Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year, a 15-day celebration for a billion or so people. Celebrate 2012 – the Year of the Dragon – by bidding your friends “Gong Xi Fa Ca!” (which means “wishing you prosperity†in Mandarin) and enjoying one of these Chinese restaurants in the East Valley:
Tott’s Asian Diner: This fast-casual eatery (pictured above) is my favorite Chinese restaurant in the entire Valley, as much for the friendly service as the delicious food. The orange chicken is the must-have dish. I also recommend the black pepper beef and walnut shrimp. 4030 W. Ray Road, Chandler, 480-897-7928
Yao Fine Chinese: Snow Hill Chicken, lightly seared chicken with crunchy cashews in a spicy sauce, is the house specialty. It’s served atop a mound of white fried rice noodles, hence the name. Seafood lovers shouldn’t miss the Seafood Delight. 2487 S. Gilbert Road, Gilbert, 480-899-0308
China Magic Noodle House: Located next to Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, this is the only place in the Valley you can watch (through a window into the kitchen) your noodles hand-pulled to order. Try the beef with fried noodles in XO spicy sauce (shown at left). 2015 N. Dobson Road, Chandler, 480-786-8002
Asian Cafe Express: This bare-bones Hong Kong-style café offers inexpensive dishes on two menus – one for cautious Americans and another for Chinese diners. The adventurous will want to try the beef chow fun or eggplant spare rib hot pot off the latter. 1911 W. Main St., Mesa, 480-668-5910
Dragon Wok: This nicely decorated sit-down restaurant serves portions big enough for two to share. My current obsession is the spicy pungent pineapple chicken. Other specialities include the Phoenix Dragon (chicken and shrimp) and crispy gourmet beef. 727 W. Ray Road, Gilbert, 480-782-6889
