Main St. Dragon — Restaurant in Richmond

Mellow Heat but Charming Eats at Main Street Dragon

My recent culinary jaunt took me to Main Street Dragon, an eatery promising an Asian fusion adventure with a menu as fiery as a dragon's breath. With a vibrant menu in hand, the anticipation for a tantalizing taste experience was quite high.

The Malaysian Ramen was the centerpiece of our meal, a dish that's usually a tempest of spices and flavors. Although it was plated with an artist's touch, the heat that one anticipates from such a revered dish was notably absent. It lingered in the "just okay" territory, satisfying but lacking the punch your taste buds might gear up for in a traditional Malaysian kitchen.

The bao wow--aptly named for what should be a reaction to their two pork belly bao sliders--echoed the same sentiment. While the pork belly was tender, and the bao fluffy, they too were shy on the radiating warmth that the name might suggest, carrying the flavors well but missing the depth that heat often contributes.

Ken's fried chicken and the house special scallion chicken were the next contenders. Named presumably after the culinary architect Chef Ken, the fried chicken had a crispy exterior that gave way to the moist meat within. However, it seemed the kitchen's thermostat was set to a low simmer, as this dish, alongside the scallion chicken, arrived at our table with a tepid temperature that left us wishing for a bit more sizzle.

However, these lukewarm experiences were balanced by the vibrant atmosphere of Main Street Dragon. Warm hues and cleverly placed decor invited a comfort that mimicked a jovial family dinner. There's a certain zest to the place that seems to assure you that it's not just about the food--it's about the feeling of togetherness and revelry.

To add to the ambiance, the staff at Main Street Dragon were the unsung heroes of our visit. Their excellent service, marked by attentive care and genuinely cheerful interactions, made the dining experience notably more enjoyable. It's not every day you find service that complements the dining experience so well that you're willing to overlook culinary shortcomings.

In sum, Main Street Dragon makes for a pleasant visit if you're in the mood for Asian fusion cuisine that's gentle on the palate, served in an atmosphere that's cozy and inviting, and delivered with top-notch service that leaves a lasting impression. While I would have appreciated a few more degrees of heat on the plate, the warmth of the environment and staff ensured we left with content smiles and a plan to return, hoping perhaps the dragon might breathe a little more fire on...

My daughter a fan of ramen was excited to try Main st Dragon, and they didn’t disappoint! So good, I’m putting this spot on my date night list. Even for just a dessert and drink. They have a great drink list and everything is reasonably priced. With a clean and inviting atmosphere, you could seat a table of 6 with comfort or enjoy an intimate conversation at the bar. We walked in at open and they were ready to go, Holt our waiter was fantastic all the way through, he knew the menu without looking and took care of everything we needed. His suggestions for my ramen made it perfect! The owner/manager? Stopped by our table and made the experience that much better, she shared so much enthusiasm it has me excited to visit their sister establishment Sushi-O. Even the decor was amazing with anime running on the big screen. The portions here are huge and the quality is superb. Both ramen bowls we ordered could feed 2 easy. I’m already thinking of future combinations. Dessert was delicious! I got the cookie dough ice cream sandwich ( I had to take a bit before I even took a picture😁) and my daughter got the mochi icecream cookies, I could eat a dozen of those mango flavored ones😅 everything was amazing! 😋 thanks Main st Dragon we’ll definitely...

The photos are what drew me to this restaurant, but I wasn't completely satisfied with my experience. The curry chicken appetizer looked delicious, but had zero curry flavor. I did, however, enjoy the shrimp skewers. They were cooked and seasoned well. I also tried the Thai fried rice (hold the raisins). It was lack luster in the flavor department as well, although the pineapples were a nice added touch.

My biggest qualm with this restaurant was the kitchen staff. One young lady in particular was on the expo line eating her own dinner while simultaneously prepping orders for dining room service. This is a HUGE no-no for me due to cross contamination. From where I was seated, she was in my direct line of sight, and not once did she stop to wash her hands in transition from eating to preparing food. Of course I didn't notice this until after our food was served (sad face). She was also sweeping her hair behind her ears and touching and scratching her face. She should not have been aloud to eat food on the same surface that it is prepared on and clean hands is an absolute must in food service.

I wouldn't recommend this restaurant overall, but our server was great in spite of everything and she was...