Cate Zone Chinese Cafe has expanded its reach, bringing its beloved, authentic Northern Chinese cuisine from University City to a new location in Chesterfield. Located at 24 Four Seasons Shopping Center, this fresh spot opened its doors in early February, perfectly timed with the Chinese New Year celebrations. Even with a quiet opening, word of mouth – and a Yelp update – has already drawn a crowd eager to experience Cate Zone’s genuine flavors. If you’re seeking a departure from typical Americanized Chinese fare and a taste of true Dongbei cuisine, here’s what awaits you at Cate Zone Chinese Cafe in Chesterfield.
A Menu Rooted in Northern Chinese Tradition
Alt text: Cate Zone Chinese Cafe menu cover showcasing the restaurant’s name.
Co-owner Daniel Ma, who hails from Northern China, is passionate about sharing the authentic tastes of his hometown. “It’s my hometown food that I love,” Ma explains, emphasizing the restaurant’s mission: “We want more people to know what real Chinese food is.” The menu at the Chesterfield location mirrors the flagship’s commitment to traditional dishes from the Dongbei region, known for its hearty and flavorful soups and sauces. Ma’s confidence in his cuisine is so strong that he playfully challenges hesitant first-timers, offering to cover their meal if they aren’t satisfied with his recommendations – a bet he consistently wins.
While both Cate Zone locations share a dedication to authenticity, the Chesterfield cafe distinguishes itself by focusing on handcrafted specialties. Notably absent from this menu is hot pot, allowing for an expanded selection of meticulously prepared items like pot stickers and dumplings. These handcrafted dumplings proved to be incredibly popular during the Chinese New Year opening, with some tables ordering multiple servings to symbolize prosperity in the coming year. Another unique offering is the traditional egg roll, served as a dessert with a sweet red bean curd filling – a departure from the savory versions and a nostalgic treat from Ma’s childhood.
Beyond dumplings and egg rolls, the appetizer selection includes intriguing options such as beef and ox tripe in chili sauce for adventurous palates, alongside familiar favorites like spring rolls (both regular and vegan), fried mini buns, homemade beef jerky, and mixed vegetables. The bilingual menu, presented in both English and Chinese with helpful images, encourages exploration. For dishes like Szechuan Xuewang (blood soup with tripe and offal), don’t hesitate to ask the knowledgeable and attentive servers for detailed descriptions and recommendations. They are eager to guide you through the menu and ensure a satisfying dining experience.
Alt text: Close-up of Cate Zone Chinese Cafe’s best-selling dishes: hot crisp fish and sweet and sour pork.
Among the entrée highlights are two best-selling dishes that perfectly capture Cate Zone’s culinary style: the hot crisp fish, generously seasoned with chili oil and crunchy dried chiles for a fiery kick, and the traditional sweet and sour pork. The latter is presented as an impressive tower of thinly sliced, battered, and fried pork cutlets, drizzled with a perfectly balanced sweet and sour sauce. Complementing these main courses are popular side dishes like crisp sweet potato with egg yolk, sautéed green beans, eggplant on a sizzling plate, and refreshing bok choy with garlic sauce.
The drink menu is concise, featuring a selection of sodas, hot tea, soy milk, and the popular herbal tea Wanglaoji. Beer options are limited to Bud Light and Tsing Tao, reinforcing the restaurant’s focus on food rather than becoming a bar destination.
An Atmosphere Designed for Shared Dining
Alt text: Cate Zone Chinese Cafe’s hot crisp fish and traditional sweet and sour pork entrees.
Cate Zone Chinese Cafe in Chesterfield boasts a spacious layout that encourages the communal dining style prevalent in China. Co-owner Ma is enthusiastic about creating an environment where large groups can gather and share multiple dishes, served on traditional revolving trays placed at the center of large tables. “In China, we share food,” Ma states, envisioning the restaurant as a place for “family parties for the holidays” where groups of ten can comfortably “order 10 different dishes” and enjoy a diverse culinary experience together.
Alt text: Interior view of Cate Zone Chinese Cafe Chesterfield dining area, showing modern light fixtures.
Alt text: Spacious dining area at Cate Zone Chinese Cafe featuring large round tables for group dining.
Alt text: Cate Zone Chinese Cafe Chesterfield central dining area with modern decor and lighting.
Alt text: Another view of large round tables set for group dining at Cate Zone Chinese Cafe.
While the menu honors culinary traditions, the restaurant’s décor embraces a modern aesthetic popular in contemporary China. Almost every element, from the custom-made plates and bowls subtly branded with the restaurant’s name to the unique light fixtures adorning the walls and ceilings, was specially ordered. The soft-orange leather upholstery of the chairs reflects co-owner Nancy Zhu’s favorite color, adding a personal touch to the ambiance. Even the menus themselves were carefully selected to complement the overall design.
Expanding Authentic Chinese Cuisine in St. Louis
Cate Zone’s journey began with its original location opening in University City in late 2016, amidst a vibrant hub of Chinese restaurants and businesses on Olive Boulevard. Founders Daniel Ma and Quincy Lin established Cate Zone with the goal of introducing American diners to a broader spectrum of Chinese cuisine, confident that St. Louis’ large Chinese student and expatriate community would appreciate a genuine taste of home. Since then, the landscape has evolved, with social media platforms showcasing authentic Chinese dishes from across the U.S. Ma notes that younger diners are now more informed and adventurous, arriving with a greater understanding of China’s diverse regional cuisines.
Alt text: Cate Zone Chinese Cafe co-owners Nancy Zhu and Daniel Ma standing in their restaurant.
Cate Zone quickly earned a reputation for generous portions, reasonable prices, and exceptional quality. The original restaurant’s intimate size often led to long wait times, sometimes reaching two hours. Recognizing the demand and noticing a significant customer base traveling from western suburbs, the owners decided to open a second location in Chesterfield’s Four Seasons Shopping Center. Today, Quincy Lin continues to manage the University City restaurant, while Daniel Ma and Nancy Zhu are focused on building the success of Cate Zone Chinese Cafe in Chesterfield. Even before the official opening, anticipation was high. Ma recounts posting his phone number on the door for delivery drivers and being inundated with calls from eager customers inquiring about dining in. This enthusiastic response confirms that many were indeed “really waiting for this to open,” and Cate Zone Chinese Cafe in Chesterfield is now ready to welcome them.
