Formosa - Memphis

On our second visit, I wish I could capture the amazing aroma of the food. This time, we tried sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken, and it was absolutely h... read more On our second visit, I wish I could capture the amazing aroma of the food. This time, we tried sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken, and it was absolutely heavenly—I couldn't be happier. The woman at the counter was incredibly friendly, too!

FYI: FORMOSA IS ONCE AGAIN OPEN FOR DINE-IN, 11AM-2PM and 4:30PM-8PM, TUESDAY-FRIDAY AND SUNDAY. This is easily one of the best restaurants in Memphis.  Even th... read more FYI: FORMOSA IS ONCE AGAIN OPEN FOR DINE-IN, 11AM-2PM and 4:30PM-8PM, TUESDAY-FRIDAY AND SUNDAY. This is easily one of the best restaurants in Memphis.  Even though it has been around nearly 50 years, I am always amazed that it does not get more recognition. At first glance the menu is fairly standard, but the food--nearly everything--is exceptional.  I have been going for decades and tried many dishes.  Even with inflation, the lunch specials remain one of the better values in town $9.50.   Besides the main course, you get a spring roll, chicken wing, soup, rice, and Chinese donut...it may sound fairly typical, but each of those items is much tastier than what I am served at similar restaurants.  I don't remember ever having a bad meal, and there is none of the mystery meat you get at some places.  In particular, the sesame chicken, lo mein, mu shu, beef with broccoli, hot and sour soup, and spring rolls are ALL the best I have had at any Chinese restaurant.  I have taken out-of-towners to Formosa who have been surprised that the sesame chicken is not known across the country.  It may be the most underrated dish at any Memphis restaurant, and it's truly a shame that so many Memphians ignore this place. The dinner menu offers many things not available at lunch, and it was probably the most reasonably priced dinner restaurant in town when I last ate dinner there in early 2020 $8-$12 for most entrees, which come in generous portions.   They are still open for carry-out at dinner time, as far as I know.  When they were open for dine-in at night, it was a first-rate dinner restaurant.  It has a very calm, not-too-bright dining area, and very soft piano music in the background...just the right level of elegance to make it suitable for any occasion, but not so much that it feels cold.  Do not be deterred by the location, in a strip mall-style shopping center, in a somewhat remote corner of town. The service is always good also, a real luxury nowadays.  I never have to wait long at all for my food.  They have had the same server for a very long time, and she is very efficient and polite. The few bad reviews absolutely baffle me.  For me, this place sets the standard for Chinese restaurants.  But I advise anyone not to judge Formosa, or any other place, based on a to-go order.  Restaurant meals not eaten immediately after preparation are usually a very poor substitute for the real deal, and this restaurant is no exception.  Sogginess spring rolls, sesame chicken, etc sets in very fast, and the loss of heat wreaks havoc on the flavor microwaving usually just makes things worse.   To truly see how good the food is, you need to dine in.

Wow! This place serves amazingly delicious American-Chinese food! The wings are enormous, roughly the size of a man's fist! read more Wow! This place serves amazingly delicious American-Chinese food! The wings are enormous, roughly the size of a man's fist!

This is easily one of the best restaurants in Memphis.  Even though it has been around nearly 50 years, I am always amazed that it does not get more recognition... read more This is easily one of the best restaurants in Memphis.  Even though it has been around nearly 50 years, I am always amazed that it does not get more recognition. At first glance the menu is fairly standard, but the food--nearly everything--isexceptional.  I have been going for decades and tried many dishes.  Even with inflation, the lunch specials remain one of thebetter values in town $9.50.   Besides the main course, you get a spring roll, chicken wing, soup, rice, and Chinesedonut...it may sound fairly typical, but each of those items is much tastier than what I am served at similar restaurants.  Idon't remember ever having a bad meal, and there is none of the mystery meat you get at some places.  In particular, the sesamechicken, lo mein, mu shu, beef with broccoli, hot and sour soup, and spring rolls are ALL the best I have had at anyChinese restaurant.  I have taken out-of-towners to Formosa who have been surprised that the sesame chicken is not knownacross the country.  It may be the most underrated dish at any Memphis restaurant, and it's truly a shame that so manyMemphians ignore this place. The dinner menu offers many things not available at lunch, and it also very reasonably priced. Theservice is always good also, a real luxury nowadays.  I never have to wait long at all for my food.  They have had thesame two servers for a very long time, and they are very efficient and polite. The few bad reviews absolutely baffle me.  Forme, this place sets the standard for Chinese restaurants.  But I advise anyone not to judge Formosa, or any other place, basedon a to-go order.  Restaurant meals not eaten immediately after preparation are usually a very poor substitute for the realdeal, and this restaurant is no exception.  Sogginess spring rolls, sesame chicken, etc sets in very fast, and the loss ofheat wreaks havoc on the flavor microwaving usually just makes things worse.   To truly see how good the food is, you need todine in.

Every time I go to Memphis I go to Formosa. It's the best Chinese I've ever had, ever!! I wish I had the hot and sour soup recipe!! All the food is delicious. I... read more Every time I go to Memphis I go to Formosa. It's the best Chinese I've ever had, ever!! I wish I had the hot and sour soup recipe!! All the food is delicious. I'd drive 6 hours for that food!!! You won't be disappointed!!