Mr. Chens

3434 514 14th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Mr.Chens is an authentic Chinese restaurant and market that offers delightful dining and takeout in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mr.Chens is a cornerstone in our community that has been recognized and awarded for its genuine Chinese cuisine and excellent service. Their restaurant is known for their modern spin on classic Chinese and Taiwanese dishes and always using fresh ingredients. They offer a wide variety of food to satisfy their guests. Their menu consists of appetizers, cold plate, soup, clay pot, chicken, beef, lamb, pork, seafood, vegetables, tofu, vegetables, rice, noodles, milk tea (or Taiwanese bubble tea), smoothies and dessert. When you first walk into Mr.Chen’s, you walk through a market of fresh produce and goodies from Asian countries that you can’t find anywhere else in Tuscaloosa. If you’re looking for a low-key place that offers basic Chinese dishes and Asian grocery items, this is the place to go.

My experience at Mr.Chens was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had, and I’m not exaggerating. The food was phenomenal, the hospitality was beyond what I expected, and the atmosphere was tranquil. Before I arrived, I spoke to the general manager’s wife, Rosia, who informed me her husband Thomas was from Taiwan. He was not able to make it to the restaurant when we arrived because he was attending to his two small children at home. Rosia was kind enough to let me face time him and allow me to ask a few questions. Thomas emigrated from Taiwan when he was just five years old in 1985 with his parents and sister. His family moved to the states to give their children a better quality of life. Thomas said that the closest thing to his home cooking this far south is at Mr.Chens. He explained that Taiwanese cuisine is unique because they are not stuck in tradition and aren’t afraid to blend old and new things together. He described Taipei, Taiwan to be like “New York on steroids” and that it’s the perfect place for a foodie to travel too. Even though the city is crowded, he appreciates the ease of it and the availability of public transportation. Thomas’ favorite Taiwanese dish is ‘seafood tofu pot’ because of its main ingredients: crab egg sauce. Thomas said, “The crab egg sauce is hard to come by, is tasty and the presentation is immaculate.”

After speaking to Thomas, our server David showed us the authentic Taiwanese dishes Mr.Chen’s had to offer. They surprised us with free Taiwanese Buddha-shaped glass beer and appetizers! The first appetizer was steamed buns with pork and vegetable. Our second appetizer was braised beef shanks and spicy beef tendons. I preferred the steamed buns dish because of the soft chewy texture with the sweet dipping sauce.

It was time for our entrees, so I ordered the Taiwanese basil chicken and my fiancé ordered the basil spare ribs. Both types of meat were served in a bowl with a spoon. It was a new and interesting way to eat meat, but I really enjoyed it. My basil chicken dish had a wonderful earthy flavor. The sauce used to marinate the chicken was perfect for pouring over a hot bowl of white rice. My fiancé’s ribs were a little spicy because of the ginger but the dish itself was wonderfully made. The ribs had a subtle sweetness and the rib meat practically fell off the bones.

The overall experience was incredible. I don’t see this kind of hospitality in American restaurants and haven’t felt this kind of love from strangers since my last experience abroad. It is clear to me what they value. The dishes were immaculate and something I’d go back to order for and time. I appreciated not just the taste but also the lovely presentation of the food. I didn’t expect to find a restaurant in Tuscaloosa that served authentic Taiwanese cuisine let alone speak to someone who was from Taiwan and learn so much from their experiences. They had décor on display that struck me as important. It said, “beauty, peace, and harmony.” I felt those three things dining at Mr.Chens.

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