Life's a Bowl of Stir Fry

What happens when the guys behind Ocean Zen and 5 Spice China Grill go down-market with a fast-food joint? The title says it all: Yum Yum Bowl.

Photo by Edward Biamonte

The menu at Yum Yum Bowl may be simple, but not much beats a bowl brimming with stir-fried veggies, your choice of protein and steamed rice, all smothered in a delicious sauce, like the Kalbi-style beef with kimchi.

Two brothers, John and Johnson Tan, wowed Springfield when they opened Ocean Zen, the upscale Asian fusion restaurant with adventurous sushi rolls and gourmet entrées. The spot grew and grew in its number of fans until it moved to a larger location across Springfield. In its old place, they opened 5 Spice China Grill, a more mid-range but still impressive Chinese restaurant serving widely lauded General Tso’s chicken and, of course, Springfield-style cashew chicken. The two spots are both eternally packed at dinnertime, and both feature swank décor and consistently tasty food that keep people coming back.

It’s all decidedly A-list. That’s what the Tans do well. And that’s why we were surprised this summer when they opened a decidedly down-market fast-food eatery just down the road from Ocean Zen. You order at the counter for food that costs less than $10 (for a combo that includes a huge entrée, two crab puffs or an egg roll and a drink).

But there’s something a little un-fast-foodish about it. The décor is… well, it’s décor. That alone is un-fast-foodish. It’s not super-swank, but it’s not boring either.

The food, however, is the real thing to get excited about. I have been to Yum Yum Bowl on several occasions since it opened and tried multiple menu items. I’m not in love with every single one (but that’s mainly because I am not a fan of sweet sauces, which some dishes have), but I am in love with enough of the menu to keep me coming back.

I recommend the lemon garlic pepper steak (large tender pieces of steak in a savory and slightly spicy sauce) and the kalbi style steak (a slightly sweeter Korean-style sauce over tender pieces of steak with a little bit of kimchi). My boyfriend is a big fan of the vegetarian meal, which is mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers and more veggies with fried tofu in a sweet stir fry sauce. But I’ve also seen him order and love the barbecue pork. I went a little crazy one day for the garlic lemon pepper shrimp. You see where I’m going with this? Everything is pretty darn good.

We’re not saying this is where you’ll get Ocean Zen–style gourmet for McDonald’s prices. But you do get Ocean Zen–style foodie expertise (in a quicker, less schmancy form) for Panera prices. Next time you’re in a rush, low on bucks and want something better than a burger in a paper bag, give Yum Yum Bowl a shot.

About Reviewing
Reviews are written by our editors and freelance writers as a service to readers, without advertising consideration. Visits are as anonymous as possible, and all expenses are paid by 417 Magazine. New restaurants are allowed at least four weeks to establish themselves before a first visit. To comment, please use our new Dining Feedback section on 417mag.com.

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