Started in 2008 by co-owner Tonia Yeh, Crouching Tiger has served Chinese food lovers authentic Szechuan and Hunan cuisine at 2644 Broadway Street in Downtown Redwood City. On January 31 this year (which was also Chinese New Year), she launched the expansion of her restaurant, after acquiring the building adjacent to hers. Crouching Tiger is now twice as spacious, able to serve and seat 170 customers, complete with full bar and multi-media HDMI TVs and karaoke system—perfect for hosting events and parties. Crouching Tiger’s head chef is Si Ming Zhang, who has developed an appreciation for gourmet cooking since he was 14 years old in his hometown of Szechuan, China.

I visited Crouching Tiger this week for a late lunch to try out some dishes and drinks. The moment I walked through the doors, I was impressed. The restaurant has been designed with a distinct theme in mind. Traditional Chinese furniture, deco, and Shaolin Kung Fu figurines line the entrance, and continue through out the naturally lit room.

Even the salt, pepper, and sugar shakers are shaped like a little trio of monks, and the two back walls of the restaurant are covered with murals of scenes of Ancient China.

Tonia explained that the term ‘kung fu’ can be used to describe both the classic martial art, as well as any type of mastery in a certain skill. So to have good kung fu in cooking skills means to have an impressive ability to create delicious dishes.

While waiting for the food, I checked out the bar and had a Pomegranate Cosmo cocktail—yum! It was light and refreshing, a good amount of fruity taste and not too strong (for a lightweight like me, ha!).

The full bar features six beers on tap: Lagunitas IPA, Firestone Pilsner, Stella Artois, Fat Tire, Shocktop, and Sierra Pale Ale. Wine, spirits, and cocktails are also served, in addition to coffee and tea. Tonia has tried to push a family-friendly setting for the bar area, rather than restrict it to just a certain group. What’s great though, is that they serve both traditional Chinese customers and Americans alike to provide the best service and most delicious food.

Here’s a breakdown of the 5 dishes that I tried:

Magic Chili Spicy Shrimp

Crunchy and crispy on the outside, juicy shrimp goodness on the inside. Smothered in jalapeños, peppers and a special fried orange chili, this dish is quite spicy! A glass of water or tea may be a good idea, but the addictive shrimp will keep you going back for more. It’s a good choice for seafood and spicy food lovers alike, and definitely a must-try. It’s also Crouching Tiger’s newest dish, so if you don’t see it on the menu, ask your server for it! (Plus, you’ll look like like a Chinese food expert asking for items not on the menu…perhaps impressing a date?)

2) Cold Noodle

12 different spices and a sesame sauce make these noodles have a light refreshing, slightly nutty flavor, good to eat between spicier dishes. The dish includes green onions, chili, and chicken, which are meant to be mixed around with the noodles to create the proper flavor. Or you can leave it as is, if you prefer to have your noodles with seasoning on the top or to the side. A great choice for summer instead of white rice. A huge plus to this dish: the portion was MASSIVE. Definitely suitable for 3+ people!

3) Green Beans

This is my favorite childhood vegetable, even up to today. That means over the years of trying different Chinese green bean dishes, I have a pretty high standard for them…and Crouching Tiger’s definitely didn’t disappoint. Covered in yummy seasoning oils, garlic, spices, and just the right amount of chili, I couldn’t stop grabbing them with my chopsticks. Seriously. They are so good. They aren’t super spicy, but have bursts of savory flavor. My obsession with these aside, they are a classic for most Chinese restaurants, and one of the most frequently ordered at Crouching Tiger, so I’d say it’s a safe (awesome) choice!

4) Spicy Boiled Fish

This dish is another one of Crouching Tiger’s most popular, and for good reason. The fish was incredibly tender and soft, just about melted in my mouth. That could also be because it was piping hot coming out of the pot, but just make sure you proceed with a little cautious maneuvering. The broth is filled with spices, vegetables, and topped with cilantro. I’d recommend pairing it with white rice because the rice sort of soaks up the broth and becomes a delicious stew of sorts when combined.

5) Tea-smoked Duck

Definitely has that authentic smoky wood flavor. The duck skin is crispy and the meat reminded me of a tender jerky. I only tried a small piece because I was stuffed at this point, but if you love duck and smoked cooking, then this is for you!

So! My favorites were…(can you guess??) the green beans and the spicy boiled fish. Crouching Tiger definitely does a great job balancing traditional Chinese cuisine with a relaxing ambience and enjoyable eating experience. It is definitely worth making the trip if you are outside of Redwood City, and for the locals, the full bar can make a fun joint to visit with friends, co-workers, or even a date after work! The final verdict? Crouching Tiger really does have some Bruce Lee-level kung fu—in the kitchen!

Written by: Jocelyn Ho

You can find more info about Crouching Tiger here: http://crouchingtigerrestaurant.com/

2644 Broadway St, Redwood City, CA 94063

Phone: (650) 298-8881

Open Hours:
Mon – Thurs 11:00am-9:30pm
Friday 11:00am-10:00pm
Saturday 11:30am-10:00pm
Sunday 11:30am-9:30pm