Explore the China Chef menu featuring classic Chinese favorites like Chicken Yat Gaw Mein, Kung Pao Tofu, and Steamed Shrimp with Broccoli. Located at 2039 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, CT, this local spot is praised for bold flavors and diverse options including Weight Watcher-friendly dishes. Call +1 203-288-6666 to order.
Located at 2039 Dixwell Ave in Hamden, CT, China Chef offers a robust menu that captures the essence of classic Chinese cuisine with a comforting, familiar touch. From their flavorful Chow Mein selections to their hearty lunch specials and diverse seafood dishes, this restaurant serves up a genuine experience that appeals to both casual diners and Chinese food aficionados alike.
One cannot overlook the standout Crabmeat Chow Mein, priced at $14.45, which combines delicate seafood with perfectly stir-fried noodles. The lunch specials are equally compelling — dishes like Sweet & Sour Chicken ($11.05) and Beef with Eggplant ($11.45) provide well-balanced flavors and satisfying portions without straining the wallet. Particularly, the Shrimp Egg Foo Young and Shrimp Lo Mein, both around $11, showcase the kitchen’s skill in marrying fresh ingredients with traditional Chinese cooking techniques.
The seafood offerings shine with luxurious yet approachable options like Shrimp with Garlic Sauce, Shrimp with Broccoli, and Shrimp with Black Bean Sauce. These dishes highlight the restaurant’s command of savory, umami-rich sauces that enrich rather than overpower the natural taste of the shrimp and vegetables. Lobster Sauce and Shrimp with Curry add an additional layer of variety and an intriguing twist to the seafood category.
Customer feedback reflects a passionate following. One diner, known as "Tay," praises the orange chicken with an emotional intensity, calling it "the best tasting Chinese food I've ever tried," while another, "Rawr Dragon," appreciates the consistent quality of the food despite noting a lapse in dining room sanitation. This contrast suggests a place devoted to great flavors over formal ambiance, focusing on delivering authentic, comforting meals that keep patrons coming back.
Overall, China Chef is a hidden gem for anyone craving traditional Chinese fare with a seafood emphasis. Its menu is diverse yet focused, bringing vibrant flavors and classic dishes right to Hamden’s doorstep. For those willing to overlook minor service quirks, the culinary payoff here is more than worth it.
