The food service industry sees restaurants close at an alarming rate. In fact, restaurants are known as the single riskiest venture an entrepreneur can get into, and yet Peking Tokyo has survived for 24 years, an impressive record for such a volatile business environment. And for good reason too. They take care of the fundamentals, without too much fanfare.
They’re located in the Mission Trace II shopping center at Wadsworth and Hwy. 285 in Lakewood. There you’ll find the obligatory Chinese model junk, room dividers, Chinese lamps, lacquered tables and chairs, and Asian-style music filling the smaller space, but set-off too by unexpected pink walls and Venetian style art-work.
The menu is big, with a wide variety of dishes from China, Vietnam and Thailand, anything a picky diner could hope for. You’ll find all your standard favorites inside, but done with a subtly original touch. Their version of the classic Sesame Chicken (for example) is not as painfully sweet as you usually get from other Chinese-American joints. This one is sweet in a gentle way, just enough to keep your sweet-tooth satisfied without coating your mouth in it. And the chicken is very tender, never overdone to the point of jerky.
The Vietnamese bowl called the Bun Dac Biet is overflowing with choices. Their unique signature stuffed chicken wing is nestled with a crispy egg roll, grilled shrimp, marinated and grilled pork and beef strips, all served over a heaping helping of thin rice noodles in (of course) a bowl.
Or you can try my favorite, the marinated beef stir fry dish they call the Bo Luc Lac. It’s savory, tender and delicious. Served with a black pepper sauce, onions, fresh tomatoes and fresh parsley sprigs, it’s simple but elegant in its minimalist approach. This is a new item, so if you haven’t visited Peking Tokyo in a while, you might want to make another trip just to check this one out.
The Pud Thai is a pleasant combination of sticky Thai noodles, peanut sauce, eggs and lime, though a little sweeter than I’m used to due to the profusion of carrot slivers. It’s also not nearly as hot. They serve it in the traditional way, with bean sprouts and fresh lime wedges, and with pork, beef, chicken vegetables or shrimp. You can also get the combination: beef, chicken and shrimp.
The service at Peking Tokyo is exceptional, going well beyond the “friendly” industry standard. Customers are made to feel welcomed, comfortable and important. They do a fairly large take-out business as well, with most of the orders coming from repeat customers, many on a first-name basis with the management. Give them a try, and you’ll quickly find out why this unassuming eatery has outlasted the usual pack of sub-par restaurants.
3355 S. Wadsworth Blvd
# H103-105
Lakewood, CO 80227
Tel: 303.985.3040
Hours:
Mon - Thur 11 am - 9:30 pm
Fri - Sat 11 am - 10 pm
Sunday closed
PEKING TOKYO Sample Menu
Appetizers
Goi Cuon (Spring rolls) $3.25
Vegetable or pork and shrimp with rice noodles, lettuce and bean sprouts wrapped in rice paper Served with peanut sauce.
Chinese Style Egg Rolls $1.20
Pao Pao Platter $10.25
Egg roll, BBQ rib, chicken wing, teriyaki beef stick,
fantail shrimp and crabmeat wonton.
Entrées
Scallops Xao Lan (Scallops in Curry Sauce) $10.25
Scallops sauteed with lemongrass and a touch of coconut and chili, topped with peanuts.
Tom Thit Rom (Spicy Pork and Shrimp) $9.75
Sliced tender pork and shrimp in traditional sauce
Pud Kraw Pow $6.50 – $10.25
Chili sauce with mushrooms, red and green peppers, bamboo shoots, onions
and basil stir fried with your choice of beef, chicken, pork and/or shrimp.
Chow Mein dishes, Lo Mein dishes, Egg Foo Young dishes, as well as all the traditional Chinese favorites.
Desserts
Cheese Cake $2.95
Fried Banana $2.95
