GOOD Chinese restaurant in Nashville

[Guest nicemac]

I would like to know where I can find a good Chinese restaurant in Nashville. I have lived here 21 years and the only good one I was ever able to find was Tang's. They closed (they retired) back in October 2010. Michael Tang learned to cook in Hong Kong and brought his recipes with him. The food was all prepared fresh in the kitchen–nothing frozen or from Sysco there.

I tried Fulin's. Not terrible, but not not good by any stretch. I have been there a couple of times and thought it might have potential– I thought. Last week, I got one of their house "specials" - Honey Glazed Walnut Shrimp. It was stone cold. I told the waitress that it was cold (not just not hot-the (fried) shrimp was cold). She took it back. She re-appeared about a minute later and the whole plate had been microwaved, lettuce and all. It was like eating something from the grocer's freezer. Many of their items appear to be pre-packaged or frozen, definitely not made in the restaurant.

• P.F. Chang's is NOT a Chinese restaurant. It is a trendy American restaurant with an Asian twist in their food.
  
• I am not interested in a buffet.
  
• I am not interested in fast food or take-out.
  

I want to know why Nashville doesn't have a decent, authentic Chinese restaurant… *or*…if there is one, why is it such a well-kept secret?

[laktrash]

Not what you're asking but I worked in the food service industry (delivery) many years ago be very, very, very careful about your choice most oriental "not All" are very unsanitary. I went into alot of kitchens and refuse to eat at one. I know you can't say this about all of them . I just play the %

[KahrMan]

I used to live a couple of minutes from Tangs. They were great. Sorry to hear it has closed. China Panda on Hwy 100 in Bellevue is not bad but not as good as Tangs.

[Guest nicemac]

Not what you're asking but I worked in the food service industry (delivery) many years ago be very, very, very careful about your choice most oriental "not All" are very unsanitary. I went into alot of kitchens and refuse to eat at one. I know you can't say this about all of them . I just play the %

If you went in the back at most restaurants, you wouldn't eat there…

[laktrash]

. Sorry I 'm off track here. sorry off topic and in bad taste on my part

best of luck finding a good chinese restaurant

Edited March 17, 2011 by laktrash

[Guest nicemac]

Agreed It would shock you. but these seem to have a little lower standards . I rarely eat out mostly because of the things people never see.

How 'bout the guy that takes a doesn't wash his hands and goes back out to check the menu.or use the salt and pepper. Sorry I 'm off track here.

Yeah, I would just like recommendations on a good Chinese restaurant, not a debate on restaurant cleanliness.

[Guest FiddleDog]

Fulin's is probably as

good as you'll find in Nashville. If you order off menu, the senior chef will handle your order. I think that they do a great job, but the recipes are on the safe side (I'm full blooded American-tiawanenese descent). Oyang House on nolensville rd has a pretty good buffet. Their head chef is from hongkong. Outside of my Mom's house and my house, those are the best 2 places in Nashville to get chinese food. If you want, I can give you some pretty good authentic recipes, if you want. This offer is open to anyone, of course.

[Guest FiddleDog]

Also, Chinatown in greenhills does a pretty good job, as well. I'm surprised at your experience at Fulin's. Which location did you go to?

[Guest nicemac]

Also, Chinatown in greenhills does a pretty good job, as well. I'm surprised at your experience at Fulin's. Which location did you go to?

Brentwood.

At Tang's, everything was made fresh in the kitchen. I have seen them hand-making dumplings, egg rolls, etc… by the hundreds. All of their meat was bought fresh, all of the seafood was the freshest available (in Nashville). Careful attention was paid to every dish. Michael's dishes were authentic. I have been to China a couple of times. His food was as good as anything I had over there. Well, almost. I had a meal in Changsha, Hunan that was probably the best food I have ever eaten in my life.

At Fulin's, the food is just OK. Better than nothing I suppose, but not by much. I don't (necessarily) expect to get as good as I had in China, but other cities have many good Chinese restaurants that are not buffets or fast food and are authentic. A restaurant that will just microwave an entire plate of cold food is not a good restaurant, regardless of the type of food they serve.

I have tried Oyang House. For a buffet it is OK. But it is a buffet. I have a Chinese friend who went with me. She has lived in the states for almost 20 years. She loves it. "Why do you like this place?" I asked. "You get to eat as much as you want." was her answer.

I am not looking for "You get to eat as much as you want." I want a good Chinese restaurant like Fulin's has the potential to be, but isn't.

Edited March 18, 2011 by nicemac

[Mark A]

I was amazed at the lack of decent chinese restaurants when I moved here. I did eat at an ok place in Mt Juliet the other day.

[LagerHead]

Have you ever tried Korean? I prefer it to Chinese because it is generally spicier and I like kimchi. Pulgogi, especially chicken pulgogi is also good. Mana (corner of 11th and Charlotte Aves) has a great seafood soup. Seoul Garden is also good (Edmonson Pike, 1 block from Nolensville Pike).

Try it if you haven't. It's good stuff.