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Having lived in four states and gone away to college I say it is probably a good bet that if you have been to one Chinese restaurant, you have been to them all, yes? I know that isn’t the case, but it does some truth to it. Although I found a Columbus-area venture that breaks the mold.
Ying’s Teahouse & Yum-Yum (seriously, that’s the name) at 4312 North High Street (just south of the W. Henderson & E. Cooke intersection) in Clintonville is more than just a pleasant surprise. The eatery is in a small strip-like mall that isn’t very flattering, but the mall itself has some decent stores and businesses. Despite the look from the outside Ying’s is a slice of elegance in a not-so uppity fashion. Just enough decor to know where you are and allows you to enjoy it. Some places try to hard, Ying’s does not.
They offer a variety of dishes in a number of categories: Non-Sweet, Sushi, House Specialties, Chicken, Shrimp, Pork, Beef, Soup, Veggie and Salads. Some are the dishes you would find at most, if not all, Chinese restaurants. Others are their originals or their twist on a typical favorite.
A couple of weekends ago Christine and I stopped by to check it out. Ying’s was not very busy on this cold Saturday afternoon, though they were definitely being noticed by the locals. A few people were eating inside and more than a handful were ordering carryout.
After a short time perusing the menu Christine selected a Chinese restaurant staple with the General Tso’s Chicken ($7.99. Oh, and FYI, they help you out by indicating which dishes are spicy and which are not on the menu). I, being a hug fan of eggplant, chose the Eggplant with Garlic Sauce ($8.95). The woman waiting on us looked almost stunned when I indicated I didn’t want anything else on the dish. She asked me twice just to make sure she heard me right. We laughed thinking the woman had not come across to many guys who order a veggie only dish. I AM a meat eater, but eggplant is awesome.
To start us off I ordered a bowl of Egg Drop Soup ($1.50) and Christine the Hot and Sour Soup ($1.50). Both were tasty enough that we were scraping the bottom of our bowls by the time dinner arrived. We also took advantage of the tea service which comes steaming in a pot for one ($2.75) or a pot for two or three ($4.50). There is an excellent list to chose from. We took a selection from the Herbal Tea Blends, the Invigorating Tea. This is a combination of Jasmine, Lemon Grass, Linden Leaves and Sweet Chrysanthemum. The tea was not overpowering and gave just a hint of each of the blends’ ingredients. The best part was the fact the tea stayed hot in our own personal pot throughout dinner.
As for dinner, the General Tso’s Chicken was better than expected. I have had similar dishes in the past in which the breading on the chicken came a bit too soggy for my taste. This one came with a good crispiness still involved. The eggplant was exactly what I was looking for with big strands of Chinese eggplant doused in a tangy garlic sauce and lots of it. Christine and I had enough for dinner the next day. There were just as good as they were the first time around.
I don’t mind fortune cookies, but I don’t exactly crave them. Ying’s avoided the stereotypical Chinese restaurant by not having these and leaving you with a tasty, flaky cookie (an actual cookie) that went well with the rest of the tea. We declined on dessert as we were stuffed to the gills, but if I would have had any room left at all…I would have been the first one there.
We didn’t see it till afterwards, but a Columbus Alive article from not too long ago stated that Ying’s homemade dumplings were something to be had. I’m sorry we didn’t order them, but I suspect that would be something to attack the next time around. They also have lunch specials available during the work week from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. that range in price from $5.00 to $6.50 depending on your use of cash or credit card. There are four of these that come in the sushi, yum-yum special and rice plant varieties.
Ying’s business hours are 11:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. They can be reach by phone (614-262-7587), fax (614-262-7928) or by email: styliu1963@gmail.com and take all major credit cards. They do not deliver, but have a very popular carryout service.
I think what makes Ying’s unique is the fact that they are a Chinese restaurant that doesn’t act like what most of us are used to in a Chinese restaurant. It is relaxing and casual with an atmosphere to boot.
crsimp01 wrote “Having lived in four states and gone away to college I say it is probably a good bet that if you have been to one Chinese restaurant, you have been to them all, yes? I know that isn’t the case, but it does some truth to it.”
I think that’s pretty much the exact opposite of what I’ve found. Chinese restaurants vary greatly in not only selection of cuisine (from regional differences to straight Westernization differences and everything in between), but also in quality.
I found Ying’s(Ting’s?) Teahouse & Yum-Yum quite nice. Their dumplings were pretty good, but the dish I ordered turned out to be _just_ dumplings. Oh well.
The fact that it’s pretty much right beside The Laughing Ogre led to a purchase there, after, as well.
Ying’s dumplings are definitely very tasty. The pork and san-xian (pork/shrimp mix) being excellent regular menu offerings – but if they happen to have beef dumplings available when you go, THOSE are definitely my favorite.
Thanks for this review! We’ve considered it a number of times but have been deceived by the Teahouse moniker and hadn’t gotten around to checking out their menu options. We’ll definitely check it out soon.
There’s a Chinese place a couple of doors down from there too. I can’t remember the name. We’ve dined there once, just once. We will not be back.
Are they doing Bubble Tea yet? ;)
crsimp01 wrote “I think what makes Ying’s unique is the fact that they are a Chinese restaurant that doesn’t act like what most of us are used to in a Chinese restaurant.”
Please qualify who “most of us” are and what exactly we are “used to.”
Walker..they ARE serving Bubble Tea.
crsimp01 wrote: “Walker..they ARE serving Bubble Tea”
ahh! Finally! I will hopefully try it out during the Pattycake Pancake event on Sat across the street! :) Can’t wait!
Good place, but a bit out of the way. Unless you live near Clintonville, of course. I’ll have to try a more traditional offering next time.
Have tried the dumplings and really like them. And I could eat a dozen of the almond butter cookies that come at the end meal… I have also tried the places on this list (which includes Ying’s) and agree that they are worthy. http://www.getyouscoop.com/food/smack-dab-in-the-middle
I have to say I’ve tried Ying’s twice in the last week (don’t ask why) and my reaction at best was “eh”. I usually eat Chinese leftovers (if there are any) for days. I have two nearly full containers in my fridge destined for the garbage. It may have been my menu choices but I was not impressed. I went mainstream both times with cashew chicken the first time around (totally bland but otherwise edible), won ton soup (slimy dumplings) and an eggroll (one bite, tasted dirty). Sesame chicken round two (way way way too sugary, like boneless hot wings from Pizza Hut sprinkled with sesame seeds) and spring rolls (mushy on the inside).
And because it was carry out no cookies which may have improved things. Again, I’m fully willing to admit that I may have made poor choices and would (somewhat reluctantly) try Ying’s again exploring the menu further based on the tastes I know I don’t like from there and perhaps trying the celebrated dumplings. But so far nothing is beating out Sun Tong Luck for me, sooooo worth the extra drive.
I went. we had the general tso’s chicken, combo pan fried noodle(lo-main) and dumplings. I thought it was some of the best chinese I’ve had in the city.
I LOVE this place. My girlfriend practically had to force me to try this place out… I’m so glad she did. Over the last couple months it’s become one of my favorite places to eat in Columbus. Being vegetarian I’ve found that there are quite a few options.. The veggie dumplings are the best I’ve ever had. I highly suggest the sesame tofu, veggie crab rangoon and the vegetarian hot and sour soup. The staff is very nice and it’s reasonably priced. I’m pretty sure they have some kind of association with with The Cornerstone market (also in Clintonville) but I’m not certain..