coconut milk and then spicy taste but never leaving a burning in my mouth. The vegetables were cooked just right to crispiness/crunch and didn't seem slopped together in a sauce all at once. The curry was $12.95. Before Hunan Lion I honestly didn't know that "fine" or high quality chinese food existed in Ohio. This restaurant showed me that chinese food around these parts are not just cheap, quick, lower quality but tasty. Hunan Lion is a great place to try out some delicious cut above the rest chinese food if you are willing to spend a bit more money and impress some guests.
(4)
Tom I.
I am definitely a fan of Hunan Lion. Must say their food is as good as any Chinese restaurant I've been to. Sure - some things are better than others depending on the chef - but the food they prepare is consistently above average in my opinion. The service can be hit or miss - but the food is always consistent. My only complaint - and I should say it when I am there - there is a male waiter who wears WAY too much cologne - maybe to cover up something else - but either way takes away from the overall experience.
(4)
Emily O.
Everyone is saying that the outside is super deceiving, I will need to jump on that band wagon. This lace is in like a brick strip mall with no windows. The decor was delightfully gaudy, with lots of fake flowers and rfestive Asian "flare" on every wall! I thought the food was great and fairly priced. We ordered crab rangoon, which was possibly the best I have ever had. My hubby got General Tso's Chicken which he enjoyed, and I ordered Pineapple Shrimp which was pretty delish as well. Service was great. All in all a good experience.
(4)
Jeff S.
Friendly staff, great service, and the General Tso's is the best in Columbus!
(4)
Shawnie K.
I have been patronizing Hunan Lion for more than a decade now and, despite it's less than glamorous location in a shopping center off Bethel Road (next to a Dollar Store, none the less), this restaurant is top notch. You can smell it from the parking lot, which in this case, is a good thing. The dining room might be late 1980's traditional Asian in decor (red leather booths, giant cloisonne vases and fish tanks). but I have recently discovered the Thai portion of their menu. I do enjoy certain Columbus Thai restaurants for specific dishes AND I love Hunan Lion for a several Chinese dishes, but just a few months ago my sister turned me on to Hunan Lion for different reasons- the chicken curry. It is a superb crossover! I've been coming here (off and on) since the mid-90s, so I'm not exactly sure what the one-star reviewers are looking for in a Chinese restaurant. I have no complaints about the nice variety, quality and portions of consistently good food served here -- and I now love this place for both it's Chinese and Thai menus. The flavors and portions are very good and I'm always happy to have an overflowing glass of water, delicious egg rolls and better-than-average Thai and Chinese options for lunch and dinner. No offense to the other Yelper, but Hunan Lion has been around far longer than Joey Chang's in Hillard, which replaced the Thai Orchid only 5 or 6 years ago- I DO like Joey Chang's a lot, but perhaps they drew inspiration from HL. Maybe there are connections.
(4)
Steven H.
Checked out Hunan Lion after seeing their billboards proclaiming they were a four-star gourmet Chinese restaurant and hearing it was good from people. Had the Spring Rolls and Crab Rangoon, both of which were good. Tried the Seafood Pan-fried Noodles. The sauce was pretty tasteless and the seafood was alright but it was pretty unseasoned/bland. The noodles were a nice consistency though. Friend tried the pineapple pork. He also said it was just OK, edible but nothing special. The veggies on it were uncooked/cold which was strange. The service was okay, the atmosphere a little weird and oddly quiet...The waitress also picked up the tip before we even left the table which I've never had happen before and found it really odd/rude. All in all, probably won't be back. Too bad it wasn't a better experience.
(3)
Christiana C.
I really really like Hunan Lion and I'm not afraid who knows it. I eat a lot of sesame chicken (like, I should be ashamed of how often I eat sesame chicken) and this is among my favorite places to get it in the city. It's not close to where I live (Clintonville, your Asian cuisine options? Killing me. KILLING me.) but if I neeeed sesame chicken (you know how that goes), this is the closest place I can go and not regret it after. It's pricey, but consider that I get two meals out of it, I'm ok with that. Service is wonderful, take-out never takes that long, and the dine-in is a little classy! Like I said, Hunan Lion and I are not in love, but maybe someday.
(4)
Seth D.
This is my moms favorite Chinese restaurant. They have a nice relaxed ambience with pretty good staff. They make all the classics and do a great job, and they have some Thai dishes that are very good as well. My dad loves the curried duck, my son and all of us love the willow noodles. You really can't go wrong here. If the staff was a little better, and they were a little more daring, it would easily be 5 stars.
(4)
Stephen K.
My wife and I found this place by chance. We were driving up Bethel Rd looking for a new place to eat. We were not sure what we wanted then we just stumbled upon Hunan Lion. I did a quick search and found some very good reviews so we decided to try it out. I have been to Hong Kong many times and as soon as I walked into this place it reminded me of being back there. The atmosphere was very welcoming, the staff were very friendly and courteous, and the place had a wonderful feel to it. The menu is definitely a mix of Chinese and Thai (I have also been to Thailand about a half dozen times). This place is a true representation of the cuisine of those countries. They still have all the Americanized menu selections that you would see at any other Chinese restaurant but this place understands the flavor profiles and the quality of ingredients. We ordered a mixture of Thai and Chinese fare and both were just amazing. I have been reading reviews of others to try a certain dish, so I don't need to make another suggestions. My only advice is to go there. The menu selection is huge, a full page for Seafood, another for Poultry, another for beef, with even some lamb and pork, also a page of noodles/rice/soups. This place is as good as it gets. My wife could only comment that this was the best Chinese food she has ever had. It took me back to Hong Kong and Thailand. The food was perfect. Thank you, Hunan Lion for an amazing experience and wonderful food.
(5)
Bryant A.
this is one of my favorite asian restaurants in columbus. not only do they serve delicious chinese food classics, but they also serve incredible thai food as well. the thai food is better than some of the thai restaurants that I have been to in columbus and I have tried quite a few (reviews to come soon). If you are a fan of the classic dishes, you will not be dissapointed. i encourage you go try something new and different there as well. You will be impressed. the ambiance is great and its always really quiet there regardless of how crowded it may get on the weekend. The best times to go are early afternoon or before 5pm-ish. afterwards it will get crowded fast and you will have to stand and wait which is not fun when you're hungry and you can easily see everyone else eating in the seating area. This is a great place to take family and friends when they are visiting for the first time or the holidays. it is also a great place to eat at during the holiday season if you don't celebrate christmas. The staff is very friendly, the food comes quick, and te portions are huge. you get what you pay for. Your bang for your buck! enjoy!
(5)
Lana G.
Ok, maybe I am spoiled with good food (Jeff L, I'm with you, bro!), but when I moved to Columbus they promised at least one good Pad Thai place in town. After searching for a while, someone suggested Hunan Lion. They told me that's where I'd find the best Pad Thai in town. I couldn't drive there fast enough. Who wouldn't want good Pad Thai? Ok, maybe 'good' means something else here, but I was not only disappointed, I was sick after I ate it. Why is it so damn sweet and red? Good Pad Thai is nothing like that!!! I can make it better myself and I never claimed to be a good Pad Thai chef. I got a few more dishes along with that evil Pad Thai and ALL of them were pretty horrible. I give up. I will have to cook or move out of here OR go to fancier places like the "M" once in a while for 'good' food. So far Wholefoods is better than any casual place I've tried here. Everyone keeps telling me to consider a few joints in Short North. I'll try, once I recover from the 'good' stuff I got an Hunan Lion!
(1)
Vik C.
i've been eating here since i was a kid, and it's still one of my favorite restaurants. as the other yelpers have mentioned, don't let the location throw you off; this place has been here quite a long time, and has earned its place in the hearts of a lot of the locals. every place has its own special dishes, so it may be tough to find them in hunan lion's extensive menu without a guide. there are several items i'd strongly recommend: hot and sour soup, fried minced chicken (minced chicken in lettuce wraps), szechwan spicy wontons (quite excellent little dumplings), hunan chicken (honestly the best chicken dish there), szechwan beef (the best of their spicy dishes), orange beef (the best of their sweet dishes), basil chicken (if you like thai-chinese), and kung pao chicken (sweet and spicy. I'd also recommend the general tso's chicken, sesame chicken, and red curry chicken. ask them to make things spicier if you want a little kick (i always do)... don't worry, it's not overwhelming. the service is usually pretty good, but then again i've been here hundreds of times so the owners/managers/staff recognize and respond to me as i walk in. try it out for yourself and see what you think.
(5)
Larry H.
Had Christmas Eve dinner with family. Sizzling rice soup, combo lo mein, Phoenix & Dragon and red curry chicken. All were great, especially the Thai Red Curry. Compares favorably to Joey Chang's.
(4)
Jeff L.
Maybe I have some sort of bias coming from a city that has a plethora of delicious Chinese food, but Hunan Lion could easily be one of the worst places I've ever gone for Chinese food.... ever. From poorly cooked food to poor service, I would never wish this experience upon anybody. I give it one star. Because the place looks nice on the inside.. and because I can't really rate it any lower. I've had better from Safeway.
(1)
Jackie H.
This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in the city. It's not the least expensive, or the fastest, but to me it's the best quality. I haven't been in awhile, but I STILL dream of their Sesame Shrimp. Sesame Shrimp isn't on a lot of menus, and when it is, the shrimp is so sad and small. Hunan Lion doesn't skimp on their shrimp! Mmmm... Love their Mandarin Duck appetizer...and it comes with cucumber salad, which is sweet and vinegary heaven. There are so many delicious looking and sounding items on their menu, I just want to try it all!
(5)
Ted C.
Came early on a Sunday with the kids. Great service. Had the Triple Delight, which was no too spicy, despite the warning "flame" on the menu. Kids had rice with beef satay strips and sweet and sour chicken. The latter were solid, and the kids enjoyed them. My wife had the pad Thai, which was also solid. Overall, excellent dinner.
(4)
Mike G.
I found the WOW factor here the other night. A great experience and a great meal. It's an above average Chinese American restaurant here. Definitely a dress up type of place with a very pleasant classy decor. Prices are commensurate with the look and feel of the place. The Hot and Sour Soup I got for my appetizer was very good with that slightly smokey sesame aroma that makes this soup so good. My entree was the Kung Pao Shrimp and Scallops with extra water chestnuts added. I give them top kudos on this dish. Everyone knows I eat a lot of Asian food and frankly it was one of the best dishes I've ever had anywhere. Flavorful, pungent and with just the right amount of heat to tantalize my taste buds. My dining companion, Paul F., enjoyed his flaming spicy wontons and the Orange Beef too. I tried a taste of the sauce on his dish and it was wonderful. It was a thick, smokey, barbequed goodness with just a hint of tang to it. Next time I'll get my same dish but get that sauce on it instead. Our server Caroline was friendly and attentive with must the right number of check backs. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for her the next time. This is definitely one of the better Asian restaurants in Columbus. It's worth the extra money you'll spend, especially when you easily get enough food for two meals out of it!
(5)
Fred F.
Not going to tell you this is totally authentic Chinese ...because it isn't.....what it is in reality is authentic "Chinese-American" cuisine....and that is not a bad thing. The sizzling rice soup is simply the best I've ever had. And the basics tailored to the Ohio palate such as General Tsos Chicken, Kung Pao shrimp, and the combination pan fried noodles are all first in class for what they are. No complaints at all.....plus, a really nice little Mai Tai!...
(3)
Moses S.
So I've been here a couple more times since my last post and I've got to say that I really do like it here. It's good quality food and on top of that, it's close to home! I've gotten take out here once as well and they are really on top of getting things ready! It only took 15 minutes for my order to be ready. While I probably ordered more than enough for my wife and I, I am sad to report that they gave us 3 fortune cookies. Time for this guy to get on that New Year's diet! To update on the wonton soup, I really like it and perhaps it was just our first time, but the second and third time we had the soup the wontons were more plentiful. so either they read my review and upped it, or we were just unlucky the first time. I've also had their Hunan Fried Rice, which is basically their combination fried rice as well as their beef and broccoli and their Szechuan Beef (which has really spicy peppers, so watch out!). It's all quality and good food. While a little higher than most on price point, I think they deliver on the quality for the price.
(4)
Stacie R.
Had the spicy triple delight-mild. Next time leaving it spicy, but it was still delicious. Also tried the general tsos, which will get it extra spicy next time as the spicy version was not at all. Service was good, but they were a bit short-handed tonight, so host/manager/owner filled in where she could, which was nice to see. Everything was great, but remember to order Extra spicy if you actually want it spicy.
(4)
Holly C.
This is the second time I've been here, and I couldn't remember what I got the first time a few years ago...meaning I wasn't impressed again. I didn't choose to come here but met with a group that chose the location. I had the Szechwan wontons this time. The sauce was lacking flavor and the wontons just didn't taste good. The hot and sour soup was lacking flavor as well and overall tasted bad, and the chicken corn soup was slightly better but looked like they dumped yellow food coloring in it. I actually forgot what the entree I got was called, but I think it something along the lines of shrimp/veggies in a garlic sauce. It was ok, but I wouldn't come back. There are plenty of other good Asian places around for cheaper.
(2)
Shuo F.
Good atmosphere and service. However, I think the food is more Fusion than it is Chinese. It is very Americanized and cost more than what I feel the taste is worth. It is a good place to go for business lunch or dinner, or maybe a first date for high schoolers. If you want more authentic Chinese food, this isn't it
(3)
Kevin B.
Creamy chicken corn soup is amazing here, would highly recommend. Thai curry chicken was not very good at all. Fried rice solid. Overall decent, would definitely get something else next time though (probably something more namesake, like sesame beef or general tso's).
(4)
Brent F.
A nice little hidden gem. The food was above average and my server, Roy was cuuuute and very friendly. The decor is lovely considering it is uninviting from the outside. Once inside it is beautiful. Give it a shot.
(4)
Erica W.
BEST General Tso's I've ever had... mmmmmm!!!!!!
(5)
Chris T.
I consider myself a General Tso's Chicken connoisseur, having sampled this dish from over two dozen Asian restaurants in town. There are only two restaurants I would consider to have the best offering of General Tso's. One is off Noe Bixby Rd. and the second is Hunan Lion. The sauce on this dish could be the centerpiece if the perfectly cooked and breaded chicken chunks and vegetables were absent. Well done Hunan Lion! I'm fortunate to live so close by and I'll definitely make this my new number one Chinese cuisine location.
(5)
Marie G.
One of the best Chinese restaurants in Columbus. The restaurant itself is beautiful - once you step inside you forget that you are in a strip mall. The service is great. Food never disappoints. We seriously have never had a bad meal and I make it a point to try something new each time.
(5)
Tim Y.
I give Hunan Lion five stars. This is just about the best Chinese restaurant as far as food quality I can think of. The cooks here have mastered the sauces and deliver every time. For takeout or dine-in, this restaurant produces! Tucked away at the end of a strip center, this restaurant has delivered for decades. The interior has been remodeled in recent years and attracts an upscale clientele. My brother and I ordered the Mala Lamb and Triple Delicacy for lunch with chicken lettuce wraps appetizer for dine in. The lettuce wraps arrived at the table with four pieces of head lettuce and the minced spicy chicken meat on the side. The server hand spooned the meat evenly into the four lettuce pieces tableside. As expected, it was mildly spicy- semi-sweet minced chicken. The hot and sour soup, which both of us ordered was just right. A little spicy, not oily, warm, with all the ingredients blending together nicely, with not one ingredient overpowering the other. The Mala Lamb and Triple Delicacy were both fabulous. The Mala Lamb was stir-fried with fresh garlic, jalapenos, and green onions, with the lamb cut into thin strips for easy stir-frying. Spicy and flavorful dish. The Spicy Triple Delicacy came out with generous, fresh, large pieces of shrimp, chicken breast, and beef tenderloin stir-fried with peanuts and red chili peppers. Not often is real beef tenderloin found in a stir-fry dish. The brown sauce was masterfully prepared with a sweet and spicy flavor profile, unfound anywhere. My only complaint is that the pricing is high. $1.95 for hot tea, $2.00 extra for brown rice (we deferred), $8.95 for Triple Delicacy lunch combo (includes soup), $9.95 for Mala Lamb (extra $2.50 for hot and sour soup), and $5.95 for lettuce wraps. $33 before tip, but boy was it delicious and worth it!
(5)
Shea H.
The atmosphere and the food here are pretty good. For some reason I don't feel like this is my go-to place for Chinese food. I can't put my finger on why. The staff is really nice and accommodating. The restaurant is really nice looking once you step inside. There's a good amount of parking. Everything I tasted (Mala string beans, pot-stickers, etc) was delicious but, I dunno, this place just doesn't do it for me. It is literally 1-2 minutes away from me and I'd much rather go to campus for some Moys. I say try it and see what you think.
(3)
Clayt C.
Lack-luster greeting and service and high priced for lunch time.
(3)
Anna S.
Best old school classic Chinese restaurant (along with its sister restaurant, Hunan House). This may not be a traditional Chinese restaurant a la Fortune Chinese Restaurant, but it does the American Chinese extremely well. I usually start off with the chicken and corn soup and make sure to add plenty of the excellent chili oil available upon request. For entrees, I recommend all the Mala dishes. My go to is the Mala lamb add string beans. Or the Mala beans add shrimp. If you like the American-Chinese dishes, General Tso's is actually super scrumptious here. Other favorites include the sizzling rice soup, the pan fried seafood noodles with brown sauce, lo mein and Schezwan pork. This location also has an excellently stocked bar with beer, wine, and liquor at really good prices. Service is usually top-notch (though sometimes slow). Recently went there for a friend's birthday party and had a party of 20 and the server gracefully handled us all very well.
(4)
Eric S.
Number of visits: ~8 Most recent visit: 3/2013 All around this a solid Chinese option in the Columbus area. For sure the interior of it looks very nice. The appearance is very neat and clean. It has a rather quiet ambiance. Also, they're very good at refilling your water before it gets empty. The food is also rather good. Usually pineapple chicken just means sweet and sour, but theirs is better and something a bit more. Orange chicken is always a safe Chinese option and theirs is no exception. I don't think I've ever had any seafood here, so I can't comment on that. I almost never order seafood when I'm nowhere near a sea. I was sad to see the macademia nut chicken go, but fortunately there are other options on the menu I'm well satisfied with.
(4)
A T.
Hunan Lion is a such great restaurant! The portion sizes are very large, great for another meal or even to share! My experience here was wonderful. The staff were all very kind to me and I even decided to get an order to-go. The gentleman at the counter who helped me with my to-go order was so friendly and quick to get my order ready! Recommended for anyone looking for delicious, gourmet food.
(5)
Dallas T.
Not bad
(4)
Jerry H.
This place is great! I'm new to Columbus and I love Chinese food. I've lived in many major cities and I know the importance of finding one that you love... This place has a great clean atmosphere. A very upscale feel. I would definitely recommend bringing a date here. The menu is extensive. I've tried the General Tso's chicken, Mongolian Beef, Sweet & Sour pork and an awesome Tiger Prawns and Scallops dish. ALL cooked to perfection! Service was tremendous and NOT bothersome. Which I like. Whatever I asked for came quickly and didn't interrupt conversations. I highly recommend this joint and believe its Dublin's best kept secrete. I sure hope it doesn't stay that way... I've only been for dinner and the place always seems to have plenty of seating.
(5)
Anand M.
Tried the Orange Chicken, Orange Shrimp and Hunan Chicken and Shrimp. They were all good. Much better than what I have tried at other places nearby. Orange is not spicy though they say it's spicy. It's sweet with a hint of spice. The taste slowly overwhelms. Hunan was very good.
(4)
Jo C.
We have been trying to find a new Chinese spot after recently being disappointed by a popular one nearby and this hit the spot. The atmosphere is very nice for a sit down restaurant and the food is amazing. Large portions.. Prices are slightly higher than other places but it's worth it. The food tastes extremely fresh and authentic. We are very picky when it comes to Chinese food but were not disappointed here. Will definitely be going back again.
(5)
Jennifer S.
Absolutely so bad we left after a drink and apps. Firstly, the server couldn't understand English and we had to point to menu items on THEIR OWN menus. Shouldn't you know the names of your own dishes?? Nothing was outstanding, very mediocre food, poor service, definitely caters to the over 65 crowd! This was the second time we tried it and the other was carry out that was terrible, but figured it was because of carryout (wrong food in order and cold).
(2)
Tiffany C.
You know what brought me in to Hunan Lion? A billboard right before Columbus Gold. Somewhere on it they claimed to be the best in Columbus, and my reply to that is... so-so. You enter Hunan Lion through two huge wooden doors, and for some reason I was expecting hoakiness everywhere, but I was surprised. Go figure. I was also expecting a buffet. What? Can't a fat chick dream of buffet goodness? The ambiance is somewhere between romantic, and edges a tad close to formal. I felt a bit out of place with my hoodie covered in buttons and safety pins, dawning pig tails, and blue jeans, but my fears were laid to rest after a group of greasy nerds came in. We were seated after a ten minute wait in the center of one of the side rooms. I hate being a human spectacle, but I guess that will do since it was dinner rush. Despite the interesting conversation between a group of yuppies laughing about how their friend died while trying to climb through a window, it was nice... the ambiance and all. Our waitress is something the hubby and I still joke about from time to time. She was one of the most sassiest, surly, salty, Asian women I ever met. The lady says "Yes?" after every sentence, and if you don't reply Lord Cuthulu save your soul, because she got snippy. We got our food in a timely manner. The appetizers were... well, actually they weren't good. I ordered an egg roll, which came out in two minutes. Microwave? I believe GOOD Asian food should never be pre prepped and should be cooked to order. My Pad Thai was boring, but the boy's sesame chicken was to die for. If you go to Hunan Lion for anything, TRY THE SESAME CHICKEN!!! The bill was received, and it was typical for pricey Chinese food. My husband asked the waitress out of curiosity if they sold Almond cookies, or made them. And of course the salty, surly, waitress misinterpreted what we were asking, and thus she said in an evil demonic tone, which snatching my husband's credit card to pay the bill, "NO! No- ALMOND cookie.ONLY fortune COOKIE!" and walked away. I think the hubby and I both had a "wtf?" look on our faces, but joked about it off and on for the rest of the night. Thanks for the entertainment, Hunan Lion, but you're not really worth it unless you're trying to impress someone with ambiance and dark lighting. Cranky Asian waitress, You do your thang, gurl. Someone's gotta keep everyone in line.
(3)
Brian B.
Spicy seafood stir fry, not spicy at all. Bland and disappointing. Scallops were soft and lacked a sear. There's an extra charge for brown rice. App platter was very good, ribs spring rolls, rangoon.
(2)
Peter T.
I have been coming here for years, the only comparable Chinese restaurant in Central Ohio would be it's sister location, Hunan House.
(5)
Brent B.
Hunan Lion is the nicest Chinese restaurant I have ever been to. We have been back at least 3 times and have enjoyed it very much every single time. We love the minced chicken lettuce wraps, the Hunan beef and everything else we have tried. Everything is always fresh, delicious and perfectly spiced. I would recommend this place to everyone on any budget who likes chinese food and doesn't like to wonder what's going on in the kitchen (or where their food is coming from).
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Kate Q.
I've been coming to this restaurant since I was in high school and since then, not a whole lot has changed. This is a pretty standard Americanized Chinese restaurant that is classier than your typical strip mall place. However, the food is really good. And when I'm in the mood for Chinese, this is my place. I'm a huge fan of the Fresh Mango Chicken: Chicken with fresh mango chunks and fresh vegetables in a sweet brown sauce. Hunan also has fantastic Pad Thai and their tofu dishes are delicious (seriously, my two year old asks for tofu every time we come here). It's kind of pricey, but we always leave with leftovers, so it's like getting two meals out of every visit. I'm a big fan and will continue to come here for years to come.
(4)Zack R.
I have to say that this place was everything we hoped it would be. P.F. it is NOT, and for that, we thank the fine folks at Hunan Lion! We were in the area, and were really craving Sun Tong Luck, but alas, they are closed on Sunday and Monday. We clickly jumped on our Yelp apps to see what else was near, and Hunan Lion roared with some good reviews. We had to try it. It was only about three blocks away, but during the ride over, we were hoping for a giant fish tank, overly friendly/attentive service, and a totally non-ironic mood set by dim lights, gawdy decor, and a paper liner protecting the table cloth. They delivered on all accounts! Our server, Emma, was super nice! She made our lettuce wraps table-side, and put them all together before she left. I have to say that they were the best ones we've ever had. I'd go back just for them, and you get four really big ones for like $7. The General Tso's chicken (yeah, so what) was outstanding. Not too spicy and not too sweet, the pieces were just the right size. Sometimes you get a bunch of way-too-big pieces from some places. The beef lo mein was very good too. Lots of fresh crispy vegies, and small but whole mushrooms accompanied nice tender beef strips and a savory gravy. Again, a simple dish that's served everywhere, but often the beef is way over cooked. Not here though. It was perfect. As with most Chinese-American places, the portions were huge (yeah, we were hungry an hour later), so you'll definitely have some leftovers which they'll box up for you (a dying trend at a lot of places). The place was pretty packed for a Sunday night at 8pm too. Everyone from the blue hairs to the hipsters to a family of Middle-Easterners having a birthday party. Awesome. It's just what we wanted!
(4)Steve E.
Slow steady decline over the years. I will not go back. Bland and tasteless, terribly overlooked vegetables, salty watery sauce with no kick or spice. Too bad.
(1)Codi F.
I've only ordered Hunan to go, but I can say it is extremely delicious and never disappoints. The portions are large so I make two meals out of it. Good value. I would recommend the general tso tofu, the veggie lo mein and spring rolls! There is a also large salt water aquarium when you first walk it which is pretty cool to see.
(5)Shawnda D.
As far as Chinese food, this has to be one of, if not the best place in Columbus. I've been going here for years, at least since 2000, if not a little before that. Their menu is fairly large and I have yet to order a dish that I did not like. Granted, I like some dishes better than others, but the food is great and made rather quickly, considering this isn't a "fast food," Chinese place. I don't think I've ever waited more than 10-12 minutes for my food, and the service is always friendly. They just recently remodeled the inside and it looks pretty upscale now, even though the prices have remained around the same. Two people can easily order two beverages, an appetizer and 2 entrees for LESS than $40. That's pretty damn cheap, at least in my book, for a dinner that you know is going to be delicious. I'm sort-of surprised by some of the not very good reviews here, as I've been to Hunan Lion more than 30 times, and I have yet to have a disappointing meal. It is definitely my family's "Go To" place for fabulous Chinese.
(5)Bernadette M.
Pretty good for Columbus..... So this place is kinda misleading on the outside. Located in this strip mall and giving off vibes that it could be dumpy. But the inside is actually really nice. The name does say Chinese dining so I assumed they only offered Chinese food. However, upon reading the menu, I noticed they offer some Thai dishes as well. My sister had the pad thai in the past and said it was blah. But she said the curries are delicious. I'm thinking this place is not the biz for Thai food and you should just stick to the Chinese. Appies: Salt and pepper calamari: light battered calamari with the right mix of salt and pepper. Loved. Fried dumplings: delish and I'm glad they weren't super oily. Fried rangoon: i like how it wasn't oily and just pure cream cheese like some other places. Entrees: Combination lo-mein: good flavor. Sesame chicken: i'm not really into sesame chicken but it was good for what it was and everyone else liked it. It also had a light breading. Crispy orange beef: my least favorite. I don't like breaded meat. This was too breaded and crispy for me, almost to the point where it was too hard to bite. Bleh. Red thai curry: great flavor. My sister's fave. Kung po scallops and shrimp: my fave. The sauce was so good and love how they use big scallops, not those dinky ones. Our waitress wasn't the most personable, but she kept our waters filled and brought out our entrees quick. Overall, I wouldn't mind coming here again if I was in town.
(4)Carey S.
Gosh, there are just so many greasy, flavorless, Americanized bad Chinese placed in columbus, and this is one of 'em. Big disappointment. Don't bother trying this place.
(2)J K.
This is the best Chinese place in Columbus. I have eaten here once a week for the past month. Owners are very nice. The inside is very well kept.
(5)MJ L.
I had great expectations for this place. From outside, the restaurant doesn't look like much, but the inside looks pretty spacious and nicely decorated. I ordered hunan fried rice and something else I can't remember for take out. I loved their aquarium and I must have stared at it, looking at all the fish for at least 10 minutes before I realized that there were people on the other side of the aquarium, eating and staring at me, LOL! Food looked fairly plentiful, but unfortunately, they were all terribly bland & greasy... very disappointing... I had to add a ton of salt to get some flavor out of the fried rice... I can't stress how much I HATE bland foods that I have to pour salt into to make it somewhat edible. UGH... Whatever other dish we ordered wasn't that good either... it was not quite as bland, but horribly greasy!!! I must have poured out over a tablespoon of oil from the bottom of the container after we scooped out all the food... just gross! I am giving this place 2 stars instead of 1 because the dishes had generous amount of meat and they were nicely cooked albeit without much seasoning. I am not likely to return to this place in the future...
(2)F Z.
Don't let the exterior of Hunan Lion fool you; the restaurant is actually quite roomy and spacious. Something to do about the complete lack of windows, I guess? HL's menu down to its dish preparations suspiciously resemble that of Joey Chang's over in Hilliard, but I'm not complaining since HL is a shorter drive for me than its sister branch. HL's menu is quite extensive. Yes, you can expect to see your typical Chinese fare, but at the same time, you can also order from the page long Thai menu if you're not in the mood for Chinese food. I personally find most of the dishes to be excellent, simple, and well-executed. The Spicy Triple Delight, Bangkok Fish, and the Sesame Beef are my top three picks. Prices are fairly reasonable for lunch and dinner, imo. For lunch, $9 (average) will get you a choice of soup, a hefty portion of rice, and a portion size large enough for two meals. Four stars, however, for the inconsistency in the food, which could be due to the different chefs working the kitchen on different days. Service is generally spot-on, although the staff does possess an air of brusqueness that may seem a bit standoffish at first. Rest assure, it is probably due to your server taking care of 6-7 other tables. I honestly can't decide if I like the newly renovated interior or not. Closing off a round table for a large party in the middle of the dining area with sheer curtains looks like a cool concept, but it just seems inappropriately placed. The same can be said with the reverse painted mirrors with bamboos spanning the entire dining room wall. Now, I can't enjoy my meals there staring at my own beautiful reflections the way I could when they were the typical glass mirrors. Vanity, you ask? Absolutely :-P
(4)Wendy D.
favorite chinese place in columbus! you really get your money's worth here.
(5)Chuck k.
People from my office used to love this place. I found it average at best.
(2)Kevin M.
Hunan Lion is good, but seems overrated to me. The menu is large and I doubt you'd dislike anything you might order, but talk of it being "the best Chinese food in Columbus" makes me feel sort of cheated every time I go there. I expect miracles, but the food here is definitely of an earthly variety. That said, Hunan Lion is enjoyable and definitely suitable for a more "upscale" occasion or clientele. The atmosphere is a notch above usual "Chinese restaurant" style, the restaurant can accomodate large groups, there is a full bar and large menu of tropical drinks, and the service is good - but my loyalties lie elsewhere. 3.5 stars.
(4)Keith B.
Hunan Lion is one of my favorite Asian places in Columbus. When I want great Chinese (sit down or takeout) I come here. I've been coming here for several years, and they've never once failed me in food, drink, or service. I haven't had everything on the menu, but they have great General Tso's (let's start arguing how it's not really "authentic") and other spicy dishes. It's always been a good amount of heat and flavor (as well as some of their Szechuan dishes).
(5)A T.
What a wonderful restaurant!! Just walking in, I was greeted upon arrival. The young man was so kind to me! I especially found the ambiance of the restaurant to be great- love the fish tank and the inside room. The food was delicious. Try the duck! Highly recommended!!!
(5)Paul F.
Believe it or not I really didn't remember coming here. Although the restaurant looked vagually familiar, I just chalked that up to one restaurant looking like so many others that I'd been to. It was only after I'd gotten home and sat down to write this review, did I realize that not only had I been here before but I also ordered exactly the same thing! Isn't that amazing! Of course, last night was different because I had the company of Mike G. The spicy wontons were just as good as was the orange beef. So a good meal and good company!
(4)Rae W.
Very beautiful restaurant! It was busy when we were there for dinner. Our server was rude. She didn't say hello.... Just asked in broken English what we wanted!!!! I give them four stars because the food was nice and the restaurant was very clean...but the server was just appalling.
(4)Brad S.
Hunan Lion is the best Chinese restaurant in Columbus (followed closely by Sunflower). I usually get my food to go, but dining in is a complete trip. Reminds me of something out of a James Clavell novel. Very nostalgic feel to the joint, kinda like how the old Kahiki felt (long time Columbusites will remember). The bar is classy, and you may feel obligated to wear a tweed jacket and light up a cigar (not that it's legal, but the idea will certainly strike your fancy, trust me). It's like time stopped behind the heavy oak doors and nobody but the patrons and staff are the wiser. Order anything, it's all good.
(5)Rach W.
Absolutely not Chinese food. Completely Americanized. Don't go there if u r looking for real Chinese food
(1)Jenny B.
We always go here for our Christmas Chinese dinner. Love the sesame noodles, sizzling rice soup, pot stickers and many other dishes. On our last visit the other night for dinner we got the soup (always good) and cashew chicken. We are pretty picky when it comes to veggies in our Chinese and asked for specific vegetables and without water chestnuts (some places use way too many as a filler in this dish). When the dish came it was a huge portion. Three of us ate it and still had plenty to take home. The only bummer was when we received the bill. They charged $3 for the veggies! The food is always fast and tasty!
(4)Birdy N.
Tried it because it had a high rating in a local survey - never again. The target market seems to be the blue-haired biddies from UA, not people who want to eat real Chinese food. FOOD This is "food-court chinese" food, just fancier. ATMOSPHERE Well appointed and clean, almost upscale. SERVICE Ok - what you would expect from a large busy place. Courteous, but lacking warmth.
(2)Mike H.
I could see that this place could have some potential. It has a nice atmosphere. It could be a nice romantic spot for a date if you're in the mood for chinese. I hate to comment on the service because we were probably there during the shift change but it started out really bad and then got marginally better. I know this is becoming a recurring theme in my reviews, but what can I say, I like eating one meal a day at 3 or 4 sometimes. We had the manderin duck for an app. It was dry and my dining partner caught a couple bones. Not so good. I had the kung pao shrimp and scallops. I wouldn't say I was disappointed but it tasted of ketchup. The meat and veggies were good but I couldn't get past the ketchup taste. Same ownership and menu as Hunan House but I had a slightly better experience at Hunan House recently.
(2)Joppy C.
There are way too many negative Nelly reviews on Hunan Lion. As a loyal customer of over 10 years, let me set the record straight. Sure, there are a few cultural differences in service. There have been servers that can be a little curt and this may not be the type of place where you can start customizing the menu without a little friction. And don't try drowning your gourmet food in soy sauce either. So both service snob and Philistine are not welcome here. That said, Hunan produces a number of top notch dishes. True, the menu is too large to be without its pitfalls. But a focus on their Thai and traditional Chinese plates will leave you spellbound. Their red curry dishes, for example, are wonderful, as are the Kung po, pad Thai, and sesame chicken --to name a few family favorites. Hunan is nicely decorated, and features a few potent tiki drinks to keep things lively. And the hot and sour soup is probably the best you will ever taste. So go get some Hunan Lion!
(5)Alonzo E.
We've been doing carry-out and from to time eat-in. I've always liked the food, service and ambiance but thought today that I never yelped about how I like this place. We decided to go here for lunch after church today and as always, the family is glad that we made this another lunch choice. It's hard to get everyone to agree after Sunday church but everyone agreed. Everything was wonderful and the server was excellent. Karena our server always checked in with us always made sure we had everything we needed (of course for that it was 20% tip for good service). We've been going/eating here for years but something that I've noticed though for the last 1.5 years is the appetizer, Salt and Pepper Calamari (and shrimp) seems to deteriorate in overall expectation and satisfaction. It seemed to have lost it's "spike" of flavor and for some reason, I don't think I'm imagining it, the portions are getting smaller. This appetizer is always my favorite and I keep saying it will probably get back to what it used to be but sadly today, it's the same. I will probably stop ordering it from here on as I had been hoping and waiting for the last year and half and nothing changed. I liked the old menu and the way it was prepared. Overall, I have to rate this place "A-1" in my book. Simply the best Chinese food around and the Pad Tai is never a disappointment. Everything was fresh and tasty.
(4)Anthony A.
Was pleasantly surprised by this place. Extremely well decorated and clean! The food was absolutely amazing and the waiter always kept our drinks over half full! Great experience over all I will definitely go there again.
(4)Yavonne S.
consistant great food and service. Get the Minced Chicken lettuce wraps and the garlic chicken, extra spicy
(4)TJ H.
Food is meh... Because of the high rating, I decided to give it a shot. I asked the owner/manager if he had any Sichuan/Szechuan dishes and he was dismissive, telling me that the menu is sorted by protein type and just look at it. After browsing through the extensive menu, which mostly looked very Americanized (but then again he shoved the lunch special section of the menu at me) and I still didn't really see anything that popped out, I asked if he had mapo tofu. Once again he was brusque, telling me that "here, it's called Szechuan bean curd" and it's basically the same thing. I verified to see if it had pork since it was listed under the vegetarian section and I wanted pork. Also added in an order of hot and sour soup. Total was $12.xx. (Way overpriced for mediocre food.) I got a pint of soft tofu chunks in a sauce that's mildly flavored. Not spicy at all. And a pint of hot and sour soup that's mediocre at best. Best part was the plain white rice, only because I haven't had white rice in awhile... I won't be back. One star for the clean place, another star because the tofu did taste decent, only if what I wanted to order was tofu chunks in plain/mild sauce...
(2)Zach T.
Food here is pretty solid but far from authentic if that's what you're looking for. It's your standard Americanized Chinese food, and they throw in some Thai food too. I've had a few things here, with the standouts being the general tsos chicken, sesame chicken, and Mongolian beef. Last visit I tried their Thai curry which was pretty mediocre, but did have a nice kick of spice. Overall this place is forgettable, but if you're in need of a Chinese fix this will definitely do the job.
(3)Jennifer H.
I am sold! This place, hands down, has the best Chinese in Columbus. The portions are amazing, the freshness of the food is fantastic, the ratio of meat to veg is AWESOME, and they don't seem to ever over cook the seafood in a dish!! I was doubly amazed, because we were here on Christmas with a party of 10 diners (2 children included) and it was CRAZY!! The service was great, the server was super friendly, and all of our food was really very good, fresh, and hot! I always get nervous going to places on days when it is typically crazy, but I was happily surprised. My husband and I have already decided that we will be back on a regular basis!!
(5)Sofia B.
The best Asian restaurant ever, hands down. Service is quick. Great place for a quiet evening. I also order something Thai or spicy, just very authentic, great quality food.
(5)Lea P.
I'm happy to update this review with an additional star compared to my first visit. I came with the same friend who brought me initially. I enjoyed the Pataya Shrimp quite a bit, while my friend who loves this place got a curry of some kind, and our other companion had the Chicken with Asparagus. The tea remained magically hot throughout the meal again (seriously, if I had that pot I'd never have to get up to make more tea all day), and we were able to sit undisturbed for a *very* long time after finishing our meal. Still, the decor is more noteworthy than the food. It's simply a gorgeous place. And for eat-in Chinese food, I have been won over.
(4)Candace M.
I've had a rough week and was looking forward to going out to a nice dinner with a friend. We found Hunan Lion on Yelp, decided that a nice Chinese meal was just what we needed, and headed over. We walk in and are not immediately greeted. The woman that I assume to be the hostess is busy with other things. When she eventually acknowledges us, she's a bit short. She looked a bit irritated, but was nice enough, so no big complaint here. We're seated and start to look through the menu. I decide on the beef with oriental vegetables and my friend gets the pad thai. Our waitress was pretty short with us too, which I didn't love. I felt like I was inconveniencing her by being there. Our food was fine. Honestly, I was expecting to be wowed by my beef with oriental vegetables, but it was just alright. There weren't a ton of vegetables in it, it was just a lot of beef. And while the beef was good, it wasn't amazing. I really hate to say it, but I could have saved about $8 by staying home and getting beef with broccoli delivered to me. The ambiance was nice, admittedly. The restaurant itself has a classy ambiance, as others have noted. I think the tables are a little close for my taste; I heard all of the tables closest to us' conversations. Maybe I got the wrong thing (I do have a habit of doing that) or maybe we had the wrong server (a VERY nice waiter thanked us and said goodbye to us as we were leaving) but whatever the case, I don't think I'll be in any rush to come back.
(3)Grace S.
Been here twice and I love the food ! The menu is BIG so you won't be short on choices. Service is good and everyone is really nice. On both occasions, I tried the spring rolls (2 for $4.95) and they are YUM ! Packed with minced beef and veggie wrapped around crispy springroll skins, a perfect choice for an appetizer. A standout for me is the crispy duck ($14.95) . It's basically lightly fried roast duck sitting on a plate of 5-spice sauce. The meat isn't over-fried so it's still juicy. If you are craving for Chinese food, look no more, head to Hunan Lion !
(4)Kiara E.
Came here for New Years Eve. Apparently everyone over 70 in Columbus had the same idea. The wait was an hour, until we were finally seated. Whatever. The crab rangoon was not that good for $7. Then I got a combination meat dinner thing in a brown sauce. This was very good. Service on the other hand was pretty terrible and our server seemed irritable and would disappear for large chunks of time, such as when we wanted to pay our bill. All in all, I guess I would say avoid this place on holidays, they can't handle crowds.
(3)Sanjay M.
Excellent food. I am a vegetarian and I enjoy in particular their General Tso's tofu. Waiters are typically attentive and friendly, and we are seated quite quickly. The portions are quite substantial and the sauces tend to be more flavorful than the competition.
(4)Leona S.
We have been here several times and it is always a wonderful experience. The service is great and the food even better. I highly recommend their Crispy Duck, it is truly fantastic. I get at least the appetizer every time I go here. One thing I like so much is you feel comfortable whether in jeans or dressed to the nines. If you have not gone here, you should, as they have some of the best Chinese food in Columbus.
(5)Toine R.
As a villager, I don't let the drive to the NW side of town detour me from the delectable offerings of this fine establishment. Two words, "Sizzling Rice"! If you've been here before and never tried, you must and if you've never been here when you do venture up, this is a must! Hunan Lion has this awesome aquarium full of fish and coral. This is a favorite. Besides the food the staff are wick accommodating, we've had gatherings there for at least 80 odd people at one given time sometimes more and the service is never diminished which is a plus, 8-10 servers for one party can be overwhelming for any establishment. But they've never let us down...I like places that keep my glass filled.
(4)Nadia O.
Came here with my fiance and his parent's for Christmas' eve as it is his mother's favourite Chinese restaurant. I found it pretty good, in a ritzy looking setting serving contemporary chinese cuisine. I had the Mala lamb which my fiance really enjoyed as well as his father. The General Tso's chicken he ordered was absolutely delicious and I also liked the very fattening sesame chicken his son picked at with the strange little white crunchy noodles I've never seen before!
(4)Nadine S.
This is one of the better chinese restaurants I have been to. The staff is always friendly and accomodating. My favorite is the hunan chicken, I love the Hunan sauce. I think the sauces at Hunan Lion definetly make it stand out from other chinese restaurants. I have friends that are a big fan of the pad thai. I will be going back for sure.
(4)Nicky H.
Overall not a very good experience. Food was descent not bad not great. However, horrible experience with the server. Took wife out for dinner decided to try Hunan Lion. Hostess sat us down at the table and brought us drinks. Then we waited at least 10 min. before our server (Roy) greeted us. Then waited another 15 min. before he came and took our order. We turned around saw him constantly texting on his phone. Again no complaint on the food however the service was terrible. Server was lazy and constantly texting.
(2)Jodie B.
Went in on an early afternoon with a friend. It was quiet, clean, and nicely decorated. I was very shocked by it's location at the end of a strip mall. The food was delicious and the service was wonderful. My friend and I split an appetizer and entrée and it was plenty of food. I will definitely be returning!
(5)Zeeshan S.
What a mysterious little gem! The outside of the building poses no windows, or much description of the restaurant but when you walk in you're in for a surprise. An elegant atmosphere with beautiful interior decorations. I would classify this as "classy" Chinese, but the pricing is not too bad. Would definitely recommend the Mongolian beef and the general tso's chicken is also a classic well preserved.
(4)Sharon W.
It is pretty modern look inside, kind of like Blue Ginger. They have a lot of Asian fusion type of food, and Peking duck is definitely a must try dish!
(4)Jim F.
I just went yesterday around 3 pm and was hugely impressed. Hunan Lion is in a crappy looking strip mall next door to a dollar tree so I from first glance outside it looks like any cheap chinese food restaurant. Don't let the outside appearance fool you though, it is not your typical chinese food place that serves $5 dollar lunch specials. Inside it was very elegant. Music was sort of jazz/classical and not that stereotypical generic chinese music. It was soft enough for conversation, dim overall in the restaurant but with just enough lighting the table from a hanging light. The walls are mirrored with painted bamboo plants and a lot of elaborate vases and other decorations. Hunan Lion seems like a very intimate place that would be great to impress a date. It also had a HUGE bar area that looked awesome. Service was also phenomenal. My water was always full and our waitress was very polite and our food came out very quickly. There were only two tables of people to serve at the time so it wasn't busy but she really helped make the experience solid. The food was great. I went with a friend and we decided we had to try a typical chinese restaurant dish a long with something different. We split a general tso's chicken to compare to the type of chinese we were used to. It was delicious. The sauce had a bit more garlic hint to it and the chicken chunks seemed a lot less "mysterious" than the typical general tso's that I am used to. The breading had an unmatched crispiness that I really enjoyed. The portion was large too but significantly more expensive at $11.95 than a cheap chinese restaurant's version for less than $5. I also tried the Thai red curry beef. It was very sweet with just the right kind of spice. Sweet at first, from the coconut milk and then spicy taste but never leaving a burning in my mouth. The vegetables were cooked just right to crispiness/crunch and didn't seem slopped together in a sauce all at once. The curry was $12.95. Before Hunan Lion I honestly didn't know that "fine" or high quality chinese food existed in Ohio. This restaurant showed me that chinese food around these parts are not just cheap, quick, lower quality but tasty. Hunan Lion is a great place to try out some delicious cut above the rest chinese food if you are willing to spend a bit more money and impress some guests.
(4)Tom I.
I am definitely a fan of Hunan Lion. Must say their food is as good as any Chinese restaurant I've been to. Sure - some things are better than others depending on the chef - but the food they prepare is consistently above average in my opinion. The service can be hit or miss - but the food is always consistent. My only complaint - and I should say it when I am there - there is a male waiter who wears WAY too much cologne - maybe to cover up something else - but either way takes away from the overall experience.
(4)Emily O.
Everyone is saying that the outside is super deceiving, I will need to jump on that band wagon. This lace is in like a brick strip mall with no windows. The decor was delightfully gaudy, with lots of fake flowers and rfestive Asian "flare" on every wall! I thought the food was great and fairly priced. We ordered crab rangoon, which was possibly the best I have ever had. My hubby got General Tso's Chicken which he enjoyed, and I ordered Pineapple Shrimp which was pretty delish as well. Service was great. All in all a good experience.
(4)Jeff S.
Friendly staff, great service, and the General Tso's is the best in Columbus!
(4)Shawnie K.
I have been patronizing Hunan Lion for more than a decade now and, despite it's less than glamorous location in a shopping center off Bethel Road (next to a Dollar Store, none the less), this restaurant is top notch. You can smell it from the parking lot, which in this case, is a good thing. The dining room might be late 1980's traditional Asian in decor (red leather booths, giant cloisonne vases and fish tanks). but I have recently discovered the Thai portion of their menu. I do enjoy certain Columbus Thai restaurants for specific dishes AND I love Hunan Lion for a several Chinese dishes, but just a few months ago my sister turned me on to Hunan Lion for different reasons- the chicken curry. It is a superb crossover! I've been coming here (off and on) since the mid-90s, so I'm not exactly sure what the one-star reviewers are looking for in a Chinese restaurant. I have no complaints about the nice variety, quality and portions of consistently good food served here -- and I now love this place for both it's Chinese and Thai menus. The flavors and portions are very good and I'm always happy to have an overflowing glass of water, delicious egg rolls and better-than-average Thai and Chinese options for lunch and dinner. No offense to the other Yelper, but Hunan Lion has been around far longer than Joey Chang's in Hillard, which replaced the Thai Orchid only 5 or 6 years ago- I DO like Joey Chang's a lot, but perhaps they drew inspiration from HL. Maybe there are connections.
(4)Steven H.
Checked out Hunan Lion after seeing their billboards proclaiming they were a four-star gourmet Chinese restaurant and hearing it was good from people. Had the Spring Rolls and Crab Rangoon, both of which were good. Tried the Seafood Pan-fried Noodles. The sauce was pretty tasteless and the seafood was alright but it was pretty unseasoned/bland. The noodles were a nice consistency though. Friend tried the pineapple pork. He also said it was just OK, edible but nothing special. The veggies on it were uncooked/cold which was strange. The service was okay, the atmosphere a little weird and oddly quiet...The waitress also picked up the tip before we even left the table which I've never had happen before and found it really odd/rude. All in all, probably won't be back. Too bad it wasn't a better experience.
(3)Christiana C.
I really really like Hunan Lion and I'm not afraid who knows it. I eat a lot of sesame chicken (like, I should be ashamed of how often I eat sesame chicken) and this is among my favorite places to get it in the city. It's not close to where I live (Clintonville, your Asian cuisine options? Killing me. KILLING me.) but if I neeeed sesame chicken (you know how that goes), this is the closest place I can go and not regret it after. It's pricey, but consider that I get two meals out of it, I'm ok with that. Service is wonderful, take-out never takes that long, and the dine-in is a little classy! Like I said, Hunan Lion and I are not in love, but maybe someday.
(4)Seth D.
This is my moms favorite Chinese restaurant. They have a nice relaxed ambience with pretty good staff. They make all the classics and do a great job, and they have some Thai dishes that are very good as well. My dad loves the curried duck, my son and all of us love the willow noodles. You really can't go wrong here. If the staff was a little better, and they were a little more daring, it would easily be 5 stars.
(4)Stephen K.
My wife and I found this place by chance. We were driving up Bethel Rd looking for a new place to eat. We were not sure what we wanted then we just stumbled upon Hunan Lion. I did a quick search and found some very good reviews so we decided to try it out. I have been to Hong Kong many times and as soon as I walked into this place it reminded me of being back there. The atmosphere was very welcoming, the staff were very friendly and courteous, and the place had a wonderful feel to it. The menu is definitely a mix of Chinese and Thai (I have also been to Thailand about a half dozen times). This place is a true representation of the cuisine of those countries. They still have all the Americanized menu selections that you would see at any other Chinese restaurant but this place understands the flavor profiles and the quality of ingredients. We ordered a mixture of Thai and Chinese fare and both were just amazing. I have been reading reviews of others to try a certain dish, so I don't need to make another suggestions. My only advice is to go there. The menu selection is huge, a full page for Seafood, another for Poultry, another for beef, with even some lamb and pork, also a page of noodles/rice/soups. This place is as good as it gets. My wife could only comment that this was the best Chinese food she has ever had. It took me back to Hong Kong and Thailand. The food was perfect. Thank you, Hunan Lion for an amazing experience and wonderful food.
(5)Bryant A.
this is one of my favorite asian restaurants in columbus. not only do they serve delicious chinese food classics, but they also serve incredible thai food as well. the thai food is better than some of the thai restaurants that I have been to in columbus and I have tried quite a few (reviews to come soon). If you are a fan of the classic dishes, you will not be dissapointed. i encourage you go try something new and different there as well. You will be impressed. the ambiance is great and its always really quiet there regardless of how crowded it may get on the weekend. The best times to go are early afternoon or before 5pm-ish. afterwards it will get crowded fast and you will have to stand and wait which is not fun when you're hungry and you can easily see everyone else eating in the seating area. This is a great place to take family and friends when they are visiting for the first time or the holidays. it is also a great place to eat at during the holiday season if you don't celebrate christmas. The staff is very friendly, the food comes quick, and te portions are huge. you get what you pay for. Your bang for your buck! enjoy!
(5)Lana G.
Ok, maybe I am spoiled with good food (Jeff L, I'm with you, bro!), but when I moved to Columbus they promised at least one good Pad Thai place in town. After searching for a while, someone suggested Hunan Lion. They told me that's where I'd find the best Pad Thai in town. I couldn't drive there fast enough. Who wouldn't want good Pad Thai? Ok, maybe 'good' means something else here, but I was not only disappointed, I was sick after I ate it. Why is it so damn sweet and red? Good Pad Thai is nothing like that!!! I can make it better myself and I never claimed to be a good Pad Thai chef. I got a few more dishes along with that evil Pad Thai and ALL of them were pretty horrible. I give up. I will have to cook or move out of here OR go to fancier places like the "M" once in a while for 'good' food. So far Wholefoods is better than any casual place I've tried here. Everyone keeps telling me to consider a few joints in Short North. I'll try, once I recover from the 'good' stuff I got an Hunan Lion!
(1)Vik C.
i've been eating here since i was a kid, and it's still one of my favorite restaurants. as the other yelpers have mentioned, don't let the location throw you off; this place has been here quite a long time, and has earned its place in the hearts of a lot of the locals. every place has its own special dishes, so it may be tough to find them in hunan lion's extensive menu without a guide. there are several items i'd strongly recommend: hot and sour soup, fried minced chicken (minced chicken in lettuce wraps), szechwan spicy wontons (quite excellent little dumplings), hunan chicken (honestly the best chicken dish there), szechwan beef (the best of their spicy dishes), orange beef (the best of their sweet dishes), basil chicken (if you like thai-chinese), and kung pao chicken (sweet and spicy. I'd also recommend the general tso's chicken, sesame chicken, and red curry chicken. ask them to make things spicier if you want a little kick (i always do)... don't worry, it's not overwhelming. the service is usually pretty good, but then again i've been here hundreds of times so the owners/managers/staff recognize and respond to me as i walk in. try it out for yourself and see what you think.
(5)Larry H.
Had Christmas Eve dinner with family. Sizzling rice soup, combo lo mein, Phoenix & Dragon and red curry chicken. All were great, especially the Thai Red Curry. Compares favorably to Joey Chang's.
(4)Jeff L.
Maybe I have some sort of bias coming from a city that has a plethora of delicious Chinese food, but Hunan Lion could easily be one of the worst places I've ever gone for Chinese food.... ever. From poorly cooked food to poor service, I would never wish this experience upon anybody. I give it one star. Because the place looks nice on the inside.. and because I can't really rate it any lower. I've had better from Safeway.
(1)Jackie H.
This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in the city. It's not the least expensive, or the fastest, but to me it's the best quality. I haven't been in awhile, but I STILL dream of their Sesame Shrimp. Sesame Shrimp isn't on a lot of menus, and when it is, the shrimp is so sad and small. Hunan Lion doesn't skimp on their shrimp! Mmmm... Love their Mandarin Duck appetizer...and it comes with cucumber salad, which is sweet and vinegary heaven. There are so many delicious looking and sounding items on their menu, I just want to try it all!
(5)Ted C.
Came early on a Sunday with the kids. Great service. Had the Triple Delight, which was no too spicy, despite the warning "flame" on the menu. Kids had rice with beef satay strips and sweet and sour chicken. The latter were solid, and the kids enjoyed them. My wife had the pad Thai, which was also solid. Overall, excellent dinner.
(4)Mike G.
I found the WOW factor here the other night. A great experience and a great meal. It's an above average Chinese American restaurant here. Definitely a dress up type of place with a very pleasant classy decor. Prices are commensurate with the look and feel of the place. The Hot and Sour Soup I got for my appetizer was very good with that slightly smokey sesame aroma that makes this soup so good. My entree was the Kung Pao Shrimp and Scallops with extra water chestnuts added. I give them top kudos on this dish. Everyone knows I eat a lot of Asian food and frankly it was one of the best dishes I've ever had anywhere. Flavorful, pungent and with just the right amount of heat to tantalize my taste buds. My dining companion, Paul F., enjoyed his flaming spicy wontons and the Orange Beef too. I tried a taste of the sauce on his dish and it was wonderful. It was a thick, smokey, barbequed goodness with just a hint of tang to it. Next time I'll get my same dish but get that sauce on it instead. Our server Caroline was friendly and attentive with must the right number of check backs. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for her the next time. This is definitely one of the better Asian restaurants in Columbus. It's worth the extra money you'll spend, especially when you easily get enough food for two meals out of it!
(5)Fred F.
Not going to tell you this is totally authentic Chinese ...because it isn't.....what it is in reality is authentic "Chinese-American" cuisine....and that is not a bad thing. The sizzling rice soup is simply the best I've ever had. And the basics tailored to the Ohio palate such as General Tsos Chicken, Kung Pao shrimp, and the combination pan fried noodles are all first in class for what they are. No complaints at all.....plus, a really nice little Mai Tai!...
(3)Moses S.
So I've been here a couple more times since my last post and I've got to say that I really do like it here. It's good quality food and on top of that, it's close to home! I've gotten take out here once as well and they are really on top of getting things ready! It only took 15 minutes for my order to be ready. While I probably ordered more than enough for my wife and I, I am sad to report that they gave us 3 fortune cookies. Time for this guy to get on that New Year's diet! To update on the wonton soup, I really like it and perhaps it was just our first time, but the second and third time we had the soup the wontons were more plentiful. so either they read my review and upped it, or we were just unlucky the first time. I've also had their Hunan Fried Rice, which is basically their combination fried rice as well as their beef and broccoli and their Szechuan Beef (which has really spicy peppers, so watch out!). It's all quality and good food. While a little higher than most on price point, I think they deliver on the quality for the price.
(4)Stacie R.
Had the spicy triple delight-mild. Next time leaving it spicy, but it was still delicious. Also tried the general tsos, which will get it extra spicy next time as the spicy version was not at all. Service was good, but they were a bit short-handed tonight, so host/manager/owner filled in where she could, which was nice to see. Everything was great, but remember to order Extra spicy if you actually want it spicy.
(4)Holly C.
This is the second time I've been here, and I couldn't remember what I got the first time a few years ago...meaning I wasn't impressed again. I didn't choose to come here but met with a group that chose the location. I had the Szechwan wontons this time. The sauce was lacking flavor and the wontons just didn't taste good. The hot and sour soup was lacking flavor as well and overall tasted bad, and the chicken corn soup was slightly better but looked like they dumped yellow food coloring in it. I actually forgot what the entree I got was called, but I think it something along the lines of shrimp/veggies in a garlic sauce. It was ok, but I wouldn't come back. There are plenty of other good Asian places around for cheaper.
(2)Shuo F.
Good atmosphere and service. However, I think the food is more Fusion than it is Chinese. It is very Americanized and cost more than what I feel the taste is worth. It is a good place to go for business lunch or dinner, or maybe a first date for high schoolers. If you want more authentic Chinese food, this isn't it
(3)Kevin B.
Creamy chicken corn soup is amazing here, would highly recommend. Thai curry chicken was not very good at all. Fried rice solid. Overall decent, would definitely get something else next time though (probably something more namesake, like sesame beef or general tso's).
(4)Brent F.
A nice little hidden gem. The food was above average and my server, Roy was cuuuute and very friendly. The decor is lovely considering it is uninviting from the outside. Once inside it is beautiful. Give it a shot.
(4)Erica W.
BEST General Tso's I've ever had... mmmmmm!!!!!!
(5)Chris T.
I consider myself a General Tso's Chicken connoisseur, having sampled this dish from over two dozen Asian restaurants in town. There are only two restaurants I would consider to have the best offering of General Tso's. One is off Noe Bixby Rd. and the second is Hunan Lion. The sauce on this dish could be the centerpiece if the perfectly cooked and breaded chicken chunks and vegetables were absent. Well done Hunan Lion! I'm fortunate to live so close by and I'll definitely make this my new number one Chinese cuisine location.
(5)Marie G.
One of the best Chinese restaurants in Columbus. The restaurant itself is beautiful - once you step inside you forget that you are in a strip mall. The service is great. Food never disappoints. We seriously have never had a bad meal and I make it a point to try something new each time.
(5)Tim Y.
I give Hunan Lion five stars. This is just about the best Chinese restaurant as far as food quality I can think of. The cooks here have mastered the sauces and deliver every time. For takeout or dine-in, this restaurant produces! Tucked away at the end of a strip center, this restaurant has delivered for decades. The interior has been remodeled in recent years and attracts an upscale clientele. My brother and I ordered the Mala Lamb and Triple Delicacy for lunch with chicken lettuce wraps appetizer for dine in. The lettuce wraps arrived at the table with four pieces of head lettuce and the minced spicy chicken meat on the side. The server hand spooned the meat evenly into the four lettuce pieces tableside. As expected, it was mildly spicy- semi-sweet minced chicken. The hot and sour soup, which both of us ordered was just right. A little spicy, not oily, warm, with all the ingredients blending together nicely, with not one ingredient overpowering the other. The Mala Lamb and Triple Delicacy were both fabulous. The Mala Lamb was stir-fried with fresh garlic, jalapenos, and green onions, with the lamb cut into thin strips for easy stir-frying. Spicy and flavorful dish. The Spicy Triple Delicacy came out with generous, fresh, large pieces of shrimp, chicken breast, and beef tenderloin stir-fried with peanuts and red chili peppers. Not often is real beef tenderloin found in a stir-fry dish. The brown sauce was masterfully prepared with a sweet and spicy flavor profile, unfound anywhere. My only complaint is that the pricing is high. $1.95 for hot tea, $2.00 extra for brown rice (we deferred), $8.95 for Triple Delicacy lunch combo (includes soup), $9.95 for Mala Lamb (extra $2.50 for hot and sour soup), and $5.95 for lettuce wraps. $33 before tip, but boy was it delicious and worth it!
(5)Shea H.
The atmosphere and the food here are pretty good. For some reason I don't feel like this is my go-to place for Chinese food. I can't put my finger on why. The staff is really nice and accommodating. The restaurant is really nice looking once you step inside. There's a good amount of parking. Everything I tasted (Mala string beans, pot-stickers, etc) was delicious but, I dunno, this place just doesn't do it for me. It is literally 1-2 minutes away from me and I'd much rather go to campus for some Moys. I say try it and see what you think.
(3)Clayt C.
Lack-luster greeting and service and high priced for lunch time.
(3)Anna S.
Best old school classic Chinese restaurant (along with its sister restaurant, Hunan House). This may not be a traditional Chinese restaurant a la Fortune Chinese Restaurant, but it does the American Chinese extremely well. I usually start off with the chicken and corn soup and make sure to add plenty of the excellent chili oil available upon request. For entrees, I recommend all the Mala dishes. My go to is the Mala lamb add string beans. Or the Mala beans add shrimp. If you like the American-Chinese dishes, General Tso's is actually super scrumptious here. Other favorites include the sizzling rice soup, the pan fried seafood noodles with brown sauce, lo mein and Schezwan pork. This location also has an excellently stocked bar with beer, wine, and liquor at really good prices. Service is usually top-notch (though sometimes slow). Recently went there for a friend's birthday party and had a party of 20 and the server gracefully handled us all very well.
(4)Eric S.
Number of visits: ~8 Most recent visit: 3/2013 All around this a solid Chinese option in the Columbus area. For sure the interior of it looks very nice. The appearance is very neat and clean. It has a rather quiet ambiance. Also, they're very good at refilling your water before it gets empty. The food is also rather good. Usually pineapple chicken just means sweet and sour, but theirs is better and something a bit more. Orange chicken is always a safe Chinese option and theirs is no exception. I don't think I've ever had any seafood here, so I can't comment on that. I almost never order seafood when I'm nowhere near a sea. I was sad to see the macademia nut chicken go, but fortunately there are other options on the menu I'm well satisfied with.
(4)A T.
Hunan Lion is a such great restaurant! The portion sizes are very large, great for another meal or even to share! My experience here was wonderful. The staff were all very kind to me and I even decided to get an order to-go. The gentleman at the counter who helped me with my to-go order was so friendly and quick to get my order ready! Recommended for anyone looking for delicious, gourmet food.
(5)Dallas T.
Not bad
(4)Jerry H.
This place is great! I'm new to Columbus and I love Chinese food. I've lived in many major cities and I know the importance of finding one that you love... This place has a great clean atmosphere. A very upscale feel. I would definitely recommend bringing a date here. The menu is extensive. I've tried the General Tso's chicken, Mongolian Beef, Sweet & Sour pork and an awesome Tiger Prawns and Scallops dish. ALL cooked to perfection! Service was tremendous and NOT bothersome. Which I like. Whatever I asked for came quickly and didn't interrupt conversations. I highly recommend this joint and believe its Dublin's best kept secrete. I sure hope it doesn't stay that way... I've only been for dinner and the place always seems to have plenty of seating.
(5)Anand M.
Tried the Orange Chicken, Orange Shrimp and Hunan Chicken and Shrimp. They were all good. Much better than what I have tried at other places nearby. Orange is not spicy though they say it's spicy. It's sweet with a hint of spice. The taste slowly overwhelms. Hunan was very good.
(4)Jo C.
We have been trying to find a new Chinese spot after recently being disappointed by a popular one nearby and this hit the spot. The atmosphere is very nice for a sit down restaurant and the food is amazing. Large portions.. Prices are slightly higher than other places but it's worth it. The food tastes extremely fresh and authentic. We are very picky when it comes to Chinese food but were not disappointed here. Will definitely be going back again.
(5)Jennifer S.
Absolutely so bad we left after a drink and apps. Firstly, the server couldn't understand English and we had to point to menu items on THEIR OWN menus. Shouldn't you know the names of your own dishes?? Nothing was outstanding, very mediocre food, poor service, definitely caters to the over 65 crowd! This was the second time we tried it and the other was carry out that was terrible, but figured it was because of carryout (wrong food in order and cold).
(2)Tiffany C.
You know what brought me in to Hunan Lion? A billboard right before Columbus Gold. Somewhere on it they claimed to be the best in Columbus, and my reply to that is... so-so. You enter Hunan Lion through two huge wooden doors, and for some reason I was expecting hoakiness everywhere, but I was surprised. Go figure. I was also expecting a buffet. What? Can't a fat chick dream of buffet goodness? The ambiance is somewhere between romantic, and edges a tad close to formal. I felt a bit out of place with my hoodie covered in buttons and safety pins, dawning pig tails, and blue jeans, but my fears were laid to rest after a group of greasy nerds came in. We were seated after a ten minute wait in the center of one of the side rooms. I hate being a human spectacle, but I guess that will do since it was dinner rush. Despite the interesting conversation between a group of yuppies laughing about how their friend died while trying to climb through a window, it was nice... the ambiance and all. Our waitress is something the hubby and I still joke about from time to time. She was one of the most sassiest, surly, salty, Asian women I ever met. The lady says "Yes?" after every sentence, and if you don't reply Lord Cuthulu save your soul, because she got snippy. We got our food in a timely manner. The appetizers were... well, actually they weren't good. I ordered an egg roll, which came out in two minutes. Microwave? I believe GOOD Asian food should never be pre prepped and should be cooked to order. My Pad Thai was boring, but the boy's sesame chicken was to die for. If you go to Hunan Lion for anything, TRY THE SESAME CHICKEN!!! The bill was received, and it was typical for pricey Chinese food. My husband asked the waitress out of curiosity if they sold Almond cookies, or made them. And of course the salty, surly, waitress misinterpreted what we were asking, and thus she said in an evil demonic tone, which snatching my husband's credit card to pay the bill, "NO! No- ALMOND cookie.ONLY fortune COOKIE!" and walked away. I think the hubby and I both had a "wtf?" look on our faces, but joked about it off and on for the rest of the night. Thanks for the entertainment, Hunan Lion, but you're not really worth it unless you're trying to impress someone with ambiance and dark lighting. Cranky Asian waitress, You do your thang, gurl. Someone's gotta keep everyone in line.
(3)Brian B.
Spicy seafood stir fry, not spicy at all. Bland and disappointing. Scallops were soft and lacked a sear. There's an extra charge for brown rice. App platter was very good, ribs spring rolls, rangoon.
(2)Peter T.
I have been coming here for years, the only comparable Chinese restaurant in Central Ohio would be it's sister location, Hunan House.
(5)Brent B.
Hunan Lion is the nicest Chinese restaurant I have ever been to. We have been back at least 3 times and have enjoyed it very much every single time. We love the minced chicken lettuce wraps, the Hunan beef and everything else we have tried. Everything is always fresh, delicious and perfectly spiced. I would recommend this place to everyone on any budget who likes chinese food and doesn't like to wonder what's going on in the kitchen (or where their food is coming from).
(5)