WOK CITY DINER – Mouthwatering Chinese Cuisine!

Chinese Food in Bay Area is as prevalent as the neighborhood grocery store, connected with the rich tradition and history of the Chinese populace. One is bound to find a Chinese restaurant in nearly every shopping center or shopping mall. With so many Chinese food restaurants to choose from, which one do you frequent, look forward to, and leave feeling great? There is an old proverb: One should go eat where the Chinese eat. Wok City Diner always has Chinese folks eating with lively conversations and having fun.

WOK CITY Diner at 46531 Mission Blvd. in the Warm Springs Plaza (next to the new Ross store and the longstanding Long’s Pharmacy) is conveniently located off Mission Blvd. between highway 680 and highway 880, near the intersection of Warm Springs Blvd. It is the only Chinese restaurant in the Warm Springs Plaza, and is housed on the same shopping strip that has Bay Jewelers and Hawaiian Barbecue. The best way to get to Wok City Diner is taking the right turn on Warm Springs Blvd. as you are driving down Mission Blvd. from highway 680 and then taking another right turn at the traffic light entering Warm Springs Plaza.

The Diner captures you with an eclectic charm and an inviting décor, initiated by a well-laid out open aquarium housing orange gold fish dancing around the water fall, set within a stony creation complete with miniature bridges reminiscent of a hillside Chinese city. The restaurant includes about a dozen comfortable booths enveloping the walls with relaxed sitting for at least four adults. The walls above the booths adorn classic paintings inviting a second and third look. The middle part of the restaurant has multiple round and rectangular tables, decked with white cloth, pink napkins and fine china, strewn all around with roomy chairs. A large aquarium fish tank over on the far right goes unnoticed unless you are sitting close by.

WOK CITY Diner provides fine selection for both lunch and dinner. Although I have frequented the restaurant only at dinnertime, the lunch menu is also equally inviting. The Diner serves 12 different succulent appetizers, and 12 hot soups to match. Customers’ favorite appetizer is the Pu-Pu Platter that includes pot stickers, egg rolls, B.B.Q. spareribs, fried prawns, beef on bamboo skewers, and paper wrapped chicken. My favorite soup is Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup; the best soup though that is always in demand is Sharks Fin Soup Supreme. The main course provides ample variety from Poultry, Pork, Beef, Vegetable, Seafood, Noodles, Rice, Chow Fun and Sizzling Plates – over 120 varieties that will whet your palate and then some. Chef’s Suggestions provide another 21 delectable choices that include Chef Pon’s Tofu – “tender bean curd with black bean and fresh chili, shredded pork sautéed in brown sauce – the most famous Tofu dish in Taiwan.” The main Poultry selection has 24 mouthwatering choices including the spicy Da-Chien Chicken – “diced chicken with green pepper, mushrooms and bamboo shoots, celery sautéed in spicy brown sauce”, and novelties such as Chicken in Phoenix Nest and Tea Smoked Duck. For Pork lovers, the favorite is Shanghai Spareribs from 11 various dishes – “baby back rib, braised in house special sweet brown sauce.” Dry sautéed Shredded Beef Szechuan and Prawns with Sizzling Rice are tops in Beef and Seafood selection.

For Vegetarians like me, every item is worth trying since each is created and flavored uniquely. On the past four trips, I have thoroughly enjoyed the flavors of Broccoli with Cashew Nuts, Broccoli with Tofu, Vegetarian Mu-Shu, and Dry sautéed String beans, which is so good that I could not stop eating until I had devoured the last bit of string beans. Bing, the manager, has told me that the Braised Eggplant with Garlic Sauce is another customer favorite, and I am looking forward to relishing it on my next visit. The restaurant caters to the family, and hence offers special Gourmet, Connoisseur and Vegetarian Dinners for families, and a separate Family to go menu.

The Service at Wok City Diner is superior, for either dining in or take out. Bing provides much energy to the establishment, and the staff carries through his commitment and zeal. Wok City is under new ownership, and it appears that the new owners are doing well to attract and retain customers by providing a better experience. On my last visit to Wok City, I was not only received well by Bing and the team, I was also able to custom order a Vegetarian dish that was created rather well. There was hardly a dull moment since we did not have to wait to order food, and to savor the appetizers and main course. A separate waiting area for patrons as more business rolls in may be needed.

The next time you are having cravings for tasty Chinese food in a pleasant setting and with superior service, Wok City Diner has to be on your A-List of fine Chinese restaurants in Fremont. It would definitely not be your last visit, rather the first of many more visits.

WOK CITY DINER
46531 Mission Blvd.
Fremont, CA
Phone: 510.490.3344
* Open 7 days *

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FREMONT LIVING by Sanjay Dalal