The food is disgusting, the service is indifferent, the table and dishes were not clean - I wouldn't feed this to my dog - I do not have a dog.
(1)
Dare W.
Great food and large portions. Do not let the looks of the building turn you away from this place.
(4)
Moose F.
I like very spicy food, especially spicy Chinese food. Szechuan peppercorns, chili paste with garlic, dried peppers, rooster sauce (sriracha) are all part of my pantry and are regularly used. (I go through a bottle of rooster sauce a month.) I can eat a jalapeno whole without breaking a sweat. I like hot. I first tried Hidden Dragon this past summer, via a delivery I was excited to try their Red Oil Wontons, something you don't find often on menus. It was very spicy and flavorful. I also, then, tried the Jalapeno Shrimp, which was so spicy I couldn't finish, but still full of flavor. (The leftovers made a great 2nd meal). Fast forward to a few days ago when a friend & I decided to order in some food. We settled on Hidden Dragon because I recalled the tasty, spicy foods from the last time, and because we could order online. I'm not sure what happened to this place in a few months, but it's not a good thing. The Red Oil Wontons were, frankly, inedible. Instead of very spicy yet tasty it was all spice with no flavor but MY HEAD IS ON FIRE. This wasn't a slow build up, either, it was from one bite! Repeated attempts to go back and try again met with the same result. Shrimp toast were bland and oily. For main dishes we got combos. My supposedly spicy chicken dish was fairly tasty, though not very spicy at all. The "fried rice" that came with it appeared to be soy-sauce soaked rice. [I don't recall what kind of rice came with the food the last time.] My friend's shrimp with vegetables was a bit more spicier than mine and had more flavor. The irony of that is that it wasn't what she ordered! It was tasty enough that she was halfway through before saying, "wait, didn't I order noodles?" By that point we weren't sure what we were really eating, maybe neither of us got the main dishes we ordered. The "spring rolls" that came with the combos were inedible, the filling bland and stringy and with an overall odor of oil. We thought about calling to complain but realized it probably wasn't worth it. This is not some place either of us would want food from again anytime soon. The only reason I don't give them one star is because the wrong shrimp dish wasn't half bad.
(2)
Stephen H.
i have several Asian friends at EMU and they say mixed things about Happy Wok. I personally have had much better and do not regard Hidden dragon as being particularly memorable but definitely overpriced.
(2)
Joe L.
The chinese menu at Hidden Dragon is a pretty authentic and good (by Michigan standards). It predominately focuses on Szechuan style food. I think it has ended up being one of the few chinese restaurants in the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area that I frequent. I am pretty pleased with most of the things I've ordered off the chinese menu. It can be spicier than you would expect. Only for comparison because it's become so popular, compared to Chia Shiang, the menu is more limited; however, the food is less greasy, cheaper, and much less crowded. The service and decor at Hidden Dragon is a pretty basic. It has that Chinatown sort of feel to it. They take your order, they bring you your food, and they will refill you rice/tea. However, they may or may not smile or be friendly. One of the waiters probably has limited experience with the menu. For example, once I pointed to an item on the menu and asked "What is this?" The response I got was "I dunno, no one has ever ordered it before." I can see how people may find that annoying, but I thought it was hilarious because I should have known better than to ask. I can't really comment about the Americanized Chinese food menu.
(5)
Katy B.
Hidden Dragon is a tricky one to rate... Don't let the relatively shady exterior intimidate you, if nothing else, Hidden Dragon deserves a chance. I absolutely LOVE their broccoli with garlic ginger sauce (with fried tofu, please), and have heard good things about their other sauces. The broccoli is always cooked but retains a little crunch... just the way I like it. I can't speak to the meat dishes. I would not recommend the hot and sour soup, I found it to be way too thick and bland, a bit creepy, really. Their lunch specials are killer (3.99), and prices are generally low.
(3)
Bill B.
My girlfriend and I love this place (3.5 stars). We go there all the time and love trying different food from the menu. If you like tofu you have to try their tofu with baby green onions from the appetizer menu.
(4)
Kang Z.
spicy Chinese food!
(4)
M. S.
Don't judge a book by its cover! Hidden Dragon is a hole in the wall, but the food itself is pretty dang good. Well - okay: it's a little inconsistent - sometimes pretty dang good, sometimes eh. But when it IS pretty dang good, it's pretty dang good.
(3)
Wenyan D.
as a kid grown up in sichuan, i have to say it's really authentic sichuan food, anyone interested shouldn't miss it one reminder is, it may be too spicy to some people.
(5)
Joy H.
I will never order from this place again. I picked it because it had no minimum order and charged the least amount for delivery versus the other chinese places in the area. Delivery took about an hour-way too long! I order crab ragoons and a spring roll. Both were gross. I ate one ragoon and there the rest out and took one bite of the spring roll and threw it out. Disappointed!
(1)
Maria C.
Just ordered through GrubHub. Delivery was quick and accurate. The food was so gross than neither me, my husband or my mother would eat it! I'm actually surprised the dogs ate the leftover chicken! Everything that was fried (general Tso, sesame chicken, lemon chicken and Rangoon) all tasted of FISH! Clearly the oil needed to be changed or there was a cross contamination issue. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!
(1)
Clarence C.
Great place to find cheap take-out, but I would recommend calling ahead if you have a big order. There is no place to park nearby, so be creative. Or be prepared to park at the Key Bank building up the street and walk a few blocks. Better yet, make them deliver. The egg-drop soup and hot sour soup are good, but only if you are used to that kind of soup.
(4)
Kristen C.
The food taste great however the last time my family ate there another customer was returning food that contained ... How can I say this... An insect in her food. She became very angry when the manager Was petty about her refund. Instead of being smart and just give the lady all of her money back he was not refunding for tax or the extra shrimp... SOMETHING!!! At any rate I would have given her a simple $20 and got her out of there. Instead he caused her to get angry and loud which is how my family realized what was happening. Our LAST time going there we all lost our appetites. Hidden dragon needs exterminator services!
(1)
Attossa C.
I love the lunch menu. $4.99 for a lot of food--comes with the main dish, rice, soup or eggroll. Some of them are seriously lacking in the vegetable department, which can be good if that's what you like. The cashew shrimp is shrimp, cashews and waterchestnuts. Some of them have lots of vegetables though. I've been there a few times and seen people order off of the real chinese menu. The food looks good, but I haven't yet had the chance to experience that. The black tea is so delicious, a to go container of the tea is $1 and it's a huge cup, nearly a liter. They deliver, and it's always fast. The cost for where I am (walking distance) is $1. Everyone there is fast, the guy behind the counter probably averages 5.5 mph when walking.
This is one of those Classic Asian restaurants that has "white people" menus and Chinese menus. If you've been to places like China town in San Fran or Toronto then you understand that there exist two menu's. The prices here are pretty decent and there is a good selection of items to choose from. I did notice that since I wasn't Asian I was given utensils and not chopsticks (another thing you get used to if you frequent Asian restaurants and aren't Asian). Food that I had was pretty good (General Tsu Tofu) and I was tasty and came in a big sized portion (that I easily handled). Overall the Hidden Dragon is a great traditional Chinese restaurant, not one of those bastardized American deals, so come here and enjoy food from either menu (Chinese or English)
(4)
Ashley R.
So I ordered General chicken with fried rice and Crab Rangoon and asked for extra plum or duck sauce and got a huge thing of sweet and sour sauce no duck or plum (OK maybe they were out of the other), when it got deliver the man that delivered didn't even have changer for a 20 on a $11 order he was fumbling through his own wallet trying for chance he gave me $4 and told me he had no more money so i told him to keep the rest. The fried rice that came with the combo was weird it was literately just white rice with light soy sauce no vegetables or egg or anything like that. The chicken was good and food was delivered on time that is why i gave two stars.
(2)
Alely P.
DO THEY NOT DELIVER OR ARE THEY OUT OF BUSINESS??!!!! My roommates and I have called multiple times, and no answer. We decided to order online, and they obviously didn't show up!!! I don't recommend food that doesn't exist and have horrible service.
(1)
Jenny K.
This place should be called "Hidden Menu" instead of Hidden Dragon. True story. In a twist of irony, I was racially profiled here and given the legit Chinese menu that had stuff like hot pot, several curiously rough translated numbers, and sauteed bullfrogs (!) Don't get me wrong, of course I love good Chinese food, but the waiter didn't give me the heads up on what was good and that there was a more non-Chinese friendly menu. When I asked him about the hot pots, he told me they're not like hot pots cooked on the table, but that the bowls are called hot pots and he couldn't really tell me what was in them...so yeah, I picked one and it was meh. Don't get the hot pot special (it looks like clear gravy, chicken bits, and won bok cabbage for $12, no good). It wasn't til I was headed out that I saw the take-out menu, which has all the more American Chinese dishes...ah, the familiar! So, I went back for a do-over the next day and got the $4.99 lunch special. A bargain! Sweet and sour, white rice (get the white rice, their fried rice just looks like soy sauce mixed in, no joke), beef and broccoli, it's all pretty decent fare. Unless, you're going here with someone who knows what they're doing, I'd stick with what you know.
(3)
Zk K.
The best Sichuan dishes for sure in Michigan without a doubt. I've lived in China 2 years I am really into the authentic and traditional places and this places makes me happy.
(5)
Mevei I.
Disappointing all around. We did not receive our food until over 1 hour after we placed the order online. We called twice and both times did not get an answer of when we would get our food. We literally live less than 7 mins away from the restaurant. What's weirder is that the man who answered the phone first said the delivery guy did not have a phone so could not be tracked (WTF?!) but when my spouse called 30 mins later, he miraculously had a phone and was able to be contacted. Poor customer service. The food was mediocre at best. Not good enough for us to return.
(1)
Lawrie M.
Definitely not returning! The place was dirty, dimly lit, food was overcooked and appeared to have been reheated. The fried wontons were like attempting to eat tree bark. When we ordered a coke we were handed a room temperature can and a cup with 3 small pieces of ice! Not even worth a retry!
(2)
Patrick T.
Shady looking place from the outside. My chinese friends tell me it's pretty authentic, and I will defer that decision to them. The spicy food is actually spicy, which is good, but overall I didn't think the food was all that tasty or special.
(2)
Junchen F.
Please come to Chicago and teach the Chinatown folks how Sichuan food should be done.
(4)
Liz W.
Based on Jay O.'s review and the fact that they deliver to our office, we decided to give Hidden Dragon a whirl today for lunch. We ordered two of the 4.59 lunch combos, which come with fried rice and your choice of an *egg* roll or soup. We will have to order together when we feel like this option as there is an 8 buck delivery minimum. I went with the szechuan shrimp- extra spicy, while my dining partner chose general tso chicken (it doesn't matter what you get for lunch though as every combo is the exact same price). That brought the total up to 9.23 (huh- makes no sense but its pennies people so we moved on) and they add a buck for delivery (they also prompt you for additional tip on the website). So with a two and a quarter tip we ended up with 12.50 total or 6.25 apiece. A good deal for a full lunch that is brought to us. I preferred my pick to hers. The shrimp were coated but not so much you noted the coating as a huge problem at all. The red szechuan sauce was definitely hot, but not even close to unbearably hot for me. Like Moose I do like it hot. Pretty tasty. The fried rice accompaniment was bare minimum for earning that title. I didn't mind so much as I had been wishing for an option of white rice instead on the online form and this was like a seasoned rice. All it had was a bit of soy and scant pieces of egg. No meat and no veg to be found in that. However, when I mixed my rice with the szechuan sauce it was very nice tasting so no big deal for me. I will admit I very disappointed about the utter lack of any veg other than onion in the main dish though. Yes I'm difficult. I will have to get a different dish, one that specifically mentions a vegetable, next time. That will make me happier. My workmate's general chicken had a really great sauce, she asked for spicy but not as spicy as I did. It arrived flavorful and zesty but not overwhelming, in fact it tasted better than my sauce. The chicken though came in the form of superball shaped pieces of dark and white meat that were hugely overcoated. Crispy on the outside, the meat was like buried treasure in those bready balls. Think of almost a fat stuffed hush puppy and you are on the right path. There is a joke somewhere in that statement I am sure of it but I digress. I was super jealous of the perfectly cooked broccoli in her dish. Just happy right there. The egg rolls that came with each of our choices were really American version of spring rolls. These were cabbage as the main filler and narrow, with thin crispy layers of skin covering rather than the large and dense, meat and sprout filled American egg rolls (with the thick chewy and bubbly fried shells). Is this a Michigan thing I wonder or are my personal expectations of spring vs egg totally off base? At any rate they were too greasy because they did not seem to drain them before putting them into a plastic sleeve. The rolls were not horribly unpleasant but neither were they a success. Standard packets of icky hot mustard and duck sauce did not improve my opinion of them any. I would not get them again. The food arrived timely and hot. The delivery guy was polite. I liked that. We both agreed we will give this cheap and convenient place another whirl for non fried items. She wants to try the optional meat type fried rice with her next combo (chicken, beef or shrimp for a 50¢ upcharge). I'm going to ask for white rice myself and definitely pick a dish that has a veggie in the title, heck maybe I will just get broccoli. We both will also be getting soup instead of spring roll for sure. So far its a three.
(3)
Serena W.
The appearance of the restaurant from outside isn't as appealing as the food. However, they are one of the only authentic places in town. They are specializing in Sichuan style, which is extremely spicy, yet tasty! Price is extremely competitive compare to the rest of the markets. Staff are polite and they do offer delivery, which is a huge plus to me and my family! Every once in a while, we will order from them. Haven't been disappointed ;)
(3)
Vince S.
Hidden Dragon really is a little mom and pop shop that just serves really good food. If you read this review do yourself a favor and order the Romeo and Juliette along with another Traditional dish. Don't be afraid to venture out from the comfortable path if you are only used to American Chinese food. Years ago Hidden Dragon was operated by a family that called the place Mayflower Restaurant. The food then was the common type of American Chinese food you find in most restaurants (sweet n sour whatever) and just as good as any although they may have had traditional dishes too but at the time I did not have interest in it. I went to school with the sons of the owner however we lost contact after some time. Forward some time and the new owners (Chinese) purchased the restaurant and changed to the current name. While they still cater to those who are used to and like the American varieties of Chinese food, also good, they are better known for their traditional dishes hot and cold. My first trip here after many years was on a recommendation from a friend who promised it would not be a disappointing experience. I must say as a person who would rather have traditional dishes I was somewhat thrown off by the recommendation because all I saw on the menu were American Chinese dishes. Come to find out, at the time, you had to ask for the Chinese menu if you wanted to try anything traditional, this might still be the case. I assume this is because most Americans who enter the place don't want anything but the American varieties. On my second visit I did in fact ask for the Chinese menu and was pleased to see such a large variation of meals with many having unique names that are sometimes hard to figure out just what it includes. My first selection was Romeo and Juliette and Stir Fried Tripe. Both dishes were excellent and I was immediately hooked on the place. Since then I have been back dozens of times and have tried many of the items but still not all. Each dish I have tried has been very good but I do have my favorites.
(5)
Josh C.
Hidden Dragon is a little hole-in-the-wall (or perhaps hole-on-the-hill is more appropriate, since it is located on a steep incline. Though, I guess hole isn't correct if I'm talking about something ON a hill) joint that I've been taking advantage of for years. Back in the residence hall days, the other housing staff and I would often call in a big order for delivery. More times than not, the food was on time and the order accurate; it tasted good, regardless. Even still, if I want good takeout (and don't want to drive to Dynasty in Dearborn Heights, MI) I'll give them a ring. They have an expansive menu, including traditional dishes and many vegetarian/vegan options - General Tso's Tofu, Homestyle Tofu, and Curry Tofu, for example. Also, prices are very reasonable.
(4)
Lydia T.
Yuck! We were so excited to try because the reviews were good. It's terrible! Tasted super salty and overpriced! I will stick with Golden Wall!
(1)
HX S.
HD is good enough for authentic Chinese food and not expensive. I almost tried all the menu items, some are really spicy, but less spicy than locally China. Overall, I like HD~
(5)
Jay O.
Stephen H doesn't seem clear which place he is writing about, Happy Wok or Hidden Dragon? As an "Asian-American" born and lived in Far East Asia, I wonder if I should be offended by his "I have some Asian Friends and they..." Being black doesn't make one particularly skilled at hunting African lions with a spear; Simply looking Asian doesn't mean one can tell a Big Mac from good stir fry. Hidden Dragon was opened & operated by a Chinese family from Vietnam for several years. The daughter left for medical school, the son became an engineer. The husband (the cook) ran off with a younger woman, leaving his wife to run the place alone. Of course, the business ran down. When EMU opened the Business College, Dalatt moved in and captiured business school diners. Some went to the 24 hour Coney Island (After Bill Clinton ate a coney there). Some went to the Wolverine. The abandoned lady sold the pace and it was renamed Hidden Dragon by new owners, a husband and wife. They expanded the menu and the prices were set too high. The food was an inconsistent OK. A few months ago I saw a new menu. This menu is aimed at the EMU wannabe U of M professors and students. It sports healthy & vegetarian food in addition to the more South China traditional carry out food common across America. The prices were reduced from the last time we ate there in 2009. How often do you see that today? I decided it must be new ownership and it was worth a try. The added delivery service was tempting as it is difficult getting in and out of the limited parking area. Inside, Hidden Dragon reminds me of the typical small chinese places you see in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, etc. Small, plain and simple. We have become delivery regulars. I was surprised by the quality of the food and the speed of delivery. If you want real Chinese food, you must not be in a hurry. Each meal is prepared from scratch from fresh vegetables and meat. Only the fortune cookies come from a box and they are not really meant to be eaten. I know of nowhere else you can get the quality of food hidden Dragon serves in their lunch specials for under $7. Their lunch and dinner special menu is more varied than most carry outs in Washtenaw or Western Wayne County. Given the low prices, I was surprised at the quality of shrimp and chicken. Brando O. of Ann Arbor said about what I expect from Ann Arbor. Somehow, nothing in "Ypsi.." measures up to Ann Arbor or Berkely right Brando? Isn't yours a little extreme review for someone who did eat the food? I don't eat food I wouldn't feed a dog. I guess i'm funny that way. Hidden Dragon is Chinese common table food. Its carry out, mostly stir fry and deep fry, cheaper and much healthier food than the arts & croissants crowd Pavlov salivate over at Mcdonald's or Joe's Family Restaurant (all "fresh" from frozen and from large corporate cans). Get real folks. How many restaurants from Applebee's to Chilli's have a single real cook on staff? How much do you lay down there for a 2000 calorie, 80 grams of fat heart attack meal warmed up by a grill prep? We are talking a wholesome, take your pick, of mostly fresh vegetables, quality short grain steamed rice with soup and tea for.....$4.49! On top of that some of you want to eat an American's tacky idea of Chinese decor too? Top it off you call it Asian food? I guess the factory processed and prepared food I see at Applebee's, Big Boy, etc is European food and I can cite a random Frenchman's opinion of a Big Mac and say "some Europeans I know say..." What the heck is Asian food? What is an Asian? A Persian? A Korean? A Cambodian? Hidden Dragon serves two California creations, Chop Suey and Chow Mein. They serve dishes from two regions of China (Canton & Szechuan). And folks it is common table food, fast food even. It must be compared to what you can get at Wolverine, The Bomber, Lucas Coney Island, Big Boy, Happys Pizza, not a gourmet Chinese restaurant like Chef Jan's near University of Michigan where lunch begins at over $15 and some dishes demand an appointment and a minimum large table group before he will agree to serve it up. Red Lobster is the best pricing you can get for fresh American food prepared by a cook. what is the cheapest lunch special there? And how much of your plate is from frozen box or a can? Like the professors taught back when they were scholars, context, context. Its all about context and not comparing apples wth oranges and concluding the apples are horrid tasting oranges. I'll take a Hidden Dragon's healthy made-from-scratch $4.49 lunch any day over drive-by burger or Joe's box-to-grill heart attack $6 plus meal!
(4)
Lynn L.
One of the best Chinese restaurants in AA area. Been there many times - recommend Zhuge grill fish if you like spicy food, and shepherd purse tofu and double-cooked pork slices
(4)
J L.
Possibly the most authentic and best Chinese (Sichuanese or Szechuanese) food in Ann Arbor / Yipsilanti. (I am Sichuanese!) Definitely a hidden gem. Their spicy pork kidney is very delicious, and I love their vegetable stir fry too. They also have great spicy fried chicken (La Zi Ji). You can ask for less pepper if you can't do too spicy, but come prepared for some HOT food!
(4)
Lily P.
Great prices, and good food. From the outside it looks like CRAP...yes and that pictures does it no justice. :( I like their Veggie dishes a lot!!!! The food inside is good and everything we got there in the past tasted great..and better than those fast food places (tkWU, lucky kitchen, etc etc) on Umich campus. I want to put it at same level as Asian Legend right now...hrm.
(3)
S B.
Really friendly service and great food. I went for the "American" menu and really enjoyed the General Tso's tofu that I got. I picked it up and it was ready 15 minutes after I ordered it. This is definitely my go-to place for Chinese food in Ypsi.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Brandon O.
The food is disgusting, the service is indifferent, the table and dishes were not clean - I wouldn't feed this to my dog - I do not have a dog.
(1)Dare W.
Great food and large portions. Do not let the looks of the building turn you away from this place.
(4)Moose F.
I like very spicy food, especially spicy Chinese food. Szechuan peppercorns, chili paste with garlic, dried peppers, rooster sauce (sriracha) are all part of my pantry and are regularly used. (I go through a bottle of rooster sauce a month.) I can eat a jalapeno whole without breaking a sweat. I like hot. I first tried Hidden Dragon this past summer, via a delivery I was excited to try their Red Oil Wontons, something you don't find often on menus. It was very spicy and flavorful. I also, then, tried the Jalapeno Shrimp, which was so spicy I couldn't finish, but still full of flavor. (The leftovers made a great 2nd meal). Fast forward to a few days ago when a friend & I decided to order in some food. We settled on Hidden Dragon because I recalled the tasty, spicy foods from the last time, and because we could order online. I'm not sure what happened to this place in a few months, but it's not a good thing. The Red Oil Wontons were, frankly, inedible. Instead of very spicy yet tasty it was all spice with no flavor but MY HEAD IS ON FIRE. This wasn't a slow build up, either, it was from one bite! Repeated attempts to go back and try again met with the same result. Shrimp toast were bland and oily. For main dishes we got combos. My supposedly spicy chicken dish was fairly tasty, though not very spicy at all. The "fried rice" that came with it appeared to be soy-sauce soaked rice. [I don't recall what kind of rice came with the food the last time.] My friend's shrimp with vegetables was a bit more spicier than mine and had more flavor. The irony of that is that it wasn't what she ordered! It was tasty enough that she was halfway through before saying, "wait, didn't I order noodles?" By that point we weren't sure what we were really eating, maybe neither of us got the main dishes we ordered. The "spring rolls" that came with the combos were inedible, the filling bland and stringy and with an overall odor of oil. We thought about calling to complain but realized it probably wasn't worth it. This is not some place either of us would want food from again anytime soon. The only reason I don't give them one star is because the wrong shrimp dish wasn't half bad.
(2)Stephen H.
i have several Asian friends at EMU and they say mixed things about Happy Wok. I personally have had much better and do not regard Hidden dragon as being particularly memorable but definitely overpriced.
(2)Joe L.
The chinese menu at Hidden Dragon is a pretty authentic and good (by Michigan standards). It predominately focuses on Szechuan style food. I think it has ended up being one of the few chinese restaurants in the Ann Arbor/Ypsi area that I frequent. I am pretty pleased with most of the things I've ordered off the chinese menu. It can be spicier than you would expect. Only for comparison because it's become so popular, compared to Chia Shiang, the menu is more limited; however, the food is less greasy, cheaper, and much less crowded. The service and decor at Hidden Dragon is a pretty basic. It has that Chinatown sort of feel to it. They take your order, they bring you your food, and they will refill you rice/tea. However, they may or may not smile or be friendly. One of the waiters probably has limited experience with the menu. For example, once I pointed to an item on the menu and asked "What is this?" The response I got was "I dunno, no one has ever ordered it before." I can see how people may find that annoying, but I thought it was hilarious because I should have known better than to ask. I can't really comment about the Americanized Chinese food menu.
(5)Katy B.
Hidden Dragon is a tricky one to rate... Don't let the relatively shady exterior intimidate you, if nothing else, Hidden Dragon deserves a chance. I absolutely LOVE their broccoli with garlic ginger sauce (with fried tofu, please), and have heard good things about their other sauces. The broccoli is always cooked but retains a little crunch... just the way I like it. I can't speak to the meat dishes. I would not recommend the hot and sour soup, I found it to be way too thick and bland, a bit creepy, really. Their lunch specials are killer (3.99), and prices are generally low.
(3)Bill B.
My girlfriend and I love this place (3.5 stars). We go there all the time and love trying different food from the menu. If you like tofu you have to try their tofu with baby green onions from the appetizer menu.
(4)Kang Z.
spicy Chinese food!
(4)M. S.
Don't judge a book by its cover! Hidden Dragon is a hole in the wall, but the food itself is pretty dang good. Well - okay: it's a little inconsistent - sometimes pretty dang good, sometimes eh. But when it IS pretty dang good, it's pretty dang good.
(3)Wenyan D.
as a kid grown up in sichuan, i have to say it's really authentic sichuan food, anyone interested shouldn't miss it one reminder is, it may be too spicy to some people.
(5)Joy H.
I will never order from this place again. I picked it because it had no minimum order and charged the least amount for delivery versus the other chinese places in the area. Delivery took about an hour-way too long! I order crab ragoons and a spring roll. Both were gross. I ate one ragoon and there the rest out and took one bite of the spring roll and threw it out. Disappointed!
(1)Maria C.
Just ordered through GrubHub. Delivery was quick and accurate. The food was so gross than neither me, my husband or my mother would eat it! I'm actually surprised the dogs ate the leftover chicken! Everything that was fried (general Tso, sesame chicken, lemon chicken and Rangoon) all tasted of FISH! Clearly the oil needed to be changed or there was a cross contamination issue. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!
(1)Clarence C.
Great place to find cheap take-out, but I would recommend calling ahead if you have a big order. There is no place to park nearby, so be creative. Or be prepared to park at the Key Bank building up the street and walk a few blocks. Better yet, make them deliver. The egg-drop soup and hot sour soup are good, but only if you are used to that kind of soup.
(4)Kristen C.
The food taste great however the last time my family ate there another customer was returning food that contained ... How can I say this... An insect in her food. She became very angry when the manager Was petty about her refund. Instead of being smart and just give the lady all of her money back he was not refunding for tax or the extra shrimp... SOMETHING!!! At any rate I would have given her a simple $20 and got her out of there. Instead he caused her to get angry and loud which is how my family realized what was happening. Our LAST time going there we all lost our appetites. Hidden dragon needs exterminator services!
(1)Attossa C.
I love the lunch menu. $4.99 for a lot of food--comes with the main dish, rice, soup or eggroll. Some of them are seriously lacking in the vegetable department, which can be good if that's what you like. The cashew shrimp is shrimp, cashews and waterchestnuts. Some of them have lots of vegetables though. I've been there a few times and seen people order off of the real chinese menu. The food looks good, but I haven't yet had the chance to experience that. The black tea is so delicious, a to go container of the tea is $1 and it's a huge cup, nearly a liter. They deliver, and it's always fast. The cost for where I am (walking distance) is $1. Everyone there is fast, the guy behind the counter probably averages 5.5 mph when walking.
(5)Changping Y.
The best Szechuan restaurant in Michigan for sure!! If u had ever tried the true Szechuan food, you would tell that hidden dragon is really good, and the prices are fair. I live in Rochester, but when I wanna have some good Szechuan dishes, hidden dragon å¤©é¾ is always my first choice. Yes, there are some good Szechuan restaurant in Ann Arbor or Troy, but for me, hidden dragon å¤©é¾ is the best. Must try their Spicy Tofu fish, the tofu is very fresh, soft, smooth, different with other Szechuan restaurant. And I like the atmosphere here too, not fancy but makes me feel like home~ 真的好好åƒå•Šï½ž åƒ¹æ ¼åˆåˆå®œï¼Œæœå‹™ç”Ÿéƒ½å¾ˆè¦ªåˆ‡ã€‚
(5)Jakub B.
This is one of those Classic Asian restaurants that has "white people" menus and Chinese menus. If you've been to places like China town in San Fran or Toronto then you understand that there exist two menu's. The prices here are pretty decent and there is a good selection of items to choose from. I did notice that since I wasn't Asian I was given utensils and not chopsticks (another thing you get used to if you frequent Asian restaurants and aren't Asian). Food that I had was pretty good (General Tsu Tofu) and I was tasty and came in a big sized portion (that I easily handled). Overall the Hidden Dragon is a great traditional Chinese restaurant, not one of those bastardized American deals, so come here and enjoy food from either menu (Chinese or English)
(4)Ashley R.
So I ordered General chicken with fried rice and Crab Rangoon and asked for extra plum or duck sauce and got a huge thing of sweet and sour sauce no duck or plum (OK maybe they were out of the other), when it got deliver the man that delivered didn't even have changer for a 20 on a $11 order he was fumbling through his own wallet trying for chance he gave me $4 and told me he had no more money so i told him to keep the rest. The fried rice that came with the combo was weird it was literately just white rice with light soy sauce no vegetables or egg or anything like that. The chicken was good and food was delivered on time that is why i gave two stars.
(2)Alely P.
DO THEY NOT DELIVER OR ARE THEY OUT OF BUSINESS??!!!! My roommates and I have called multiple times, and no answer. We decided to order online, and they obviously didn't show up!!! I don't recommend food that doesn't exist and have horrible service.
(1)Jenny K.
This place should be called "Hidden Menu" instead of Hidden Dragon. True story. In a twist of irony, I was racially profiled here and given the legit Chinese menu that had stuff like hot pot, several curiously rough translated numbers, and sauteed bullfrogs (!) Don't get me wrong, of course I love good Chinese food, but the waiter didn't give me the heads up on what was good and that there was a more non-Chinese friendly menu. When I asked him about the hot pots, he told me they're not like hot pots cooked on the table, but that the bowls are called hot pots and he couldn't really tell me what was in them...so yeah, I picked one and it was meh. Don't get the hot pot special (it looks like clear gravy, chicken bits, and won bok cabbage for $12, no good). It wasn't til I was headed out that I saw the take-out menu, which has all the more American Chinese dishes...ah, the familiar! So, I went back for a do-over the next day and got the $4.99 lunch special. A bargain! Sweet and sour, white rice (get the white rice, their fried rice just looks like soy sauce mixed in, no joke), beef and broccoli, it's all pretty decent fare. Unless, you're going here with someone who knows what they're doing, I'd stick with what you know.
(3)Zk K.
The best Sichuan dishes for sure in Michigan without a doubt. I've lived in China 2 years I am really into the authentic and traditional places and this places makes me happy.
(5)Mevei I.
Disappointing all around. We did not receive our food until over 1 hour after we placed the order online. We called twice and both times did not get an answer of when we would get our food. We literally live less than 7 mins away from the restaurant. What's weirder is that the man who answered the phone first said the delivery guy did not have a phone so could not be tracked (WTF?!) but when my spouse called 30 mins later, he miraculously had a phone and was able to be contacted. Poor customer service. The food was mediocre at best. Not good enough for us to return.
(1)Lawrie M.
Definitely not returning! The place was dirty, dimly lit, food was overcooked and appeared to have been reheated. The fried wontons were like attempting to eat tree bark. When we ordered a coke we were handed a room temperature can and a cup with 3 small pieces of ice! Not even worth a retry!
(2)Patrick T.
Shady looking place from the outside. My chinese friends tell me it's pretty authentic, and I will defer that decision to them. The spicy food is actually spicy, which is good, but overall I didn't think the food was all that tasty or special.
(2)Junchen F.
Please come to Chicago and teach the Chinatown folks how Sichuan food should be done.
(4)Liz W.
Based on Jay O.'s review and the fact that they deliver to our office, we decided to give Hidden Dragon a whirl today for lunch. We ordered two of the 4.59 lunch combos, which come with fried rice and your choice of an *egg* roll or soup. We will have to order together when we feel like this option as there is an 8 buck delivery minimum. I went with the szechuan shrimp- extra spicy, while my dining partner chose general tso chicken (it doesn't matter what you get for lunch though as every combo is the exact same price). That brought the total up to 9.23 (huh- makes no sense but its pennies people so we moved on) and they add a buck for delivery (they also prompt you for additional tip on the website). So with a two and a quarter tip we ended up with 12.50 total or 6.25 apiece. A good deal for a full lunch that is brought to us. I preferred my pick to hers. The shrimp were coated but not so much you noted the coating as a huge problem at all. The red szechuan sauce was definitely hot, but not even close to unbearably hot for me. Like Moose I do like it hot. Pretty tasty. The fried rice accompaniment was bare minimum for earning that title. I didn't mind so much as I had been wishing for an option of white rice instead on the online form and this was like a seasoned rice. All it had was a bit of soy and scant pieces of egg. No meat and no veg to be found in that. However, when I mixed my rice with the szechuan sauce it was very nice tasting so no big deal for me. I will admit I very disappointed about the utter lack of any veg other than onion in the main dish though. Yes I'm difficult. I will have to get a different dish, one that specifically mentions a vegetable, next time. That will make me happier. My workmate's general chicken had a really great sauce, she asked for spicy but not as spicy as I did. It arrived flavorful and zesty but not overwhelming, in fact it tasted better than my sauce. The chicken though came in the form of superball shaped pieces of dark and white meat that were hugely overcoated. Crispy on the outside, the meat was like buried treasure in those bready balls. Think of almost a fat stuffed hush puppy and you are on the right path. There is a joke somewhere in that statement I am sure of it but I digress. I was super jealous of the perfectly cooked broccoli in her dish. Just happy right there. The egg rolls that came with each of our choices were really American version of spring rolls. These were cabbage as the main filler and narrow, with thin crispy layers of skin covering rather than the large and dense, meat and sprout filled American egg rolls (with the thick chewy and bubbly fried shells). Is this a Michigan thing I wonder or are my personal expectations of spring vs egg totally off base? At any rate they were too greasy because they did not seem to drain them before putting them into a plastic sleeve. The rolls were not horribly unpleasant but neither were they a success. Standard packets of icky hot mustard and duck sauce did not improve my opinion of them any. I would not get them again. The food arrived timely and hot. The delivery guy was polite. I liked that. We both agreed we will give this cheap and convenient place another whirl for non fried items. She wants to try the optional meat type fried rice with her next combo (chicken, beef or shrimp for a 50¢ upcharge). I'm going to ask for white rice myself and definitely pick a dish that has a veggie in the title, heck maybe I will just get broccoli. We both will also be getting soup instead of spring roll for sure. So far its a three.
(3)Serena W.
The appearance of the restaurant from outside isn't as appealing as the food. However, they are one of the only authentic places in town. They are specializing in Sichuan style, which is extremely spicy, yet tasty! Price is extremely competitive compare to the rest of the markets. Staff are polite and they do offer delivery, which is a huge plus to me and my family! Every once in a while, we will order from them. Haven't been disappointed ;)
(3)Vince S.
Hidden Dragon really is a little mom and pop shop that just serves really good food. If you read this review do yourself a favor and order the Romeo and Juliette along with another Traditional dish. Don't be afraid to venture out from the comfortable path if you are only used to American Chinese food. Years ago Hidden Dragon was operated by a family that called the place Mayflower Restaurant. The food then was the common type of American Chinese food you find in most restaurants (sweet n sour whatever) and just as good as any although they may have had traditional dishes too but at the time I did not have interest in it. I went to school with the sons of the owner however we lost contact after some time. Forward some time and the new owners (Chinese) purchased the restaurant and changed to the current name. While they still cater to those who are used to and like the American varieties of Chinese food, also good, they are better known for their traditional dishes hot and cold. My first trip here after many years was on a recommendation from a friend who promised it would not be a disappointing experience. I must say as a person who would rather have traditional dishes I was somewhat thrown off by the recommendation because all I saw on the menu were American Chinese dishes. Come to find out, at the time, you had to ask for the Chinese menu if you wanted to try anything traditional, this might still be the case. I assume this is because most Americans who enter the place don't want anything but the American varieties. On my second visit I did in fact ask for the Chinese menu and was pleased to see such a large variation of meals with many having unique names that are sometimes hard to figure out just what it includes. My first selection was Romeo and Juliette and Stir Fried Tripe. Both dishes were excellent and I was immediately hooked on the place. Since then I have been back dozens of times and have tried many of the items but still not all. Each dish I have tried has been very good but I do have my favorites.
(5)Josh C.
Hidden Dragon is a little hole-in-the-wall (or perhaps hole-on-the-hill is more appropriate, since it is located on a steep incline. Though, I guess hole isn't correct if I'm talking about something ON a hill) joint that I've been taking advantage of for years. Back in the residence hall days, the other housing staff and I would often call in a big order for delivery. More times than not, the food was on time and the order accurate; it tasted good, regardless. Even still, if I want good takeout (and don't want to drive to Dynasty in Dearborn Heights, MI) I'll give them a ring. They have an expansive menu, including traditional dishes and many vegetarian/vegan options - General Tso's Tofu, Homestyle Tofu, and Curry Tofu, for example. Also, prices are very reasonable.
(4)Lydia T.
Yuck! We were so excited to try because the reviews were good. It's terrible! Tasted super salty and overpriced! I will stick with Golden Wall!
(1)HX S.
HD is good enough for authentic Chinese food and not expensive. I almost tried all the menu items, some are really spicy, but less spicy than locally China. Overall, I like HD~
(5)Jay O.
Stephen H doesn't seem clear which place he is writing about, Happy Wok or Hidden Dragon? As an "Asian-American" born and lived in Far East Asia, I wonder if I should be offended by his "I have some Asian Friends and they..." Being black doesn't make one particularly skilled at hunting African lions with a spear; Simply looking Asian doesn't mean one can tell a Big Mac from good stir fry. Hidden Dragon was opened & operated by a Chinese family from Vietnam for several years. The daughter left for medical school, the son became an engineer. The husband (the cook) ran off with a younger woman, leaving his wife to run the place alone. Of course, the business ran down. When EMU opened the Business College, Dalatt moved in and captiured business school diners. Some went to the 24 hour Coney Island (After Bill Clinton ate a coney there). Some went to the Wolverine. The abandoned lady sold the pace and it was renamed Hidden Dragon by new owners, a husband and wife. They expanded the menu and the prices were set too high. The food was an inconsistent OK. A few months ago I saw a new menu. This menu is aimed at the EMU wannabe U of M professors and students. It sports healthy & vegetarian food in addition to the more South China traditional carry out food common across America. The prices were reduced from the last time we ate there in 2009. How often do you see that today? I decided it must be new ownership and it was worth a try. The added delivery service was tempting as it is difficult getting in and out of the limited parking area. Inside, Hidden Dragon reminds me of the typical small chinese places you see in China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, etc. Small, plain and simple. We have become delivery regulars. I was surprised by the quality of the food and the speed of delivery. If you want real Chinese food, you must not be in a hurry. Each meal is prepared from scratch from fresh vegetables and meat. Only the fortune cookies come from a box and they are not really meant to be eaten. I know of nowhere else you can get the quality of food hidden Dragon serves in their lunch specials for under $7. Their lunch and dinner special menu is more varied than most carry outs in Washtenaw or Western Wayne County. Given the low prices, I was surprised at the quality of shrimp and chicken. Brando O. of Ann Arbor said about what I expect from Ann Arbor. Somehow, nothing in "Ypsi.." measures up to Ann Arbor or Berkely right Brando? Isn't yours a little extreme review for someone who did eat the food? I don't eat food I wouldn't feed a dog. I guess i'm funny that way. Hidden Dragon is Chinese common table food. Its carry out, mostly stir fry and deep fry, cheaper and much healthier food than the arts & croissants crowd Pavlov salivate over at Mcdonald's or Joe's Family Restaurant (all "fresh" from frozen and from large corporate cans). Get real folks. How many restaurants from Applebee's to Chilli's have a single real cook on staff? How much do you lay down there for a 2000 calorie, 80 grams of fat heart attack meal warmed up by a grill prep? We are talking a wholesome, take your pick, of mostly fresh vegetables, quality short grain steamed rice with soup and tea for.....$4.49! On top of that some of you want to eat an American's tacky idea of Chinese decor too? Top it off you call it Asian food? I guess the factory processed and prepared food I see at Applebee's, Big Boy, etc is European food and I can cite a random Frenchman's opinion of a Big Mac and say "some Europeans I know say..." What the heck is Asian food? What is an Asian? A Persian? A Korean? A Cambodian? Hidden Dragon serves two California creations, Chop Suey and Chow Mein. They serve dishes from two regions of China (Canton & Szechuan). And folks it is common table food, fast food even. It must be compared to what you can get at Wolverine, The Bomber, Lucas Coney Island, Big Boy, Happys Pizza, not a gourmet Chinese restaurant like Chef Jan's near University of Michigan where lunch begins at over $15 and some dishes demand an appointment and a minimum large table group before he will agree to serve it up. Red Lobster is the best pricing you can get for fresh American food prepared by a cook. what is the cheapest lunch special there? And how much of your plate is from frozen box or a can? Like the professors taught back when they were scholars, context, context. Its all about context and not comparing apples wth oranges and concluding the apples are horrid tasting oranges. I'll take a Hidden Dragon's healthy made-from-scratch $4.49 lunch any day over drive-by burger or Joe's box-to-grill heart attack $6 plus meal!
(4)Lynn L.
One of the best Chinese restaurants in AA area. Been there many times - recommend Zhuge grill fish if you like spicy food, and shepherd purse tofu and double-cooked pork slices
(4)J L.
Possibly the most authentic and best Chinese (Sichuanese or Szechuanese) food in Ann Arbor / Yipsilanti. (I am Sichuanese!) Definitely a hidden gem. Their spicy pork kidney is very delicious, and I love their vegetable stir fry too. They also have great spicy fried chicken (La Zi Ji). You can ask for less pepper if you can't do too spicy, but come prepared for some HOT food!
(4)Lily P.
Great prices, and good food. From the outside it looks like CRAP...yes and that pictures does it no justice. :( I like their Veggie dishes a lot!!!! The food inside is good and everything we got there in the past tasted great..and better than those fast food places (tkWU, lucky kitchen, etc etc) on Umich campus. I want to put it at same level as Asian Legend right now...hrm.
(3)S B.
Really friendly service and great food. I went for the "American" menu and really enjoyed the General Tso's tofu that I got. I picked it up and it was ready 15 minutes after I ordered it. This is definitely my go-to place for Chinese food in Ypsi.
(4)