What's Cookin'
Rong Tans
Bistro & Lounge
606 Ohio Pike
Cincinnati,OH
752-1907
Chinese food is mysterious. I’ve tried many recipes at
home, but never is it anywhere near what I get at a good Chinese kitchen. So
when I crave the creations of the far East I order out. Rong Tan’s is
a long time Eastside Chinese connection. Owned and operated by Milford native
Rich Williams, his brother in law Rong D. Tan and his father Chang Rong Tan.
Rong Tan’s is a family success. The Rong Tan family honed their chef
kinks and cooking skills razor sharp in the Guang Zhuo provence of China.
Fortunately for us they have long since made the Eastside their home.
I’m sad to see so many Chinese restaurants abandoning the authenticity
of the the cuisine in favor of an “American appeal” style of
cooking. I test the waters of authenticity and judge a Chinese Restaurant
by their Lo-Mein. An awesome dish; Lo-Mein is made up of spaghetti like noodles.
(Some restaurants actually use spaghetti: a very bad sign.); fresh veggies
and your choice of meats, and a special Lo- Mein sauce. The sauce is the
key ingredient. Great sauce has a grilled smoky flavor. Rich Williams explained
how the sauce must be incorporated into the dish, not just merely added to
the finish.
I was invited into the kitchen to see the sublime and simple dish created
before my very eyes. Using real Chinese noodles, fresh veggies and mats the
chef begins an almost “ceremonial” culinary technique. A magic combination of
wok, oil, flame, shake and sizzle. Fire and sauce, shake and sizzle and BAM!
It’s done and amazing to watch. My eyes were riveted to the flames
and my toes almost tapping to the rhythm.
In the kitchen I took a moment to admire the makings of the nightly buffet: a
feast of fresh shrimp, beautiful beef, choice cuts of chicken and pork, steaming
crab legs, bright green beans being stringed by hand, fresh veggies being cleaned
and chopped with precision and skill. I had my Lo Mein in hand otherwise I would
have stayed for the buffet.
These people take pride in their work, pride in their family and are very
proud of Rong Tan’s, and that’s the secret ingredient to their
success.
