Chef Ma’s Chinese Gourmet Restaurant

I have to say, best hainan chicken ever had in the entire USA! I came down to visit a friend and she took me here for lunch. Gosh the chicken is so tender… Order海南雞飯～～

We visited Chef Ma based on the raved reviews on here. Our experience was so-​so, and we aren’t sure if the food is worth the drive.
1) Fried chicken wings: These wings were very delicious and came in a large portion. The pieces were very generous and meaty. The batter was thin and crispy. Definitely recommended!
2) Twice cooked pork: It was good but rather greasy (I can’t complain about that here given that this dish is normally cooked with pork belly).
3) Pepper steak: This is the most disappointing dish of the meal. The dish was extremely greasy, and you can see oil piling up at the bottom of the plate. Our meat was also not cooked well, and most of the large pieces of beef was rare inside.

Didn’t expect much from a Chinese restaurant in an old Taco Bell building but I was pleasantly surprised! GREAT food both traditional Chinese and Americanized Chinese food. And chef Ma, who was on Iron Chef in 2008, is really nice and always seem excited to see you.
You Definitely need to check this place out.

Kitty and I had dinner here tonight and he of course knocked it out again. Great food!

Wonderful food and great service. The chef that won iron chef even came out and thanked us for coming. It was so good. I had the hunan chicken. We’ve been back 2 times this week. It’s great!

This restaurant is amazing. We are happily surprised each time we come here. Their food is remarkable. Their staff are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Please do yourself a favor and eat here. We try something new each time. Each time we are more impressed.

in terms of chinese food in St. Louis, this is definitely a top-​notch. however compare to rest of US, I’d only rank it a 4-​star, since there’s definitely better places. compare to rest of the world… it’d probably be a 3.5-star.
we went because my dad recommended this restaurant to me, and because it was my friend’s birthday. we went with five ppl, both asian and non-​asian. we tried to go at 11:30 on saturday, thinking it’d be open, but was unfortunately told by chef Ma (himself. smoking outside) that on saturday they are not open until 12:00. good thing we got our seat for being first group there. there’s a load of ppl coming in around 12:00.
we ordered 1. royal empress chicken ½; 2. lamb bamboo shoots veggie stew; 3. pumpkin shrimp; 4. hot braised tofu with shiitake mushroom; 5: chewy rice cake shanghai style; white rice on the side.
they are all very delicious. I love the shanghai chewy rice cake the most, it’s cooked to basically perfection — definitely chewy, definitely with lots of flavor, and the mushroom was soooo juicy — but i was sad it didn’t come in a bigger plate (greedy). pumpkin shrimp was a surprise runner up; I’ve never had fried pumpkin before, but it was so delicious. it’s not as oily as a lot of american fried things, so that’s definitely a plus. though again MORE SHRIMPS PLEASE! (this plate is definitely not big enough) the stew with lamb is praised by most ppl in our group, but except the lamb was cooked to great softness and was very tasty, I don’t like the soup at all. Probably because I grew up not liking most soups. everything else was good as well, but didn’t impress me as much.
overall we had a good experience, the waitress-​lady was very nice and told us to order everything if possible since she knew a bunch of ppl are gonna show up (she was right).
overall, this is a very pleasant restaurant. definitely a gem for ppl never had chinese food and want something not panda express (which is NOT asian)

The food totally lives up to the hype and so does the ambiance! There’s literally 5 tables here. I’m pretty sure that this location used to be an old Taco Bell and now there’s Iron Chef quality chinese food being served out of it. The contradictions are hilarious. There’s also more tvs than walls showing images of the tasty food, Chef Ma as an Iron chef, and ideas of what to order. Chef Ma himself is super friendly and the only chef. So, apparently they don’t normally take reservations but when we came in on the weekend of Chinese New Year, after we had waited for almost an hour for a table, a group walked in that had apparently made a reservation a few days before. So… not sure what that was about! Pretty much everything is awesome but my favorite was probably the lotus root dish. It’s an unassuming dish that is really well balanced.
This place really authentic! I would have given 5 stars if it wasn’t for that reservation confusion.

I heard so many good things about this place as a hidden gem, but was let down. I went to the restaurant ²⁄₂₀₁₆ for lunch.
The building is an old Taco Bell, I entered and the counter hostess took 2 minutes to acknowledge me. Clearly she saw me. There is no reason to eat in unless a quick lunch. The place looked relatively clean, but the woman at the front counter kept latex gloves on while cleaning then washed her hands with the gloves on! I thought about canceling my order.
I ordered the short ribs with white rice. I wish it had been deboned, and I found the dish to be very salty. The onions and green peppers had good pepper flavor. I just found the meat extremely salty.
I will give it another chance with another menu item. World class chef or not, my socks were not blown off.

Fantastic, authentic Chinese food. Best beef noodle soup in St. Louis.

I came to Chef Ma’s this past weekend with a student group of 20 people. We called in beforehand to ask if the restaurant could seat us, but at that time we only accounted for 15 of us. We arrived at the very small restaurant, and basically took over the entire place. The lady in front was very accommodating and moved all the tables for us so we could all sit down. She told us at that time there was only one chef in the kitchen, Chef Ma, so the food might take awhile.
The student group I came with was the WashU Taiwanese Student Organization, so a few of the members that could read and speak Chinese went to order for the whole table.
Last semester, I was abroad in HK, so it had been awhile since I had good Chinese food, but Chef Ma’s was definitely some authentic and delicious Chinese food. I don’t usually go for Chinese food though because the good stuff is usually pretty oily and a little salty, and sometimes very spicy.
Chef Ma (Iron Chef Winner in 2009) definitely lived up to his name. He cooked our food so quickly and served it in such a short time frame that it seemed like there were 3 – 4 guys back in the kitchen.
Our dishes:
Royal Empress Chicken ⁵⁄₅ — It’s like the Hainan Chicken (a yellow salted chicken that is poached/​boiled whole) but without all the sauces & oil rice. The first time I had Hainan Chicken was in HK, and it was one of my favorite dishes! This one was really good and made me think of HK again. Definitely would recommend.
Szechuan Beef Noodle Soup 4.5÷5 — Beef noodle soup is a classic Taiwanese dish that everyone loves. This version was an adapted Szechuan version of it. Super spicy dark red broth, with noodles and beef chunks. I liked it a lot, but some of my friends didn’t think the noodles were that impressive, which I agree with.
Twice cooked pork ³⁄₅ — It was good, but I just am not a fan of fatty pork. It’s a dish with tofu skin, fatty pork, bell peppers, and onions. Good flavor, just the pork is too fatty.
Eggplant dish ⁵⁄₅ — Sooooo goood omg. Eggplant is a classic Chinese dish. It’s like very rich and oily and must be eaten with copious amounts of rice, but sooo delicious. This one is very authentic and a must try.
Green beans ⁵⁄₅ — I really like veggies and these were yummy sauteed beans!
Fried Rice/​White Rice — Definitely need some rice to eat in between all the spicy and salty dishes.
Overall, the meal for 20 people came out to about $ 10 – 11 per person before tip. Which is such a deal for the amount of food we got and the variety. I was super duper stuffed and very satiated in the end. Also, bring cash so you don’t have to pay extra fees if you’re with large parties.
The workers and chef were so nice and accommodating. Great service, great food, and a good price — will come back for sure!

Figured I would give the authentic stuff a try, I’ve had enough Americanized Sweet & Sour Chicken in my life for an army.
So I gave the Hainanese chicken a try. Was told it was served cold… okie doke that’s new to me! The rice it came with was hot so there was that contrast going on. I have to confess that this dish wasn’t my favorite and didn’t exactly blow me away, I enjoyed the rice most of all, it was very ginger-​y. The chicken I could care less if I ever tried again to be honest but that doesn’t mean it was bad, it’s just not to my taste.
I was brought some fish soup to try and that was decent enough, I’m just not a big fan of «egg drop consistency».
I can’t stress enough how NICE the owners are. We were given those soup noodle things at the end of the meal gratis as a parting gift, but these ones were sugared so it was like dessert!
I would gladly come back just for the hospitality aspect of things, and maybe next time I would try a hot meal which I prefer, but trying new things is always so much fun!

Fantastic Chinese that is as authentic as could be. We tried 6 dishes and could only get it via takeout because all the available tables were taken. We were especially pleased with the twice cooked pork, salted pepper calamari, sticky rice with Chinese sausage and the green beans. The food was well seasoned, well prepared and portioned perfectly.
The chef and other supporting staff could not have been nicer. All of the guests in the small restaurant space seemed very happy with their food and service.
I’m hoping they can find the means to move to a larger space, maybe in the Olive corridor east of 170. They certainly would get a huge draw if they had a bigger space. Here’s to a wonderful local business that should be supported!

It’s unfortunate this restaurant is so small. If word gets out they will have to move to a much larger facility. Why, because the food is beyond reproach. Yes, it’s just that good.
If you get beyond the fast food restaurant inconveniences, trust me it’s worth it. That’s the reason for four out of five stars rating.
We started with a soup that had fish and vegetables that was absolutely heavenly. The broth alone was ethereal. We also had braised pork belly, beef short ribs, lotus root vegetables, rice and green tea.
We really enjoy authentic Asian food. We have been to China and Japan. But it’s not about us or our pallet. The atmosphere may not be what you’re looking for as a dining experience but between the food and friendliness at Chef Ma’s you’ll be pleased that you went. I know we’ll be back. I can’t wait!

My ideal Chinese meal consists of the exact specialties that chef ma is known for. How does he know?!
Hainanese chicken and rice: the chicken is perfectly cooked. The skin is still glistening and the meat is oh so tender. Each piece is meaty and I have never once felt like I got «skimped» on due to boney no-​meat chicken. The minced ginger sauce is a must and I like that it is very seasoned so that I can also mix it into my rice. Let’s talk about the hainanese rice. Chef Ma’s rendition does a great job and is flavorful. Though I wouldn’t mind it if it is a tad more seasoned from the chicken oil/​broth. It is one of my favorite dishes and I can eat an entire bowl with nothing else. If you haven’t tried hainanese chicken and rice before, take a dive. It is basically crack in a bowl.
Beef noodle soup: hands down, best beef noodle soup in town. Other places don’t even come close. Not even the much beloved Tai-​Ke. Chef Ma’s version is Sichuan-​style so it is spicier, but the broth is heavenly. The noodles go so well with the broth, and the pickled veggies just transcend the dish. The beef, wow I almost forgot about the beef because I was so fixated on the broth — well it’s flavorful and tender. Just the perfect heartwarming bowl of noodles.
It may get a tad busy during lunchtime, especially if you plan on dining in. Just be patient, their staff/​chef ma is friendly and will try to get the tables cleaned in a swift manner.

Wow, what a hidden gem! We had the pleasure of eating lunch here and it was definately worth the trip. The highlights were the twice cooked pork, beef short rib, and hot oil juicy chicken. The staff was extremely friendly and accommodating; Chef Ma even greeted us when we came in.
Everything was so fresh and seasoned perfectly. For the quality of food, you really won’t find better prices in a restaurant. Don’t be afraid to order out of your comfort zone, or even let Chef Ma take the reigns. This restaurant will not disappoint if you are looking for authentic Chinese food or even just a 5 star meal.
Try this place! You are in for a treat.

I just had the best fried rice I’ve had since I was in Sasebo Japan. The egg roll was crispy, spiced just right, and piping hot. Then Chef Ma came out personally and talked to my wife about the hot and sour soup and her Hot braised tofu with shiitake mushrooms. A 5 star lunch in an old taco bell, Wonders never cease. Run, do not walk, to this gem.

This is a great little place for good food! Don’t let the tiny size of this former «Taco Bell» fool you: Chef Ma’s is BIG on authentic Chinese and they never disappoint. The meat and veggies are FRESH and cooked to perfection. I’m vegetarian and LOVE the Egg Plant Szechuan Style and the Hot Braised Tofu with Shiitake Mushrooms! I’m not a fan of white rice BUT theirs is incredibly fluffy and tasty. I love their Lo Mein and they add extra veggies for me at a reasonable charge.
My husband gets the Moo Goo Gai Pan, chicken fried rice and and Short Rib with Black Pepper. We share THE BEST Crab Rangoon or the awesome Salt and Pepper Calamari.
In addition, this is a VERY CLEAN restaurant where the bright, well organized kitchen is visible from the counter and apparently only NICE people work there!!!

I’ve lived in Hong Kong for 11 years and people ask me where to find authentic Chinese Food in STL. I’ve never been able to give them a confident answer until now. Chef Ma’s restaurant is housed in a former Taco Bell building — though quirky and, to most people, off-​putting — I truly believe that it adds to the character of his quaint kitchen. The place is not fancy at all but nevertheless clean and well kept. You’re greeted by Chef Ma himself with a contagious enthusiasm. I was here with my whole family for lunch to kick start the holiday season. Every bite took us back to the flavors of Hong Kong. We had the famous Hainan Chicken with Rice (for which he has won awards), the Lamb with Bamboo Shoots and Veggies Stew, the Golden Yolk Pumpkin Shrimp, the Lotus Veggie Delight, and the Fish Fillet and Assorted Veggies Stew
The Hainan Chicken Rice is probably one of the most authentic versions I’ve ever had. The rice is brimming with chicken flavor, the chicken perfectly seasoned and cooked.
The Lamb is served in a traditional clay pot over a table top gas stove — deliciously tender lamb with plenty of ginger and complex flavors.
The Golden Yolk Pumpkin Shrimp is deep fried pieces of shrimp and pumpkin that is amazingly crispy, succulent, and perfectly seasoned.
The lotus veggie delight appears unimpressive but was absolutely delicious with a great balance of textures.
The Fish Fillet and veggies stew was probably the most surprisingly good dish — also served over a countertop range, amazingly rich stock with tender fish fillets and hand made pork meatballs.
We will most definitely be back to sample more of Chef Ma’s culinary genius and hope he will continue to grow his fan base!!!

My boyfriend and I eat here almost weekly and we have yet to come across a dish that we didn’t like. We’ve even tried dishes that we don’t care for at other restaurants, and loved them here! We also appreciate that his restaurant is sparkling clean every time we’ve stopped in. Chef Ma and his staff care about what they do, and it shows!
We almost always order the calamari («fried squid garlic salt pepper flavor») appetizer, one «classic» dish (like cashew chicken) and one other dish that we aren’t familiar with (such as «pork and squid stir fry with celery»). Everything is fresh and flavorful; nothing is overdone. And, AND, his restaurant is priced in with other Chinese restaurants! Better food, better service, and not a penny more than the place down the street.
He’s a helluva Iron Chef! Check him out. You won’t be disappointed.