In many ways, Taste Wok seems like a young sapling among mighty oaks. Located in suburban Mason, Ohio, there are many restaurants around to challenge Taste Wok’s business. Remarkably, this restaurant has stood its ground and grown its own deep roots in the area.

 A common problem that the owners of take-outs face is that there is usually a lot of competition. Taste Wok’s owner, Hong Jiang, knows that restaurants in the surrounding area all have their strengths too, so he just focuses on trying to cater to his customers’ needs by adjusting dishes so that they satisfy local dining preferences.

“The locals tend to like light dishes,” reveals Jiang.

Therefore, the focus is definitely on providing light and healthy dishes. With over 100 items to salivate over, Taste Wok has what you are looking for. Serving up Americanized versions of dishes with Hunan, Szechuan, and Cantonese origins, Taste Wok has adapted its menu to local tastes while working to introduce new innovative flavors. The best sellers are General Tso’s Chicken, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Egg Roll, Triple Delight, and Happy Family.

Jiang strongly recommends the General Tso’s Chicken and Egg Roll. General Tso’s Chicken is a well-known entrée considered to be one of the quintessential Americanized Chinese dishes. At Taste Wok, the chef gives this plebeian munch a sweet yet not too overpowering twist, which goes down well with the customers. The thin layer of cornstarch produces a tender inside and crunchy texture on the outside.

Another customer favorite, the Egg Roll, has always been a top seller because of its crispy coating and succulent stuffing. A plethora of condiments that accompany the egg roll give it a unique flavor. It is a must-try item at Taste Wok, and some come from miles away just for this hot appetizer.  

Taste Wok places a special emphasis on ensuring their meat is as healthy as possible. All the excess fat of the chicken and beef are trimmed off to ensure a healthy dining experience. For customers on a dietary regime, Taste Wok boasts a plethora of options such as Steamed Chicken with Mixed Vegetables, or Steamed Vegetables with Bean Curd. The endless assortment of greens can be combined in any fashionable arrangement including the ever popular broccoli with green beans. In addition, the chefs at Taste Wok do their best to prepare healthy dishes by using no MSG, small amounts of salt and oil, and employing healthy cooking methods such as steaming and boiling.

Taste Wok’s food is not only known to be healthy, but tasty as well. The homemade sauce is the secret to the palatable entrees. A sauce, gravy, or simple glaze can make or break a good meal. Many foodies agree that there is nothing worse than a lumpy sauce that tastes too much like flour, smothering the intended taste. “Moderation is key,” explains Jiang. The sauce at Taste Wok is neither too heavy nor too thin.

Perhaps the sauce is the key to Taste Wok’s success and what sets them apart from their competition. The variety of sauces is of extra appeal to those foodies looking to really customize the taste of each dish they order. There's a particular sauce for General Tso's Chicken which is MSG free. Then there's the Kung Pao sauce, a black sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and also a white sauce. Each one is used to match a certain type of entree. Black sauce would never be served on noodles for example. Customers know that the chef and waiters accommodate them with a personal approach. That's why they feel comfortable—they do not need to keep reminding the staff about what they like and dislike.

Jiang himself admits that good meals can only be made from fresh ingredients. New provisions are procured daily to ensure freshness. Whether selecting seafood, locally grown vegetables, or seasonal produce, Jiang makes sure that everything is of the highest quality possible.

Taste Wok’s dedication to fresh offerings has received positive feedback. “The food is excellent every time,” commented some customers. Another group of customers went even further saying, “We drive across town just to get Chinese from Taste Wok and never go anywhere else!!! We’ve been coming here for 10+ years and will never stray!”

Other oft praised areas include the swift preparation and speedy service. Jiang and his dedicated team of staff still manage to prepare and have orders done within 10 to 15 minutes. There are over 100 orders taken daily, but the staff is easily able to handle the load, even during peak hours.

In business since 2000, Taste Wok has successfully built up a clientele, one that is loyal and highly complimentary of the superb quality food and efficient service. Jiang explained, “Our return customers’ recognition is the best award for us. It is a powerful motivator that gives us the kick needed to continually develop and invent.”

When Jiang took over the restaurant in 2000, the competition wasn’t as intense as it is today. It began to increase a few years later but he never changed his operating philosophy. Always striving to offer quality above all, Jiang is willing to adjust recipes if needed. “Quality is what we adhere to. If our customers wish to complain—about anything—we listen and do our best to meet their requests. We try to satisfy customers’ requirements as much as we can. ”

Knowing and interacting with the customers is required if one wants to receive quality feedback. To get more feedback, the owner asks customers how they feel about the food and whether there is any room for improvement. After receiving feedback, he experiments with new tastes and explores other flavor combinations.

In addition, the owner also reads books, newspapers and magazines, such as Chinese Restaurant News to broaden his horizons and keep himself up to date with culinary trends and innovations.

In the slow economy, it is good to try to cheer up the customers by providing some fresh new choices at affordable prices. “If you ever dine at Taste Wok, you will be happy you did,” Jiang says. “We have an extensive menu that has something for everyone.”

The 1,400 square foot venue is pretty large for a take-away establishment and has enough space for approximately 30 small tables.

Taste Wok

Location: 5218 Kings Mills Rd. Mason, OH 45040
Phone: 513-336-7887
Offers: Take-out, Dine-in 
Cuisine: Americanized Chinese Cuisine
Signature Dishes: General Tso’s Chicken, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Egg Roll
Year of Establishment: 2000