Hot Peppercorn — Restaurant in Springfield

So, my wife and I ducked back into Hot Peppercorn Restaurant, dodging raindrops and craving that kind of warmth only good food and good company can provide. Last time we were here, it was a big group hangout, and the place absolutely nailed it - every dish was a hit, proving that Hot Peppercorn wasn't just a one-hit wonder.

This time around, it was just the two of us on a classic rainy evening, looking for that perfect food hug. We kicked things off with fried calamari. Let me tell you, it was like the opening act that gets you hyped for the main event. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, it was the calamari of dreams.

Then came the seafood hotpot, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why all food can't be this comforting and delicious. We got adventurous and added an extra bowl of rice because, why not? By the end, we were stuffed in the best way possible, all for a cool $31.

The vibe of Hot Peppercorn? Imagine the warmest, most welcoming place you know, then add some awesome real plants and a mini live koi tank for that extra touch of home. It's the kind of spot that's not just about the meal but the whole experience - from the genuinely friendly staff who've got this uncanny ability to know what you need before you do, to the cozy ambiance that makes you want to linger longer.

Hot Peppercorn is more than just a restaurant; it's a reminder of how great it feels to be taken care of, to enjoy a meal that's been crafted with care, and to just soak in the good vibes. It's the kind of place that proves, yet again, that the best meals aren't just about the food on your plate but the memories you make...

I hate writing poor reviews and I avoid doing by all mean however, this place really doesn’t meet the 4.5 star review it showed.

The service was terrible. We walked in and waited about 10 minutes for someone to address us. Not the biggest deal in the world but there wasn’t a welcome, nobody told us they’d be with us in a moment, the just looked at and continued with business as usual. When we finally were seated, the server took our order. We ordered the chicken lo mein, General tso chicken, Szechuan tofu, veggie dumplings, scallion pancakes and veggie spring roll.

We got our meal and the only order they messed up was my wife’s, instead of Szechuan tofu, the brought General tso.

When my wife addressed it, the server told her she was wrong and that she ordered the general tso. We just brushed it off and kept it as there was a language barrier.

The general tso chicken earned a solid 3/5. (Huge piece of fried rib cage) General tso tofu: 1/5. They put sauce on steamed tofu and it lacked flavor entirely. Scallion pancakes: 3/5. Too oily Spring rolls: 5/5. Can’t really mess those up Dumplings: 2/5. Too oily Chicken lo mein: 1/5

They filled our cups with 90% ice and you’d literally take a mouth full of water and be left with an empty cup. I slowly finished my meal before someone refilled it and I was thirsty as hell.

I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. It looked promising and I’ll continue to search for good Chinese food in the area. For now, I’d Panda Express is better than this place. On top of it all, they have a koi pond at the entrance which is...

(UPDATED Nov, '21, at End)Looking to escape oily too-sweet allegedly “Chinese” food? Former Golden Hong Kong (long-time predecessor restaurant) customer here. The new owners apparently bought the name, but changed it to reflect the expansion of their cuisine to encompass Szechuan, of which I did not partake on my two-day consecutive forays. Food was Delicious! I particularly enjoyed the flavorful roast duck half, the shredded pork, braised tofu with vegetables, and dim sum; the diced chicken with plum sauce, which I had never ordered at Golden HK, had soft vs crisp cashews, mushrooms as well as other vegetables, and good but different flavor than I had anticipated (based on flavors of favorite Cantonese restaurant while growing up across the Potomac. I still recommend several restaurants in Wheaton, MD for best Cantonese food.) The diced chicken with cashews might be something they make all day due to popularity. At 6pm, on a Monday, there was one other carry-out order on this typically slow restaurant day. Good for me in general. But not for those missing out! The rice was plentiful, and the dim sum, steamed, and especially baked, bbq pork buns, had perfect flavor. UPDATE in November: I "DoorDash-ed" from their Szechuan menu.... and also ate-in. WOW! The less spicy Dry Hot Pot w/Vegetables and Pork is delicious! I wish I could eat spicier food to fully experience the flavors of their varied menus - the server explained that their specialties were made with an array of different peppers, and eliminating them would destroy the...