Wok Express — Restaurant in Hamilton

If I could leave either a zero star review, or a negative star review, I would without hesitation.

My husband went and purchased the 2 item combo (Shanghai noodles, General Taos Chicken and Sesame Chicken).

Now I feel like it is necessary to let you know that and I am Chinese, I prefer authentic Asian food, but I am not immune to the lure of some good ol' Canadian-ised Asian food once in a while.

So both my husband and I knew where to set our expectations, for authenticity and quality, with this Canadian-ised Asian fast food chain.

But my gosh was this the most flavourless meal I have ever had, and I've had some horribly bland food before.

This was peak lunch time rush hour, so everything should have been reasonably "freshly" cooked. If not hot and crisp, at least close to that description. Both friend chickens, had the consistency of sponges. Like it had been possibly fried the day before, then left in a fridge.

The Sesame Chicken was just a naked sponge of no flavor, not even of chicken or dough.

The General Taos Chicken was the same, but then rolled in some Spicy Tai sauce, but somehow they removed the "Tai Flavor" from said sauce. The only thing the sauce offered was a mildly spicy sensation on my tongue.

The Shanghai noodles were the texture of a sticky sponge. Now it was sticky because the noodles were overcooked, not because there was any seasoning, sauce, flavor of any kind added to it. I don't even understand how they removed the flavor of the onion slices as well!?!

This is the only time in my life, I believe I have ate straight up fake food. Whatever I ate, was not what it was called.

I quite literally would not be surprised if later I read an article that I have in fact ate fake food, made out of like cardboard. Then again, cardboard would have had more flavor than what I just consumed.

I would avoid this place at all costs. I would literally only ever eat this again if there was nothing else I would possibly consume for substance. I'd rather eat something I absolutely hate or am even allergic to, because at least I'd have the reassurance that it is at least real food.

Save your money, go eat somewhere else, literally...

6/11/23- Update- Food containers eco-friendly and smaller. Food quality went down overtime. Price went up for 2 item to approx $14 with the taxes. Staff pack the container with a lot of the noodles/ chowmein/ rice than the main entrees. The orange chicken has more breading than chicken. The beef and broccoli served has more broccoli than the beef. The broccoli also slimy than you'd wonder if it's leftover mixed with the newly cooked veggies. Beware of the grilled chicken.its often undercooked. Bad taste appears raw. It's covered in sauce to mask that its undercooked. Overall, disappointed with this establishment. Have come here over the yrs and the quality of food has deteriorated over time. If you decide to buy food here, buy the non breaded items on the menu. No point buying a combo with rice or noodles with general tao/ sesame/ orange chicken when it's mostly flour and hardly any chicken. Not recommended for your Chinese food cravings.

11/29/23- Go to Mandarin restaurant next door. They have takeout menu online. Order 15mins ahead to...

original review date: december 20, 2017 additional review dates: dec. 26, 2020; nov. 22, 2021 photo add-on: nov. 22, 2021

i have been dealing with wok express @ center mall for many years now...at least 5 years. shout-out and credit to justin, his mother faye and their family and crew work hard to provide a consistently good product for the people...which makes them the people's choice for quick-service, great quality chinese food! 😁

freshly prepared ingredients, and they pile it on better than a lopsided college football game.

when i visit i know the food and its quality/taste are going to be consistently on point. keep up the great work and looking 4ward to supporting the business in the future.

additional review: december 26, 2020, and november 22, 2021:

nothing has changed about wok express @ the center mall. consistently quick and friendly service, good quality, and generous portions continue to be the norm. the wok express continues to be the most busiest food vendor in the food...