Wendy B.
Yelp
After more than several decades of being a customer here, this last visit in July 2025 made me realize that my 2013 review, 3 stars, was in fact unfair. If you wish, Yelp enables you to read the old review, but I have to add some new commentary.
First of all, HK Restaurant survived Covid when so many small businesses went belly up. That says something is very right here. The restaurant was old when we moved to Corona in 1980. It looks very much the way it did back then, a small Chinese-red building with red tiled roof and big, bold yellow sign out front, with very little in the way of physical upgrades inside as well. Expect a relatively small, cramped dining room, with 7 (?) booths with the outdated traditional red, tuck and roll upholstery to snuggle into. There is another small dining room in the back, rarely used, I think. Please don't change a thing?! It's historic.
The whole vibe is a throwback to mid 20th century Cantonese dining, including the dish of complimentary crisp, chow mein noodles served with a sweet and sour sauce dip swirled with that spicy horseradish-y yellow mustard (that one that instantly clears your nose cavities) they bring for starters. (Gawd, I love that stuff!)
It is the same owners to this day, and they always know that we will order one dish, altered for Mr B's tastes. They always get it just right. The mapo tofu.
The remainder of our orders vary, but this last visit I realized how special the dry version of Beef Chow Fun actually is. They understand how to create "wok hei", a distinct smokey flavor achieved by stir frying in a well seasoned wok and high heat. It is hard to find these days and very special. The beef is so tender, the flavors so rich, that a couple of our most picky family members who accompanied us this last time found this dish completely irresistable. It was fun watching them enjoy something they would have never ordered themselves.
The shrimp dishes here are nicely done. The shrimp are well cleaned, big and fresh, still tender, and very good tasting. They do an excellent job on Walnut Shrimp. I can always expect the best when ordering this. Lots of candied walnuts. So irresistable. And while I am not a big fan of their version of Salt and Pepper Shrimp, it is still decent. I am a traditionalist. This one has no shell and is fried in a thick batter, as compared to shrimp served with head and shell still on, with a dusting of exotic seasonings and cornstarch that I prefer. So I save that order for elsewhere. However, HK's version pleased our family of passionate fried shrimp gobblers. I especially appreciate the chef's attention to not overlooking the shrimp.
This time we ordered Sesame Chicken, also a battered dish of nuggets covered with a lightly sweetened sauce and sprinkled generously with sesame seeds. It was also given the family stamp of approval.
The final star of the show, and one I have always enthusiastically endorsed, is the war wonton soup. It is a meal in itself, with an abundance of big plump wonton dumplings with one of the best tasting meat fillings you can hope to pop in your mouth. There are several big shrimp, tender pieces of chicken, slices of very delicious twice cooked pork, and vegetables like cabbage, carrots, snow peas, and water chestnut, all incorporated into a sensational chicken broth. One order gives you a very generous bowl of soup that satisfied all 6 of us. I can count on this being one of the best in our region, and very consistent.
You get nice, large servings, generous on the meat, always worth the price.
I don't know about you, but growing up, no Chinese meal was complete without fortune cookies or almond cookies set on a small tray with your bill. This is one place that gives you both. After a great meal and a good giggle over our individual fortunes, there is little that can please me more than nibbling slowly on that tasty almond cookie, saving that toasted almond on top for the last bite. Ahhh.
Thank you Hong Kong Restaurant for all the wonderful foodie memories I get to pass on down to two more generations. You are appreciated!
