Flavor Of Oklahoma: Mandarin Taste Bringing Authentic Chinese Cuisine To Tulsa

A Tulsa restaurant owner has brought her own culture and cuisine to Green Country, mostly because she couldn’t find authentic Chinese food here.

Mandarin Taste’s chefs are all Chinese, and they want to serve authentic food that has something for everyone.

The owner, Sally Yau, moved to Tulsa from China more than 20 years ago.

Mandarin Taste came about out of necessity — for the flavors of home — but it has grown into something much bigger.

From its colorful lanterns, beautiful family pictures, fresh flowers, and warm natural light, Mandarin Taste invites you in before you even take a seat.

“I try to provide real food and a clean and nice atmosphere and make them comfortable,” Yau said.

She opened Mandarin Taste in 2013 in a different location. Her new building is at 91st and Sheridan, and it includes a patio, hot pot tables, a room you can rent out, and more.

But the journey was not easy.

“I got an opportunity to come to the US. I always dream to have college over here,” she said.

Sally went to OSU to study aviation science and accounting. She graduated and stayed in Tulsa after marrying and having kids, but something still felt missing to her.

“I couldn't find a very good Chinese restaurant,” she said.

The comfort of home simply didn’t exist there. So she called her family in Beijing for recipes and got to cooking.

“I basically [did not know] very much cooking, but I was so hungry!” Yau said.

Her first customers were students from China going to TU.

She says many American customers were unfamiliar with authentic Chinese food or the way dishes are served as soon as they’re made. However, with communication and feedback, the restaurant has become a go-to place for many.

“We have a lot of dumpling things, noodle, fried rice, chicken, beef, seafood, everything,” said Yau.

Some of the most popular appetizers are cream cheese wontons and pork dumplings.

“She is making it, pushing the center, and making sure all the sides are closed completely.”

The wontons are filled and sealed before they’re deep-fried until golden. With the sweet-and-sour sauce, they make the perfect tangy, crispy bite.

The dumplings have a spinach wrapper and are stuffed with pork, folded, and then boiled. Once they’re cooked, delicious spices and sauces are added.

“Homemade red pepper oil,” Yau added.

And Sally recommends mixing it all together before grabbing your chopsticks and diving in.

One of the most popular dishes is kung pao chicken.

The chefs are all from China and have years of experience working in the kitchen.

The marinated chicken starts with a dip in the fryer until it is cooked through. Then, the magic happens in the wok, where the chicken is sauteed in kung pao sauce and topped with peanuts, scallions, and peppers.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Sally recommends the jade fish dish.

It starts with white fish getting boiled in a wok; then the chef adds peppers, garlic, and broth before adding the fish back and letting the flavors marinate.

“We use chicken and pork bones.”

The jade fish isn't complete without sautéed peppers and peppercorns on top.

“That’s the last step to finish the dish,” Yao said.

Sally demonstrated the best way to savor these two dishes: the kung pao chicken is served atop white rice for the best bite. It’s balanced, flavorful, and not overpowering.

The jade fish is much spicier. The fish is flaky and light, and the broth has a kick but is well balanced.

Sally says opening Mandarin Taste has been a labor of love and seeing it shine is partly due to feedback from customers and paying attention to detail.

“Make sure every customer is happy here,” she said.

Mandarin Taste brings an authentic taste of China right here to Oklahoma.

Mandarin Taste is located at 9107 S Sheridan Rd, Tulsa, OK 74133, in the Heatherridge Shopping Center.

Email Kristen.Weaver@griffin.news for recommendations, or follow @kristeats on Instagram for behind-the-scenes.