Asian Chao

went there to get something light for the husband with an upset stomach; i didn’t have a bite of his food (white rice with steamed veggies and chicken broccoli) so this review is strictly on service… which had a brief rocky start but finally won me over.
as i was lining up for my turn, i observed that the ladies behind counter seemed to be quite emotionless, which was pretty «standard». looking at the menu, i made sure that the two-​dish combo ($ 7.99) could come with white rice (not shown on the buffet trays) instead of fried rice. as the lady addressed me i also made sure first thing that this was a to-​go order, since she seemed to grab a tray as if i was eating it on the spot. we were about 7 feet away from one another and it felt like we couldn’t hear each other clearly, and the tone became a little more «rash» in each attempt, between the takeout request and the elements in my order. i don’t blame her exactly for not hearing me as i tend to whisper, but she could’ve walked closer to me since I couldn’t really move «back» in the line to be closer to her. it didn’t bother me, but i just wanted my food and get out of here at that point.
but then, the event took an unexpected turn. lady saw my Smashburger takeout, and started making friendly chatter about her stomach’s feeling towards their burger and fries, to which i smiled politely. seeing my bulging belly, she then inquired if i were to eat the burger or the rice first — i indicated that i wasn’t literally eating both lol. as i paid and retrieved my order, she then asked if i wanted a bag, which i initially declined, thinking to save the environment when i could. she then insisted in her motherly way, saying i got too much to carry, and even went to take my burger bag and put it into her bag for me, showing me how much more convenient it is now! the bag turned out to be useful as i was also getting a pretzel after that… all things fit in perfectly and i didn’t have to juggle three things all the way to my gate.
and for that extra step she took, i thank her.

The food is fair. It is what it is… likes Panda Express in an airport. The service is terrible however. I don’t expect a whole lot when eating at airports, but a little courtesy would be nice.
Food grade = C
Service grade = F

–Disclaimer–
I currently work overseas and I miss my Americanized Asian food so my view is completely biased =)
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Despite my disclaimer, Chinese food here sucks (_​x_​). Yes, that an ass. On the other hand, the chicken teriyaki is just so damn good and I often walk over to this part of Terminal C just to have it. To get the most out of it (flavor wise), you need to put some extra sauce and so you don’t die from saltiness, you need some white rice instead of noodles or fried rice.
I wouldn’t say this is the best meal on the planet but when you are deprived on Americanized Japanese/​Chinese food, this is quite good especially given that airport food is supposed to suck anyway.
Again, don’t go for their Chinese food. This review is strictly for the chicken teriyaki.

This is not bad place. Starting with the right expectation is important. This is place tastes just like a knock off Panda Express. …

What can you expect from airport fast food, at least better service or more value for your money right? NOT!!! I don’t believe they deserve a star. I wasn’t that hungry and craving for vegetables, and the only place I can order a quick bite with any sort of veges was at this place. I ordered 1 choice of entry but was charged for 2 since I asked for half rice and chow mien. I was told since I asked for the half and half it’s considered as 2 entrée, then I realized I’m dealing with people from Jersey, so I didn’t bother to rebuttal back; I was too jet lag and since I had no choice but to throw away food after I finished instead of giving it to homeless — I just ordered small portion hut paid for it as 2 entrée. Shame on the people that work there. I know I’m only discussing about a few dollars here but it adds up if you screw that many customers that has very few choices to begin with, you should be ashamed ripping people off. Your company need to stop. I don’t know if your a chain but — your corporate should fix this problem. You make Panda Express a 5 STARS!!!

Very average stereotypically Chinese-​American airport food. This is exactly the same as Panda Express on the West Coast, but with a smaller selection. With Terminal C having a relatively small selection of quality and fair-​priced dining options, Asian Chao gets the job done.
$ 8 gets you two items with a choice of rice or chow mien. Don’t expect anything high quality. The rice is as far from authentic as you can get while still being fried rice. I got brocolli beef and bourbon chicken, which were both fairly decent. The bourbon chicken is tender and flavorful. Definitely a better alternative to the fake greasy sugar-​laced orange chicken.
Only major complaint is they’re not too generous on portions. At a normal Panda Express, your to-​go box would be almost stuffed. Here, mine was only half full. It was still enough fuel to sustain my layover.
Ask for a free cup of water if you want to avoid paying for the bottle. Service is minimal and no one here seems to be enjoying their job. You may encounter long lines due to the lack of better choices, so just stay put.

Aisan Chao is located in the Newark NJ airport. It’s the closest that you’ll get to Asian food at Panda Express (popular on the West Coast).
I gotta start with this — they have a huge sign saying that they offer «Oriental Cuisine». In this century, the use of «oriental» is preetty offensive. I didn’t take offense to it, but found it pretty funny.
I got the usual two-​choice special. You get either fried rice or chow mein noodles. The two choices I got were mixed veggies with tofu and the orange chicken. Tofu dish was meh — little flavor, and average veggies such as cabbage, onions and carrots. The orange chicken was tasty. It was breaded chicken with a sweet sour sauce. If I would do it again, I would have done a double order of orange chicken.
Checking out, I asked for a cup of ice water. When I checked out, my order was a bit pricier than expected. Counter lady charged me for a bottle of water, didn’t give it to me because she was busy chatting with her friends behind the counter.
Food Grade: B
Service Grade: C–
Worth the Money Grade: B+
Overall Impression: C

Feels bad to give these guys two whole stars… but in an airport I feel like I have to admit there’s not a lot better available.
The teriyaki option is a lot of rice or noodles, some optional (and quite terrible) veggies, and a heap of chicken on top. Oh and I forgot to mention the grease. Grease in the noodles, grease on the chicken, it’s artery clogging city, population you.
But it’s quick, cheap and relatively friendly. So say your apologies to your body and give it a try.

The Asian food here is okay. It actually is a pretty good option at the airport as the food is relatively fresh, at least there’s enough customers that the food is consumed and cooked frequent enough. The bourbon chicken is my favorite.

Not bad at all. For $ 6 or $ 7 you get a couple of greasy Chinese entrees and rice or noodles. Super-​fast, buffet style quality and service, perfect when you’re gate-​rushed but don’t want to wait for a $ 7 snack box in the air. You can do a lot worse at the airport.

NOT SO BAD
for airport fast food. We had the two combo quick meal with noodles for $ 7.48 and it was perfectly fine.
It was nothing spectacular, but pleasant and filling for an airport meal…

Not even sure why this place has negative reviews. $ 7 gets you a two-​item combo; this being much like regular Panda Express pricing, but it is GREAT for an airport food court. LAX Burger King combos start around that price.
Did I mention you get a heaping portion? And it’s decent fast food? Comparatively, lo mein noodles at Asian Chao were way better than the standard too-​oily or too-​burnt Panda Express noodles.
I had the mushroom chicken and the «chef’s» special -, which equated to teriyaki beef and potatoes. Not too typically Asian, but whatever. It was actually my favorite item.
Staff consisted of a few giggly teenagers; though a little high-​strung, were at least having a good time and were very nice.
If I had to offer criticism, the sodium levels were up there.

Disgusting. Bland soggy overcooked noodles. Horrible hot sauce and the servers don’t understand simple orders. Whenasked for a drink choice– i answered fruit punch please. She responded with — what? you want to punch me?

For being in an airport I expected much worse, but was pleasantly surprised. I got the udon noodle bowl which really hit the spot. $ 7 for airport food… could’ve been worse, right?

This place replaced the Sarku in the left wing of Terminal C — but the food is not as good. The chicken teriyaki was dry and the vegetable mostly uncooked. Even with additional sauce, the dish tasted bland.

Blah airport/​Asian fast food. The teriyaki was somewhat greasy, and the kind of chicken meat they use is what an old friend of mine called «meow meow chicken»…i.e. kind of gristly and tough and not quite white or dark meat.
But the lady at the register was nice and friendly — a good counter to the usual sullen attitude that’s typical for peple working the registers at airport fast food places.