Ho Mei — Restaurant in Springfield

“Home Is Springfield.” That is the restaurant’s website name — homeispringfield.com — but also what it calls to me. I came across Ho Mei during my first week in Springfield, wandering the city with no real direction, just hoping to find some place that felt safe. I didn't expect to find home.

What first caught my eye was a Shen Yun poster in the window — a sign of cultural pride that immediately stopped me in my tracks. As someone who’s quietly in awe of the strength, grace, and deep soul of Chinese culture, seeing that felt like a spiritual invitation. I’ve seen Shen Yun before and highly recommend it to anyone who still believes in beauty as a form of survival. That poster told me this place wasn’t just a business — it was a place of memory, culture, and quiet care.

From the outside, Ho Mei looks unassuming. No frills. Just a clean menu in the window and that single, stirring sticker tucked under it. But once I stepped inside, I felt something shift. The space is small but open and bright. It’s not trying to impress — it’s simply, beautifully present. It reminded me of good feng shui (though I admit I don’t know much about it), and the feeling was clear: this is a place where things are in order, where care lives quietly.

I was greeted by a young man behind the counter — gentle, professional, and kind. His voice had the softness of someone who speaks English with reverence, each word carefully chosen, as is the way across so many Chinese dialects. It reminded me that language, like food, is art too.

I asked for sweet and sour chicken (I’m sorry, Auntie — I know that’s embarrassing), but was gently introduced to more traditional options. I chose orange chicken in the end, and my lack of cultural depth was met not with judgment, but comfort. I told him I’d come in because of the Shen Yun sign, and as I stumbled to express my admiration for Chinese culture, I started crying — overwhelmed by feeling, and maybe by shame. He smiled — not in pity, but in understanding. I excused myself to the bathroom, but I felt safe. That is cultural hospitality — not loud, not performative. Just real.

There were only two tables inside, at least when I visited. I chose one and sat down, intending to wait for my takeout. But everything changed with the first bite. The appetizer was so good I couldn’t stop. Then came the wonton soup — perfectly hot, like the medicine I didn’t realize I needed. And then the orange chicken... I meant to take it home, but I finished it right there.

This is food made with devotion. Food that’s not just delicious — ho mei means “good taste” in Cantonese — but healing. Comforting. Like it had been made for someone who’s wandered for a long time. Like me.

The prices were so low I almost didn’t believe them. Coming from Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester, it felt like a miracle. I left a large tip out of gratitude, only to find the next day it hadn’t been accepted. I guess I’ll have to return with a red envelope — to thank this homie, I mean Ho Mei, for their kindness, their welcome, and the unspoken grace of this little restaurant.

TLDR: Ho Mei isn’t flashy. It doesn’t put on false pretenses. It is just true and good. A quiet corner of Springfield where food is made with honor and served with something I haven’t found in a long time — but that I’ve been finding, over and over again, here in Springfield: heart.

For anyone who’s felt a little lost — culturally, emotionally, spiritually — this might be the place that grounds and nourishes you again. Ho Mei makes me feel like home is Springfield, even when...

Ok, I just LOVE this place n think it's some of the best Chinese in Springfield. Their fried dumplings are the bomb! The owners are lovely n the delivery service is quick n our order is always correct. Now I DO AGREE they do not put enough veggies in their dishes, beef n broccoli is " light on the 🥦" and I was SHOCKED when I ordered the veggie fried rice on more than 1 occasion and it literally only contained onions!! I strongly recommend you avoid that. It's really designed for take out or delivery, dining space is minimal. The kitchen is extremely clean and we have honestly never had an issue. Pretty good General Tsau's🐔 and they have pretty good incentives of free menu items when you order over $15, $25 etc but I do always remind them to include it please. . I don't mind the price increases as long as the quality n quantity remains the same but PLEASE HO MEI...more fresh veggies in your meals, actually use a variety of veggies in your veggie fried rice and keep using fresh clean oil n I...

My past 3 orders they have been missing items. When you call they sorry and send the item. This time they missed a whole order of wings and called to let them know and SPECIFICALLY asked TO NOT send the driver with the wings since I didn’t want them anymore and to just refund the 10.50 plus tax back. Well the driver still came, i wasn’t home at that time and told him I had asked not to send the wings. Called the restaurant back and once again the person at the phone was pushing for me to get the wings and when I would asked for the refund all of the sudden he wouldn’t understand and say he didn’t know what I was asking. I used to like this place but after this I am done. Never again. If they are going to miss items they should be able to refund the item and thats it as requested by the customer not gaslight you and all of the sudden not understand...