Tong King Garden Restaurant
989 12th St SE, Salem, OR, 97302
Tong King Garden Restaurant Menu
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Address :
989 12th St SE
Salem, OR, 97302 - Phone (503) 585-9932
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Chinese Cuisine
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.
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Michelle O.
The food at Tong King never disappoints. I will admit, the outside of the building is very very run down, if a friend hadn't dragged me in, i WOULD never stop. However, this is prpbably the best chineese resturant in town. Its family owned, we always have the same lady helping us. She is polite and quick. I would only recommend this Chinese resturany in town!
(4)Kim M.
The tea and BBQ Pork was good. The service was unbelievably rude!!!! We went in 2 hours before closing and the owner snottily stated that they closed at 9:30. "No problem. Thank you," we replied and should have left then, but this place had some good reviews so we were eager to try it. The food tasted like it was made yesterday and reheated. The Orange Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken were so crunchy, I nearly broke a tooth. No moisture to the meat. The rice looked like it had been rescued from the dumpster as an afterthought to the night before. It's such a disappointment because of the convenient location. We will never come back and we will make sure to spread the word.
(2)Joshua E.
Not a bad place new to the area. Got snowed in so came here for lunch I ordered the lunch special #c almond chicken sweet and sour with fried shrimp. The almond chicken was a little salty. But still very good. The shrimp was just fried batter but for some reason quite good.. My friend ordered the lunch special I'd his was very very good. With simular items. Fair warned the egg soup is very very very hot let it cool down. The lady that's working is very quiet but sweet. I think we will be back if we are on this side of town again. Only recommendation for this place is music way way to quiet. All you can hear is the cooks arguing.
(3)John V.
Very disappointing. Ordered the sesame chicken, which may as well have been called sweet and sour chicken, the General Tso's chicken was very bland, and we ordered potstickers and were served crab rangoon, which was way too much fried dough and not enough rangoon. Only thing redeeming was the Thai tea.
(2)Jando S.
Tong King Garden has been one of the Chinese staples of Salem for the better part of 25 plus years. In the last few decades that were ruled by notable Salem powerhouses, certain names come to mind: Shum's, Ming's, Kwan's, yet it is Tong King who has managed to outlast them all. There is no secret. Cheap prices and unpretentious Chinese American fare will keep many afloat for a long time and Tong's King fits the bill. Though it's not the most attractive looking place, locals who have kept this joint alive know the food goes far beyond the decor. It's unassuming, dated exterior keeps it genuine and less gimicky like the rest of the Chinese options in the city. Unless they are looking to expand, let's hope they don't go overboard in renovations since the look is part of it's charm. People who are intimidated by the unfriendly outside, should know it's totally friendly on the inside. The owner and the staff are gracious and amiable, always willing to accommodate anyone and everyone who enters the restaurant. Having known them for years, it's not hard to say they're some of the nicest people I've met. I have no doubt many great experiences here can be attributed to their stellar service. And of course the food. Let's not get carried away and assume they're all for the Chinese style banquet with food fit for only authentic palates, that's just simply not the case. But Chinese American lovers are sure to love what they have to offer and for such dirt cheap prices. Last time I checked, lunch special combinations here ran for a little less than $6 for a good heaping portion of food. Dinner is definitely recommended as well, though they only have a handful of tables, all of which are group friendly. Shoot for a family style Szechuen beef or a classic almond chicken. I've been impressed with their variety of chow meins and can vouch for a decent fried rice. The food is never overly greasy and the portions are usually just right. The next time I'm back in town, I'm definitely coming back. Friendly faces and easy prices will hopefully keep Tong's King around for a very long time.
(5)Thomas F.
They make great Mongolian beef and fried rice, and have good prices. Fortunately, this restaurant is just a short walk from my campus, so I come here a lot.
(4)Alex B.
From the outside this place looks very unpromising, and it's in a slightly run-down looking area full of used car lots and repair shops, so I never gave it a second glance - even though I drove by it several times a week for years. However, inside it's OK (though nothing fancy), and the food is really very good. I had a lunch special with chicken and broccoli, BBQ pork, and 3 fried shrimp, rice (with veggies), and soup and tea, for $5.95. Flavors of everything were top-notch and the meat (chicken and pork) was nice quality - nothing like the "mystery meat" you sometimes find in cheap chinese places. If I had to pick a nit, I guess they put a bit too much sauce on the chicken and broccoli, but it was tasty so I didn't mind! Service was quick, though there were only two other tables occupied while I was there. Overall I think this place is better than Kwan's, and probably as good as or better than Hong Kong House.
(4)Christin M.
My go to for quick yummy Chineese. My family owns the print shop down the road a few blocks, and we eat here a few times a month. Love love love it!
(5)Erin H.
My boyfriend and I decided to eat at this scary seeming establishment only after I had lived just down the street from it for months. It was good. Really good. But then.... I decided I hated Chinese food for the most part, and the only thing I would ever order from there again would be the fried shrimp and egg noodle soup. Don't get me wrong--the food is really good and my man and I frequented the place several times a week for nearly a year--seriously. He still loves it, but I'm done. Give it a try. It's better than garbage Kwans.
(4)Tom M.
Used to like this place but just sold and there are new owners. Will not be back. Both entrees tasted as if primary ingredient was salt. It may well be true! Our standard favorite Muchu pork was almost un-eatable. Sichuan chicken was almost as bad. Did I mention the word SALT?
(1)Brent M.
My egg roll was soggy and the sweet and sour chicken tasted like it got mixed with orange chicken but the fried rice was delicious. My co-workers stated that they liked it, so perhaps it depends on what you order.
(2)Donna R.
We discovered this place about a year ago, the food was good and the old owners were delightful this place became a regular place to eat. We moved out of town and still drove there for the food. In October the place was sold, tonight we. Decided to once again visit our little whole in the wall. Will not be going back, we asked for them to replace the pork for chicken in our rice and chow mein. Never a problem with the old owners, tonight it was and we were charged more. The rice was dry and no favor the egg foo young wasn't fresh, and the chow mein salty and also tasted old. Son went to the restroom and they weren't clean. We left there very dissatisfied...
(1)Shawna P.
I loved this place! Just moved in a block away so the hubby and I walked down for dinner tonight and I'm stuffed and happy! Try the honey glazed walnut chicken, looks different then what it says as it comes in a sweet creamy white sauce but OMG yum!!! And the quantity of food for 2 people could easily feed like 3, maybe 4 smaller people LOL!
(4)Heather Y.
I'm pretty picky about my sweet and sour chicken, and this place has an excellent version! I thought the service was a little on the brisk side, but the food was excellent and the prices were great. I always compare Chinese food to this place in my home town, and I thought their food was very comparable. I will definitely be back.
(4)Mira N.
This hole-in-the-wall place features friendly, professional service (wonderful people!) and good, inexpensive food. When you walk in the front door you might wonder if you've been transported back in time or to an alternate universe - it's kind of goofy that way.
(4)Molly R.
I haven't been here in a few years, so I hope my rating is not off... but this used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Salem. Not a great location, on 12th near Bush Park, but the food is good Chinese with that perfect amount of grease vs. good flavor. Try the mu-shu pork.
(4)Rick H.
I must take issue with Chuck's review. This place is a throwback to the old days. A very traditional Chinese food joint. An interior makeover would take away from that. Not Hot&Sour soup? BFD! Might be aging myself, but there was a time when H&S soup was not available in most restaurants. It became trendy, and continues. Chuck ordered chicken in plum sauce. Why? This is an old school Cantonese venue. Chuck, why didn't you order a combo plate? That is what you judge a place like this by. Egg roll, almond chicken, s&s pork, fried shrimp- Lum Yuen gets a glowing review, yet is no better. Tong King receives favorable county health ratings, where Lum Yuen has had problems in the past. Chuck, I have lived in SoCal, Honolulu, Bay Area, so I know Asian food. My old girlfriend's parents owned a very successful Chinese dive on Oahu. I am very experienced with Asian cuisine. I like Tong King's humble, honest delivery of 1950's family style Chinese eats. Tong King is a quaint novelty that should never try to become a clone of more trendy restaurants.
(5)Mindy M.
*I had high hopes due to the other reviews I had just read, and went in with a positive attitude* My husband, sister and little nephew went in for a late lunch today. I liked the food, but they weren't impressed at all. They said they wouldn't go back. My food was pretty good. Not the best I've had in the area, but GOOD. It was strange, I ate it ALL. Normally with Chinese restaurants I'm always needing a doggy bag because I barely made a dent in the plate, but their lunch plates were pretty small, (for the usual mounds of food you normally get at dinner anyway). The service was pretty bad, we barely got a smile at first out of the older lady who sat us. She placed the menus down on the table in a stack and walked away lol...which was "different". Just seemed like she was tired or tired of working there (maybe tired of us Americans...just was sorry I had walked in and bothered her). Maybe she was the owner, not sure. We had to speak up if we wanted things. She was real quiet and polite for the most part, but I would've liked a little more communication. She gave a smile when I paid, and when we left, (we weren't problem customers or anything). If I acted the way this lady did at MY job, I wouldn't have a job at all. The place IS very small and old, and I'm pretty sure we were the only ones in there most the time. To sum up, I won't go again because it wasn't a pleasant experience because we didn't feel welcome, and the food was OK. I wouldn't spend my money there again.
(2)Valerie R.
Very good. Don't let the decor fool you. Everything is very fresh
(5)jennie m.
This is the place my extended family goes for Chinese food in Salem. The location and décor can be deceiving. Our favorite entrée's are the cold noodle salad (#93) and the Schezuan beef.
(4)Michael S.
If you want very mediocre Chinese-American food, this is the place for you. We had several dishes. Nothing was bad, but nothing was really very good either. Won Ton soup has a lot of wontons, but not much flavor. Special Fried Noodles were not special, but very bland. I asked for no mushrooms, but of course, it had mushrooms anyway. Walnut Shrimp was kind of close to decent, but then, this is not really a Chinese dish. The Mongolian Chicken, ordered spicy, was anything but. It did, however, have the most flavor of any of the dishes. But, compared to a good Chinese restaurant, well... there was no comparison. I've been to MANY Chinese restaurants in my time and believe me, 2 stars is a very generous rating. I'm sure the people are nice, I think the place was pretty clean and the service was prompt, so I will give them that. Also, the prices were totally in line for the type of food and location of the restaurant. For those reading this review that live in the Salem area and think this is a great restaurant, I suggest you get out and try some great Chinese food in a bigger city that has a larger Chinese population and your perspective will be adjusted accordingly.
(2)Jane S.
Chinese restaurants in Salem tend to come and go with great frequency, and yet Tong King Garden - which was in business when my parents moved to Salem in the mid-80s, and looked old back then - had never been on our restaurant radar until yesterday. It was too dark, too decrepit, too hard to tell if it was even open or not - had we ever seen people going in and out? As it turns out, not only does Tong King Garden do a respectable business, but the food is easily the best Chinese Salem has to offer. To out of towners, that statement may not mean much. This is still old-school Americanized Chinese, and all the usual dishes are present and accounted for: sweet and sour pork, General Tso's chicken, the kid's meal hamburger. Nevertheless, if you are willing to play a little culinary Where's Waldo with the long, dense menu, there are a few surprises to be found. Szechuan dishes are scattered amongst the usual Cantonese fare, including a delicious sizzling chicken and shrimp dish that soon disappeared from our plates. Salemites who have had the misfortune of biting into a frozen-in-the-center appetizer at other Chinese places in town will be delighted by Tong King's homemade wontons, cooked juicy with plenty of fragrant spices. Even the obligatory dish of egg drop soup was a little more interesting than usual. The only aspect of the meal that left me wanting was the lack of hot spices in the food, and even that was mostly my fault. Remember, kids: this is Americanized Chinese food, so make sure to order your food one degree of hotness higher than you think you'll like. If you like it medium, order it hot; if you like it hot, order it "Chinese hot" with a wink and a smile. It's easy to see why Tong King Garden has lasted so long in Salem. Most of the menu options are safe as safe can be, but the quality and freshness of the food puts it above all the microwave pork bun joints that limp through a few fallow months or years in this town before vanishing. If you're a long-time Salemite who's spent all these years wondering what the deal is with that scary-looking Chinese restaurant on 12th, now is as good a time as any to give this place a try. We're glad we finally did.
(4)Sophie B.
Here is the thing. Noting i still grew up in Montana, where food was meat (beef, venison, chicken) potatoes, idaho variety and veggies.. salad, carrots, onions, celery and tomatoes and spices were garlic, salt and pepper. So... we coveted and believed to be the BEST the Chinese places we had access to. In Billings for years a place called Wongs and then later a place called Golden Phoenix were the 'real authentic chinese food".. But the truth is the sweet and sour sauce was homemade and my mom and i spent years trying to figure out how to make it 'like wongs'.. And the first time i tried chinese food that was not s&s pork/chicken and lo mein was the golden phoenix's mongolian beef. So addicting.. (probably was the msg!) but in over 20 years i have traveled all over the PNW looking for 'real mongolian beef' and i gave up years ago.. But i still like it, regardless even though it has NEVER EVER been as good. I ordered a combo that included Mongolian beef and enjoyed the hot and sour soup (excellent!) and pot stickers that were heavy, hot and good! Then my order came.. i peered down at my plate..... Could it BE???? It looked the same... thin sliced beef at top some fresh rice noodles, sliced green onions.. a strikingly familiar scent..... My nose delighted, my eyes proclaimed the possibility... i picked a little up on my fork, blew on it because it was VERY HOT and put a taste in my mouth.. I am ashamed ( a little) to say tears welled up in my eyes and i realized for the first time since the last time, i was tasting Mongolian Beef From Heaven.... it is the SAME RECIPE, cooked the same way... i wiped my tears, said a prayer of gratitude and dug in.. LOW Cost.. huge portions and the best mongolian beef in Oregon, Idaho and Washington! don't let the age of the place fool you.. Tong King is very much worth a try! I will be back with my daughter, who probably will laugh when i told her about the crying part! :)
(5)Roger S.
twenty four of us went to this restaurant for New Years Eve afternoon for dinner. we reserve the area for it. my wife and I arranged for preordering so the kitchen wouldn't get jammed up. and it work to the T. these people were very kind and accommodating and everyone enjoyed the meal. the amount of food served would be equal to a Grand Palace meal.
(3)Risa C.
Looking pretty bleak right now. Haven't even gotten to try the food because they decided to serve the customers that came in after us first. We've been here for almost over an hour now since ordering. Will review the food aspect once we get our food. If ever.
(1)Alyssa C.
I've been coming here every year on Christmas eve for as long as I can remember. Since I was a wee lass, and ordered cheeseburgers before I learned to like Chinese. So - this place has a special place in my heart. We always order family style and I always LOVE it (it's also probably the only time per year I eat Chinese food). Mushu pork, sweet and sour chicken, potstickers...it's like amazing, delicious greasy takeout but for Christmas. Amazing! And it's C-H-E-A-P! Last time I went the bill for 8 people was like $50, and we were all STUFFED. Great little place, it's not winning any awards but it gets the job done and has never failed me :) Let me clarify - this is not a super nice place. It's a little hole in the wall restaurant that looks like it could use a few more coats of paint. Don't try to impress anyone here, but definitely give them a shot!
(4)Jose C.
Nice Chinese food for a very decent price good volume of food and quantity
(5)