Happy Dragon Chinese Bistro - Round Rock

Happy Dragon Chinese Bistro - Round Rock

Written by Ann Calvert Friday, 07 December 2007

Asian restaurant a realization of an immigrant’s dream

Ten years ago, a young man from Malaysia immigrated to the United States with a dream to open a restaurant. After exploring several options, he chose to cook what he knew best—Chinese food. Housed in the Greenlawn Shopping Center on Louis Henna Boulevard, Michael Ng’s successful restaurant, Happy Dragon Chinese Bistro, has served diners in the Round Rock area for around a year.

Ng said he started at the bottom in the restaurant business. He washed dishes, he cleaned, he cooked, he waited tables. He feels that all these experiences enable him to understand every facet of the business. Now he oversees the entire operation at the Happy Dragon including making sure his diners are well fed and comfortable.

In his own words, he “cuts no corners to serve fresh delicious Chinese food to his patrons.” On the day we visited at lunch, our group was impressed by the freshness and variety of our food. Ng went on to say that he “does not make up sauces ahead of time but treats each dish individually as soon as the order is placed.”

Particularly tasty was the complimentary bowl of fried wontons which we munched on as soon as we arrived. We had to try the Hot and Sour Soup ($1.50). It was delicious, tasting as if the veggies had just been chopped into the broth. Vegetarian Egg Rolls ($1.20) were seasoned delightfully and hand made.

The menu entree list is varied with something for everyone. Mild, medium and spicy tastes are all available. Kung Pao Shrimp ($6.50) arrived hot and spicy and remained so the entire meal. Super fresh and crunchy shrimp and vegetables made this common Chinese dish wonderful.

Portions are generous, so I shared my Dragon Spicy Chicken ($7.25) with a friend. Chunks of white meat and tangy sauce combined with fresh vegetables to create a dish with a kick to it.

Notable was the fact that every diner at our table mentioned the rice. We all know that most Chinese rice is clumpy—we are accustomed to it. The rice at the Happy Dragon is flaky, separating into tender kernels on your fork or chopsticks.

Chef’s Specialties are popular items during the evening. The Seafood Clay Pot ($10.50) looked interesting with its bean curd, shrimp, scallops and surumi sauteed with vegetables in a chef’s sauce. Another popular item is Dragon Szechuan Duck ($9.95), marinated duck with slices of fresh ginger, celery, carrots and green onions in a spicy Szechuan sauce.

A valued name

Restaurant owner Michael Ng took the naming of his business very seriously. The two different characters in his company's logo translate into "Happy Dragon." In China, the dragon is considered the god of all animals and very powerful. He lives in the sky and brings prosperity and good luck to those he guides. Ng added the word "happy" because that is a feeling he wanted reflected in his employees, customers and himself.

Mon. - Wed. 11 a.m. -3p.m., 4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Th. - Sat. 11a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sun. 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

(Delivery to limited area)

Happy Dragon Chinese Bistro

661 Louis Henna Blvd., Ste. 410, Round Rock, TX • 512-828-3321