Leong's Asian Diner - Springfield

I was told that if I like Cashew Chicken, I needed to go and try it at Leongs, so when I was in Missouri and driving past Springfield, I made it a point to do just that. The restaurant sits at the corner of an intersection in a suburban area. Although there's a drive through window, the inside is a full service restaurant with a high ceiling and a full bar at the back. It has a little bit of a diner feel about it. There's a lot of delectable menu choices, but I was there for the Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken, as Leong's is the home of it. The fact that it could be ordered with white meat, dark meat or both, made it different from the start. I went with a mix. It was not only delicious, but also quite different from the usual cashew chicken that I'm used to on the East Coast. There are meals available allowing you to choose different soups and sides, and at $10.79 with two crab rangoons and a cup of soup, the value is high. And not only does the Cashew Chicken score well, but the Egg Drop Soup was probably the best that I've had. The service was prompt, casual and friendly.

My husband and I both loved our food. He had the Combo Ramen bowl and says it is the best he has ever tasted. I had the Chicken Lo Mein and it was mouth watering and I ate every single bite. We also tried the Raspberry wine. We aren't huge wine drinkers but it was fun to sip it from the shot glasses it was served in. What a great warm feeling the wine gave us and it was such a pleasant experience all the way around. The staff was very friendly and our server John or Jonathan was very attentive and professional.

My family would drive from Joplin on the weekends to eat at Leong's. It wasn't just their cashew chicken. The egg rolls to this day are still the best I ever had. There is an ingredient in them that I have never tasted at any other Asian diner. Peanut butter. If you are one to try cooking Asian food yourself. Use peanut butter in your egg rolls. I asked a server years ago. She had been with them since it opened in 1963. She told me that was it. Best Chinese cuisine I have ever had to this day.

Leong's is one of a kind in all the world. Chef Wing and his Father, David offer world class Asian fusion and good old Springfield style Cashew Chicken (reminds me of my Grandma Russell's Sunday chicken dinner, after church) both at the same high class establishment. What's not to like!!!

Always Awesome,! Great food and great people. Will recommend to everyone. Try the sushi and as always the 'Springfield Style ' Cashew Chicken. I have never been let down here!