I have never experienced such a bad meal in my entire life as was the takeout that I ordered from Main Moon Chinese Kitchen in Ilion on December 13, 2025. Two orders contained shrimp which was very "off tasting" so we couldn't eat it and didn't feel it would be safe to eat it. The soup we ordered was absolutely and completely spoiled!! When we opened the soup container the spoiled smell filled the kitchen, however of course my husband still insisted on tasting it and, yup, making me taste it too! We only brought the spoon to our nose and touched it to our lips to confirm it was spoiled (yes we were sure before doing this, spit it right out, but didn't want to say anything without knowing for certain) and it absolutely was spoiled and the person who packaged it in the restaurant had to have smelled it. The egg rolls were nothing but SALT (and I usually don't mind a bit of salt)! We did not return the food because of winter weather, but I reached out to them and was told I would hear from them in 24 hours however I did not hear from them at all. I would never just go online and trash a meal I don't care for, however this meal could have been potentially dangerous if eaten!! I have since spoken to other family members who have tried this restaurant and all have said they had absolutely terrible food and would never order from them again! Well, I won't either! Food is so expensive these days and ordering out is very expensive and is now considered a treat and we spent much to much for this meal to throw away! I advise everyone to avoid this restaurant! read more

The food was good, ready on time and fast service. I specially liked that the shrimp egg rolls actually had sizable shrimp in them!

I went on yelp to find a Chinese buffet in Herkimer and went to the Main Moon on a Thursday afternoon at 1pm. They did not have a buffet so I walked out. Covid had been over for over a year and still no buffet? You think they would let us know on yelp! read more

I have always enjoyed the take out here. Always hot and fresh. Employees are always friendly. My family and I always get Main Moon when we are in town. read more

Main Moon Chinese Kitchen - 17. General Tso's Chicken Combo Plate - Chinese Near Me - Ilion, New York

I love this place and it holds a dear place in my heart. They were the first Chinese restaurant I ever went to and one of the first in the valley. When they changed up to a buffet, while I can imagine it was good for boosting business, it hurt their product in my opinion. For example, the General Tso chicken used to be crispy when you would call to make an order (pre-buffet days), and now it's soggy. Since this is one of my personal favorites, it unfortunately has kept me from ordering from them as regularly. read more

Don't go here for your Chinese food!!! There was a fly in my rice. The worker was so rude and the restaurant smells awful like something rotten. The portion they give you is so small and it's overall just not a good place to get food from. read more

They are doing menu orders only right now and no buffet, but I only order takeout anyway when I am in the area. I wish they had delivery. The food is really fresh and crispy, and it tastes like American Chinese is supposed to taste. Other restaurants in the area don't seem to know what they're doing and put too much sugar in the sauces, but here it's just right. Make sure to get the house special lo mein noodles. The staff is also really friendly and attentive. My go-to whenever I'm back in my home town! read more

I do miss there buffet that closed during Covid, so many delicious choices it's hard to chose. We grab take out at least once a week & are always pleased with our selections read more

I really like that their broccoli in garlic sauce has a variety of veggies! I've ordered that dish from other Chinese restaurants that comes with just broccoli. I like broccoli but I like the mixed veggies!! read more

I've been here a couple of times for dinner and right now, it's just takeout. Still the same great place! There aren't many options in the valley for Chinese, but I don't mind since I love coming here. For a buffet in the area, it's what I'd expect and want. They have some of my favorite dishes, decent variety, and tastes as good as any other similar buffet. Even better, the service has always been great, even during busy times. I've even had the chance to meet the owners and they've always been welcoming and attentive. Definitely if I'm hungry and craving Chinese food in the area, this is my go to spot to get my fill. And for now, where I'm grabbing most of my take out meals until they are open again. read more

I don't understand why the reviews are so good. The food was ok, most of it LOOKED nearly inedible because we ended up here at 3pm, and going between traditional meal times is not ideal at any buffet. Many of the things I tried tasted ok though.... many, not all. The interior was drab and poorly maintained but the kitchen looked clean. My boyfriend and I ate here because we were traveling and it got the best reviews of any buffet within a 50-mile radius, and I was craving some sugar-sprinkled Chinese donut thingys. Had we been home in Rochester with more options or a better idea of where else to eat, we'd probably have walked in and marched right back out again based on the look of the place. Alas, we were kind of stuck with it once we got here. They had the obligatory buffet creep, lurking at a table within arms distance of the food and whatever else might happen to walk by. He had maybe the worst case of the creeper stares I've ever experienced, watching me cautiously ladle yum yum sauce onto my plate as I struggled to not give him the bitchy side-eye the whole time. Yikes. The woman who cashed us out was really nice, everyone else seemed disinterested and most of the staff didn't appear to speak very much English. One of the guys in the kitchen made a nice phlegmy sound while walking a bowl of food around and didn't bother covering his mouth, that was pretty sweet. We ate over an hour ago and I don't feel sick yet, so we're calling it a win. read more

Whenever I visit my friend in Ilion, this is the place I stop for food. Can't beat that all-you-can-eat price, especially when you're use to city prices. The food is amazing and the staff is friendly. Definitely try the Peppered Shrimp and the Hot and Spicy Chicken! read more

Sadly there really are no other good Asian Restaurants in the valley, actually within a 50 mile radius. Main Moon has become a favorite for us because of the affordable prices and the Hot and Spicy chicken! I love knowing that they will always have the favorites and have new selections on occasion. I would give it a 5 star for the food and staff. The building is a little run down looking but it is Ilion so I get it. The restroom is super clean and oddly decorated differently from the rest of the restaurant. I love that we can see the cooks in action and the cooking area is clean. We'll be going there today! Just wish they had green tea ice cream but that may not be available here in the boondocks. read more

The service is okay. The crowd is below casual. The food used to be really good but it's below average now. Cold buffet food and an unsettling / uncomfortable atmosphere. Not my style. read more

Main moon has the best selection and the greatest quality Chinese food in the area. I come here often and am never disappointed. The service is great and the people who work there are always friendly. read more

We really enjoy the buffet here last night. The best chicken broccoli and general tso chicken we ever had. This place is so clean and the service was great. We are definitely coming back soon read more

Main Moon Chinese Kitchen - Yummy - Chinese Near Me - Ilion, New York

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Great food and great service! The buffet is always fresh and stocked with lots of different options to choose from. Their food is tasty and is of good quality. No cheap products. Been there a million times before and after their remodel, it's only gotten better ! Also have gotten take out many times, being quick each time I order. Great place! read more

Just passing through on the highway, showed up too late for the buffet (sad trombone) but in plenty of time to get take-out. Pork lo mein was on the better end of the 'about-what-you-would-expect' scale. Guy behind the counter was friendly, food tasted good, the place was clean, and the bathrooms were perfectly adequate--what the heck else do you need in a Chinese buffet & take-out? read more

Disgusting!!! Idk why everyone rated it so good, the food was gross, and the employees were kind of rude to americans.

Best Chinese food in the valley. They recently added another room that looks like it would be good for large groups

Every time I have been here, I am blown away at how good everything is and the choices! Won't go to any other Chinese buffet! Please come here! read more

I went here for the first time yesterday. I was pleased with the price of the all-you-can-eat buffet, and the buffet was filled with great choices. However, I wasn't a fan of not being able to pay with my credit/debit card unless I made a purchase of over $10. Luckily, my friend treated me to lunch. read more

Where to begin. I went with a friend at lunch time. The old rice was mixed in with the new, so half of it was hard and crunchy. The breading on the fried shrimp tasted like, and had the consistency of batter. Choices were very limited. No sushi. The only thing that tasted good was the broccoli and chicken. And the ice cream. For the same price, I've been to many Chinese buffets that had fresh food and offered more. read more

Main Moon is okay, I prefer Red Apple, and East Dynasty but that's probably just personal preference. I've noticed with Main Moon that there's a difference in food quality between ordering out and going to their buffet. read more

Pretty good food for the price, only buffet in the valley so if you're in the mood for some Chinese food but don't want to go broke than I recommend this for you. Kitchen looks clean, decor is okay and most of the food is good. read more