Hot Mustard — Restaurant in Charleston

Hot Mustard in Charleston is an absolute gem of a Chinese restaurant, though it's clear from some reviews that not everyone understands what makes it special. Let me set the record straight: this is a five-star experience for those who know and appreciate authentic "dirty Chinese" food in all its glory.

First, let's address the so-called "rude" service. This perception likely comes from Americans unfamiliar with the no-frills, direct style typical of many traditional Chinese establishments. Here, the couple running the show—cooking and taking orders—are incredibly efficient and helpful, ensuring you get exactly what you pay for. It's not rude; it's refreshingly honest and straightforward.

And what you pay for is an incredibly affordable, flavorful meal. The dishes are exactly what you'd hope for: comforting, unpretentious, and absolutely delicious. Whether you're craving noodles, stir-fried dishes, or classic Chinese appetizers, every bite is packed full of authentic flavor. This is not the place for fine dining or fusion creations. It’s a place to indulge in classic Chinese comfort food done right.

The ambiance? Exactly as you'd expect—a casual, laid-back vibe where the focus is solely on the food. We dined in and had an unforgettable time. The service was as expected: efficient, direct, and perfectly fitting for the environment.

Hot Mustard is not for those seeking high-end or experimental cuisine. It's for people who love great food at a ridiculously reasonable price and can appreciate the charm of a hardworking, no-nonsense kitchen. If you approach it with the right expectations, you'll find it’s an incredible example of what a local Chinese restaurant should be.

In short, Hot Mustard delivers exactly what it advertises: delicious, affordable Chinese food served with a side of unpretentious honesty. I couldn’t recommend it more for anyone craving authentic, no-frills Chinese dining. Just don’t come expecting luxury—come expecting a great meal and a...

I have eaten here twice and was sick each time. The first time, I had been sampling food for my wedding all day and me and the future father-in-law had a late night snack at this place. We both woke up sick (bloated stomach, nausea) the next day but figured since we had been cake tasting the previous day at 8AM, BBQ sampling, cocktail sampling - all for the upcoming wedding then we figured our sickness was probably due to those adventures and not the Chinese food.

Fast forward a 3 months to the night before my wedding, the father-in-law again wanted some Chinese food and I so obliged. Hot Mustard was closest to our hotel, so again I walked over to order take out from this place about 10PM. I woke up at 3AM and vomitted my brains out. I was sick for two days and was miserable for my entire wedding day. I remember standing up giving my vows thinking I am about to vomit all over my wife's dress, boy I could not wait until that ceremony was over. People kept telling me it was just nerves but I knew better.

What was even worse, the lady and her son operating the restaurant are some of the rudest people I ever came across while visiting Charleston. When I took my food and told the owner she was being kind of rude I left, she then proceeds to come from behind the counter and starts dropping F bombs on me in the middle of the street as I walked back to my hotel kiddie corner to the restaurant. I dared not to turn back around, she seemed angry enough to have a gun.

I would avoid this restaurant at all costs or at least have an iron stomach and full bottle of pepto. If I could rate this place zero stars...

Walking through the front door you will be met with quite a dirty establishment. I walked in to a bag of trash on the first table I saw. Dirty floors, walls, ceilings, tables. The menu board looks outdated and hard to navigate. The lady that took my order was cold and un-friendly, bordering on rude. Her hands and fingernails were visibly very dirty which was disconcerting given she was directly packaging food/steamed rice and in contact with outgoing orders. One good thing is the food came out in about 60 seconds, piping hot. How they managed to make chicken and broccoli that fast is beyond me; but good on them! The chicken was moist, but incredibly oily. It was salted correctly but as for flavor... lacking. No garlic, onion, and no extra flavor. Nothing at all to get excited about. It was sopping with oil. It also seemed to have been colored with a red hue. Obviously intentional, but unable to tell if it is just red food coloring or what. The sauce was really more oil than sauce. The ONLY flavor/ingredient detectable was soy sauce. I am not sure how others have said this is the best Chinese they've ever had. It saddens me to hear that. Save your money and keep hunting the Charleston area. I contemplated on leaving a review. The last thing I want to do is hurt a business. But I also didn't find any of these important descriptors that would've been helpful to my decision on...