I like cheap lunches. Cheap lunches where you get more than enough food for one. Yen Ching is one of those places. The lunch menu is simple, nothing special in presentation by any means, but for $6 at a sit down restaurant isn’t a bad deal by any means. A few co-workers and I found ourselves wanting to go out for lunch, and we ended up at Yen Ching for some cheap grub.
Yen Ching doesn’t ‘feel’ the cleanest by any means. It isn’t dirty, but it doesn’t have that warm comfy clean feel to it either. But the service and attention is always fast. We are always immediately greeted and sat – though the restaurant is never really busy when I’m there so there isn’t any reason to wait. A simple lunch menu – a plastic sheet with $6 specials – is presented with waters. No descriptions, so either know your Asian cuisine or have a phone handy to look up what everything is.
I settled on the General Zaol’s lunch special. I usually see it spelled as Tso’s chicken, and I have no idea the difference. But it is the same concept for sure. A spicy, non-breaded chicken dish in a brown gravy type sauce. Unfortunately, this dish isn’t as spicy as I would like it as it is seasoned with red pepper flakes rather than peppers in the sauce. But, it still has a little kick that those non spicy eaters would shy away from. The sauce isn’t overwhelming, just enough to cover all the water chestnuts, green peppers, and peanuts in the dish. Everything is the same size and color (with the exception of the green peppers) which makes it a slight guessing game until you crunch into it. A fried wonton with no flavor (honestly, I’m not sure why it is served with every dish) accompanies the dish, as does a cream cheese rangoon. No crab (or krab), just the guilty pleasure of fried cream cheese. A scoop of a version of fried rice is served with the dish as well. I say a version, because it isn’t the greasy fried rice one would expect. And honestly, I love that about this version. It is white rice with scrambled eggs, peas, carrots – all the components without the extra pan fry.
The meal also includes a cup of sweet & sour soup or a cup of egg drop soup. I opt for the egg drop, and always find it slightly bland. The texture of the broth and scrambled eggs are all there, but it always needs a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
The service isn’t anything special and the food isn’t spectacular, but it isn’t bad either. With the pricing and quick lunch service during a work week, I’ll continue to return.
Yen Ching * 9150 N. Michigan Rd. * Indy, 46268 * 317.228.0868
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Not a fan at all. I tried it once, that was enough.
I could see that, but it is easy for me to grab a quick and cheap lunch. There is a lack of flavor, but I wasn’t so turned off to not return. You are a fan of Sawasdee down 86th though, aren’t you?
I may have to give Yen Ching another try, I got take out from there once, but it was a sunday night right before closing and the service was lackluster.
It is quick and sufficient for a lunch, but there are clearly better places in the city. However, I’ve never had it for take out either since it isn’t in my area for dinner. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts after you dine there again – let me know!