Chew Man Chu

Whoa whoa whoa… This place is averaging 3 stars? GASP. WAKE UP SHEEPLE — this is quite clearly the best Chinese you’re going to get in Philly.
CMC features a varied menu of standard Chinese favorites with some specialized dishes mixed in. We went and ordered just a bunch of plates to really get a solid sampling. Everything was tasty with a few dishes that really stood out — The Oxtail dumplings, Vietnamese Spring Rolls and believe it or not, the fried rice was perfect. Finally I cannot forget the Plum Sangria… not a dish, but an excellent light refreshing cocktail.
I found the décor and service to be great — a really fun time for everyone. I wouldn’t say that the food is innovative, but I would say that as a whole — the restaurant is a definite must-​try.

I was excited about Chew Man Chu. I enjoy noodles and dumplings, and it seemed they were all about the noodles and dumplings. So the man and I went for Valentines dinner to give it a shot.
The décor is adorable. Really fun atmosphere. The service was great — our waitress was super bubbly and informative and attentive and generally awesome.
The food, though, was underwhelming. The dumpling wrapping was gummy, and the pork bun, which I was really psyched to try, was disappointing. The bun was bland and the pork was kind of fatty (if tasty). The pad thai was just… fine. The best thing about the meal were the donuts at the end!
It was remarkably cheap — less than 50 $ for two people — and I feel like I would go back if just to try one of the drinks or get a different appetizer, but I wasn’t as impressed by the food as I was by the ambiance. Sigh. Maybe next time?

First off this place has been getting a lot of bad blood lately especially by the latest Inquirer fiasco calling it «50’s-dull Chinese-​American fare» and «What’s next, chop suey?»
Ok in part of that some of the stuff «Craig LaBan» points out is agreeable w/​the food etc. But like most food critics it becomes over-​baring pointing out every small detail and flaw as clique as a «Grey Poupon» ad. I understand if some of the meals are a bit too spicy or sugary or over-​cooked etc. But then pointing out maybe a microscopic stain on a fork or an almost unnoticeable «schmutz» as he put it on one of the napkins.
Alright… I worked in food service and yes this is supposed to cater to a more «high-​class» spectrum but seriously is the Queen coming over for dumplings? …highly doubtful as in when the Pope makes gay marriage sanctimonious.
Remember you got several major theaters all along the «Avenue of the Arts» including the «Suzanne Roberts Theater» for which this place sticks on the side as apart of the successful «Symphony House» condominium. So to put it right, this place is generally PACKED, especially weekends.
Do you think they hired some douche to examine napkins and silverware all night to insure your «Royal Douche-​ness» is satisfied w/​your accommodations?
I believe the very theme your trying to knock down in your article Craig is exactly what they are trying to do. Not to be some kind of unique «Ethnic-​cuisine» with crunchy grasshoppers on a honeycomb pyramid lit a flame to dazzle and astound a crowd before getting the same effect at some over-​priced production at the Academy etc. Take it or leave it and shove your National Geographic mentality way up your brown town!!!
Ok w/​that out of the way let me begin my review of Chew Man Chu.
The name does have a typical «Ching Chong» kind of ring to it that would offend some. This day and age racism is an echo of what it was fifty years prior. We still have a long way to go and I won’t even start a sub-​category here.
And yes the logo of the last Emperor of China depicted in a «Warhol-​esque» fashion complete in Americanized attire as he had a fascination w/​Western culture as well as being coined the man who ruined Old China and it’s great Dynasty. But all things come to an end.
The food is as they say «fusion» (not to get confused w/​nuclear or chemist termnology.) is the latest popular word that restaurants use to excite the masses combining a bit of this and a bit of that of different countries to create a taste that compliments both or more flavors. Some of the dishes do go over the top and I even agree it’s like eating chicken made to taste like caramelized popcorn. Maybe some like that sort of zing?
Their stir-​fry was my favorite and even though their sticky buns are a bit pricey they still satisfy the senses.
No it’s not the perfect place for your dollar but that’s what you pay for to sit in a Crate and Barrel décor w/​only small subtleties of the Land of the Rising Sun.
I agree the one plasma screen playing random dvds of kung-​fu films including «Kung Fu Panda» which played both times I was distracted as well as confused why even have that? The point of coming to a social place like this is to just eat and chat. Right? As well as some of the more violent films are not for the kiddies.
My favorite touch there are the dishes on the wall where the woks and cooking commences. They have fish painted on them that gives the only Asian interior outlook that is appealing to the eye. The rest of it could just be a Starbucks.
The weirdest desert which is free with any purchase of a meal are small white Dunkin Donut munchkins filled w/​chocolate. I didn’t wanna eat mine since breathing in the powder that shoots everywhere as they shake them in brown paper lunch baggies before plopping them out on a dish was enough sugar I needed for the night. Diabetes is all around you!
Wow! I guess I’m really no different from what Craig had to say. I wasn’t very positive with this review. Was I?
I’m a hypocritical Royal Douche-​ness myself!
Oh the sweet and sour irony!!!
But I would def come back here. Their appetizers and their pricey but tasty cocktails are worth a sample.
Ok I’m going to stop writing now. This didn’t go well at all.
Chew on this! ;)
UPDATE!!!
Sadly this place has just shut down due to critical reviewers that stopped at nothing to bomb this East meets West cuisine spot to the ground. Food Life in Philly is high-​demand and if you don’t please the Big Boys prepare for some knock down. I really do believe there is a shady Mafia-​style WWE organization going on in the Philly underground…
coughStevencoughcoughStarcoughcoughNinjacoughClanc­oughcough!
… What was that? Anyway I gotta go before those ninjas come back.

One of my favorite girls and I decided to catch up over dinner at Chew Man Chu. She had already been once before and enjoyed her experience enough to return. At 6 p.m. on a Monday, there were plenty of tables available and we sat right away. The décor was bright and fun but somewhat reminiscent of a chain. Tables were very close together and it was difficult trying to ignore the conversations around us in order to focus on our own. One thing I did like about the tables was the fact that they were long and offered plenty of room for the various plates we shared. An array of sauces lined one side. I’m a condiment lover so this was right up my alley.
Our server was friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Despite not appearing on the drink menu, I was still able to get a lychee martini, my fav when eating any kind of Asian cuisine (authentic or Americanized).
We started off with steamed shrimp dumplings, which were large but otherwise standard. Next was the crispy Chinese salad, which was enormous and surrounded by slices of chicken spring rolls. I’m torn because I enjoyed the salad in theory, but there were too many slivers of ginger throughout and I found the taste to be very overpowering. I’m a fan of ginger flavor and shredded ginger in sauces or marinades but I’ve never liked whole pieces so maybe it’s a matter of preference. Regardless, the same heavy hand was used in adding the cilantro, and we picked our way around that as well.
Next we split the salt and pepper crusted shrimp and a side of brown rice. There were four shrimp on the plate, each the size of a baby’s fist and encased in a cloak of delicious fried goodness. This was by far the best part of the meal.
If our meal had ended there, I might have gone with four stars. Unfortunately, we decided to try the gelato. Along with sorbet, this is the only dessert offering at the restaurant. My friend had the bananas foster flavor, which she enjoyed, and I had half pistachio and half chocolate. I found the taste of my selections to be slightly freezer burnt and a little mealy. Miniature donuts are served with the check and had I known this ahead of time, I probably would have passed on dessert (or headed down to Capogiro!).

Ever since I was young, my mother’s been yelling at me for inhaling my food. You’d think I grew up in a competitive eating house with a team of rugby players where it’s every (wo)man for him/​herself. I eat FAST. Which leads me to my next point. I had dinner at Chew Man Chu last night where the food’s so good, I needed to heed the restaurant’s reminder to, well, chew man chu.
Please prepare yourself for the overwhelming array of dishes I’m about to lay on you.
Our table started with the oxtail dumplings, pork and shrimp pot stickers, and the scallion roti. While I’ve never been a real fan of oxtail, I found myself devouring one and then fighting my tablemate for hers. Ultimately, I thought of my mom, and then I resisted. Same goes for the pork and shrimp pot stickers. I shared those as well. I’m a huge fan of roti though and I was able to slyly hide this dish from my fellow eaters. One asked, «what’s that on your lap?» «Oh nothing,» I replied. (It was the scallion roti).
The Crispy Chinese Salad came next and that I was willing to share. It’s salad. I’m willing to sacrifice. Nevertheless, it was a great salad.
Next up: Pad See Ew (my favorite hangover food), Angry Lobster, and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak. The PSE was definitely on the spicy side, so if you’re not a fan of spice, you should probably mention that to your server before ordering it. I can definitely understand why the lobster was angry. Chef Tyson chopped it up into pieces. I’d be angry too. It was fantastic though and covered with scallions, garlic, ginger, and oyster sauce. Finally, the Black Pepper Sirloin was a perfect balance of pepper and chives. I feared it might come encrusted in pepper (ick), but it wasn’t, it came encrusted in awesome.
I’m not done yet. Sorry.
The Wok Fried Rice with Tofu came next and by that point I was tenderly petting my food baby. Satisfied I was. Still, I had to taste it. Really, I did it for you, dear reader. I can assure you, my taste was a good one and even better when I added soy sauce.
Fiiiiinally, our wonderful (wanna eat him with a little spoon) server brought over Chef Tyson’s famous homemade donuts. What a lovely touch. Tyson was so impressed with our eating enthusiasm that he finally came over to our table and invited me out for a game of racquetball, ping pong, or golf. I think he’s worried I’ll get fat. Ok, I’m done now. Thank you for reading.

I’ve ordered takeout twice from Chew Man Chu. The first time I ordered the Thai Basil Chicken and the pan fried chicken and spinach dumplings. I would describe the meal as slightly above average, although the artificial-​looking green chicken and spinach dumplings were a bit of a turn off. I had no intention, however, of ordering from there again. Who needs average when this city has so much more to offer?
Well, two weeks ago, I worked late and there was no food at the casa (who am i kidding? even if i had food at home, i was in no mood to cook!). My husband suggested takeout from Chew Man Chu because it is on my route home. When you are tired and hungry, standards are out the window. I was okay with having an average meal, so I agreed.
The second time was not the charm (there will be no third time). I ordered the Tofu and Vegetable Jungle Curry and the chicken and spinach dumplings. Again, the dumplings are oddly green. But this time they were also extremely chewy and doughy. I like the contents, though. The tofu curry, however, was the deal breaker. Greasy and flavorless. I actually had to pour the dipping sauce from my dumplings onto the entrée. sad. So much for my attempt at a healthy meal.
Takeout is a gamble from this place.