Spicy Chen Asian Bistro — Restaurant in Cypress

I recently moved to the area and am writing this review based solely upon the food from a takeout order placed on a Tuesday at approx 8pm.

After getting the food back home, temperature was fair and warm enough for a takeout meal to be enjoyed at home but when it comes to actual food quality— the term does not apply here. Dumplings, egg rolls, a large egg drop soup and 2 different chicken entrees (Gen Tso & Orange) were ordered. The dumplings were gray, the egg rolls were VERY stale and chewy plus skimpy on filling where it counts and thick with breading all over, the soup was burnt and someone had the bright idea (read this with sarcasm) to add sesame oil to the pot... of egg drop soup. In my estimation the chicken entrees were questionable in regard to the protein- my other half opined that the meat was possibly dog or cat (he was only half-joking) and by all appearances I would say I had a difficult time identifying the chunks of... stuff... in the dishes as chicken as well. It came out to two containers of a tough, dry, grey looking protein slathered in too much soggy breading and drowned in a thick, minimally flavored brown sauce paired with a pale facsimile of broccoli (literally

Update: I truly appreciate the owner's response. Literally like taking ownership to do better and acknowledging customer feedback. While what's done is done, it shows taking the initiative and great customer service etiquette. I had certain expectations on the shrimp fried rice. The shrimp tend to be the star of the show. So was looking for them to steal my taste buds (a corny play on words- like steal my heart, get it? Lol).

On the late night hunt for some delicious neighborhood Asian take-out cuisine, this gastronomic seeking experience was sorely disappointing. Surfing Google for a later night Chinese food place, the cute & flavorful name elicited a desire to try. Placing the order was easy and courteous enough (why 3 stars instead of 2). However, upon readily looking forward to digging into the tightly packed, generous portion round container of shrimp fried rice, the army of pink shrimp jumped out as rather loudly pink and rather artificial looking. Had a feeling these were not going to be appetizing and, unfortunately, was not pleasantly surprised. The initial few bites ate decent: Hunan-like and savory. But going in for more bites, those artificial looking pink shrimp overpowered the dish. This basically ruining the rice and my taste buds (e.g., odd aftertaste). Hence army, there were just too many of them. Would rather have had a less generous amount of shrimp (e.g., 6 or so) throughout a bowl of rice- shrimp that that are succulent and/or sautéed to deliciousness vs. a cluster of these pink suckers. Also ordered egg rolls (a pack of 4)- these were quite small but satisfying. Considering the cost around $12 for rice and only $3.99 for mini egg rolls, was highly hopeful this would be a marriage of a delicious late evening dinner but [obviously] it wasn't. A creature of habit to order the fried rice and egg roll @ just about any Chinese takeout restaurant bc, IMO, if these aren't impressive, chances are the other items on the menu won't live up to pleasing the palate. Granted the egg rolls were decent. But quite disappointed that this version of shrimp fried rice here didn't deliver on...

Spicy Chen Chinese Restaurant offers a mixed experience that lands squarely in the middle with a three-star rating. The establishment boasts prompt and friendly service, creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons. The staff's warmth and efficiency contribute positively to the dining experience.

The menu showcases popular Chinese-American dishes, including sesame chicken, sweet and sour chicken, sweet and sour soup, and egg rolls. While the dishes are served hot, the flavors lack the anticipated vibrancy and excitement that one might expect from a restaurant named "Spicy Chen." The overall taste of the food falls short of delivering the promised boldness and pizazz, leaving diners with a somewhat bland impression.

The sesame chicken, though adequately prepared, lacks the fiery kick that one might associate with a dish carrying the label "spicy." Similarly, the sweet and sour chicken, while well-cooked, lacks the nuanced blend of tanginess and sweetness that sets exceptional versions of this classic dish apart.

The sweet and sour soup offers comfort but doesn't stand out in terms of flavor complexity. The egg roll, a staple in Chinese cuisine, is satisfying but doesn't leave a lasting impression.

In summary, Spicy Chen Chinese Restaurant offers a pleasant dining experience with efficient service and hot dishes. However, the overall flavor profile of the food lacks the boldness and pizazz that one might expect, resulting in a middle-of-the-road...