Happy Dragon Chinese Restaurant

"The family behind this Cantonese restaurant moved from the farming town of Independence to open this Montavilla banquet hall, replete with lazy Susans. Skip the Chinese American standards here and focus on the dishes the family does best: Start with a plate of jellyfish, served with plenty of sesame seeds and a gently spicy sauce; from there, delicacies from the deep like abalone and sea cucumber beckon. However, the true move at Happy Dragon is its Peking duck, a two-course service with a choice of follow-up — the lettuce cup service with minced duck meat is the correct move. The first course is served with bao as opposed to pancakes, so guests can make little duck sandwiches." - Seiji Nanbu, Janey Wong, Rebecca Roland

"This banquet-friendly restaurant in Montavilla is home to several large, round tables set up with lazy Susans, which work well for big birthday dinners and parties. Celebratory dishes like ginger-scallion lobster, whole steamed fish, and two-course Peking duck are strong choices for large groups, as well. Call the restaurant to organize large group events." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

"While technically a Northeast 82nd spot, Happy Dragon lands below I-84, so we’re including it. By outside appearances, Happy Dragon looks like a longstanding institution on 82nd, the sort of mid-century Chinese restaurant that might just be coasting on a decades-old reputation. In fact, Happy Dragon is a relatively recent arrival from the Salem area, setting up in its current digs in 2018 and quickly earning enthusiastic word of mouth praise for its Cantonese fare. Happy Dragon offers a lovely assortment of vegetable and seafood entrees, but the main attraction here is the Peking duck — pricier than some, but one of the best in town, with multiple courses and truly succulent meat." - Alli Fodor, Nathan Williams

"Another 82nd entrant on this list, this family-owned, banquet-style Chinese restaurant used to operate as a much smaller spot in Independence, Oregon, where I first ate this duck — its skin was penny-toned, a sign of the delicate glaze and freshness of the duck. It was the first time I had Beijing duck with bao buns, which is a fun alternative to chun bing; diners build their own buns with hoisin and scallions, while the pickings from the carcass become a stir-fry to stuff into lettuce cups. Sometimes the second course changes, but if given the option, it’s best to ask for the stir-fry. Happy Dragon also offers whole- and half-orders of Cantonese roast duck, for those just in it for the bird." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden

"Treasured Polk County Chinese restaurant Happy Dragon will open on NE 82nd September 28. Known as the hidden gem restaurant for exceptional Peking Duck service, it was a stalwart for students at Western Oregon University and Salemites alike. Now, the restaurant is moving to Montavilla, exploring more dim sum dishes the family felt unable to serve in its previous rural restaurant. The menu hasn’t changed much, though the restaurant will now start serving classic dishes like shumai, steamed spare ribs with black bean, congee, and rice noodle rolls with barbecue pork and shrimp. The restaurant will retain many Southern rendition details: House-made soy sauce, hoisin, and chili oil, perfect with meticulously crafted Peking duck." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden