Fried chicken, savory brown sauce, and a pile of cashews on top sound like a midnight fridge raid. In Missouri, that combo became one of the state’s signature dishes.
The chef behind it first served it in 1963, and his family still cooks the original recipe today. The chicken still gets fried fresh daily, with zero shortcuts.
Crispy boneless chicken meets a sauce that skips the sticky-sweet route, with roasted cashews and green onions adding crunch.
Rice soaks up the extras, so not a drop of sauce goes to waste.
Cantonese cooking and Ozarks comfort food teamed up to create it, making it a true Missouri original.
Finally, a history lesson that comes with seconds.
Meet The Plate That Put An Ozarks City On The Food Map
Crispy chicken under a brown sauce sounds simple. At Leong’s Asian Diner, that simple idea carries more than sixty years of family history.
The dish is called Springfield-style cashew chicken, and it’s the star of the menu here. Boneless chicken pieces are breaded and deep-fried until crisp. Then they get covered in a rich, savory brown sauce.
That sauce usually starts with chicken stock, oyster sauce, and soy sauce. White pepper and a little sugar join in, and cornstarch thickens everything up. The result tastes thick but light, not sweet and gooey like some takeout sauces.
Roasted cashews land on top for crunch. Chopped green onions add color and a fresh bite. Everything sits on a bed of white rice, which soaks up the extra sauce like a sponge with a mission.
Here’s a tip for first-timers. Order the cashew chicken before you explore the rest of the menu. It’s the reason this Missouri diner earns attention from travelers far outside the Ozarks.
Think of it as your baseline. Once you know the original, every other version in town will make a lot more sense.
A Chef Solved A Puzzle And Accidentally Created A Legend
David Leong came to the United States in 1940. He served in World War II, then built a life as a chef in southwest Missouri.
His challenge was clever and practical. Local diners loved fried chicken, but many weren’t used to Chinese cooking. How do you win them over?
His answer was brilliant. He fried the chicken like a Southern cook, then added a sauce rooted in his Cantonese heritage. Cashews and green onions finished the job.
He first served the dish in 1963 at Leong’s Tea House. That place was a large, white-tablecloth restaurant with 350 seats. It became a big success, and the cashew chicken became a sensation.
By the 1970s, hundreds of restaurants around Springfield had their own versions. Today the dish is the city’s signature food, and the town even holds a festival called Cashew Craze.
The Tea House closed in 1997. David passed in 2020, shortly before his 100th birthday.
Knowing that backstory makes each bite feel different. You’re eating a recipe that started as a friendly bridge between two food cultures.
The Family Brought The Original Recipe Back Home
Thirteen years after the Tea House closed, the Leong family wasn’t done.
In 2010, David and his sons opened Leong’s Asian Diner.
The mission was clear. They wanted to keep serving David’s original cashew chicken recipe, the same one that launched a citywide obsession.
His son Wing Yee Leong is involved in running the diner today. He’s also the chef people contact for catering orders. That keeps the recipe in the hands of the family that created it.
The restaurant sits at 1540 W Republic Rd, Springfield, MO 65807. It’s on the south side of town, with customer parking right there.
That matters more than it sounds. Plenty of famous dishes drift away from their roots as they spread. Here, you can taste the version that started everything, cooked by the people who carry its story.
Planning tip: the diner opens at 11 a.m. every day. Sunday hours end earlier, at 5 p.m., so weekend dinner plans work best on Friday or Saturday.
Weeknights run until 8:30 p.m. That’s plenty of time for a post-work cashew chicken rescue mission.
Peanut Butter In An Egg Roll Sounds Wild Until You Read The Name
David’s Famous Homemade Egg Rolls carry a surprise inside. Along with shrimp, pork, and cabbage, the filling includes peanut butter.
Yes, peanut butter. It sounds like something a kid would invent, but it comes straight from the man who gave Springfield its signature dish. That earns it some trust.
The appetizer list goes well beyond egg rolls, too. Crab Rangoon is a popular pick. Fried Wontons, Pot Stickers, and Asian BBQ Ribs are all on the menu.
Lettuce Wraps make a lighter choice before a big entree. A Dim Sum Platter works nicely if your table can’t agree on just one starter.
Here’s a smart move for groups. Order a couple of appetizers to share, then let everyone pick their own main dish. You’ll sample more of the menu without overloading anyone.
Anyone with a peanut allergy should ask questions before ordering the egg rolls. The diner works with special allergy requests, so speak up early.
For everyone else, the egg roll is a fun piece of family history. It’s quirky, personal, and very hard to find anywhere else.
Steak And Shrimp Show Up On A Chinese Menu, And It Works
Filet mignon at a cashew chicken restaurant? It’s a twist, but Leong’s Asian Diner blends Chinese-inspired favorites with hearty continental dishes.
The Land and Sea plate shows off that mix best. It pairs a hand-trimmed aged filet mignon with a jumbo shrimp skewer. Asparagus and garlic whipped mashed potatoes come alongside.
The Chef’s Signature Fare section has plenty more to explore. Honey Walnut Shrimp and Teriyaki Salmon offer seafood options. Phad Thai brings a Thai-style favorite to the table.
Fans of crispy, saucy chicken have choices beyond the famous one. General Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Sesame Chicken all appear on the menu.
Stir-fries cover beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp. Beef and Broccoli is there for anyone who likes a dependable classic.
This variety solves a real problem. Not everyone in your group may want Chinese food. A steak lover and a cashew chicken fan can share a table without any arguments.
It also makes the diner a good pick for celebrations. One menu covers comfort food and something a little fancier, all in the same visit.
Save Room, Because Creme Brulee Is Waiting
Dessert at a Chinese American diner usually means a fortune cookie. Leong’s Asian Diner aims a little higher.
The dessert list includes Creme Brulee, the classic custard with a crackly sugar top. Cheesecake is there for anyone who likes things rich and creamy.
Then there’s the Mango Upside-Down Cake. It’s a fun, fruity spin on an old-fashioned favorite, and it fits the Asian-meets-American theme of the whole menu.
A little strategy helps here. Cashew chicken is filling, especially with rice. If dessert is part of your plan, consider sharing an appetizer instead of ordering your own.
Birthdays are another reason to save space. The diner runs a Dining Club that offers exclusive coupons, special offers, and birthday gifts. Signing up before a celebration seems like a pretty easy win.
Desserts also make a nice ending for families with kids. Not every little eater gets excited about stir-fry, but cake tends to unite a table fast.
So end the meal on a sweet note. After a plate of crispy chicken and brown sauce, a spoonful of creme brulee feels completely earned.
Your Next Group Party Has A Room Ready
Two small private rooms sit inside Leong’s Asian Diner. Need more space? They can be opened up into one large room.
That flexibility helps with all kinds of gatherings. Family birthdays, office lunches, and club meetings all fit the setup.
The dining room itself has a welcoming, upscale diner feel. Its decor is more polished than many neighborhood spots, yet the mood stays relaxed. It works for a casual lunch or a dressier night out.
The basics are covered, too. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, has customer parking, and offers air conditioning. That last one matters during a sticky Missouri summer.
Hosting somewhere else? Catering is available with buffet-style meals, individually packaged dishes, or custom menus. Chef Wing Yee Leong handles those orders.
Imagine the crowd-pleasing power of bringing the original cashew chicken to a graduation party. Okay, no imagining required. It simply makes sense.
For big groups, book early and ask about room options. A little planning keeps everyone seated together instead of scattered around the dining room like a puzzle.
Cashew Chicken Can Come To Your Couch, Too
Some nights, leaving the house just isn’t happening. Leong’s Asian Diner understands that.
The restaurant offers online ordering for pickup and delivery throughout Springfield. That means the original cashew chicken can show up at your door while you stay in comfy socks.
Pickup is a smart move for travelers passing through town. Grab your order, then enjoy it at your hotel or a nearby park. It’s a tasty souvenir that doesn’t need suitcase space.
Timing matters, so plan around the hours. Monday through Thursday, the diner runs from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday stretch to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday closes at 5 p.m. Late Sunday cravings will need a backup plan, sadly.
One tip for takeout: keep the crispy chicken and sauce in mind. Eating soon after pickup helps you enjoy that crunch at its best.
Whether you dine in or eat at home, the point stays the same. This is where a Missouri food icon began, and it’s still serving the family recipe today. That’s a pretty delicious reason to order tonight.