The Paper Crane — Restaurant in Wilmington

Hard to decide how many stars, hope I didn't overdo it with 2. 1 star for delivering to me in reasonable time during the great blizzard of 2018. I told my friends back in MA that the city shut down over 3 inches of snow. They were jealous.

I got a tempua shrimp app, they were large, crispy, and flavorful (although nobody in NC seems to know what tempura is, they give you these panko crumbs instead) 1/2 star. Sadly, it was downhill from there. Hot and Sour soup, my favorite, was neither hot, spicy, nor sour- sweet yet bland, and NOBODY in NC seems to add pork strips to the veggies and tofu. Shrimp w Lobster Sauce was fair though watery. Pork Egg Foo Young was mixed- nice, thick patties crispy outside, but the pork was overcooked and chewy, and they didn't give me any gravy. 1/2 star. Zero stars for the beef and scallop in sesame sauce because they didn't send it. Instead I got something (fried shrimp and something else- chicken maybe?) coated in batter and buried in thick sticky sweet sauce, over some gross looking overcooked broccoli and unidentified other veggies. I tried it, meat(s) we're too hard to chew and the sauce was really gross.

In fairness, most of the Chinese/ Asian/ Polynesian style food I have had in North Carolina is sad. The Asian population in Eastern MA around the colleges is quite large, and of course Chinatown in downtown Boston have made a great influence and it's hard to find better food anywhere, so I'm spoiled. I just decided to take it out on...

Terrible delivery service/order accuracy This really pains me. Let me start by saying that this is the best Asian food in Wilmington, after Indochine. The food is always great, service on site is good, portions and prices are reasonable. BUT... We have ordered delivery from this place, for a family of 6, now 5 times. Nearly $100 every time we order. Only once has the order been correct. The first three times the order was wrong, they were amenable to correct the situation, eventually (over an hour to get replacement food). The last time, we were told to speak with Will directly to ensure out order was correct. Tonight was the night. Ordered Kung Pao (along with several standards), extra spicy, no baby corn. Extra sides of white and brown sauce (the main thing ALWAYS missing from the orders). Kung Pao came LOADED with corn. NO spice. Zip. However, got about 30 packets of hot sauce (literally). Guess the spicy is self-applied? No sides of brown sauce. AGAIN. Got an order of egg drop soup we didn't even order. Instead of a pint of Kung Pao with a box of rice, it was the combo portion (smaller). Still charged for the larger one. It is obvious to me now that what you order on the phone and what the kitchen cooks you are two different things. Don't like it? Tough. You get what you get. We will have to give up our favorite Chinese spot. NEVER again for delivery. Maybe we'll go in some night. Maybe not. I honestly don't think they'll...

I can say that I have driven 6 hours JUST to eat food here. I have been to China town, NY many times and the food here tastes just as good. Everything is cooked to perfection. They really know how to cook with flavor here. The cook is masterful at blending flavors so your pallet just explodes from all the tastiness. I recommend the Garlic chicken. It is nice and spicy with tons of garlic and lots of different veggies. I've never had such soft chicken in my life either. The crab ragoons are also a favorite with everyone; they are sweet and delicious. We have also had curry chicken, house fried rice, coconut chicken and shrimp, and shrimp with lobster sauce. The were all great.

The restaurant is also very beautiful and I wish more people would eat inside instead of just take out. The only thing I don't like here is I've seen the owner take money from the tip jar. Which is unheard of at restaurants. I'm expecting to be tipping the girl for waiting on my table and...