Mandarin Cafe — Restaurant in Columbus

I walked into the restaurant with high expectations and was very happy when they were met.

I had read reviews concerning M/C and many had described the food as authentic and very tasty. I arrived hungry, and it was a slow night, but there were a few people about. Lauren was my server, and after the drink order I needed a little more time to look through the menu (it's extensive without being extravagantly so) but knew that I wanted to try their hot and sour soup.

I tend to judge Chinese restaurants on their hot & sour soup, and the menu states that each soup is prepared individually. The soup arrived, and I placed the entree order for Mongolian beef. The soup is served with fried wonton strips, and my first dip into it was extremely satisfying. You wouldn't think of that description for a spoonful of soup, but it contained everything that one would want from a bowl of hot and sour soup. The flavors were spicy, tangy, and rich. The vegetables were crisp and fresh and complimented the soup with good textures. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was the best bowl of hot and sour soup that I've had in over two decades. When compared to most kitchens that put a big batch of soup together and leave it in a warming pot to be doled out as ordered, it's a world of difference. The wonton strips that were served with it were crisp and fresh.

Next up, the Mongolian beef. It did not disappoint. Part of the trick with this dish is to fry the thin strips of beef so that the outside has a crispy texture but you still have the softer meaty interior. The kitchen got the trick right. The green onions had the right amount of wok hei (that high heat, smoky flavor of stir fry) and still were crisp and fresh. The sauce was a good compliment; sweet, but not too much. All served over a bed of rice noodles and a side of rice (fried or steamed).

Speaking of their fried rice... I've read several reviews disparaging the fried rice served here, but in my opinion the fried rice is a more traditional, less greasy presentation than the places who use too much oil when cooking the side dish. The fried rice was obviously run through a wok (again, at high heat, imparting that flavor) and the chopped vegetables cooked properly, and wasn't extremely oily.

The portions are shareable unless you're a lumberjack or stevedore or training athlete. They serve additional plates to put the food on, but ask for a bowl instead of a plate. You'll thank me later.

If there is a ding to be placed at all, it would be that their background music consists of one tune, played over and over (and over). If that type of thing will ruin your digestion, you may want to pass on the restaurant, but you will be missing out on some delicious...

I’m appalled. The lady at the front was so nice, but the owner or manager or whoever was so disrespectful. $4.50 charge for all of 3 pieces of shrimp to be added? Are you serious? And I asked for no shiitake and there were some in it. There wasn’t a single button mushroom to be seen, there were elusive snow peas, it was mainly just broccoli, and I asked for steamed rice but got fried rice. The manager lady was like “shrimp is expensive.” I buy shrimp all the time and honestly $4.50 for 3 little pieces of shrimp added is insane. I already struggle with my diet I have to eat for my medical condition but this place pissed me off so badly. I won’t return here ever. My coworkers asked me to try it and tell them how it was. Yeah, I don’t recommend it and won’t be back. It takes a lot to upset me but I felt like my requests were reasonable and they made me feel extremely invalidated for my feelings towards the only meal I get a day. Not to mention it was made incorrectly as it was and the poor lady at the front wrote down everything, I know, I saw her write it all. Just for the kitchen to ignore what she wrote and the manager to be rude to me about it. My coworkers and I will take our...

I can’t believe I’ve been here a whole year and just now trying this spot out!

I was on the Columbus foodie page on Facebook and happen to come across this restaurant that everyone was raving about. So of course I had to try it out!

I was looking for a place in town that sold the Korean Chinese noodle dishes like Jajangmyun and Jjampong and I finally found the spot!

The location is in a plaza over by Mellow Mushroom so there’s plenty of parking. I came right when they opened with my two daughters who are under 3 years of age. Although it was chaos for me, the food was absolutely delicious!

My 2 year old’s favorite food is Jajangmyun so I’m so happy we finally explored this spot.

Their lunch menus are very reasonably priced and almost feel like it’s too good to be true. It comes with an egg roll, fried rice, your choice of meat, and soup!

I’ll be back over and over and over again. This is definitely a spot you’ll...