REVIEW: Hong Kong Buffet

[MNtraveler]

I had dinner tonight at the Hong Kong buffet. I'd been craving Chinese for about a week now, but my wife has not felt well enough to go out. Tonight she convinced me I should go there myself and take care of my jones for Chinese food.

You have to judge a Chinese buffet on a whole different scale than placing an order off the menu to eat there or take out. I've been to places that do great Chinese food when you order off the menu but have buffet food that is barely edible. This is where the Hong Kong buffet is definitely a step above the rest. The buffet food there is consistently hot and fresh.

My favorite entrées were the Sesame Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken and the Mongolian Chicken. But the real stars for me were a couple of "sides". I love the Hot and Sour soup there. It is some of the best I've ever had. You know it is good when your nose starts running halfway through the bowl! I also really enjoy their Chicken Egg Foo Yung. It is very light and not at all greasy like I've had at many Chinese restaurants. The brown sauce to put on it is also perfect... just the right consistency and not at all over-powering.

The service was prompt and just right for a buffet. My drink order was taken within a minute or two of when I sat down. I was asked during the meal if I needed anything else and the check was left at my table when I went back for seconds. That is important for me... nothing irritates me more than waiting around for a check after I've finished eating.

Overall I thought the Hong Kong buffet compared very favorably to other Chinese buffets I've visited.

Oh, a special note for the Bluesman who will be checking in with an "MSG!!" any moment now. The bottom of their guest check says "Low Cholesterol - Low MSG". So there you go.

[Zach7777]

Hong Kong Buffet has awesome Egg Rolls...

[lkb5271]

Good information.... we've been wanting to have some good Chinese foos in Branson ever since Koi Gardens closed their doors. Will be checking it out in the next few days.

[lindiet]

Thanks for the review. I have been thinking about trying it out but I have been hesitant because I have had BAD Chinese buffet before and was worried about that happening again.

[Debinmo64]

me and mine have ate there consistently and love it every time! There buffett is great and I love their stir fry potatoes! And yes the service is great too! And the price is right as well. The best time to go is like right around 5 or 5:30 and everything is hot and fresh! I give them a 5 out of 5!

[Branson Bluesman]

Originally Posted by MNtraveler

Oh, a special note for the Bluesman who will be checking in with an "MSG!!" any moment now. The bottom of their guest check says "Low Cholesterol - Low MSG". So there you go.

Here's the deal. Getting a good chinese buffet in Branson is about timing.
If you go when they've just opened and all the stuff is fresh, it's always pretty good. Maybe they say low MSG, but who's definition of "low" ?
I have meniere's disease (fluid imbalance of the inner ear) and that means low tolerance for high amounts of sodium. It varies. I can always tell when there's a high MSG day.
You have to work with what's available, but IMHO, the chinese buffets in Branson aren't even in the same ballpark as the ones in Springfield. Btw...the style of cashew chicken you see in this area was invented in Springfield, MO in 1963. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashew_chicken

[ggh]

Originally Posted by Branson Bluesman

You have to work with what's available, but IMHO, the chinese buffets in Branson aren't even in the same ballpark as the ones in Springfield. Btw...the style of cashew chicken you see in this area was invented in Springfield, MO in 1963. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashew_chicken

Bluesman - where do you go for good Chinese in Spfld - and is it buffet?

We like Mr Yens - but not for the cashew chicken - love their general chicken and egg rolls!

[MNtraveler]

Originally Posted by Branson Bluesman

Maybe they say low MSG, but who's definition of "low" ?
I have meniere's disease (fluid imbalance of the inner ear) and that means low tolerance for high amounts of sodium. It varies. I can always tell when there's a high MSG day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashew_chicken

I was just pokin' a little fun with the MSG thing... sorry it gives you problems because of a medical condition. I do think today was probably a low MSG day... I didn't have the ravenous thirst an hour later that I do many times after eating Chinese food.

[ggh]

Originally Posted by Branson Bluesman

[color="DarkRed"][b]
I have meniere's disease (fluid imbalance of the inner ear) and that means low tolerance for high amounts of sodium.

Bluesman, my uncle (and several other members of the family, but he is the absolute WORST) has problems with severe meniere's disease. I haven't heard him mention MSG, or any food issues. I'll have to ask him about it - I do know that he loves to travel but he can NOT fly, it really REALLY messes with it, as do cruises. He can/does drive like a lunatic and has no problem (just causes everyone else to have motion sickness) but ships, and flying do him in. He's been to a specialist for all kinds of treatment in Spfld and KC, with little luck, has been severely slowed down by it for 20 years or so. Is there anything besides MSG that you know triggers your problems? Have you found any treatment modalities that work for you? THANKS!

[Critter]

I don't know if they changed owners back then but before Holly was born (she will be 12 in August) we went there and didn't like it. Though that has been many moons ago.

[Branson Bluesman]

Originally Posted by ggh

Bluesman - where do you go for good Chinese in Spfld - and is it buffet?
We like Mr Yens - but not for the cashew chicken - love their general chicken and egg rolls!

I like Imperial on Battlefield. But there are several other good ones.

Originally Posted by ggh

Bluesman, my uncle (and several other members of the family, but he is the absolute WORST) has problems with severe meniere's disease. I haven't heard him mention MSG, or any food issues. I'll have to ask him about it - I do know that he loves to travel but he can NOT fly, it really REALLY messes with it, as do cruises. He can/does drive like a lunatic and has no problem (just causes everyone else to have motion sickness) but ships, and flying do him in. He's been to a specialist for all kinds of treatment in Spfld and KC, with little luck, has been severely slowed down by it for 20 years or so. Is there anything besides MSG that you know triggers your problems? Have you found any treatment modalities that work for you? THANKS!

I can't fly either. I haven't noticed any effect on cruises. Honestly, I think there are very few doctors who understand meniere's. High sodium, stress, and getting over heated, are the big triggers for me. There's no cure and really not any specific meds you can take for it.
I used to have very bad attacks that lasted for days. It's not that bad for me anymore, but I still have dizzy flare-ups now and then.

[b55olds]

I don't mean to hijack but if your interested in menieres

http://www.menieres.org/forum/index....80551#msg80551