New China Restaurant

There are not many Chinese restaurants in Spring Valley, but Chinese sounded good so I was willing to give this place a try. Came in on a Saturday night around 7pm and there was nobody in the restaurant. We decided to order food to go so we ordered wor wonton soup, kung pao beef, chicken, salt and pepper wings, salt and pepper white meat chicken, almond chicken and broccoli chicken. The soup was okay but the broth was lacking in flavor. I was kind of upset to see that the Kung Pao beef was in a container half the size of any of the chicken items especially since it cost more than the chicken items. The Kung Pao beef was okay it was not spicy like it said it would be on the menu and it was also lacking flavor. The chicken broccoli was okay and the salt and pepper wings could have used more seasoning. The salt and pepper white meat chicken was okay, it needed more seasoning and was very dry. The almond chicken was surprisingly the best and it wasn’t even on the menu. Overall this is a restaurant I probably won’t be back to. The food was lacking flavor and for the price I would rather go elsewhere.

LOVE LOVE LOVE their salt and pepper chicken wings, to DIE for. Never go anywhere else!

Food is terrible. Paid about $ 40 and the food is bland and colorless. So disappointed.

Positives
–Best Salt n Pepper Chicken wings in East County
–Best War Wonton Soup
–Affordable price
Negatives
–Interior & exterior both need a face lift
–Beef is relatively chewy

I’ve experienced much better. My husband likes the wonton soup. I won’t buy anything else from here. I ordered the orange chicken and it was disgusting. It is chicken breast but very dry and fried in a bland batter. All you can taste is the grease. There is absolutely no flavor at all. There were no vegetables and no orange sauce at all. To top it off, they charge you .50 cents for rice. Definitely will not be back for anything besides wonton soup.

If your taste-​buds have been fried in a horrific nuclear accident and you can no longer taste food then this is the place for you. All the food we ordered had the same bland vaguely salted flavor. So no need to even bother ordering a variety since it is all the same in the end.
We did not know this rule so we ordered Mongolian beef, moo goo gai pan, salt and pepper wings and the house special fried rice. It mixed together on the plate and you really had no inkling that you ate three distinct dishes.
I have teenage boys and no one asked for seconds. That is unheard of in our house. I can not cook worth a darn and they still usually eat every last drop of whatever horror show I have concocted in the kitchen. This stuff sat on the counter with no one interested in trying to finish it off. Save your money and find a better place to eat Chinese.

Update 11−24−15
A couple of weeks ago we stopped here for our weekly «lunch date», normally we order «take out «but today we decided to eat in.
The hostess greeted us and showed us to our table. The tables were set with forks, spoons, napkins and menus. I didn’t like this arrangement so much but it was efficient.
The hostess was also our waitress, she came by to take our order but she didn’t give us her name or say good afternoon. Her presence was very robotic. We placed our order and the food didn’t take long at all.
The food was delicious, I ordered all my favorites: Salty pepper chicken wings, shrimp egg foo young and the sautéed vegetables. My husband ordered a combo plate: fried rice, egg drop soup, egg roll with salty pepper chicken white meat.
The restaurant itself was not very interesting at all. Very basic in design, booths along the walls and tables in the middle of the restaurant.
And for some reason a TV was mounted on the wall in the take out area which was very distracting because my husband kept looking up to see a news clip or show and that took away from my «lunch date».
Overall the food was delicious as always and the service was fast.

The king and queen of mom-​and-​pop spots aka my in-​laws dropped by for a visit and suggested we explore a new Chinese dive. They believe and passed along the philosophy in supporting local businesses and that the best flavors often come from places that cook with recipes from the heart and not a corporate menu. Driving down Campo I often see the signs along the road so I suggested we head out to New China. This place is hidden behind a wall and offset to the road. Had it not been for the signs you’d miss it. We walked in after 2pm and were the only customers. Figuring perhaps we missed the lunch rush, we figured we would get VIP service. Behind the counter a woman not so excitedly guided us to our seats and took our drink order. With the same service to be expected in Asian restaurants, she tossed the menus on the table and quickly walked away with no explanation of the specials or suggestions. Looking around New China looks more like Old China. It just wouldn’t be Chinese without dingy popcorn ceilings and the Buddha covered in dollar bills. I had to sit closer to dad-​in-​law because my booth seat was sunken down low enough for me to eat with my chin. Back to ordering lunch, we realized the best way to get the employees attention was to wait until Maury Povich was on commercial break cause she was entranced by who the daddy was playing on the TV conveniently located by the door. We ordered salt and pepper fish, mogolian beef and a chicken stir-​fry. The egg drop soup was cold and still congealed, so we asked it to be nuked a bit longer. Even still, it had no flavor and was watered down. Our meal came out shortly after, and as previously reported, the portions were enormous — out of proportion and unappetizing. The rice was overcooked and reminiscent of being stovetop stuffing. Although the salt and pepper fish had the right amount of seasoning, it was more breading than fish. The mongolian slivers of beef were hidden somewhere in the vegetable stir-​fry. I really wanted to like this place, but New China just didn’t make the cut and will be now known as No China. We wont be coming back.

I came here with a friend for take out. She raved about their salt and pepper wings. I ordered wings, house special chow mein and crab rangoon.
The wings were AWESOME! I ordered flats only. They were very light and crispy, I couldn’t stop eating them. The wings are the reason for the four stars. The rest of the food was just okay ~ didn’t notice crab in the wonton and the chow mein was a little bland. I may not order those two items next trip, but I WILL be ordering wings!

Unfortunately I was deceived by the reviews and comments that are found from this establishment and I did not have a great experience.
I went to dinner tonight with my wife and we had the sweet and sour pork with the daily special which included four salt and pepper wings, green beans and egg drop soup. For starters the portions were enormous (which I don’t mind when the food is of high quality). My chicken was dried and it looked like it had been bitten by a dog, the rice was old and all mushed up together and the green beans tasted like they were used from the previous week daily special. The sweet and sour pork tasted like an undercooked ball of dough with syrup sauce and the egg drop soup also tasted like it had been reheated from the day before. I normally take my left over home and if I can’t eat them I would give them to the homeless on the street but food from this place, I could not take with me nor give it to someone else and have a good conscience. Honestly my experience was not good at all, the wait staff was friendly and the sprite did taste all right but the chef needs to reevaluate his recipes. Total cost of my bill was $ 20.19 which I would have been happier going to a fast food place and ordering off their dollar menu. Do yourself a favor and visit Royal Mandarin in National City and then tell me if this is a hidden gem.

This little hidden gem does absolutely no advertising and don’t even have a internet site. You know why because they don’t need to. Word of mouth is all they need. the salted pepper chicken wings & shrimp and house special lo mein is the bomb. This is my personal opinion so don’t go and then if you don’t like it, blame me. I love them and that is my opinion. Just thought I would share. enjoy.

Ordered Sweet and Sour Chicken, Chicken Fried Rice, it was sooooo bland, the worst experience of Chinese food ever. May think twice before trying again.

Was just ok for me
The salt and pepper wings were great
The rest of the food very bland lacking of spices.

I was filling a little under the weather one day and I stopped by here for a large bowl of Wor Wonton Soup and some hot green tea.
The bowl was large and meant for two, but that certainly did not deter me from taking it on. The broth was light in flavor and seasoning, but it sure was piping hot. I added not only a little black pepper and salt, but also a good dose of Sriracha to spice it up, because to tell you the truth, I wanted to sweat while I ate this soup. I added some crispy wonton that came on the side with some sweet sour sauce.
The soup came with chicken, beef, and shrimp, with a green leaf vegetable and mushrooms as well. The shrimp were succulent and not over done, the chicken was a little bland but tender, and the beef with good but a little on the tough side. The wontons in the soup came with a savory ground pork which was flavorful and tender.
In in the end, the soup was good, but it sure was better after I seasoned it and added that hot sauce. Service was very reserved and quite. I had to coax conversation out of my sever, but towards the end of my visit, she seemed to liven up.

They have the best salt and pepper chicken wings! The portions are large. They are very quick with service. I always enjoy the wings! That is all you should get here trust me. It’s worth coming just for the wings
Nothing else. My rating is just for the SALT & PEPPER CHICKEN WINGS ONLY!!!

I crave this place every 6 months or so. Since we have VERY FEW Chinese restaurants worth a hoot here in San Diego this is my go to. The lunch special (11 – 3) is a great deal — entrée, soup, rice (steamed or fried) and an egg roll for an average of $ 6. My husband always gets the salted pepper white meat chicken which is delicious! He always talks me out of getting it because the peppers are kind of spicy, and I end up with sweet and sour chicken. Every single time I tell myself I need to remember not to get it the next time because it’s super bland. All you can taste and feel in your mouth is breading. There’s never enough sauce on it, and even when you add some it still sucks.
The interior needs some real TLC, I mean a coat of paint could go a LONG way, but in another 6 months I’ll think of that salted pepper chicken and beg my husband to come here for a lunch date. I just hope I remember not to get the sweet and sour chicken!

Food is pretty good, especially considering the price. Huge portions and fast service. The outdoor patio is relaxing and quiet even though it’s next to the street. I’ll be back here again

I drove by this place a couple times and decided to try it out. The parking lot was fairly full for a sunday afternoon, so I thought it’d be ok, but I was wrong.
–The house fried rice which was super bland. It was basically rice and dash of soy sauce with frozen peas and carrots… it did have a lot of meat though. But the flavor was super bland.
–The chow mein was the same as the rice but in noodle form. not good at all.
–The wonton noodle strips were super STALE. It was highly disappointing.
–The salt and pepper chicken wings were decent. They were not too greasy like some places and they were super crispy. That’s the only thing I’ll ever order from here, if anything. I wouldn’t even go out of my way for that.
Sorry folks. I’m not a fan.

We are fans because we live in Spring Valley where good places to eat are few and far between. Lots of veggies and little meat appeals to us – so does fast, convenient, and affordable, and New China is all of these.
First off — don’t eat in. There is no ambience and the place is a little funky. We always order take out. Things they do well — Kung Pao chicken! And of course everyone knows about the salt and pepper chicken (which we have never ordered — LOL). I think their prices are comparable to any other Chinese food place, there is always easy parking, they get the food ready FAST (it is FRESH, FRESH, FRESH), and the folks are super nice. And ordering a bit more for rice? Get real, people — businesses do what they have to. Times are tough. Who cares? They have to cook it, not me! I“d pick this over pizza or hamburgers ANY DAY.

I have rode or driven past this place most of my life. Our paths finally crossed tonight.
I made a take out order for sweet and sour pork, salt and pepper chicken wings, and eggrolls. The pork was typical for a family style budget friendly chinese restaurant, heavy on the breading-​light on the pork. The sauce was fine and the veggies were tender. The eggrolls were simple and good as eggrolls always are. The wings however were extraordinary. Perfectly crisp skin, juicy moist chicken inside, in a pool of salt and garlicky goodness. These wings are every bit as good as the much ballyhooed ones at Golden Chopsticks in National City.
Overall its consistently good food with some standouts but what gives them the third star from me is I think its important to support restaurants in your community like this. I like giving my money to restaurants that the folks use it to make mortgage payments and buy groceries and raise children. I do it whenever I can, no offense to Panda Express. Take a look if you happen by.