Yen's Cafe

So I heard about this place through social media / stalking and from first-hand conversations with Taiwanese folks.  With that said, I had some relatively high hopes for this potential gem hidden away from the Beltway.  Coming from a trip in Taiwan, I was hoping for a restaurant with close-to-authentic Taiwanese food with unique offerings, especially the Taiwanese street food. 

Yen’s is a little place in Ashburn in Ryan Park Center tucked away in a little corner behind Giant.  When you approach the place, they advertise themselves as an Asian Fusion restaurant and Juice Bar.  As you approach the restaurant, you’ll see some advertised dishes (the dumplings) which I recommend you check out prior to entering.  Yen’s is pretty small, with multiple booths.  So, during the dinner rush, it’s quite packed and you could be waiting outside for a bit.

We received the standard menu and a Special menu.  Standard menu is pretty Americanized / Westernized.  Typical General Tso’s chicken, Sweet & Sour chicken, and Beef & Broccoli.  However, there are a few noteworthy items in there that’s worth checking out.  The Taiwanese Traditional dishes should be glanced at (even though there’s a small selection).  The Special menu has more of the unusual food fare (e.g., Crystal Sugar Pig Feet – and no, I didn’t try it.  I’m adventurous, but sometimes there are limits. So, there’s this identity crisis (or as they may refer to it – fusion) of your typical Americanized Chinese food served on nice plates, but then there’s the offering of the authentic stuff that’s lurking somewhere. 

There’s the Menu and then there’s the “Special” Menu

So, based on some conversations with the waitresses on what authentic / good food to order we ended up getting the following dishes:

• Moo Shu with Pork:  Pancakes with sautéed pork pieces.  So this dish is really the crepes pancakes you use when eating Peking Duck.  Assemble your own Chinese burrito with a pancake, some pork meat, and hoisin sauce.  Taste wise, it’s good, but boy, it is greeeeeaasssssyyyyy.  So beware, while it is good, it’s not that memorable other than the high grease factor.

Moo Shu Pancake & Sauce

The porky, greasy filling

• Crispy Sesame Beef:  Yes, yes, I know I seem to have an aversion to non-authentic foods and this is pretty Americanized.  BUT, I will say that this one was legit good.  Nice, juicy, crispy and fantastic with a mouthful of rice (which, by the way, is served nicely with a few black sesame seeds on top).

Don’t go for General Tso, go for this crispy tastiness

•  Pork Stew with Fried Tofu: This one feels like a home cooked dish.  In fact, I have had this dish from my mother-in-law and it’s quite similar to the way she makes (and she makes it well).  If the concept of fat on the pork bothers you, don’t eat it, but if not, it’s a very simple, straightforward dish that is reminiscent of Ma’s cooking.

Pork Stew & Fried Tofu: Just like Ma’s cooking

• Steamed Dumpling with Pork:  So this is a dish not on the menu and something my husband and I noticed as a special posted on the walls right before we entered the restaurant.  Remember me mentioning to check out the specials before entering?  This is why.  The dumplings are well-made and flavorful.  It is comparable to the dumplings in China Bistro (up in MD, also known as Mama’s Dumplings). 

Diggin’ the Dumplings

 While you are at Yen’s, I would recommend checking out their extensive tea / drink menu.  There are descriptions for each type of tea and why the tea is beneficial.  The drink menu is both informative and entertaining.  The tea comes out in an eye-pleasing clear tea pot tea set (from Thailand) and a serving of dried honey on the side to sweeten your tea.  The pot is quite large and is capable of serving up to 4 people (even though our order was tea for 2 people).  I think they do charge per person, so double check the price prior to ordering.  Also, be careful with the tea sets.  There is a hefty charge ($150) for damaging or breaking the tea sets (moo!).  

 

Cha Cha Tea

Spoonful of honey with your tea, sir?

I’m a sucker for hot tea any day or any type of weather, so I ordered a pot of the Mango & Passion Fruit Hot Tea.  The tea is pleasantly sweet on its own but can pack a more bitter / sharp bite as you get to the bottom of the pot.  So a sprinkle of dried honey is recommended depending on your taste buds.  I prefer tea naked but tried out the dried honey for one cup (which is sweeter than regular sugar). It’s delicious, refreshing, and was certainly a welcome addition to aid digestion after eating some of the greasy food.  Then again, I love hot tea after any meal since I feel it does aid in digestion overall.

The staff was very nice and gave us a little extra dessert.  I’m not sure if it was because we had some Taiwanese guests with us or if they generally provide this dessert, but it was appreciated nonetheless.  I don’t know what these yummy treats are called, but they reminded me of a mung bean-stuffed donut / munchkin.  It was delicious, particularly when served hot.

Dessert Balls? Yes, please

 The price is not too bad given the area’s prices.  For 4 people, the meal averaged $15 per person.  It’s not a bargain but it’s not too terrible either. 

Billin' Billing

 So, overall, I don’t think I’d make it a point to head back to Yen’s unless I have some business in that area.  It’s a satisfying meal but overall not very memorable.  And, it certainly wasn’t the authentic Taiwanese experience / taste I was looking for, but the dumplings hit a nice spot and the tea variety is good.  And a potential added plus (if it matters to you) is that the wait staff and management do speak Taiwanese.  So if you’re in the Ashburn area and have a hankering for Chinese food that’s not the same-old takeout, then give Yen’s a try.

                      

Menus and coupons can be found on their site: http://www.yenscafe.com/

Check it out: http://www.yelp.com/biz/yens-cafe-ashburn

Food Quality:

Just okay.  Dumplings and the crispy beef were good but the Moo Shu left a greasy memory.

  3 Moos

Service: 

Since the place is relatively new I think the staff is getting up to speed.  It took a bit before anyone approached us to ask about seating.  But, the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

  3.5 Moos

Overall Rating:

Oh, Yen’s, I had such high hopes but alas, it was not meant to be.  Okay food but nothing too spectacular. 

  3 Moos