I recently moved back to the NoVa after a few years overseas and was looking forward to going back to Cheng's since it always had really excellent and authentic Szechuan. Sadly, I found out even before ordering that its original owner Louis Cheng recently retired and sold the restaurant to new ownership. The food was so-so but it was definitely not as good as I remember - the boiled fish in was definitely different versus what it was previously. Instead of spicy and fragrant peppercorns in oil, it was a simple sauce and cornstarch, very little heat and pretty generic. The other dishes didn't have the fiery wok taste that they used to and it felt more like an average Chinese food restaurant versus one that's more authentically Szechuan. Not bad food by any means, but less spice and more generic. Maybe it's a decision by new management to make it more mass appealing, but I was sad that it was sold and doesn't feel like the same place. read more

If you're looking for outstanding Asian food, this place is absolutely worth seeking out. The location is a little tucked away, but the food more than makes up for it. The portions are incredibly generous, and every dish we tried was delicious. The drunken noodles were packed with flavor, the fried rice was perfectly cooked, the Tso's chicken was excellent, and the steamed fish was fresh and beautifully prepared. The highlight of the meal was the spectacular tableside Flambé dessert--it was both delicious and a fun experience. The service was exceptional. Our waitress was incredibly sweet, attentive, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the meal. The owners were also warm and welcoming, adding to the wonderful dining experience. And don't skip the beer--it was fantastic! Great food, generous portions, outstanding hospitality, and excellent value. We'll definitely be back. read more

I saw this place named on some guy's list of best restaurants in NOVA. We only ordered 4 dishes so I can't speak for the rest of the menu. But what we did get was pretty darn good (if a bit pricey)! The style is much more authentic, so if you're looking for something like Hunan Cafe (Greenbriar), or that NOVA institution China King, this is different. Is it better? For the most part, yes. (But I still crave that Americanized sweet, spicy, glazey brown sauce that comes in slight variations in so many dishes). I had the hot and sour soup, Szechuan spicy fried eggplant sticks, Taiwanese rice noodles with fried tofu, and the Chengdu twice cooked pork. Everything was excellent, except....the hot and sour soup. Honestly, Hunan Cafe and China King beat the pants off this place's hot and sour soup. Here, it was a bit too sweet. It had some red chilies in it, but I could not detect much white pepper. And it's a vegetarian version, so no small bits of chicken or pork. I'd skip this the next time I order from here. But the other dishes... amazing! The noodles were light-tasting but still delicious. The eggplant was garnished with cilantro, garlic, salt, and red chili sauce. The twice cooked pork was sauteed with sliced leeks and the same red chili sauce. I think that's the fresh, zingy, spice flavor profile I like that can't be found at Americanized Chinese restaurants. Sure, China King has its place and I'll still go back there when I'm close (RIP China King Fair Lakes and Herndon). And admittedly, I go to that awful Panda chain occasionally because I never learn. The unfortunate thing is, I'll more likely go to these places than Cheng's because of the price. The pork dish was $21 and the noodle dish was $19. My total bill came to $60 before tax and tip. If I need to stuff my face with a Chinese umami bomb fast, I'm probably going to the other places for $15-30. I do want to try the rest of the menu at Cheng's, but it's going to be a drawn-out process for the sake of my wallet. I'd be remiss if I didn't include a comment from my dining partner. She compared the quality and taste of the food at Cheng's to Peter Chang's (either Peter Chang's-Herndon, or Mama Chang Fairfax). A high compliment. But she said the value is better at those places' AYCE options than what we got at Cheng's, and I agree. If you've been to none of these places, you have to try them all at least once. read more

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Very good NY-style food. Very hard to find in the NOVA area. We ordered sautéed fish in light ginger sauce-fantastic! Orange chicken-very good with the right amount of spice. Spring rolls-good. Shrimp with walnuts-my BIL loved it. Lemongrass soup-my SIL loved it. My BIL picked up the food and they deliver through DoorDash also. The place was clean and orderly.. read more

I came seeking something easy on the stomach, but good on the tastebuds. I landed a lightly seasoned tofu dish with a mouthwatering onion and pepper flavor, and a convincingly decadent chocolate cake. Plenty of other options were available for when I get my tolerance for spicy food back, as the place leans Szechuan. Takeout was an efficient process even though they did not take online payments; I just paid when I got there. The location is a bit past the airport, which is probably a better place to look for Chinese food than most of downtown DC. read more

Cheng's Asian House - Tofu with jalapeño salt - Shanghainese Near Me - Chantilly, Virginia

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I reviewed this restaurant years ago when Mr. Louis owned it, and it was our favorite place. After the sale, we returned and sadly it's not the same. The spicy eggplant kept its flavor but was soggy instead of lightly fried, the fried rice tasted like it came from a frozen bag, and the crispy beef was tough and stringy, nothing like the best version we used to get here. We arrived an hour before closing and felt rushed to order, and the front counter staff seemed unfriendly. On another visit, our gift card that we had previously purchased wasn't accepted. It's sad to say goodbye to a place we loved, and I've lowered my rating to reflect our recent visits. read more

I've found Cheng's to be a reliable go-to when I am craving good Chinese food. Their portions are generous, and many dishes are packed with bold flavor and freshness, whether you are in the mood for something spicy, savory, or mild. You get good food at reasonable prices. Some of my favorites include Crispy Shredded Beef in Spicy Sauce, Fried Chicken Nuggets with Basil (a Taiwanese native favorite), and Wrinkled String Beans. Crispy Shrimp with Honey Walnuts is also really good. They offer a wide variety from stir-fries and noodle dishes to seafood, pork, beef, and vegetarian/vegan-friendly options. The kitchen is very accommodating. If you want milder spice, less oil, or custom tweaks, they seem pretty open to it. Because it's not one of those fancy places, the vibe stays relaxed and unpretentious, which I personally like. It's nice for families, friends, or a simple meal out without fuss. I also like to order take-out. :) read more

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Awesome fresh vegetarian food.. very good service and a wonderful unrushed pace. Cozy, homey ambiance. Quite the surprise gem in a small strip mall location! Do give this place a try. read more

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I was so looking forward to dinner with the kids! I was trying to tell them how much I love this place--the food is so authentic, and the owner is super sweet. We walked in, but the Chinese lady wasn't at the counter, and we couldn't find Mr. Cheng. We sat down, looking over our menu, and something felt off, so I asked if Mr. Cheng wasn't here today. They told me he's retired and sold his business six months ago. Oh no! We ordered our regular dishes, and let me just say, I didn't even bother to take any pictures. Each of us took a bite and was done. We ordered salty fish and chicken fried rice (the best dish of the night), wonton soup (a sip and left it as is), and garlic fried pork chop (it wasn't fresh garlic, but the one from the pre-made and strong Indian curry marinated to the pork chop. Beef chow fun, the kids were okay eating it, but the noodles were nothing special like before. We couldn't get the wok smell off the noodles. Let's not talk about the other dishes. We ordered so much and didn't want to throw it out, so we had to pack it to go. The service wasn't pleasant, but we still left a 20% tip. I ended up taking the kids to a Korean bakery down the street. I wanted to do this review so everyone knows that it's no longer the same. read more

Clean and pleasant sit-down restaurant that serves an excellent Singapore Mei Fun for a gluten free diner like me after a short flight to the IAD. Will keep it on my list of the first place to dine the next time I'm in the DMV. read more

Picked up takeout on a weekday night and was pleasantly surprised! We had low expectations, but our orders of Rainbow Chicken and Fried Shrimp with Jalapeño Salt were quite delicious. We were happy with the portioning of the food too. The entrees include rice! We never ate here before the change in management, but my husband and I agreed that we'll do takeout from here more often! The inside is actually quite lovely and not similar to other American Chinese places. read more

The food was fantastic! The service through DoorDash was quick too! I ordered the pork with no spice and the garlic spinach and it was absolutely delicious!! This is my first time ordering from here and I would definitely order from here again!! Yummy Chinese food!! read more

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Been ordering here for years but this is the worst that I've ever had. For the amount of money for the orders, the food should not be burned. read more

With 800+ reviews, expected the place to be bustling, but just one other table at arrival. Happy to say, the glowing reviews were spot on - lunch was delish. Got Thai sautéed fish & cumin lamb - two dishes my fam wouldn't normally eat so I indulge when I can. Lamb was tender, not gamey; fish was moist in yummy sauce. The default stir fry veggies tend to be onions & peppers which aren't a top fav; and brown rice is extra cost - otherwise, no other complaints. Come out & give them some love. read more

Cheng's Asian House - Thai fish (front) and cumin lamb - Shanghainese Near Me - Chantilly, Virginia

This place is spectacular - probably one of the most authentic Chinese cuisine in the area. The owners are so nice and very welcoming. They come and greet you and have meaningful conversations with you. They explain everything that you ask and even tell you where they got the fish that day. The fried fish is market price, of course. It ranges from $50-$60 but very worth. It can feed 6 people, if you know how to divvy it up. Very tasty with their homemade marinate. The skin was also crispy as well. Highly recommend this restaurant - try out the fried fish. The restaurant looks very modern with a hint of Chinese decor. It's a very nice place for a casual dinner. read more

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The food was Super bland, very expensive considering the small portions you get! The Lo Mein noodles were very big and not the normal size and even more bland. read more

Louis Cheng has been feeding me since the 1980's. He is a Master at what he does and his wife Shu chops the veggies and oversees the kitchen. Eating at Cheng's Asian house is a unique experience with time honored recipes and very personal service. I just returned to NoVa after a few years and made a bee line to Cheng's. As always, I left with a smile. read more

This is a favorite of ours. Food is always good, whether we eat in or take out. The vegetarian hot and sour soup is so good. Can't go wrong with the entree either. read more

I was planning to attend a jewelry and gem show at the Dulles expo center on the behest of my elderly friend. We decided to eat lunch prior to attending this event. There were so many unique Yelp recommendations in Chantilly but decided to choose Cheng's because it was table service, which would be easier for her. I have no regrets! Cheng's truly has many authentic Chinese dishes on the menu similar to Chinatown NYC. For the less adventurous there are the typical Chinese American dishes and some Thai. We shared the spring rolls, seafood delight handmade noodle soup and Governors chicken (kung pao). The chicken was delicious and not ladened with gloppy sauce. The spring rolls were greaseless and the soup was a generous portion with noodles that had a satisfying chew. The restaurant was inviting and the service was warm and efficient. Water and ice teas were automatically refilled. Though I live almost an hour away, I'm actually contemplating returning with my husband because it was that good! read more

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We went last night. As others have said: the owner changed, staff was completely different and unfortunately, the food was also not nearly as good. After years of loving this place and Louis Cheng's prior restaurants, we will not be back. Very sad. read more

Celebrated Lunar New Year there. The food was the best Chinese food I've had in NoVa in years. It's under new management and they are highly committed to great food and service. The amazing chef is the same one who's been there for many years. read more

Food was great! We got our food to go so the crispy items weren't crispy anymore by the time to eat, but the flavor was there. The fried pork chops were juicy and flavorful. Eggplants were string beans were very yummy, cooked to perfection not too soft. Calamari was soggy, won't get again for carry out. Crispy beef was not crispy and the beef was a bit chewy but the flavor was great. The fried chicken wings were okay, nothing special. The lamb was a bit gamey. read more

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I see that the owner did not like my earlier review.... Thanks for the response --though it read less like a reply to a customer and more like a defensive Yelp manifesto on the nature of "authenticity." I'm still not sure if you were trying to clarify something or just prove my point in real time. You're right that food varies between restaurants, even in the same region. What I said--and stand by--is that good food, even when localized, carries a sense of cultural intent and culinary care. What I tasted at Cheng's was generic, over-sweetened filler that could have come from a steam table at a suburban food court. Comparing that to KFC in Shanghai or invoking Chop Suey as a defense doesn't help your case. Those are precisely the kinds of "adaptations" serious food lovers moved on from decades ago. Look, if your business model is "comfort food disguised as Chinese," fine. But don't pretend it's something it's not--and please don't condescend to customers who can tell the difference. You had a chance to take the feedback with humility. You chose to argue. That tells me everything I need to know--about the food and the leadership. And yes, Cheng's remains a top contender for the June 2025 Vomitus Award, though competition is fierce this summer. read more

Great authentic Chinese food. Always nice friendly service. Nice place to dine in with plenty of seating available for large or small groups with nice music playing for your enjoyment. read more

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I have been looking for Chinese food spots that has flavor and variety. We decided to do a takeout: chicken Lo Mein, spring roll and hot and sour soup. Soup was so delicious and fresh, the vegetables and tofu were seasoned to perfection. The Lo Mein was made fresh and every bite Each bite wad an explosion of flavor. Lo Mein had a great mix of noodles, fresh vegetables, and a hearty sauce. read more

Cheng's Asian House - Hot and Sour soup - Shanghainese Near Me - Chantilly, Virginia

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I was pretty disappointed by what I saw. Items were being put into my soup using bare hands, and then the same hand was touching his face open palm right after, possibly wiping sweat not with back of hand. Furthermore, it looked like he may have been looking at his phone right after. That's not great and definitely raises hygiene concerns. This really shows the need for some retraining on basic food-handling habits--using utensils or gloves, washing hands often, and avoiding touching the face or anything outside of food while working with food. Hopefully this can be addressed so it doesn't happen again. I was going to say something but it wasn't the normal owners there to speak to. I opted for trashing my food. My mind was like if you touching your face right after and just standing around he should of been washing his hands after putting his hands all over his face so it felt to me that his was not a first time so I was concerned about my food. read more

Same lackluster food last time for this place 80$ in shit food. Plus the parking lot sucks and getting there is taking ones life into your hands read more

It's hard to find a good reliable, tasty neighborhood Chinese restaurant. But guess what? You found it. It's Cheng's! Cheng's is a bit of a drive for us, we live in manassas, but it's worth the drive every time. We've never had to wait for a table and the service is always quick, polite and speedy. My husband bases all his service experience on his water refills. Let me tell you, he never has an empty cup for long - which marks this as top notch service in his books. Which in turn allows me to have a nice experience too The food is delicious - which allows us to always try something new since we know it'll probably be yummy! Pickled cucumbers? Delish Steamed dumplings? Yummm Governors Chicken? AHMAZING. The peanuts. The spice. Also, I think the green tea pot magically refills... it somehow holds like a gallon of water. I sit there for minutes after we've finished our meal always downing tea trying to get to the bottom of it. Oh! They also have a tiki bar and my husband always enjoys the bevs. read more

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I am a big fan of Hong Kong style chow fun noodles. Tried this dish at many local Chinese restaurants but always disappointed because they all use dry, not fresh, chow fun noodles. I ordered this at Cheng's Asian House today and was delighted that they use fresh noodles. Congratulations to Cheng's for doing that! The only thing Cheng's is missing from making a perfect chow fun noodle dish is that they don't fry with 'wok hei'. The Cantonese method of cooking where noodles are fried in a high heat wok such that noodles have a charred, caramelized flavor. read more

Pretty good option for Chinese food in the chantilly area! Keep in mind that many of the dishes feature Schezuan peppercorns so be ready for the spicy and numbing sensation that comes a lot with these dishes. We went with the classic Mapo tofu and it was a hit! It was packed with tofu and ground pork and the sauce was a perfect balance of spicy and savory. The portion was huge so recommend to share with at least one other person. The sliced duck entree felt like it was not as fresh so I wouldn't recommend it. The meat was dry and doesn't really come with anything to balance the dish. The Mai Thai was a good choice too if you are looking for the perfect pairing for your dinner. The staff was super friendly and the service was great! The lighting is a little gloomy but maybe that is the vibes they are going for?!? All in all, pretty solid option. Cant wait to come back. read more

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Great food, with some opportunities, but still very good. The fried eggplants were amazing, but too greasy, we had to dry it using napkins, still it was so flavorsome! The drunken noodles were excellent; fresh, soft, and well seasoned. The rainbow chicken equally great, but too salty. This could be a solid five stars, they just need to make some minor adjustments. Service was very friendly, and the atmosphere family friendly. read more

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The food was alright, it wasn't the best Chinese food I've had. I was honestly dissapointed considering the reviews. I had a to go order from their lunch special. I ordered the spring roll, sesame chicken, and triple delight. My boyfriend said his food sucked aka triple delight. The sesame chicken was alright. The side order of fried rice was alright. It was only egg and rice. read more

Cheng's Asian House - Sesame Chicken - Shanghainese Near Me - Chantilly, Virginia

Zero stars. Oily, flavorless, inedible food. Got the Orange Chicken, Mongolian Beef, and Scallion Pancakes for $53 to go and my wife started complaining about "old, oily, disgusting, food". She is picky so I did not believe her, but it really was not very good. I did not eat it. The orange chicken was horrible looking. I think they grabbed some old pieces and threw them in. The Beef not much better. The pancakes were barely edible. Not disgusting but flavorless. read more

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Food is very good; however, the restaurant has become more expensive. In particular, the moo shu pancakes are now microscopic. Luckily, I had a package of tortillas to make the meal work. I'm not sure whether I'll return for takeout read more

I have been there this past Friday. Spent 80+ dollars for 4 dishes and everything tasted bad. This was our first time got a Togo for a Friday so excited to go home and try and all of us were very disappointed. It didn't taste anything like Chinese .. the spices were wrong. Not sure what the issue was.. read more

I've come a full circle with Louis, the friendly owner of Cheung's Asian House - from working as a busboy decades ago to being a customer today. Louis has operated some of the best Chinese/ fusion restaurants in the Herndon, Fairfax, Sterling, and nearby locations. Quality ingredients, good presentation, taste, fair prices and good service. With that expectation in mind we asked for recommendations, and we were pleased with the calamari, braised pork with handmade wrap, fish fillets, and the Taiwanese rice noodle. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for quality Chinese food. Ask him for recommendations. read more

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Wonderful food, with great service. A place worth visiting. Even the seating was comfortable!!!!

I find it pretty difficult to find authentic Chinese cuisine in the area and was so thrilled to have happened across Cheng's. Don't let its unassuming exterior and humble interior sway you from enjoying a delicious meal. If you love a little kick, you'll love the Szechuan flavors. My favorite was the ma la boiled fish. It had warm spicy flavors but wasn't as oily as other restaurants. The fish was perfectly cooked as well. Food came out so quickly and staff was warm and friendly but didn't check in often so make sure you know what you want when they come by. Looking forward to this becoming a regular spot. read more

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Never disappoints. Every time we are in the vicinity of Chantilly, VA. I ask that my brother bring us here. It's amazing food. Whether it be the Singapore Noodles, I tried the pickled cucumber appetizer for the first time, it was refreshing, crisp but with a hint of spicy garlic. Very good. My family ordered like three orders of dumplings because they were that good. We were getting full, but ordered our go-to in the combination lo mein, and we got some sesame chicken. Despite the amount of food, we went to town and did not leave anything but the dishes. :) We will certainly come again. read more

Cheng's Asian House - Dining area - Shanghainese Near Me - Chantilly, Virginia

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The restaurant looked not big but when we walked into it, it is quite big. Some dining tables are with big metal lids, they looked like Korean BBQ table before, so when the dishes come, you can not put them stable. We ordered three dishes. 1- The typical Taiwanese chicken w/ basil dish was really good! The sauce was salty and sweet with lots of ginger flavor. 2- Beef with onions was great too! The meat was tender, onion inside was very sweet, especially we loved the thin flour tortilla. You can wrap your beef by the tortilla. Never forget add on some special dark sauce. It made the dish goes to another level. 3- Green leaves with garlic was a bit overcooked, but the seasoning was good. Our server was very friendly and worked hard. She moved fast and paid attention to all the tables. And, she was the only one in the restaurant except the owner and his wife during the dinner busy time. Unfortunately, we heard the owner's wife was talking very loud and strictly. She was not happy about the server. I mean: if you give your employee a lesson, please do it back in the kitchen or somewhere else. DO NOT EDUCATE YOUR EMPLOYEE IN FRONT OF YOUR CUSTOMERS!! Please!! Our server worked very hard! You should learn how to encourage your employees!! read more

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