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Mandarin Express
Categories: Restaurants Chinese Restaurants Asian Fusion Chinese, Asian Fusion [Edit]
5015 Kanan RdAgoura Hills, CA 91301
(818) 991-9831
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
48 reviews for Mandarin Express
Review Highlights
"And yes, Kim is very nice and helpful, great suggestion."
(in 17 reviews)
"They have amazing mock meats for vegetarians."
(in 4 reviews)
"Definitely the best Chinese food option in the Conejo..."
(in 4 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from Dana L.
Alexandria, VA
12/7/2011
Awesome place! Visiting from from Washington, DC and found this unassuming restaurant on Yelp. Almost decided against it when we saw the place, but very glad we walked in. Kim helped us choose dishes that matched our tastes and it was all wonderful. Great food and nice owners. We will be returning for more goodness!
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Review from Sam L.
11/27/2011
This food is disgusting! I'm sorry... but it just is.
I hate to be so blunt... but it's the truth. I don't care if Frasier eats here or not... it's gross. An Italian "pink sauce" (basically an Italian white wine sauce) on a chow mein noodle?! Who thought of this?
Chinese and Italian Fusion. I'm sorry. I like both cuisines... but mixed... it's disgusting.
Yuck! -
Review from Albert W.
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is too weird for me. They have chinese food and in some dishes, with chocolate sauce and fruit in the dish. You know what I it is.... it's chinese food for non-chinese. Come here if you want an interesting interpretation of chinese food. Great service.
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Review from David G.
Agoura, CA
7/2/2011
Ordered delivery a couple of hours ago. The food arrived in good time. We got orange chicken, szechuan chicken, mu-shu beef and steam dumplings. They also gave us an order of mango rolls on the house because it was our first time eating there. We did some yelp investigation and checked out their website. I was weary about ordering seafood strictly on the fact that the menu is so big...I figure the seafood cant be fresh, gotta be frozen. This is just speculation. I didnt ask. My other concern is that the menu is so large that I was afraid the dishes wouldnt be that good. It is difficult to spread yourself that thin. Youre not able to just focus on 15-20 dishes on your menu. They have over 400 dishes. Thats a little nuts. But anyway. The food showed up. A couple of issues I have....
- Why did you send us tortillas? I ordered chinese food. I know its "Asian Fusion" but really....Why not some rice. I really needed some rice. Even some steamed. Its not that expensive. How do I buy 3 entrees and a starter and I don't get rice? Or napkins? Or chopsticks? I know you delivered to my house but come on..
- Why do you feel a need to make sure you let us know how important that it is for us to tip the driver? And then remind us a couple more times during the phone call. A little strange but whatever.
- Lets get down to the food. It was, eh...not terrible, but I gotta say I won't be back anytime soon. I could've gotten better at P. Express. But I digress...The orange chicken was the best of them and it was lacking proper seasoning and any degree of heat. The szechuan I asked for spicy, a 7 on a scale of 10, it was weak. Maybe I shouldve said 10. Ill take responsibility on that one. No problem. But why so much cumin? Really? I am really curious if the food being put out of there is being tasted. The mu-shu I literally took 2 bites out of. Same with the dumpling. Both of them were completely bland.
- We did enjoy the sauces. They were good. The mango sauce with the rolls you gave us was great. We were also glad to see that you sent us arizona tea. We love that tea. Thank you.
Its a very large and ambitious menu and I know that you have been cooking there for over 20 years but I am an unsatisfied customer. I am a chef and restaurant owner in Agoura. I mean no disrespect. Maybe I hit you on an off night. But it was as I feared, not good.
Maybe it will be a good midnight snack. Ill see a little bit later. -
Review from Lilani E.
2/22/2011
Five stars for vegan option and hospitality. 0 stars for charging me 50 cents for using a card, forgetting to add it and asking for 50 cents afterward.
Honestly, that is sad... I won't be coming back. -
Review from Charity K.
Simi Valley, CA
6/3/2011
I am giving Mandarin Express (or Kim's as we like to call it) a 5 simply for Kim. I would normally give this restaurant a 4, but Kim pushes it over the top. I was introduced to Mandarin Express by a really good friend of mine when we were both vegetarians. We'd get dressed up to go out, and then we end up at this hole-in-the-wall before heading out for the evening. Kim is amazing. She truly has a memory like I have never seen. She met me once and remembered me every time I came in after that, regardless of whether or not my friend was with me. She would ask my friend about her husband, who she'd met once or twice, by name, and after meeting my parents once, she asked them where I was the next time they came in without me. It is amazing. That kind of memory allows people to feel like they belong, and I sincerely love that.
So on to the food. As I said, I am a vegetarian, and her vegetarian menu is not only expansive but delicious. That combination is hard to find. She doesn't just use tofu, which has trouble taking on the flavors of the sauces except on the outside. She has a soy-based meat substitute that really allows the flavors to be infused. She also has a very complete meat menu, so no one will be left out. The restaurant itself is very small, and it is definitely a hole-in-the-wall. That doesn't bother me. In fact, I love those types of restaurants. The little 12-inch TV playing Jeopardy on cooler is great. The prices seem a little high for where it is located, but for me, the food makes up for it. I will continue to go to Kim's so long as she is in business.
This is really the place where everybody knows your name. :-) Or at least Kim. -
Review from John S.
Malibu, CA
2/21/2011
As I have said in other reviews, this should be more like a solid 4 to me, putting them in the elite of all but the very best LA restaurants, because I still need some scoring room for America's best, the likes of The Laundry, Bouchon and Per Se, and the perfect meal Jose Andres cooked for a group of us a few months back, but since people can give In-n-Out 5 stars, I want these guys to get their due on Yelp.
Laughed at a couple of the one star reviews. I am constantly amazed that Yelp does attract blogging by people without palates, but I guess social media gives us all an opportunity to communicate and learn.
This is not your corner Chinese take out serving chopped veggie goo in bean sauce.
It's not PF Chang serving corporate takes on Szechuan. And not everything works, but it is always exciting, interesting Chinese fusion, and a great rendition of well known favorites, usually given just a bit more zing, or an interesting twist with the highlighting of one key ingredient. I have never had a meal here that wasn't memorable. If price is a concern, order less than you normally would and savor every drop, because its good, and you will remember each bite, which you can't say about most take-out. I wish it was cheaper, but for what I receive, I get my money's worth.
If the food was not good, I would still go for Kim's hospitality alone, which can transform this bright spot into an intimate place in spite of the lighting level.
(I do wish they could turn down the lights closest to the street where the tables are, and still keep it bright enough to work behind the counter...In warm weather we overcome this by eating curbside!)
The menu is overwhelming, but that is because Chef Dan Chang can cook anything. Tell him what you are thinking of, and it will appear. If you want excitement, avoid the dishes named for stars. I find the blandest dishes attributed to some of the patrons in the entertainment business, but if you think about their lifestyles and their need for healthy living and appearance, that makes sense. I on the other hand, love Dan's skill at frying to crispy perfection!
Just tell Kim what kind of things make you happy, and what level of heat, excitement, or exploration you can tolerate, and Kim will make some great suggestions. Last night I was on my way back from the Valley, and feeling a cold coming on, so I called to order some Hot and Sour Soup to go, telling her I was under the weather. Of course, seizing the opportunity (even though I felt lousy) I talked about Fried Rice and Kim knowing I like BBQ pork suggested the NY style fried rice, and then, since I was doing that. I had to order Crispy Beef... "Horse radish maple glazed crispy beef" to be exact, and if you're going to go that route, why not get a little more exciting with the "Chocolate and apple smoked bacon shrimp".
At any rate, my spirits were high, even if my metabolism was low when I walked in the door to pick up my treasures. Kim gave me a big hug, enquired about several of my friends by name (which I have a hard time remembering), and then had Dan bring out a Carrot based, ginger infused mock tequila shooter which he had concocted to clear my chest. And, of course, there were some beautifully crisped, tender, flavor-filled" Vegetable Spring rolls" that they included at no charge.
The excellent "Hot and Sour Soup", was the most mundane of my choices. The fried rice was perfectly and distinctly cooked with great flavors hinting at Anise, and lovely rich glazed pork and egg. The beautifully crisped ( and it took me 30 minutes to get home, and it was still just right) "Horse radish maple glazed crispy beef" was just delicately spiced with the namesake ingredients giving it a little extra something, and the "Chocolate and smoked bacon shrimp" was insane.
I woke up feeling congested and awful this morning, but for two hours last night, I had food bliss. -
Review from Kimberly W.
Calabasas, CA
Updated - 12/14/2011
After my initial good experience with delivery from Mandarin Express, I'm sad to find myself AGAIN looking for a new place to order Chinese food from. Got the Kelsey Grammar chicken again because it was so good the first time, but this time when it came... there was no chicken. The enitre dish was basically fried breading drenched in sauce, and for what we paid for it, I was disappointed that it was basically inedible. If we do return to Mandarin (which we may because I like their egg drop soup), we'd definitely have to go in person to make sure we don't get this crap again since I know they can do much better.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/21/2011
I started ordering from here because my last delivery Chinese food place started to go down hill.… Read more »
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Review from Dane I.
Agoura, CA
8/5/2011
Prices are too high! Portions are too small! The food is mediocre at best. Asked for an Arizona Iced Tea in a can and was charged $2.75 +tax when it clearly states .99 cents on the can. Great service though. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone.
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Review from Karina-michelle M.
Santa Cruz, CA
12/6/2010
HELLO! Okay, hear me out:
This place is pretty good. LOTS of Vegetarian options....The Mongolian beef (veggie beef that is), is absolutely MARVELOUS.
BUT!
Their serving sizes are not so good, their rice is bland, and their spring rolls are - eh! (at best).
The table was NOT CLEAN either. I switched tables twice, and dirty-dirty-dirty...disliked that.
Otherwise, kind workers for sure!
Its worth a try I guess :) -
Review from Scorpion S.
Thousand Oaks, CA
11/22/2010
I will never go back to this place nor will I refer any of my friends who love Chinese food/cuisine. The reasons:
1. When asked for suggestion, be prepared to be ripped off - lady owner only offers expensive stuff.
2. The food proportion does not justify the money you pay.
3. The owner has great ideas to rip off another couple of bucks from you. Want to know how? See below
CRAPPY in caps because I ordered 'Lunch special something veggie (for $6.99+ tax) that comes with rice, wontons, spring rolls.
Guess what because I'm veggie she said they won't offer wontons and also will not substitute with anything else (mean). She said white rice is not cooked yet so I'll have to buy $1.50 brown rice I mean *what the crap*!
I am already paying $8 for the lunch special that includes rice. If rice is not cooked that's not my freaking problem. All I felt was she wanted more money for that crappy food.
Never bank on their lunch specials with spring rolls etc etc. All I got is some rice (not even enough portion for one person) and lots of soy sauce with couple of tofu and almost 3 or 4 squares of bell pepper and onions. Crap! Oh ya ! Handful of peanuts or call it cheap nuts.
Ambience - don't even ask, looks like roadside cheap place to eat which feels like as if you were travelling and when you're stuck and you don't want to die of hunger - you would probably chose that place.
I've had this experience in this-Cuisine-types almost always - just curious, why are they like this?
PS: if you use credit card, they'll charge you 0.50 extra. CRAP!! -
Review from Brandon v.
Thousand Oaks, CA
7/16/2011
This Mandarin Express is absolutely all time!! Do not get overwhelmed by the amount of items on the menu, just talk to Kim, she will not steer you in the wrong direction. Every time I go it tops the time before. Chef knows what he is doing and is a master at combining flavors. The food is healthy, fresh and you leave feeling great wanting just one more bite. I highly recommend any of the OMG items. You will feel like you hit the jackpot after your first bite. My only regret is that I did not find this place sooner. Thanks Kim the Mandarin Express is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at in my life.
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Review from Chris B.
Pasadena, CA
9/12/2007
Seriously, I can't believe I'm the first to review this place. I must say, this is one of the best Chinese fusion restaurants I've been to in a long time. Unbelievable selection of made-to-order dishes that will knock your socks off. Authentic Chinese dishes fused with French, Thai, Vietnamese, and who knows what else. I already mentioned selection...and I'm not joking. I'm holding a menu that lists 386 dishes. From the outside, it looks like a typical strip-mall establishment, but once inside you will realize this is gourmet.
The service is out-of-this-world. The owner, Kim, will greet you enthusiastically, like she's known you for years. I've been there only twice, several months apart, and she actually remembered me and what I ordered the first time(!). She loves helping you decide what to choose from the vast menu. You want it spicy, medium, or mild? You want no oil, no MSG, low salt? No problem, they'll hook it up right and you can be assured it will be super tasty.
You want tofu or mock meat? It is a specialty of this place - half the frigging menu. I prefer to eat things that move, and I can tell you the garlic shrimp with green beans is amazing - as is the orange peel chicken. Fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. You won't be able to finish a lunch combo - but it will even be good cold.
This is clearly one the west SFV's best kept secrets. Seriously: do yourself a favor and take a drive up the 101 to Kanan Road. You can beat me with a rubber hose if I'm not telling you the truth here. -
Review from Ori B.
Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, CA
7/21/2008
The only thing keeping this place from being packed is the fact that its tucked away in the back of a shopping center whose MVB's (most valuable businesses) are Jack in the Box and IHOP (I mean no disrespect to the fine people at The International House of Pancakes nor to those at Jack in the Box).
The truth of the matter is: if you took the extremely extremely extremely extremely extremely nice Mrs. lady woman whose face is barely visible behind the extremely tall counter divider and her chef husband, and placed them in the kitchen of a fancy restaurant in LA, you would have the most popular chinese restaurant in the city.
After reading about this place on Yelp, I took my brother here. The menu is extensive, but i love the fact that Mrs. lady woman holds your hand through the ordering process, asking questions such as:
"Beef, chicken, pork or shrimp?"
"Real or Mock?" (They have amazing mock meats for vegetarians. amazing.)
"Spicy or not spicy?"
"How Spicy?"
"Medium?"
"Spicy?"
"Medium?"
"7?" (Ohhhhh why didn't you tell us you had a crazy spicy scale to begin with?)
"8?"
"8?"
"Ok 8." (Which turned out to be really spicy so I would recommend a "6" level spiciness for someone who likes a good kick but not too crazy."
At the end, we both got the "world famous garlic chicken." There's a few things I should say about ordering 2 plates of the same thing: 1. I ordered it first. 2. Who orders the same thing their brother orders at a Chinese restaurant with well over 100 options? 3. It was fantasticliciousness.
Well, like all yummy things, the craving, the need, the "must put in mouth" eventually kicks in. I was just surprised it happened so soon. I got the urge to come back the next day. I ended up coming back 3 days later. This time with the old couple I take out every once in a while whom go by the names of Mama and Dada. They, like my unoriginal brother, fell in love with the place and plan on coming back often.
The only down side is that the restaurant is a bit pricey with some of the most expensive dishes hitting the high teens at dinner time. Your best bet is to go at lunch and get a lunch special which comes with the main dish, an eggroll, a wonton, and a drink.
The Mrs. Lady woman behind the counter told me they have been there for 22 years and honestly, if it weren't for Yelp, they would have been there for many more years without the business of my chinese food loving family.
In conclusion, I nominate Mandarin Express for Best Chinese Restaurant in not the best location. If you live anywhere near Agoura Hills, definitely give it a try. I recommend the world famous garlic chicken, but just one. -
Review from myra b.
Burbank, CA
3/16/2008
The wait is worth it. The food takes forever because despite the "express" in the name, it's less like your local $1 Chinese restaurant and more like a gourmet restaurant in disguise.
An entire half of the menu is vegetarian and much of it is vegan. The mock shrimp is thin strips of fried goodness, the mock chicken is an amazing nugget of deliciousness, and the tofu is firm and tasty. My favorite item on the menu is the vegetarian fried wanton. Even meat eaters like the vegetarian selections, so you can share.
The chef and his wife are very helpful and enthusiastic, so if you are overwhelmed by the vast menu you can just ask for a recommendation. I don't know of any other "to go" Chinese restaurant where the chef is constantly trying to outdo himself and seems to really have a passion for food.Listed in: My Neighborhood, Top Restaurants
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Review from John M.
Camarillo, CA
7/14/2008
It's good. It's not as good as others. They do give you a pretty good portion, but honestly for lunch I shouldn't be spending $9. Well maybe with a drink, but it just felt a bit high.
It was good Chinese food though. A bit greasy. I had the kung pao chicken and it wasn't too spicy. I am giving it 4 stars because any restaurant that can have signed headshots of kelsey grammer, john schnieder and david hasselhof has to be good!
I'll be back in a couple weeks probably. It's worth another visit, when I get a big paycheck. -
Review from Glen G.
Moorpark, CA
7/22/2010
Best Chinese food in agoura. Kim is the best.
GRG AIRCRAFT AND LEASING -
Review from Gerardo L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/11/2011
I was looking for a place to have lunch and found this location. The food was good, not greasy and not spicy. I had the Kung Pao Chicken. The service was excellent, the owners were really nice and took care of me. The only thing I didn't like was the price. I think it was overpriced, since you could have the same in the SF Valley or other parts of LA for a cheaper price. But this will be my best option when I eat around here again.
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Review from jensen l.
Burtonsville, MD
12/20/2010
I've been looking around for a decent chinese restaurant, my first try was Chang 101 in Thousand Oaks which turn out to be very nice. And this time I finally want to try mandarin Express, i mention Chang because they somehow put a banner in the front which also mention "Thier food is somehow same recipe like Chang, I am not sure if they are talking the same Changs 101 so I give it a try. And I am truly disappointed, i don't know how people give them a 5 stars, let me know if there is something that really worth a 5 stars rating.
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Review from Elizabeth B.
Agoura Hills, CA
11/19/2010
I have gotten take-out and delivery from Mandarin Express multiple times, and everything has been fabulous. But, almost more than the food, what makes this place worth going to is the service. Kim is amazingly talented, and his wife is one of the sweetest people I've ever met at a restaurant.
But that doesn't mean the food is not unbelievably delicious; it is. Fresh, complex, intriguing, surprising, fulfilling...you could use all of these adjectives over and over again as you describe their stuff. There is no other Chinese restaurant in the area that can even come close. I love Mandarin Express! -
Review from T D.
Studio City, CA
5/15/2008
This place is an absolute haven for vegetarians! There are probably more than 100 vegetarian dishes including tofu, mock beef, mock chicken, mock duck, mock shrimp, and so on. Went there for the first time today based solely on reviews and couldn't have left much happier. The mock chicken is really flavorful and much better than most fake chicken I've had at Chinese restaurants. They'll make your dish spicy as dictated by you on a 1 to 10 scale -- nice.
Friendly staff, decent hole-in-the-wall atmosphere, excellent food, something for everyone. Good stuff -- our entire party was happy. Thanks fellow Yelp-ers! -
Review from Michael V.
Agoura Hills, CA
7/25/2008
Surprisingly good... wasn't expecting this in Agoura Hills... stands up to most of the places I go in Monterey Park. I am leaving a star for improvement cause the rice was kinda mushy and I like it firm, but as I keep trying dishes if I hit something that really wows me I will update the review.
And yes, Kim is very nice and helpful, great suggestion. :) -
Review from Michele T.
Calabasas, CA
1/6/2011
Mandarin Express is the place where everybody knows your name and you will be greeted by the warmest owners, Kim and Dan. They will never forget--not only your name--but exactly what you love and what you loathe in your food preferences. You can get exactly what you want here; atkins, lowfat, no fat, no sugar, tons of sugar, super crispy, no meat, no carbs, or carbo load...---from omnivore to vegan...and you will always get a giant portion. Chef Dan is very creative and Mandarin Express's menu boasts a choice for everyone. If you cannot decide from the zillion choices offered to you, just tell Kim what you like and what you don't......(like in the movie Chocolat where the owner could pick the favorite..similarly, Kim knows her stuff!)..If I tell Kim, "I'm vegan and I want only steamed tofu with a sauce that has no heated oils, so sugar, and I hate garlic"..she & chef Dan will create something very interesting and tasty for me. If I want something very basic, I can get that too. From sweet and sour to garam masala...amazing mock meat dishes both fried or steamed...you pick...amazing rice and noodle dishes, soups..just check out their menu..and check out the incredible size of the Vegetarian menu..
http://www.mandarinexp...
Our favorites include kung pao tofu (with soft tofu), kung pao tofu skins (w/fried tofu skins), kung pao vegetables, any sweet & sour or orange peel dish, any sakiyo miso dish, any soup, any garam masala dish (potatoes are awesome).
They also cater for special occasions
I can eat very simply (I just get steamed veggies and steamed tofu--or my favorite tofu vegetable soup) and I can get really decadent if I want for an occasion or to bring a guest...with any of the fried mock chicken dishes (my personal fav) or any of the mock meats...the sauces are awesome!
Eat it there or take it to go....and there is something great for EVERYONE here.....Call or fax ahead is not a problem. Catering not a problem. I'm telling you....check it out...it's behind IHop on the corner of Agoura Road and Kanan in Agoura Hills....
I'm a food snob, I'm a very picky eater and I can always get delicious food at Mandarin Express! Also it's a great place to see Celebrities!
Aloha and Namaste! -
Review from Mike A.
Agoura Hills, CA
5/15/2008
Okay so I'm a bit biased because I own one of the stores in the same shopping center. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, this is still some of the best Chinese food ever!
I love spicy food; and no restaurant has ever made it hot enough for me ... until now. I actually had to ask Dan (Owner/Chef) to "take it down a notch" on my next meal. That was a first. The Cajun Beef is top notch.
If you don't like spicy food, that's okay. The Pecan Shrimp is totally awesome (I think they roast their own pecans). If you like Orange Chicken try their's with the Blackberry sauce. Dan's a true gastronomic genius and Kim, his wife, is one of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. -
Review from Carolyn P.
Woodland Hills, CA
7/3/2008
Mandarin Express is delicious for both vegetarians and meat eaters. Their menu is so expansive, you will not believe how many options they have. Everything is made using fresh herbs and produce, making the vegetables crunchy and delicious, and the herbs delicate and aromatic.
The owners are such nice people, they take excellent care of everybody who walks in! A great dinner any night of the week! -
Review from ryan o.
West Los Angeles, CA
3/4/2009
This place rocks. Kim is not only awesome but she is very personable and will honor any requests you have, make recommendations and provide you with the best possible dining experience.
I first went here back on 2005 because I wanted cheap chinese food and worked near by. The place looks like a little hole in the wall, but once you see the menu and sample the food you realize this place is genius. It is beyond mandarin cuisine, they have the standard chinese dishes availble but also have some miraculous fusion concoctions. Like Jack Daniel's BBQ Shrimp or Oh My Gosh Chicken (which made me say "OMG" when I ate it. If you are anywhere near Agoura, Thousand Oaks or Westlake, this place is a must visit. -
Review from Rob B.
Simi Valley, CA
5/7/2009
Mandarin Express is my all-time favorite restaurant. They have an incredible menu that has been developed by the most masterful chef ever. You can satisfy your hunger with a great range of options from traditional Chinese cooking to modern "Chinese Fusion," which is a word that attempts to describe Chef Chang's techniques of blending elements of various cultures' cooking together into new tastes and flavors that pushes the limits of possibility.
Chef Chang is the "Master Oogway" of cooking. There are so many dishes that he's created, like the OMG-Mock-Chicken, or the Kelsey Grammar Mock-Orange Chicken that will tantalize your taste-buds so delightfully that you'll never forget. You just can't get food that tastes this good anywhere else.
I am a vegetarian and my meat-eating friends tell me the meat dishes served are equally "to die for." After eating here, one might wonder if Chef Dan Chang has a "Remy" who's secretly guiding him along. The star-studded walls and international recognition he's received is no mistake, he's a master of his art! -
Review from Philboid S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/3/2011
I've eaten here for years and have become friendly with the owners Kim and Dan. I am mystified by those who don't like this place. You probably enjoy Panda Express though (Chinese food cooked by Hispanics).
First of all, Dan is not a cook, he's a true chef. He invented many of the dishes on their extensive menu. He often makes use of exotic and rare ingredients if you're so inclined. The "mock" meat dishes are great if you're a vegetarian or want to cut down on your consumption of real meat.
Over the past years, I've probably eaten there 50-75 times and have never had a bad meal. It's always been very good to excellent.
The only thing that's ordinary is their egg rolls (hardly worth eating) and the side of fried rice (nothing special). The actual dishes have never disappointed.
They used to serve lunch in styrofoam trays but recently switched to actual china. It certainly improved the presentation.
If you don't like this place, please stay away permanently. I fear that if too many people find out about it that this small place will be overrun. -
Review from Eugene H.
Agoura, CA
7/22/2011
I ordered Kung Pao Chicken, Kung Pao Sprimp and Sweet and Sour Chicken for delivery. The Kung Pao items were good but very spicy so only order those if you like really spicy. The Sweet and Sour Chicken was excellent. I will get that again. The delivery was quick and they also provided a large order or white rice and free appetizer with the meal. It is a bit expensive, however they delivery good food quickly. I think next time I will try the Orange or Cashew Chicken with the Sweet and Sour Chicken. I don't recommend the Kung Pao items. Also, use your own store bought soy sauce as they deliver the low quality soy sauce packets that have caramel color. I'm sure they have bottles of better soy sauce in the restaurant on the tables. I have not been there.
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Review from Nick M.
Agoura Hills, CA
4/28/2010
No complaints about the food here, it was pretty good actually. I just don't think it was worth the price. Almost all the entrees on the dinner menu were over $20. Charging $28 for an entree in a small Chinese take-out is a bit much for me. For that price I can go out to PF Changs and get an appetizer and an entree. Prices should be 5-8 dollars less to be competative in my opinion.
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Review from Danny G.
Temple City, CA
8/7/2009
As a vegetarian, part of me really wants to give this restaurant more stars because they give vegetarian food equal billing with their meat dishes. And I have to admit, the dishes were presented beautifully and in huge portions. But their "veggie meat" was absolutely dreadful--it was tough and tasteless (I couldn't even cut it with my fork). The "OMG Chicken" was more like "OMG--did I just pay $21 for this?" Even with a variety of veggies and a sauce, each bite was pure bland disappointment. My fiancé asked Kim for a recommendation but regretted doing so because even after my fiancé picked one of the less pricey items on the menu (the mock beef cajun style at $16), Kim kept insisting she try one of the pricier items on the menu. The cajun mock beef actually had some kick (which was nice), but the veggie meat was the same dry, bland, almost inedible chicken meat colored differently.
If you want to wash your hands, you are out of luck as this place has no restrooms. If you want a drink, you can help yourself to a can of coke in their fridge. The seating and decor is cafeteria style. Basically, the restaurant was completely out of whack with the price and presentation of the food.
Eating here was definitely an interesting experience, but one I won't be repeating and one my credit card won't forgive me for. -
Review from Sonya C.
Agoura Hills, CA
9/22/2007
Great food when you want Chinese fusion. Fresh, great recipes. The "Kelsey Grammer" orange chicken, and the crispy calamari w/ salt & pepper (spicy) are excellent. Very enthusiastic owners. Not much in the way of atmosphere, but go for the food.
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Review from Vanessa C.
Ventura, CA
1/30/2009
Mandarin's food is a bit heavier than I normally like, but I'm still a fan. Kim will charm you into coming back time and time again, and it's got great options for vegetarian and vegan friends and co-workers!
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Review from mina r.
Calabasas, CA
7/7/2009
The menu is too big and every time i try to order something new Kim always advises me to get something else which is usually more expensive! I'm starting to think the menu really doesn't exist. One time I rejected her advice for some 18 dollar dish and ordered chicken and broccoli, instead. It was awful! She used days old, dark meat chicken bits and the sauce was disgusting! It was as if she was trying to teach me a lesson. The Kelsey Grammar orange chicken is a lot of breading and the chicken is tough and chewy! She charges more for that one. We haven't been back since. Ambiance is zero.
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Review from Mina L.
Agoura Hills, CA
4/24/2009
We came here on a weekday for lunch. We preordered to dine in and our lunch still came in a styrofoam box container. Looking around, everyone dining in were served in boxes. Odd. We ordered non-meat dishes. Too expensive for what I got.
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Review from Bryan H.
Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles, CA
9/18/2010
Best food in Agoura!! Period! Chef Chang is amazingly skilled and should have praise from anybody that eats his food. I had the curry last night and almost cried, it was that good!
When you walk in Kim will great you like you are a long lost relative. She is always happy and like others have said, will help you find EXACTLY what you want.
The mock menu is extensive! Great place for a vegan or a vegetarian. The mock beef is delicious and so is the mock chicken. I have yet to try the mock shrimp or the tofu but I'm sure it is great. Kim will add vegetables to the dishes too if you ask. Oh oh, add potatoes too! And try the rice noodles... so good.
The problem I have is that I JUST FOUND THIS PACE :-( I've lived here my whole life and this place has been here for 22 years! What took me so long to find it!?!?! They need to advertise! They have loyal customers that try to keep a secret :P
WARNING: Be careful with the spice scale! The other night I ordered an 8.5 and I was sweating while I was eating... I can handle spicy too! It was still amazing tho :-) -
Review from Nam N.
Los Angeles, CA
6/9/2010
I love this place, the owners are sooo nice! They walk you through everything, making sure they make your order PERFECT, the food is great, and the lunch specials are awesome. I came here for my 2nd time, and I was .70 short, and the owner Kim said don't worry about it, get me next time. Which I definitely will! Food is great, price is great, location is hidden which is somewhat nice because it's never crowded when I go.
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Review from jilian p.
Oak Park, CA
8/26/2010
I really like this place. Mainly because of the vast array of vegetarian and vegan food they have (and how good it is).
I also love that you can get your food on a sliding scale of spiciness (1-10).
What I don't love is the price. No matter what way you dice it, it's pricey. The lunch specials are the way to go...unless of course you have money to burn...then go for lunch AND dinner, you won't regret it. -
Review from Allie M.
Hidden Hills, CA
5/6/2011
Went here on a limb. Hadn't tried it and thought it was worth a shot. We sat down in what looked like a place that did not even normally do sit down dining but we sat anyways. We asked for water and they did not have water cups so we had to have water bottles which i was a little annoyed that i was going to be paying 3 dollars for water. After we already started drinking the water we got the menu and were stood over the entire 5 minutes while we looked at the menu to see what we wanted. we were told no to certain dishes which was annoying because shouldn't we be able to pick what we want? regardless i spent 20 dollars on SHRIMP. which i think is ridiculous due to the fact i am in a hole in the wall chinese place NOT a steak house. We also ordered a regular orange chicken. That, the shrimp and two bottles of water for 40 dollars. Not so much. I don't really care how good the food is, won't be happening again! ( i also am pretty sure i over heard the owners talking to another couple about how they might be shutting down, and to that i say maybe lower your prices and more people would come in!)
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Review from amelia s.
3/19/2009
I usually travel to Arcadia/Rowland Heights for real Chinese food. However, when I don't feel like driving 40 miles for Chinese food, Mandarin Express hits the spot. It is a bit pricier than the usual suspects, especially compared to the restaurants in an area with a high Asian population (there are just so many restaurants). Definitely the best Chinese food option in the Conejo Valley. Plus, the owners are super cool.
