Chef Tan 湘味轩 — Restaurant in Vienna

Wow finally a new chinese restaurant thats worth going to! Portions are large, staff are nice, and reasonable price. Fast serving as well. Make sure to go with lots of people, since you will want to try different things. We tried Stinky tofu, beef aorta & chicken offal, braised pork belly & bamboo shoots, and eggplant with minced meat.

My favorite was the eggplant with minced meat out of all four! Can't go wrong with that. Stinky tofu had crispy skin with good amount of sauce but if you havent tried Stinky tofu, maybe dont get it since its a unique taste that not many people enjoy if you didnt grow up eating it. I really liked beef aorta and chicken ooral, but if you dont like the chewy texture of meat, this is not for you. Finally the bamboo shoot pork belly was good, but I wish the description was more specific. I thought the pork belly was the main and the bamboo shoot would be mixed in together but its the other way around. Not too much pork meat and bamboo was the main. I think having a little description would be helpful. Good taste but I don't think i would've order it if I had known what it was.

The servers are very pleasant and I had a great time there. I would definitely come back to try other dishes, since all the dish we ordered...

Chef Tan Chinese Restaurant is situated at Danor Plaza, near Maple Avenue in Vienna, VA, serving authentic and flavorful Hunan cuisine with well-balanced flavors. Its exterior is modest, but the interior offers a spacious, modern ambiance with friendly service. The restaurant boasts a diverse menu and generous portions. I appreciate discovering a Chinese eatery that serves traditional dishes, avoiding westernized or Americanized variants that tend to be overly sweet.

Some dishes we loved and highly recommend: Steamed pork dumplings, truly homemade with authentic flavor. Pressure-cooked pork belly: tender, juicy, and mildly spicy. Iron plate Mongolian beef: similar to Korean bulgogi but less sweet and saucy—very good! General Tso’s chicken: a classic dish with minced chicken balls in a subtly sweet sauce. Pumpkin seafood tofu soup: sizable enough to share, with balanced flavors from pumpkin and seafood that weren’t overpowering Fried rice: among the best in Northern Virginia, with a deep, savory flavor from...

Chef Tan is an absolute gem for Hunan cuisine lovers! Every dish packs bold, authentic flavors without being overly greasy or salty — just pure, balanced heat and fragrance. The chili aroma hits first, then the flavors slowly bloom on your tongue like a slow-burn love story.

We ordered the chili-pepper fish, stir-fried pork with green peppers, and the spicy dry pot cauliflower — every single plate was a knockout. The fish was tender and silky, the pork had that irresistible wok-kissed aroma, and the cauliflower was crunchy, spicy, and addictive.

Service was friendly and warm, and the dishes came out fast. The vibe feels modern yet comforting — like someone transported a real Hunan kitchen straight to town, but gave it a stylish upgrade.

If you crave REAL Hunan spice, this place is a must. My taste buds are still dancing. Will definitely be back — with more friends next time, because good spice should never be...