A Chinese restaurant’s menu length often indicates its specialty, and Hunan Chinese Restaurant focuses its list on its namesake cuisine. You are looking for the Hunan Chinese Restaurant Menu with Prices to plan your meal or budget your takeout order. This guide breaks down the typical offerings, portion sizes, and what you can expect to pay at a standard Hunan-style establishment.
We will walk through the appetizers, soups, chef specials, and the all-important combo plates. You will also learn how menu prices usually change for lunch versus dinner service. Let’s get straight to the food and the numbers.
Hunan Chinese Restaurant Menu With Prices
Hunan cuisine is famous for its hot, spicy flavors and the use of fresh green chilies. Unlike some other regional Chinese styles, Hunan food often uses a lot of garlic, shallots, and shallots. The heat is usually direct and smoky, not the numbing heat you find in Sichuan food.
Below is a typical breakdown of the menu structure you will see. Keep in mind that prices vary by city and specific restaurant location, but these figures represent the national average for mid-range spots.
Appetizers And Starters
You will usually find these listed on the first page of the menu. They are designed for sharing, though you might want a plate to yourself.
- Spring Rolls (2 pieces) – $2.50 to $4.00
- Vegetable Dumplings (6 pieces) – $6.95 to $8.95
- Pork Dumplings (6 pieces) – $7.50 to $9.50
- Fried Wontons (8 pieces) – $5.95 to $7.95
- Barbecue Spare Ribs (4 pieces) – $9.95 to $12.95
- Boneless Ribs – $10.50 to $13.50
- Edamame – $4.95 to $6.50
- Hot and Sour Soup (small) – $3.50 to $5.00
- Wonton Soup (small) – $3.95 to $5.50
- Egg Drop Soup (small) – $2.95 to $4.50
Most places offer a “Chef’s Platter” for two. This usually includes a mix of ribs, dumplings, and wings. That combo plate will run you about $14.95 to $18.95.
Soup And Rice Noodle Bowls
Hunan restaurants often serve a rice noodle soup that is a meal in itself. These are hearty and come with a spicy broth base. You can usually choose your protein.
- Beef Rice Noodle Soup – $10.95 to $13.95
- Pork Rice Noodle Soup – $10.95 to $13.95
- Chicken Rice Noodle Soup – $9.95 to $12.95
- Seafood Rice Noodle Soup – $13.95 to $16.95
- Vegetable Tofu Soup (large) – $8.95 to $10.95
These bowls are often served with a side of pickled vegetables. The spice level is usually adjustable, but the default is often “medium hot.” Ask for “mild” if you are sensitive to capsaicin.
House Specialties And Chef’s Creations
This is the heart of the menu. These dishes are usually cooked with a specific sauce and are not the same as the standard “combo plates.” They are often served on a sizzling platter or in a clay pot.
Here are the classic Hunan dishes you will see:
- Hunan Beef – $13.95 to $16.95
- Hunan Chicken – $12.95 to $15.95
- Hunan Pork – $12.95 to $15.95
- Hunan Shrimp – $15.95 to $18.95
- Hunan Fish Filet – $16.95 to $19.95
- General Tso’s Chicken – $12.95 to $15.95
- Orange Beef – $14.95 to $17.95
- Kung Pao Chicken – $12.95 to $15.95
- Twice Cooked Pork – $13.95 to $16.95
- Ma Po Tofu – $10.95 to $13.95
- Dry Fried Green Beans – $9.95 to $12.95
- Eggplant with Garlic Sauce – $10.95 to $13.95
Notice that “Hunan Beef” is usually stir-fried with a lot of green peppers, onions, and a dark, savory sauce. It is not as sweet as the Cantonese versions you might find elsewhere.
Chicken And Duck Dishes
You will find a dedicated section for poultry. The prices here are slightly lower than the seafood options. These are standard lunch or dinner orders.
- Moo Goo Gai Pan – $11.95 to $14.95
- Sweet and Sour Chicken – $11.95 to $14.95
- Lemon Chicken – $12.95 to $15.95
- Sesame Chicken – $12.95 to $15.95
- Kung Pao Chicken – $12.95 to $15.95
- Crispy Duck (Half) – $15.95 to $19.95
- Roast Duck (Half) – $16.95 to $21.95
- Moo Shu Chicken – $11.95 to $14.95 (comes with pancakes)
Beef And Pork Offerings
These are hearty dishes that pair well with steamed rice. The portions are usually large enough for two people if you order a couple of sides.
- Pepper Steak – $13.95 to $16.95
- Mongolian Beef – $13.95 to $16.95
- Broccoli Beef – $12.95 to $15.95
- Garlic Sauce Pork – $12.95 to $15.95
- Shredded Pork with Garlic Sauce – $12.95 to $15.95
- Sweet and Sour Pork – $12.95 to $15.95
Seafood And Shrimp Plates
Seafood prices fluctuate with the market. You will notice these are the most expensive items on the regular menu. The shrimp dishes are usually the most popular.
- Kung Pao Shrimp – $15.95 to $18.95
- Shrimp with Lobster Sauce – $15.95 to $18.95
- Shrimp with Garlic Sauce – $15.95 to $18.95
- Salt and Pepper Shrimp – $16.95 to $19.95
- Scallops with Vegetables – $18.95 to $22.95
- Fish with Black Bean Sauce – $16.95 to $19.95
Vegetarian And Tofu Selections
You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these. They are often the most flavorful dishes on the menu because the sauce is the star. Make sure to ask if the vegetable dishes are cooked with chicken broth or oyster sauce if you are strict.
- Vegetable Delight – $9.95 to $12.95
- Buddhist Delight – $10.95 to $13.95
- Mapo Tofu (Vegetarian) – $9.95 to $12.95
- Home Style Tofu – $10.95 to $13.95
- Szechuan Eggplant – $10.95 to $13.95
- Sauteed Snow Peas – $11.95 to $14.95
Fried Rice And Lo Mein
These are your staples. They are often ordered as a side dish, but they can be a full meal. The prices below are for the single order size.
- Vegetable Fried Rice – $8.95 to $10.95
- Chicken Fried Rice – $9.95 to $11.95
- Pork Fried Rice – $9.95 to $11.95
- Beef Fried Rice – $10.95 to $12.95
- Shrimp Fried Rice – $10.95 to $12.95
- House Special Fried Rice – $11.95 to $13.95
- Vegetable Lo Mein – $8.95 to $10.95
- Chicken Lo Mein – $9.95 to $11.95
- Beef Lo Mein – $10.95 to $12.95
- Shrimp Lo Mein – $10.95 to $12.95
- House Special Lo Mein – $11.95 to $13.95
You can usually “upgrade” your side of rice to a special fried rice for an extra $2.00 to $3.00.
Combo Plates And Lunch Specials
This is where you get the best value. The lunch specials are typically served from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. They include an entree, an egg roll, fried rice, and sometimes a can of soda or soup.
Lunch combo prices are significantly lower than dinner prices. Expect to pay:
- Chicken Lunch Combo – $7.95 to $9.95
- Beef Lunch Combo – $8.95 to $10.95
- Shrimp Lunch Combo – $9.95 to $11.95
- Vegetable Lunch Combo – $6.95 to $8.95
Dinner combo plates are served all day and usually come with a choice of soup (Wonton, Hot and Sour, or Egg Drop) and an egg roll. These run about $2.00 to $3.00 more than the lunch specials.
Side Orders And Extras
You will need rice. Here is what you will pay for the extras.
- Steamed Rice (small) – $2.00
- Steamed Rice (large) – $3.50
- Brown Rice – $3.00 to $4.00
- Egg Roll (1 piece) – $1.75 to $2.50
- Shrimp Roll (1 piece) – $2.50 to $3.50
- Extra Sauce (side) – $0.50 to $1.00
- Steamed Vegetables (side) – $4.95 to $6.95
Desserts And Drinks
Dessert options are usually limited. You will rarely find a traditional Chinese dessert menu. Most places offer these standard items.
- Fortune Cookies – Free (usually 2 per person)
- Fried Banana with Honey – $4.95 to $6.95
- Fried Ice Cream – $5.95 to $7.95
- Almond Cookie – $1.50 to $2.50
- Canned Soda – $1.95 to $2.95
- Bottled Water – $1.50 to $2.50
- Hot Tea (per pot) – $1.00 to $3.00
Factors That Affect The Final Price
You might see a price difference between the printed menu and your delivery app. Here is why.
Location And Rent
Restaurants in high-rent districts or tourist zones will charge 15% to 20% more. A Hunan spot in a strip mall in the suburbs will be cheaper than one downtown.
Lunch Vs. Dinner Pricing
As mentioned, lunch is cheaper. The portions are smaller, but the price reflects that. If you order a “dinner” portion during lunch hours, you will pay the dinner price.
Spice Level Surcharges
Some restaurants charge a small fee (usually $1.00) for “extra spicy” or “extra crispy” preparation. This is rare but does happen.
Delivery App Markup
Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub often raise menu prices by 10% to 30% to cover their fees. The restaurant sets these prices. Always compare the in-store menu price to the app price.
How To Order For The Best Value
You can save money by following a few simple steps. These are the strategies regulars use.
- Order the lunch special. It is the cheapest way to try a dish you are unsure about.
- Ask for “family style.” If you are with 3 or more people, order one appetizer, two main dishes, and one side of fried rice. This is cheaper than everyone ordering a combo plate.
- Check for a “Chef’s Special” section. Sometimes these are cheaper than the regular menu items because they use seasonal vegetables.
- Bring cash. Some restaurants offer a 5% discount for cash payments to avoid credit card fees.
- Ask about the “spicy level.” If you ask for “Hunan Hot,” you might get a fresher batch of chilies, but you might also be charged for a “premium” ingredient.
Understanding The Spice Levels
Hunan food is hot. But the menu might not tell you that. Here is a quick guide to the heat scale you will encounter.
- Mild: No chilies, just the sauce base.
- Medium: A few dried chilies or a light chili oil.
- Hot: Fresh green chilies are included in the stir fry.
- Hunan Hot: This is the real deal. It uses a paste of chilies and garlic. It is very spicy.
If you are new to the cuisine, start with “Medium” and work your way up. You can always ask for extra chili oil on the side if it is not hot enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions people have about ordering from a Hunan restaurant.
Is the price on the menu the same for takeout?
Usually, yes. The takeout price is the same as the dine-in price. However, you will pay sales tax and possibly a container fee if your city requires it. The only difference is the delivery app markup.
Why is the Hunan Beef more expensive than the Chicken?
Beef costs more wholesale than chicken. The restaurant passes that cost onto you. This is standard across the industry, not just for Chinese food.
Can I substitute tofu for meat in a dish?
Yes, most places will do this for free or for a small fee of about $1.00. You should ask when you call in your order. It is easier to do this over the phone than through an app.
What is the difference between Hunan and Szechuan style?
Hunan uses fresh chilies and is often described as “hot and sour.” Szechuan uses the numbing peppercorn and is “hot and numbing.” Hunan food is usually more oily and smoky.
Do prices include rice?
No. Most main dishes do not come with rice. You have to order a side of steamed rice or fried rice separately. The lunch and dinner combo plates are the only items that usually include rice.
Now you have a clear picture of the Hunan Chinese Restaurant Menu with Prices. You can walk in or call with confidence, knowing exactly what to expect to pay. Always check the “Today’s Specials” board when you walk in, as that often has the freshest fish at a market price. That is where you find the real deals that are not printed on the standard menu.