Chef Zhu 老正兴

The food was superb. The menu is very large with a wide variety of dim sum, familiar, Americanized, Chinese food, and food that seemed much more authentic. There was plenty here for the vegans in the group and several tofu dishes. The service was pleasant and attentive.

The vegetable Mushu was unremarkable. What truly shined was the dishes with sautéed vegetables. The tofu and mushroom dish had several different kinds of mushrooms and a delicious soy based sauce. The tofu and greens dish had bok choy leaves and also mustard greens. The vegetables were just done to the point where the flavors were fantastic. As far as the noodle dish, it was wonderful but one of us found a piece of what looked like metal wire in the dish. We obviously did not finish it and appropriately. They made us another one to take with us. They gave us some sesame balls for dessertgiven our experience. It is hard for me to downgrade them much for this given how good the food was. I want to say again that if you do not eat meat, the flavors of the vegetables were incredible. White rice, which is generally included was $1.50 per small ball and I didn’t feel that this should be charged for.

The recent addition of Chef Zhu to the Torrey Highlands shopping center has been met with much excitement, and after my visit, I can confidently say that it’s a worthy addition to the culinary landscape. Despite initial reservations about its proximity to Joyee’s dumplings, I’m delighted to report that Chef Zhu holds its own.

We got here Sunday afternoon, I was pleased to find plenty of parking available in the center, making access easy. The restaurant itself has undergone a stylish redesign from its previous incarnation as a BBQ joint, boasting an inviting interior that sets the stage for a memorable dining experience.

While the customer service initially left something to be desired – perhaps due to a focus on online orders – the staff proved to be friendly and accommodating once we garnered their attention. Despite being the only patrons at the start of our meal, we found ourselves waiting longer than expected for assistance. However, once attended to, our orders were taken promptly and accurately.

As for the food, it did not disappoint. We opted for the Chicken Lo Mein and Orange Chicken, both of which arrived as generous portions bursting with flavor. The Lo Mein, in particular, stood out with its delightful smoky undertones and perfectly cooked noodles. Meanwhile, the Orange Chicken boasted a delightful balance of sweetness and crunch, leaving us eager to explore more of the menu offerings.

Overall, Chef Zhu offers excellent value for money, delivering ample portions of high-quality Chinese cuisine in a pleasant setting. While there may be room for improvement in terms of service efficiency, the delicious food more than makes up for any minor shortcomings. I look forward to returning to sample more of their enticing menu offerings.

**Restaurant Review: Chef Zhu Chinese Cuisine**

Dining at Chef Zhu Chinese Cuisine was an experience marked by outstanding hospitality, immaculate surroundings, and, most importantly, delectable food. Upon arrival, we were greeted by exceptionally friendly staff, setting a welcoming tone for the evening.

The ambiance of the restaurant promotes a very clean and comfortable dining environment, enhancing the overall culinary experience.

Our menu choices for the night included the Crispy Garlic Chicken and the Honey Walnut Shrimp. The Crispy Garlic Chicken was a delightful surprise, perfectly balancing sweetness and a robust garlic punch, with a satisfyingly crispy texture. It’s a fantastic twist on the traditional sweet and sour chicken, offering a more garlicky flavor with less zest, which was exactly what we were craving.

The Honey Walnut Shrimp also stood out, boasting a creamy and crispy texture. The shrimp were cooked to perfection, and the sweetness was just right, not overpowering but pleasantly subtle, complementing the rich, creamy sauce beautifully.
The smell on both dishes… amazing.

Chef Zhu’s mastery in crafting these dishes with a perfect balance of flavors left us thoroughly impressed and eager to return. Based on our experience, we wholeheartedly recommend Chef Zhu Chinese Cuisine to anyone looking for high-quality, delicious Chinese dishes in a friendly and pristine environment. We definitely plan to come back!

Improve: water/drink refill. Servers don’t stop to refill unfortunately. Hoping management can address. This is repeat behavior.