Another Great Northeast Chinese Restaurant in St. Louis | Cate Zone

When it comes to top Chinese restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri, “Cate Zone” definitely ranks high 📍 Address: 8148 Olive Blvd, University City, MO 63130(Cate Zone Chinese Cafe)This is their first location—they’ve opened a new branch since, but honestly, the new one isn’t recommended. If you want to eat here, stick to the original spot near Baili (Belleville)! ⭐️ Ratings Breakdown Ambiance: 3/5 Simple decor, and the restaurant is not very large. Service: 4/5 Food comes out quickly, and the staff are attentive, checking in regularly to see if you need anything. Price: 3/5 They’ve raised prices recently, so it’s no longer cheap. ✨ Dishes Review Appetizers Northeast Style Mung Bean Jelly Salad: 5/5 Let’s be real—this jelly salad is addictive; it’s hard to resist ordering it. And their version? Absolutely delicious 😋. The jelly is smooth and chewy, tossed in a savory-sour sauce with shredded cucumber and carrots—classic Northeast Chinese flavor. Sliced Beef & Ox Tongue in Chili Sauce 4/5 Solid and satisfying, right up to the standard you’d expect. Tender meat slices coated in a spicy, numbing sauce—great for whetting your appetite. Main Courses Salted Egg Yolk Baked Prawns5/5 Just go for their salted egg yolk dishes—this one, along with their salted egg yolk pumpkin, is amazing! The prawns are crispy, coated in rich, savory salted egg yolk. The flavor is bold and addictive—I’m obsessed 😍. Hot Crispy Fish 6/5 Incredible! When it’s fresh, the outer layer is super crispy, and the spiciness is just right. You won’t be able to stop eating it!! Braised Pork Meatballs 3/5 A bit too salty, average overall, and not very distinctive. Not recommended. Spicy Hot Pot 4/5 I always customize my own hot pot here. The soup base is so good, I end up drinking two bowls of it every time. Sautéed Tofu Skin with Green Chili 5/5 The ultimate rice companion! The green chili isn’t overly spicy, and the seasoning is perfect. Highly recommended! Wontons 4/5 Delicious, with generous filling! Whenever I’m sick, I order this—it’s light and comforting, and after eating it, I feel like I’m halfway recovered. Sautéed Three Delicacies5/5 A classic Northeast Chinese dish and another great rice pairing. Just one word: order it. Sweet & Sour Pork Ribs: 3/5 Large portion, and the taste is okay, but the batter is too thick—you get more batter than meat. Dry-Fried Pork Intestines/Squid ( 3/5 The 3-star rating is because the portion of meat is too small. The flavor is good, but the quantity doesn’t match the price. Braised Pork with Vermicelli 5/5 Authentic Northeast Chinese flavor—if you love this dish, feel free to order it without hesitation. Shredded Pork in Sweet Bean Sauce (): 4/5 Authentic! All I can say is, this is exactly how it should taste. Just eat it. Noodles/Rice Dishes Personally, I find these average—nothing special to recommend, but they don’t disappoint either. ✨ Final Thoughts This is a restaurant well worth visiting! The only downsides are that the space is small (you may need to wait for a table sometimes) and it closes for a break at noon, so make sure to check the timing if you want to eat lunch here. Most dishes don’t miss the mark—if you’re in or visiting St. Louis, give it a try! #NortheastChineseCuisine #SweetAndSourPork #RestaurantRecommendation #WeeklyFoodCheckIn #HiddenGemRestaurant #GlobalFoodieSquad #FoodCollection #FoodCollector #StLouisFoodRecommendations #StLouisChineseFood #StLouis