China Express
Chinese · Ridgecrest
About China Express
China Express in Ridgecrest offers a warm, homestyle experience blending authentic Thai and Chinese flavors at affordable prices. Customers rave about signature dishes like the crispy fried dumplings, phenomenal orange chicken, and spicy Mongolian beef, noting that the ingredients shine through with...
China Express in Ridgecrest offers a warm, homestyle experience blending authentic Thai and Chinese flavors at affordable prices. Customers rave about signature dishes like the crispy fried dumplings, phenomenal orange chicken, and spicy Mongolian beef, noting that the ingredients shine through without overpowering fillers. Beyond the kitchen, the restaurant features a delightful frozen yogurt counter and an excellent tea selection. Despite its modest size, the team provides attentive service even during busy evenings. As a wheelchair-accessible eatery perfect for solo dining or sharing family-style meals, China Express remains a beloved local spot where quality food and friendly hospitality consistently exceed expectations.
What Customers Say About China Express
China Express is a popular spot for Thai and Chinese cuisine, particularly known for its orange chicken, pad thai, and Mongolian beef. Customers praise the friendly new owners and quick service. Some note inconsistencies in spice levels and occasional issues with dine-in ambiance.
Popular Dishes
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Tip: Order to go if you're concerned about the dine-in atmosphere. If you don't like spicy food, definitely ask them to make it a little less spicy.
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What to see nearby
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Explore the area around China Express
China Express is located in Ridgecrest, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Museums
- Maturango Museum (A 436m) — museum in Ridgecrest, California
Parks & Gardens
- Kern County Regional Park (A 547m) — park in Kern County, California, United States of America
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Frequently asked questions about China Express
China Express Ridgecrest Reviews
Food was very good and reasonably priced. The Mongolian beef had a nice spice and the house fried rice was very tasty. Glad that the quality of food hasn’t changed from a year ago from the last time I had them. Highly recommend for everyone to try who likes good Asian food.
Super yummy cream cheese wonton, great fried shrimp, amazing pananag curry.. the chili with basil with chicken is divine.. service was outstanding.. come get some friend's
Food was phenomenal. The service was great. Highly recommend the orange chicken.
Went here with some coworkers and we each shared some of our food. The Pad Thai and Mongolian Beef were excellent, some of the best I've had before, but they were pretty spicy even just as the "normal" level of spice. If you don't like spicy definitely ask them to make it a little less spicy, which they can do. I got some sort of House Fried Noodles which were good, but on the opposite end of the spectrum they actually needed a little spice. They did bring out a little bowl with some of their sauce so I could add some heat. Great meal.
The best combination of Thai and Chinese I've had, the food was great. Cream cheese wontons, dumplings, fried rice, sweet and sour, all amazing. Also the attached frozen yogurt counter is great, as well.
The quality of the plates is more than right for the prices. The attention the servers provided was excellent despite the fact that we arrived almost 30 minutes before closing. A lot of people order to go from home as well and come pick it up when it’s ready.
Food was very good and reasonably priced. The Mongolian beef had a nice spice and the house fried rice was very tasty. Glad that the quality of food hasn’t changed from a year ago from the last time I had them. Highly recommend for everyone to try who likes good Asian food.
Food was phenomenal. The service was great. Highly recommend the orange chicken.
Super yummy cream cheese wonton, great fried shrimp, amazing pananag curry.. the chili with basil with chicken is divine.. service was outstanding.. come get some friend's
Went here with some coworkers and we each shared some of our food. The Pad Thai and Mongolian Beef were excellent, some of the best I've had before, but they were pretty spicy even just as the "normal" level of spice. If you don't like spicy definitely ask them to make it a little less spicy, which they can do. I got some sort of House Fried Noodles which were good, but on the opposite end of the spectrum they actually needed a little spice. They did bring out a little bowl with some of their sauce so I could add some heat. Great meal.
The best combination of Thai and Chinese I've had, the food was great. Cream cheese wontons, dumplings, fried rice, sweet and sour, all amazing. Also the attached frozen yogurt counter is great, as well.
The quality of the plates is more than right for the prices. The attention the servers provided was excellent despite the fact that we arrived almost 30 minutes before closing. A lot of people order to go from home as well and come pick it up when it’s ready.
Nice cozy restaurant, much better then Panda Express.
It's my favorite Orange Chicken! My daughter is a fan of the Larb, and we all enjoy the Pad Thai. I wish there was still a dine in experience, bit I'm just glad this place is still in the fight! I remember when Rite-Aid tried pushing this place out of their Balsam spot- they kept their spot. That's some powerful Chicken, folks.
The food quality is why I keep going back. The restaurant is small, and not as it used to be. The service and wait times are hit or miss. But the orange chicken and Mongolian beef are phenomenal, so it makes up for shortcomings in other areas.
Literally some of THE BEST Thai food I've ever had. My top 3: Fried dumplings- Crispy on the outside and not squishy in the middle (you can really taste the ingredients, rather than a nameless filling). Very tasty without the sauce they provide, but the sauce is delish too. Orange chicken- This ain't no Panda Express (though I do like HE'S orange chicken). The chicken is super crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside. The sauce or more liquidy than syrup, which I actually really like. Pad Kee Mao (flat noodles)- My absolute fav dish on the menu! I don't like basil, so I get it without. Perfect amount of spice, crisp veggies, and tender noodles. You can taste the flame on these, as everythingis cooked to order! 10/10 recommended. Don't sleep on China Express!
New owners are friendly and food is delicious!
I ordered the Mandarin chicken and asked for it to be medium spicy and the chicken pieces were perfectly seasoned and tender. Not tiny or skinny pieces. Very tasty. Love Dave
New owners are friendly and food is delicious!
Hands down the best curry in town always ready on time very friendly, clean atmosphere highly recommend
Don’t let the China Express part of the name fool you! It’s is definitely Chinese/Thai Cuisine! Delicious food! Great service! Definitely going back! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Literally some of THE BEST Thai food I've ever had. My top 3: Fried dumplings- Crispy on the outside and not squishy in the middle (you can really taste the ingredients, rather than a nameless filling). Very tasty without the sauce they provide, but the sauce is delish too. Orange chicken- This ain't no Panda Express (though I do like HE'S orange chicken). The chicken is super crispy on the outside, perfectly cooked on the inside. The sauce or more liquidy than syrup, which I actually really like. Pad Kee Mao (flat noodles)- My absolute fav dish on the menu! I don't like basil, so I get it without. Perfect amount of spice, crisp veggies, and tender noodles. You can taste the flame on these, as everythingis cooked to order! 10/10 recommended. Don't sleep on China Express!
It's my favorite Orange Chicken! My daughter is a fan of the Larb, and we all enjoy the Pad Thai. I wish there was still a dine in experience, bit I'm just glad this place is still in the fight! I remember when Rite-Aid tried pushing this place out of their Balsam spot- they kept their spot. That's some powerful Chicken, folks.
The food quality is why I keep going back. The restaurant is small, and not as it used to be. The service and wait times are hit or miss. But the orange chicken and Mongolian beef are phenomenal, so it makes up for shortcomings in other areas.
Update: Ever since my last review they have been extra cautious with my orders and the curry is now filled to the top. I still think the curry deserves a large rice not a small rice. I appreciate their efforts in correcting their past mistakes. Food is great as always. Old: They constantly get my order wrong, I always ask for extra rice and they forget to put the extra rice in the bag. Rice is the cheapest item on the menu and for some reason they're very stingy with their rice. They don't even fill up the curry to the top anymore.
Ordered to go and family loved the food 😋.
Although the food was good, the place seemed a old and probably needs a remodel. I saw paint peeling on walls and the floor looked old. But the food was good. So if you ordered food to go, that might be a good choice.
Update: Ever since my last review they have been extra cautious with my orders and the curry is now filled to the top. I still think the curry deserves a large rice not a small rice. I appreciate their efforts in correcting their past mistakes. Food is great as always. Old: They constantly get my order wrong, I always ask for extra rice and they forget to put the extra rice in the bag. Rice is the cheapest item on the menu and for some reason they're very stingy with their rice. They don't even fill up the curry to the top anymore.
Although the food was good, the place seemed a old and probably needs a remodel. I saw paint peeling on walls and the floor looked old. But the food was good. So if you ordered food to go, that might be a good choice.
Ordered to go and family loved the food 😋.
We ordered the chili basil with vegetables and asked for thai hot.. While the taste was great, it was not Thai hot.. Another dish we ordered was the basil fried rice with tofu and requested it to be hot and it was mild.. Food tasted good but was not as spicy as we requested.. ambience is just ok when I picked up the food (we ordered to-go) Hot oil and soya sauce was 85 cents each which was a first for me (the to-go bag had just 2soya sauce)
Tasty options and Salmon included on Buffet...Also vegetable options! Highly recommended
We ordered the chili basil with vegetables and asked for thai hot.. While the taste was great, it was not Thai hot.. Another dish we ordered was the basil fried rice with tofu and requested it to be hot and it was mild.. Food tasted good but was not as spicy as we requested.. ambience is just ok when I picked up the food (we ordered to-go) Hot oil and soya sauce was 85 cents each which was a first for me (the to-go bag had just 2soya sauce)
This place has some great dine in options and is always a joy to go to. The service members are friendly and the food is delicious. They have a great quick service option for those who need to hit the road or take it to go. I have yet to explore the whole menu but I do enjoy the fried rice, beef and broccoli, and Chow Mein noodles. Most of the food you get when dining in is meant for 2 to 3 people at least, and runs around $8-$10 per a la carte dish. Overall I have been going consistently to this place and haven't been disappointed yet. The food comes fresh and takes some time, but I believe that is probably because when I go it isn't always packed compared to lunch time (buffets are served here.) Sometimes it can be slow, but then it means you get some fresh food that's hot and ready.
I normally do not write review for resturant but not this one. Stopby at this small town on a road trip. Picked this restaurant necause of the past review. Was very disappointed. Although i am aware it is a buffet place, i specifically asked to fresh cook my take out dishes. I ordered 5 items. When i got or the fooda, they are not as hot as fresh cooked. coconut shrimp is sweeten milk shrimp, Mongolian chicken is barely warm and i think they are from buffet tray. Meat ball noodle is just horrible and i returned it even they insist thats how it supposed like. My fair recommendation is, just lower your expectation.
I normally do not write review for resturant but not this one. Stopby at this small town on a road trip. Picked this restaurant necause of the past review. Was very disappointed. Although i am aware it is a buffet place, i specifically asked to fresh cook my take out dishes. I ordered 5 items. When i got or the fooda, they are not as hot as fresh cooked. coconut shrimp is sweeten milk shrimp, Mongolian chicken is barely warm and i think they are from buffet tray. Meat ball noodle is just horrible and i returned it even they insist thats how it supposed like. My fair recommendation is, just lower your expectation.
This place has really gone downhill since covid. Serving size is about half what it used to be and the quality is crap. I ordered Thai spicy and it wasn't spicy at all. I wont be returning.
Cashier was nice very kind but the food wasn’t great at all the egg foo young is not authentic tasted horrible and the fried rice is bland and only has eggs no vegetables. I love the atmosphere but the overall taste is horrible.
Cashier was nice very kind but the food wasn’t great at all the egg foo young is not authentic tasted horrible and the fried rice is bland and only has eggs no vegetables. I love the atmosphere but the overall taste is horrible.
This place has really gone downhill since covid. Serving size is about half what it used to be and the quality is crap. I ordered Thai spicy and it wasn't spicy at all. I wont be returning.
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723 N China Lake Blvd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
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723 N China Lake Blvd, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
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