Gourmet Oriental Menu

Gourmet Oriental Restaurant Review:

Divert your eyes from the strip-mall location in a grubby corner of west Ventura. Forget about the restaurant’s insipid name. Beyond the obvious strikes against Gourmet Oriental, you’ll discover better-than-average Chinese food, affordable prices and first-rate service. While it’s nothing special in terms of big-city dining, this well-kept secret is one of Ventura’s diamonds in the rough. In addition to trademark dishes like moo shu pork, kung pao chicken, wonton soup and egg rolls, you’ll find seasonal specials that make use of local produce --- such as a zesty stir-fry loaded with snappy green beans and your choice of meat or tofu. The kitchen is MSG-free, and turns out a nice selection of light, healthy fare. For something sweet, try the honey walnut shrimp, with caramelized walnuts sticking to fresh shrimp that have been coated with cornstarch and lightly fried. Co-owner Pauline never writes down an order and rarely skips a beat, providing unfailingly friendly service while her nephew mans the kitchen.