W Chinese Buffet - Des Moines

At some point, my mother met an American, married, and brought my sister and me with her when she moved to the United States. As I grew up and began my own travels, I realized that I didn't see the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the Chinese markets. Even at places called "China buffet," it was not there. Not even the smell or taste. I began to realize that everything was Americanized because Caucasian people did not think Chinese food tasted good or authentic. So, I had been living with American Chinese food for 40 years. It was the same old thing that looked like Chinese food, but it wasn't authentic. Then, guess what! This place opened. I was skeptical at first, thinking it was just another American Chinese restaurant. But when I first went, I noticed something different. The noodles didn't taste like the usual Americanized version I had grown accustomed to. It brought me back to a smell and taste I had forgotten for a long time – something nostalgic. It was a taste of home from where I grew up. It had a smell that I hadn't experienced since my childhood. I tried other dishes and realized they cooked authentic, unamericanized Chinese dishes. Wow. When I spoke to the manager and chef, they told me they wanted to cater to my preferences. I wanted to test them one day. I asked for some cinnamon, a preserved thousand-year egg (not really a thousand years old, but eggs preserved in green tea), and a little dim sum, and they delivered. After finishing my meal, I thanked the chef and manager in the little Chinese I remembered and expressed my gratitude for giving me a taste of my youth. I now go back to this restaurant any chance I can and highly recommend it to anyone who wants a taste of real Chinese cuisine. This is not the American version, but the authentic taste of China. Again, thank you!