Peking Garden (Zürich, Switzerland)

Peking Garden Zurich review featuring Chicken Katsu Curry and Peking Noodles after a visit to Oerlikon Market.  Sometimes the best travel meals come from random discoveries. Sometimes they become stories about salty curry, bland noodles, and trying to rescue lunch by mixing both together.  

There is a specific kind of hunger that hits after wandering through a market for hours. After spending the morning exploring Oerlikon Market with my daughter, looking at fresh produce, herbs, breads, and all the little food stalls scattered around, we both started craving something warm and Asian. Not fast food, not another sandwich, and definitely not another Western café.

That search eventually led us to Peking Garden along Hofwiesenstrasse in Zürich Oerlikon.

At first glance, it felt promising enough. Casual, practical, and close by. Sometimes that is all you really want after walking around all morning. A comforting bowl of noodles or curry to recharge before continuing the day.

Unfortunately, this ended up becoming one of those meals that teaches you convenience and flavour do not always go hand in hand.

A Simple Dining Room with a Busy Lunch Crowd

Walking inside, the restaurant immediately felt more functional than atmospheric. The decor was modern enough, with clean wooden tables, dark walls, and bright hanging lights that added warmth to the otherwise straightforward setup. Looking at the dining room, you could tell this place focuses on efficiency rather than creating an elaborate dining experience.

The restaurant was busy enough to suggest it had regular customers, likely locals grabbing lunch or takeaway. Service reflected that pace. Orders were taken quickly, food arrived fast, and everything moved smoothly. Staff were polite and professional, though interactions felt more transactional than welcoming.

It is the sort of place where people come for a quick meal rather than somewhere they linger for hours.

Chicken Katsu Curry That Needed More Balance

The first dish to arrive was the Chicken Katsu Curry, priced at CHF 20.50.

Visually, it looked exactly like the kind of comfort meal you expect. Crispy golden fried chicken sliced over rice with a bowl of curry sauce on the side. The chicken itself actually looked quite good, with a nice even crust and juicy interior.

Texture wise, the katsu delivered. The coating was crunchy and the chicken remained moist inside. Unfortunately, the curry sauce completely overpowered the dish.

The first spoonful immediately hit with intense saltiness. Not rich curry flavour, not layers of spice, just salt. It lacked the mellow sweetness and warmth that usually make Japanese style curry comforting. Instead of complementing the fried chicken, the sauce drowned everything else out.

For a dish over twenty Swiss francs, I expected more complexity and balance.

Peking Noodles That Felt Incomplete

The second dish was the Peking Noodles, starting at CHF 16.50.

This one sounded simple enough on the menu. Soy sauce noodles stir fried with egg, cabbage, onions, carrots, leeks, and slices of meat. Sometimes the simplest noodle dishes are the most satisfying when done properly.

Sadly, this one went in the opposite direction from the curry. While the curry was overwhelmingly salty, the noodles barely tasted seasoned at all.

The noodles themselves were cooked fine. Vegetables still had some texture and the portion size was decent. But flavour wise, it felt unfinished. The soy sauce barely registered, the aromatics never developed, and the entire plate lacked depth.

At one point, my daughter and I actually started mixing the salty curry sauce into the noodles just to create something balanced enough to enjoy. That probably says everything about the meal.

Portions and Pricing in Zürich Context

To be fair, portion sizes were generous. Zürich is not exactly known for cheap dining, so the pricing itself was not shocking for Switzerland. You expect meals in this range around the city.

The issue was not quantity. It was flavour.

If the dishes had stronger seasoning balance and more attention to detail, the prices would have felt perfectly reasonable. Instead, the meal felt more like paying for convenience rather than quality.

What Worked and What Did Not

The biggest positive here is practicality. The restaurant is accessible, fast, and offers a broad menu that appeals to people looking for familiar Asian dishes in Zürich.

The dining room was clean and comfortable enough for a casual lunch. Service was efficient. Food came quickly. If you are starving and nearby, it does the job.

But flavour matters, especially for comfort food. Asian noodle dishes and curry rely heavily on balance, depth, and seasoning. On this visit, both dishes missed that mark in opposite ways.

One was too salty. The other barely tasted seasoned.

Final Thoughts

Peking Garden ended up being one of those travel meals that becomes memorable for the wrong reasons. Not terrible enough to completely ruin the day, but disappointing enough that you keep talking about how it could have been much better.

The Chicken Katsu Curry had decent texture but an overly salty sauce. The Peking Noodles looked promising but lacked flavour entirely. Ironically, combining the two dishes created the best result on the table.

Still, not every meal while travelling becomes a highlight, and honestly, that is part of the experience too.

Would I return? Probably not when there are so many stronger Asian dining options around Zürich. But if you happen to be near Oerlikon Market and simply need a quick, filling meal, Peking Garden remains a convenient option.

Peking Garden
Address: Hofwiesenstrasse 376, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 844 454 545
Website: http://www.peking-garden.ch/