I LOVE Chinese food. So much that when I mistyped "I live Chinese food" I almost left it! I came from an area where good Chinese food abounds. Unfortunately, despite the number of Chinese restaurants in the area, there isn't much in the way of good Chinese food around. I've tried every place but one (maybe next week?) and some of it was just bad and some was actually inedible. I keep ending up back at No. 1 China.
It's in a small row of shops off to the side in the Harris Teeter parking lot on Mill Creek near the airport traffic circle. Just a small storefront, basically, with a handful of tables, nothing special about the location itself. It's mostly takeout.
The food is good, though. Really good, when compared to what's on offer everywhere else. It's always hot, freshly prepared, not skimpy and very tasty. I'm a bit picky about the sauces, etc, and they seem to have gotten those right. The fried rice that comes with lunch or combination dinners, if you choose it over steamed rice, is flavorful and has identifiable pieces of pork in it, not just little dark flecks that you assume are pork. I usually order closer to closing and there are large pieces of pork. I don't know if that's because of timing because it's end of the day or if it's just how they serve it.
I have tasted many of the dishes (some of my own and some ordered by others) and have never been disappointed by anything. Actually, the one dish I had two years ago that I didn't like was the General Tso's Chicken. I found it bland and the sauce was oddly ketchupy tasting. I'm happy to say I decided to give it another try tonight and it was very good. Sauce was correct and spice was present and pleasant - enough kick to be noticeable and not so much as to be too much for someone ordering a dish marked to be spicy.
They have the best Steamed Dumplings in the area BY FAR! If you've had them elsewhere and think you don't like them, try them here. The dough is thin and translucent as it should be and the filling is tasty - no great big lumps of flavorless dough here! And the sauce for dipping is good. Also very good are the Lo Mein (chicken or, my favorite, house special), Sesame Shrimp (or Gen'l Tso's shrimp if you like a little spice), and Singapore Mei Fun. Also good is the Pepper Steak and both the Beef and the Chicken in Garlic Sauce.
I have never had anything but friendly, polite service from any of the employees. Some speak limited English, I think, so perhaps that has led to the couple of service snafus in the other ratings? I give and get big smiles and pleasantries and my special requests (like my no broccoli with Gen'l Tso's request tonight or extra sauce with my dumplings) are always honored. Considering its take-away and not fine dining, the service is great! read more