Great Chinese Food in Bismarck

Tucked away in the small Northbrook Mall, at 1929 N. Washington Street in Bismarck, ND, is one of the city's best Chinese restaurants. A modest and self-effacing little business, the China Garden offers the best of China's several cuisines, from Sweet and Sour Pork, to spicy General Tso's Chicken, to great seafood dishes, all served with Eastern style and courtesy.

The China Garden is open seven days a week, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. They used to close between 2:30 and 5:00, but to my surprise and pleasure, they have extended their hours to cover the entire afternoon and evening. They also have added a delivery service, so you can have their wonderful food brought right to your home, hot and fresh, whenever you want it. I recommend eating in, though, so that you can enjoy both the service and the ambiance. The walls are white, with Asian artworks strategically placed, and not so many that they overwhelm the room. There are both tables and more intimate booths, and a large group table is semi-separate from the rest of the room with a half-wall that encloses it in the corner. Fresh plants and flowing water undoubtedly improve the feng shui of the room, and the fresh flowers on tables with white or pink linen table cloths delight the sense. The acoustics are such that no one is forced to eavesdrop on a neighboring table; there is a hush of conversation, and the sound of the fountains to soothe the ears, while the scents from the kitchen delight the nose and the palate.

Unlike some Chinese restaurants in the area, the China Garden always uses only the best and freshest ingredients. Their chicken dishes are all made with white breast meat, and their beef is USDA grade A flank steak. Vegetables are always fresh and lightly steamed, never cooked from frozen. This all adds to the experience of dining at the China Garden.