Peking Gourmet

Peking Gourmet is a Chinese restaurant situated in the heart of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, at 120a S Front St. Serving the local Wilmington community, Peking Gourmet offers a diverse menu of Chinese cuisine with options for takeout and delivery, catering to those seeking a convenient and flavorful meal. Located in a central area, it may also provide a dine-in option, although specific details about the restaurant's environment are not provided in the available reviews. For orders or inquiries, Peking Gourmet can be contacted at (910) 763-2281 or via their mobile number +1 910-763-2281.

Customer reviews present a somewhat mixed picture of the dining experience at Peking Gourmet. One customer who tried the restaurant for lunch reported a pleasantly surprising experience. They ordered the broccoli and beef with pork fried rice and were particularly impressed with several aspects of their meal. The broccoli was noted for its satisfying crunch, and the beef was described as tender. The customer also appreciated that their request for light sauce was accommodated perfectly. However, the standout element of their meal was the pork fried rice. This reviewer, drawing a comparison to fried rice found in big city Chinatowns, lauded it as one of the best they had tasted locally. They attributed its quality to being cooked over very high heat, which prevented it from being greasy and imparted a distinct flavor known as "wok hei," loosely translated as "wok breath." This flavor, they explained, is a noticeable characteristic of expertly prepared fried rice. This positive initial experience led the customer to express anticipation for future takeout or delivery orders and a subsequent return visit confirmed their initial positive impression.

In contrast, another customer who ordered from Peking Gourmet on Christmas, as an annual tradition, reported a significantly negative experience. Their order, which included egg rolls, wontons, General Tso's chicken, and sesame chicken, was described as excessively greasy. The egg rolls and wontons were not crispy but rather "soaking wet and soggy" from the grease, even saturating the napkins. The General Tso's chicken was noted for being neither spicy nor flavorful, just greasy, while the sesame chicken was deemed merely "ok." This experience was a major disappointment for the customer, leading them to conclude that they would not order from Peking Gourmet again.

The contrasting reviews highlight a potential inconsistency in the food quality at Peking Gourmet, possibly influenced by factors such as the specific dishes ordered or the time of the order (e.g., a busy holiday). The positive review emphasizes the skillful preparation of certain dishes, particularly the fried rice with its desirable "wok hei," and the satisfactory quality of the broccoli and beef. The negative review, however, points to issues with excessive greasiness and a lack of crispiness in fried items, as well as a lack of expected flavor profiles in other dishes like General Tso's chicken.

Given these divergent experiences, local users considering Peking Gourmet should be aware of the potential for variability in food quality. The presence of "wok hei" in the fried rice, as praised by one reviewer, suggests that the kitchen has the capability to produce high-quality, authentic Chinese cooking techniques. However, the issues reported by another customer regarding greasiness and texture are significant concerns. The fact that the negative experience occurred during a holiday might indicate challenges in maintaining quality during peak demand.

For those in downtown Wilmington looking for Chinese takeout or delivery, Peking Gourmet presents itself as an option with the potential for excellent dishes like their broccoli and beef and, notably, their fried rice. The mention of "wok hei" is a significant indicator of authentic Chinese cooking that many connoisseurs appreciate. However, potential customers should also be mindful of the reported issues with greasiness and inconsistency, particularly with fried items and dishes like General Tso's chicken. It might be prudent to consider the specific dishes mentioned in the positive review if deciding to try Peking Gourmet. As there is no information provided about the restaurant's environment or any promotional offers, the decision to patronize Peking Gourmet should be primarily based on the available, albeit contrasting, feedback regarding their food quality.