Cho-Sen Island — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

The food here was okay, better than many kosher Chinese establishments we've visited. Some ordered items weren't fresh and came cold mixed in a hot consume or mixed in hot items that were plated. The service was nice. It would have been nice to have everything hot and made fresh. The big problem I found with this location is that the establishment lacks gratuity notices at the entrance and on the receipt. The total of our bill was $106.45. Instead of giving $43.55 as change for the $150.00 given to pay it, they instead gave $23.55 keeping $20 for themselves. When counting the change to give a tip, we noticed we were short $20, which came as a surprise. We always graciously tip. Our servers working at Graze down the street can vouch for this statement I am making, especially since my review I'm posting will be linked to my main Google that states my name in it.

For a location to not disclose up front that they take gratuity definitely ruined the experience because it felt very dishonest and was a disappointment. Especially since this is a kosher dining establishment catering to the local religious Jewish community here. And, this leads me to think this might be occurring to other people.

As a newcomer to the area, for this to occur on my first visit, if they didn'twant me to return with my eldest son again, they definitely landed their mark. We won't be back. Nor, will I refer my friends.This was not okay. If you plan to proactively take gratuity, post it somewhere.

Also, Google needs to update the establishment profile to state "By Appointment Only" or "Reservation Only."

We were told upon arrival that they only accepted Reservations. Yet, we were accepted and then promptly hidden in the back of the restaurant...

I have not been here in slightly over a year. I have been eating here for decades. To say it was disappointing is an understatement. The menu was anemic. 2 laminated pages held by a metal ring. Really? We asked for noodles and did not receive any for the table. We ordered from the "price fixe". They had only one flavor of iced tea in a bottle. What? The soup was okay not great. The bowls seemed smaller or maybe it was just the portion. For main course I ordered General Tso's chicken. I expected to receive fried chicken pieces and a brown sauce with some vegetables and rice instead what I got was the equivalent of boneless buffalo wings in a red sauce that tasted like Franks red hot. I asked for mild and the plate was swimming in a red sauce and red pepper flakes. The staff seemed a little bit almost annoyed waiting on us. Honestly I would save my money and do take out from somewhere else and eat at home as it just isn't worth it anymore. I don't know what happened but this is not the same restaurant I've been going to all these years and I can honestly say I don't plan on going back anytime in the near future unless something miraculously changes. Save your money and go to a...

Several things set Cho-Sen apart from other Chinese eateries, Kosher or not. Including the unique and crispy-delicious wonton strips - or in this case, wafers - that are on the table next to duck sauce. You won't want to again settle for the bland, noodle-shaped ones served everywhere else. These are in a class by themselves. As was the Sweet & Sour chicken. It wasn't my idea to order that, but I was glad we did because it was the best chicken I ever had in a Chinese restaurant. My two dining companions would agree. We could not believe how tasty the s&s nuggets were, but then, it's kosher chicken which is the best, right? The egg drop soup was also superb. The next time I go though, I will request that the eggplant come floating - not drowning - in garlic sauce. It was still tasty though. Next visit, I won't order steamed dumplings that we felt were too thick-skinned doughy (see my pic). And finally, the Lamb with veggies Special was good, but I think I prefer lamb at an Indian restaurant. These minor negatives were not enough to take away from a great meal, but enough to take away one star. I highly...