Hong & MeiYan Continue delicious Tradition at Orient Cafe in The Dalles
Hong Zhao and MeiYan Yan are continuing the 27-year tradition of freshly preparing and cooking a wide variety of Chinese dishes at the Orient Cafe in The Dalles.
The couple insists on the delivery of fresh vegetables and ingredients as food safety and quality are a top priority as they continue to honor their family which opened the restaurant in 1996.
Their uncle, Sam Chen, who started the restaurant gave Hong and MeiYan the opportunity to take it over in 2020 when he retired.
They are open six days a week. Tues- Sat 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sun - Noon - 8:30 p.m.
They often spend their Monday off in Portland procuring the best ingredients for hand-prepped and wok-fired plates.
Won Ton Soup, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Kung Pao Beef, Szechuan Shrimp, Chow Mein and Chop Suey and, of course, well-priced combinations come with much love and from a flaming wok. Their menu is expansive.
Both Hong and MeiYan grew up in the city of Taishan, China where Hong learned to cook and respect food from a young age. Taishan calls itself the "First Home of the Overseas Chinese". An estimated half a million Chinese Americans are of Taishanese descent.
When asked what his favorite dish is to make, Hong quickly said “real Chinese food, everything on the menu. I do my best cooking.”
And MeiYan provides the smiles and service, offering menus, hot tea, soup and assistance to Hong as he plates the dishes.
The couple are excited to share their culture as much as learning about Oregon and the United States.
Hong said they both received a foundation in English and U.S. Culture but have been actively adding to their knowledge since immigrating to the U.S. in 2010.
Hong, 35 and MeiYan, 31, met on China’s National Day, Oct. 1, after finishing school and they knew it was a match. In addition to a tasty and busy restaurant, the young couple also have two children, Ivan, 5 and Kyle, 10 months.
Sometimes they are at the restaurant. Stop by and say, hi, and don’t forget the Pot Stickers and Moo Goo Guy Pan - You know - tender chicken pieces and mushrooms with crisp vegetables such as carrots, water chestnuts, and snow peas all stir-fried together with a savory sauce.
And if you can’t dine in, you can always order online and pickup.
Getting There
Just follow west 2nd Street past Autozone and Point S Tires and you will see it on the right in the square green building just east of Peterson Cat.