After checking out Evergreen, there was one more off-the-radar Asian establishment in Monrovia to cross of my list.  This was the anonymous Chinese restaurant near the Chinese Embassy on the Congo Town Back Road (I saw no mention anywhere of a name).  For those who are not familiar, it is almost directly across from the A la Lagoon Resort and Restaurant.

I had heard good things about the spot from the only two people I’ve known who had been there, one of whom was Chinese.  While the restaurant didn’t exactly disappoint, I think my visit was a classic case of unduly raised expectations.

Graphic advertising the Congo Town Back Road Chinese Restaurant. Photo: Brooks Marmon

The restaurant appears to be in a complex that also offers lodging.  It was split over two buildings — an indoor dining area that had a tiny porch with two tables and an elevated deck that had nice views of both the lagoon and the Atlantic and which caught a nice sea breeze.

I entered the building alongside another Chinese, who eagerly solicited my views on basketball, noting that he was a massive fan of the Golden State Warriors.  His English seemed to have been much better than any of the other restaurant personnel – the only wait staff in sight were three Chinese, playing a game with a vague resemblance to dominoes.  They all deferred to him to interpret the menu for me.

I only got a brief glimpse at the menu. There appeared to be an emphasis on beef dishes and it looked like the most expensive item on the menu was a US$36 lobster.  The Warriors fan didn’t seem too concerned by the menu either and asked what I was in the mood for.  I replied that I’d like a pork and rice dish.

The view of the ocean and lagoon from the restaurant. Photo: Brooks Marmon

A few minutes later, a dozen steamed dumplings were served.  I thought that perhaps they were for my friend.  Not the case.  He had only come for a cold Heineken.  His day job, working to convert Liberian TV broadcasting from an analog to digital standard, was apparently not particularly demanding and he could afford to kick back a few cold ones and WhatsApp with his girlfriend who was studying in Denmark (or was it the Netherlands?).

The dumplings did appear to contain minced pork and a finely diced leafy green vegetable, which I will venture to guess was potato greens.  The dipping sauce was completely unexpected — a strong vinaigrette with perhaps a dose of soy sauce.

I cleared my plate, thinking that was the conclusion of the meal.  I was slightly disappointed to have ended up with dumplings, but they were definitely homemade and not frozen, so it was not a total loss.  Before I could linger over my beer and absorb the nice sea view however, an unanticipated plate arrived, my cherished pork.

It was a pork rib or belly fried in a light batter. The dish was quite tender, due to a significant amount of fat, but there was nonetheless a hearty supply of lean meat as well.  On top of the dumplings, it was a chore to dissect my unexpected meat platter, but I successfully persevered.

Despite being fried, the pork dish was tender due to a significant amount of fat. Photo: Brooks Marmon

The final bill came in at US$36, which certainly elicited a frown (for just the two dishes and a small club beer), although I was stuffed and had enjoyed eating something that offered a respite from the standard rice and soup.

The unnamed Congo Town Back Road Chinese restaurant was solid.  I would certainly recommend it, although without a return visit, I can’t say how highly.  Also, as per the example set by the basketball fan, it has quite a nice view from which to enjoy a drink.

Featured photo by Brooks Marmon