China King

China King is a Chinese restaurant located at 6051 Telegraph Rd Suite #5 in St. Louis, MO 63129, serving the Oakville area. As a local establishment in the Chinese Restaurant category, it has garnered both positive and negative feedback from recent customers, which potential local users should consider when making their dining decisions.

One enthusiastic long-time customer described China King as "hands down the best Chinese food in Oakville!" They praised the staff for being consistently friendly and stated that the food "never disappoints." This reviewer specifically highlighted their love for the beef and broccoli and egg rolls, noting them as their "go-to" items. They also enjoyed the hot and sour soup and appreciated the availability of party platters, indicating that China King caters to both individual meals and larger gatherings. This positive testimonial suggests that China King has, at least in the past, cultivated a loyal customer base due to its food quality and service.

However, a more recent and highly detailed review from April 10, 2025, presents a starkly contrasting experience, raising significant concerns about pricing transparency and food quality. This customer reported that the online menu was outdated, leading to a considerable discrepancy between the prices they expected to pay based on the menu and the final bill. An order totaling $32 worth of food according to the online menu ended up costing $50.02 after a credit card fee and undisclosed price increases. This represents a substantial 45% increase over the expected subtotal, excluding the credit card fee.

The reviewer provided a breakdown of the price differences for several items: Crab Rangoon (8 pieces) were listed at $5.75 online but charged at $7.85 (a 37% increase); Large Pork Fried Rice (quart size) was listed at $7.95 but cost $10.75 (a 35% increase); a Combo Plate listed at $8.95 cost $10.99, with an additional $2.65 charge to make the rice pork fried (a 53% total increase on the rice portion of the combo); and Hot & Spicy Chicken (quart size) was listed at $9.55 but charged at $12.65 (a 27% increase). Additionally, a credit card fee of $1.93 was applied.

Beyond the pricing issues, the reviewer also expressed disappointment with the quality of the food, specifically comparing the Crab Rangoon they received to a picture posted by another reviewer showing a much more generously filled version. The recent customer stated that their Crab Rangoon contained "maybe a tablespoon of crab meat," which was significantly less than the "quarter cup of filling oozing out of the sides" depicted in the older picture. They felt misled on both the quality and the price of every item ordered. This long-time customer, who grew up eating at China King, concluded that even if the prices were upfront, the value was poor enough to warrant a boycott, declaring it would be their last meal from the restaurant.

In a direct message to the owner, the reviewer accused the restaurant of "stealing from your customer by using less crab meat" and urged them to lower prices or at least be honest and transparent about their pricing. They explicitly requested a response that confirmed the updating of the online menu pricing, a reduction in prices, and a return to the previous, more generous preparation of the Crab Rangoon. Any other response was deemed insincere.

The reviewer also noted that the owner appeared to have updated the website immediately after their review, pointing out a "trademark 2025" at the bottom of the site, indicating recent edits. This was in response to a prior claim by the owner (inferred from the reviewer's comment) that the website was outdated for ten years. The reviewer urged the owner to address the issues of pricing and food quality, not just the outdated menu.

Based on this detailed negative review, potential customers should be aware of significant discrepancies between the online menu prices and the actual charges, as well as concerns about a reduction in the quality and quantity of ingredients, particularly in the Crab Rangoon. While one long-term customer had a positive experience, this more recent feedback raises serious questions about the current value and transparency offered by China King.

The reviews do not provide specific details about the restaurant's environment or ambiance. The positive review mentions friendly staff, suggesting a potentially welcoming service aspect when dining in or picking up orders. However, this is contrasted by the negative experience where the focus was primarily on pricing and food quality issues.

There is no information available in these reviews regarding any current promotional offers or special features at China King, such as loyalty programs or discounts. Local users interested in such information would need to contact the restaurant directly at their provided phone numbers.

In conclusion, China King in St. Louis (Oakville) presents a mixed profile based on recent online reviews. While one long-time customer praises it as the best Chinese food in the area with friendly staff and consistently good food, a more recent customer experienced significant issues with outdated online pricing, substantial unexpected price increases, and a perceived decline in food quality, particularly the filling in the Crab Rangoon. Potential local users should carefully consider these contrasting viewpoints. The recent negative feedback regarding pricing transparency and food quality is a serious concern that may outweigh the positive experiences of past customers. It would be advisable for new customers to verify pricing at the time of ordering and manage expectations regarding ingredient quality and portion sizes based on the more recent reports.