Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    New China Restaurant

    3.6 (26 reviews)
    InexpensiveChinese
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

    New China Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    NEW CHINA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like New China Restaurant

    Recommended Reviews - New China Restaurant

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Chicken wings (order of 16)
    Aja L.

    Okay, I was extremely leery of trying out a non chain Boone restaurant but this place came highly commended by Chinese associates of mine. The first time I walked in I saw white servers which set off alarms, though I did see Chinese cooks. I took menus and left. There's a traditional menu listing authentic dishes that would scare those with basic and infantile palates, and Americanized Chinese dishes for those who like it sugar sweet and plain. Today I went in and ordered the most basic Szechuan dish which done properly is heavenly and done poorly is a slap in the face. I ordered spicy deep fried chicken wings which I avoid eating publicly unless I'm in Black or Chinese spaces. I was the only person in there who wasn't white until an Asian couple finally came in. The wings were 16 for $15 with a side of rice. The presentation was fair to nice, the seasoning was uneven - some wings were saltier and spicier than others, and the food was NOT spicy. Seasoned, but not spicy. I specifically asked for spicy repeatedly. The server asked how the food was and I told then it could be spicier. He brought out chili oil which helped, but I prefer and expect from ethnic restaurants to not need any added. The wings came with vegetables which was nice. Compared to most Iowa Chinese restaurants it is definitely in the top. It'll do the trick when I don't want to drive in to Ames for Chinese. Bonus points for the high level of cleanliness, but I feel they were holding back on the food because I'm not Chinese.

    the front of the restaurant
    Daniel L.

    Several people have described this place as having one of the best Chinese food in Central Iowa so my friend and I decided to visit and see what they are all about. The dim lit, carpeted interior was antiquated with red lanterns that hung from the ceilings. From front to back, the layout included three rows of tables vertically arranged, and the atmosphere was subdued as we were one of the few visitors on this quiet evening. The servers were not Chinese, and they quickly handed us the "oriental" menu out of the two dining options that were available without first consulting with us. This is the first time either of us have seen clay pots in an Iowa restaurant so we ordered the Pork Hock in Pot ($10.95). Price was high but serving was humongous with plenty to take home. The clay pot was filled to the brim with tender chunky pieces of savory pork hocks loaded with flavor. Each piece was easy to bite into and there were depth in the flavor between the lean and fatty pieces. It was delicious. We also shared an order of Beef and Vegetable with Rice Noodles ($8.95). This is also the first time that we have seen a dish that resembled chow fun with thick slippery noodles stir fried with thick slices of beef and a few bean sprouts here and there. The thickness of the noodles was still slightly thinner than what is traditionally considered as chow fun and we both wished it could be stir fried a bit longer since it was on the soggy side. My friend noticed the bean sprouts were already wilted that prevented the crispy to slipper contrast in the textures that usually set the veggies apart from the noodles. We were happy with the thick cuts of beef that were semi-red in the middle, but the cuts were more chewy than necessary. Our least favorite dish was the Tripe Pieces with Spicy Bean Sauce ($10.95). The tripe was overcooked so there was little texture remaining, and the level of spiciness was flat as deep flavors from the bean sauce was missing. We were hoping for this dish to be served with Chinese black bean sauce but it turned out to be one hot mess. Prices are high as each of us ended up paying $20 per person for this meal. Fortunately, we had plenty of leftovers but we didn't like the tripe enough to bring it back. Our drinks were refilled from time to time but we also find our forks and knives sticky and unclean when we first entered the restaurant. It was a decent meal underscored by a fantastic clay pot which we hope to have plenty of in the future. My friend has a Yelp account but never writes reviews but we both agreed on a positive 3 stars experience. As an interesting side note, once we came out of the restaurant there was a chubby kid on a bike that proceeded to bow to us like the movie, the karate kid, something I haven't seen in a long time. Overall, I'm definitely interested in returning but will put more emphasis on the clay pots for the next meal.

    Shrimp Lo Mein
    Lissa G.

    This was the first time we've eaten at the one in Boone. I have to say I'm very disappointed. I had the Shrimp Lo Mein and it wasn't very good. The shrimp tasted off and there wasn't any sauce on the noodles. The crab ragoons were just nasty. I ended up only eating the white rice. My husband had the General Tso's. He thought there was a mix up and, got orange chicken. He did like the combination rice so I'll give them the 1 star.

    Tasteful decorations.
    Jeff T.

    My girlfriend used to work here growing up, and was always raving about it whenever we went to any other Chinese joint. So, when we visited her hometown, we had to try it. I was pleasantly surprised. Good, solid Chinese in small town America. The really cool part is that they do authentic Chinese menu items, but you have to know how to order them. I've been here a bunch now and we often see Chinese students from ISU here, despite the fact that there are a ton of Chinese places in Ames. New China must be doing something right to get them to come over here.

    This is how I picked it up...

    See all

    Photo of Mary L.
    0
    12
    26

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Aja L.
    107
    572
    1194

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Absolutely the best!!!! Always consistent in the taste and portions of all food. The best lunch deal, cheaper than McDonalds and way better.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Always love getting carry out with my girlfriend from here! You get a nice portion of food, for a good price, and the employees are amazing!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 28
    Thanks 0
    Love this 27
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Food is good but bad customer service after forgetting chow mein noodles for the order

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Yummy Chinese food and very reasonably priced. Do wish they had fine-in service back.....

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Best sweet and sour chicken and mu shu chicken I've ever had in iowa! Even my 3 year loves the food and shes super picky.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - New China Restaurant

    Review Highlights - New China Restaurant

    New China is one of the best Chinese food in central Iowa.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Chinese 237 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Szechuan House - 64. Kung Pao Chicken

    Szechuan House

    3.9(112 reviews)
    11.3 mi
    $$

    This is my "go to" Chinese Restaurant in Ames. They do many things well such as hot pot,…read moredry-braised, noodle soups and cold and hot appetizers. My all-time favorite is a sour fish noodle soup with pickled mustard cabbage. Try the cold, ox organ appetizer! The service is friendly, but not great. Sel-help is required when ordering and boxing up leftover food. The ambiance is acceptable, but not outstanding. I go there for a quick lunch so my expectations for service are nominal. I go there because I like the food so much.

    This was the first time here for my mom and I. Although they had signs up saying that due to being…read moreshort staffed, please order at the register, they must have been slow enough that a server did come to our table to take our order. We had several questions about the menu and she knew each item and was able to explain the ones we asked about. We were in a noodle mood and stuck with the basics. We started with an order of pork potstickers. They were pretty good and my mom really liked the dipping sauce they came with. It was good, but I prefer straight soy sauce - which the server brought us. We ordered Chicken Lo Mein, Pan-Fried Thick Rice Noodles with beef, and Pan-Fried Vermicelli with pork. Each dish had a good amount of meat which was great since each of the meats were the most tender pieces I have ever had from a Chinese/Tai/Asian place in Ames. Even the white meat chicken was so tender and not dry at all. Every piece of meat was so soft and flavorful! We cant' wait to go back and try some more adventurous dishes.

    Photos
    Szechuan House
    Szechuan House - Sliced pork with Beijing sauce

    Sliced pork with Beijing sauce

    Szechuan House - Shumai

    See all

    Shumai

    Asian Cuisine - Black pepper chicken

    Asian Cuisine

    4.2(65 reviews)
    26.5 mi
    $

    Asian Cuisine has great food, period. My go-to spot for Chinese takeout in the metro!read more

    The option to dine in has returned here at Asian Cuisine! It's actually been back a while now…read more.. I was just very happy to see it when it happened! The plexiglass wall that closed off the open kitchen during Covid has been removed. I've been here a couple of times since dine in reopened, but had still done take out anyway as my girlfriend lived not far away there in Grimes. She recently moved... We missed the food...and seeing Lily and Ken! So we decided to drive over and grab a table. When we walked in we were greeted right away. It had been a minute since we'd last been in. I was happy to see Lily working at the counter and Ken busy in the kitchen along with the rest of their staff! Seating is all low top tables and chairs. Mostly tables for four and two. Now instead of table service (like it was pre-Covid) it's more order and pay at the counter. Take a seat. The food is brought to you on disposable plates with plastic silverware. Drinks are cans or bottles. There are no napkins or condiments at the tables. Condiments like soy sauce and spicy mustard are served in packets. Sweet and sour still comes in a cup. Bus your own table into the trash receptacle when you are done. The food was as good as it ever was! We ordered an order of the crab rangoon. These seemed a little lighter on the filling than I remember them being in the past... They were served hot and fresh out of the fryer! I got the Yu Shang shrimp. Probably my favorite entree here and my go to. It was fantastic as always! I struggled eating it a little with my plastic fork... The tines kept bending on the firmer components of the dish. Heather ordered chicken fried rice and added shrimp (extra spicy). Another awesome dish! And I benefited from some leftovers she brought home... Lol I'll say that overall the food here is still top notch... Lily and Ken are two of my favorite owners in the metro! Couldn't ask for two better hosts... Take out business is still booming! While we dined in the stream of people picking up their orders, or coming in to place take out orders, was constant. But... The overall dine in experience has changed... We adapt to survive and we lost a lot of businesses during Covid... Some businesses that had been open for decades... Asian Cuisine adapted to a take out only model and made it through. Can I blame them for continuing to evolve while bringing the dine in option back? No I can't. In fact I want them to do WHATEVER it takes to keep their doors open...! I can even bring my own silverware... Lol I'm really not that picky and can grab something to eat anywhere. I see closure notices come through my feed almost weekly. Some are kind of a bummer, but they really don't impact me much even when it's a place I go to often. No real personal connection... It's different for me here. I'd probably cry like a little kid who just had one of their childhood beliefs shattered... I'm also not going to lie and say I don't miss things the way they were... I think as a rule a lot of us could say the same about many things today.

    Photos
    Asian Cuisine - Open kitchen.  Dine in seating.  Post Covid.

    Open kitchen. Dine in seating. Post Covid.

    Asian Cuisine - Mongolian beef

    Mongolian beef

    Asian Cuisine - Exterior signage.

    See all

    Exterior signage.

    New China Restaurant - chinese - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...