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    Leong's Asian Diner

    3.6 (229 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Leong's Asian Diner Photos

    LEONG'S ASIAN DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Leong's Asian Diner

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    David's Special with Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc
    Aanchal B.

    One of the best cashew chicken spots- original to Springfield (birthplace). My boyfriend and I got the David's Special (name after the founder) and I got mine with crab rangoon and egg drop soup. He got his with hot and sour soup & wontons. The server also asked us if we wanted white or brown chicken or mixed- we each went with white. All the food was fresh and authentic. She was nice and efficient. The decor was simple and they also have a drive through. It is a pretty filling dish for a good price - around $16 each and I even enjoyed the leftovers the next day. They have a good selection of wine, beer, sake, and other cocktails as well. I wish they were open later than 8:30 but will definitely come back!

    Sweet and sour chicken
    Michelle J.

    Me and my daughter wanted to dine where Springfield Cashew Chicken was invented. Confession session: Neither of us ordered Cashew Chicken. Leong's is a full service restaurant with a host stand upon entry and waiter service. We had the spring rolls appetizer. I had never had them before and expected a soft texture and was surprised that they were crunchy. And kind of tiny. They tasted fine but the cup of Thai chili sauce served with them was super flavorful and my favorite part. I ordered Sweet and sour chicken for my entree and the portion is plentiful and delicious. My daughter ordered fried rice and couldn't finish it all before getting full. She liked how plentiful the vegetables were in her dish. To note: on the menu the children's menu and the senior menu is the exact same on their menu but children get a small drink with theirs. Hopefully if you get the server we did he'll do a better job. He was kind of lame in that he did zero check backs after delivering the entrees. Next time I go I'll try the orange chicken I saw on the menu.

    Cashew chicken!
    . ..

    Every Springfield guide raves about this place and truthfully, I thought it was just OK but the restaurant did have a charm about it. Springfield cashew chicken is just a brown gravy sauce which was bland to me, which reinforced my perception that Midwest people have no taste buds. I actually preferred their General chicken to it which had much more flavor. They used chicken breast for all of their chicken dishes; I think it would have been better with thigh meat. Service was friendly. While glad to have had the experience, I would not come back.

    Sweet & Sour Pork
    Richard S.

    The originator of the Spfd Style Cashew Chicken - let's give them 5 stars! Sweet & Sour pork tonight, was really good. Sauce is a bit on the citrus zingy side - but it is good. Egg drop soup: About as good as it gets in taste. Asian ribs: These can get in the undercooked side at times - but they have a great flavor profile to them. Service here is always fast and efficient. Atmosphere is laid back and comfortable. And clean it always is too....

    Dottie K.

    This restaurant has been around Springfield a long time the cashew chicken was amazing. The portions were large and they even offer sauces in jars to take with you. The pictures of the history around the restaurant is worth taking in. If ever in Springfield, I recommend you give them a try.

    Spike S.

    Springfield Cashew Chicken, an Americanized Chinese dish inspired by the culinary innovation of Chef David Leong. Leong's is the only Chinese restaurant in Springfield MO that I have dined at, or ever will. My wife and I had meals at the original Leong's many years ago, at its old location. Then, my introduction to the famous Springfield Cashew Chicken. It Is still one of my favorite meals. I have found the dish on the menus of Chinese restaurants across Missouri and Oklahoma. Each restaurant has a little different spin on the meal, but none as good as the original. My wife and I had the delicious meal again on this visit, with the best loaded hot and sour soup I have ever had. The meal came with unusually delicious fried rice and a choice of soups and sides. In addition to the hot and sour soup, we both had the Crab Rangoon. A wonderful meal! Check the pictures. It is a big spacious restaurant, with colorful Chinese decorations. Several walls are covered with newspaper and magazine articles about the life of Mr. Leong, and recognition for the restaurant's food. Comfortable tables and booths. The restaurant can handle a crowd. The service is fast and efficient. If you have a few minutes, read about the life of this interesting Chinese American. You can find his life history summarized on the menu cover, but the better read is the newspaper articles posted near the entrance. The food is fabulous!

    Wonton soup at Leong's Asian Diner, Springfield
    Bruce K.

    Lots of places have their local food specialty. In Chicago, deep dish pizza. In New York, thin crust pizza. In Maryland, crab cakes. In Boston, lobstah rolls. In Charlotte, it's pulled pork. You get the idea? In Springfield, it's Cashew Chicken. Yes, it was made popular here in the 1960's by chef David Leong who was simply looking to make something from the local fried chicken. The place is super busy and yes, on a Saturday night there was a 45 minute wait. No seating at the bar, unfortunately. I put my name on the list and spent the time in the van. When I returned, there was a table for one right behind the hostess stand. My waitress took my order and dinner didn't take long. It's hard to go wrong with "David's Special" and I had it with the egg roll and wonton soup. All arrived at the same time. The chicken was very good, though it could have been crisper and hotter. Great flavor and the sauce was delicious. The egg roll was nice and hot. The rice was perfect texture. I can understand why people go so crazy for it. This was delicious. [Review 19765 overall - 242 in Missouri - 737 of 2023.]

    Beef asparagus
    Michelle B.

    I'm not sure why I've never tried this place before?! Met my girlfriends here for our monthly night out and was beyond impressed. Service was impeccable! Everything we ordered from drinks to our main courses were excellent.

    Here's the receipts!

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Best Springfield Cashew Chicken around. The "Original " Cashew chicken I might add Fast service with friendly wait staff.

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    3 years ago

    Doesn't meet up to the hype. Food was fair at best, although the service was good. Just disappointing overall.

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    3 years ago

    One of the best places for Springfield Cashew Chicken!!! My first stop whenever I'm in the area. Great service also.

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    2 years ago

    Excellent cashew chicken and crab Rangoon! Love their sauce, definitely a Springfield tradition!

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great Chinese 'dine-in' ! Try the Tomato Beef ! Also, very best hot mustard sauce ever. Hot and Sour Soup is excellent!

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    Page 2 of 6

    Ask the Community - Leong's Asian Diner

    Does the restaurant offer Drive thru?

    I believe so. However I do not know if they use it for pick up or not? Definitely call to double check as I have only dined in.

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    Bao Bao Chinese Bistro

    Bao Bao Chinese Bistro

    4.3
    (188 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $

    The food: 5 stars always. Great dishes. The service: 1…read morestar. The atmosphere: ZERO STARS! I can appreciate the owners having kids. But...the small dining room is set up like a daycare. TV: timed in to kids programming and loud at any point and time. Kids: the daughter is quite enough. But the son talks out loud....saying what he's seeing on TV....non-stop....and I mean non-stop. And he is loud, fast talking....and oh, did I say loud? And this is how this place was on this visit. Read my other review, where the owner; which was our waiter one time in the past; never put the daughter down; as he took our order or served us. And the daughter was sick and a snotty nose that was snorting around like all get out! Service: They are never organized or attentive at all to the sit in customers. Tables always sit dirty. And if you eliminate the two tables...the owner's kids dominate...I think that only leaves (4) total tables to manage. And I sit there...and see multiple Door Dash orders get messed up and/or take forever. This last time, a Dasher left after waiting forever. The new owners may be nice or well intended. But...they have ruined this place...for all the wrong reasons.

    Best Kung Pao chicken in the area You get crab Rangoon to…read moregot with many of their dinners

    Photos
    This is the slow cooked duck and squid with clearly off the chinese menu both delicious!
    This is the slow cooked duck and squid with clearly off the chinese menu both delicious!
    Squid with celery
    Squid with celery
    Slow roasted duck - comes right off the bone yum yum

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    Slow roasted duck - comes right off the bone yum yum

    Leong's Asian Diner - chinese - Updated July 2026

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