Let me begin this eating out experience with a memory. My late grandmother lived her entire life on North Indian food that rested on the Mughlai flavours. But the influence of Indian-Chinese food is such that occasionally, she would tell me, “Let’s have chowmein today.”
With this fond memory, I walk into a restaurant chain which specialises in chowmein and such food. Representing itself with 51 outlets across 14 cities in India today, it is Yo! China, considered one of India’s first and largest Chinese food chains.
Yo! China is now trying to take the cuisine to the next level and has come up with a casual dining restaurant. Named named Yo! China Café it has the tagline “Chilled out Chinese”.
Apart from its chilled-out ambience, the restaurant — located on the second floor of DLF Mall Saket — has the facility of a service staff. Moevine is the service girl who mentors me throughout my lunch. It’s good to find a service staff having knowledge about the cuisine.
The first thing which comes to my table is chilli chicken Ramen soup. The quantity is enough to complete my meal in one go. It has a rather tasty topping of crunchy spicy chicken.
Next on my table is a prawn tom kha shot, nice and beautifully presented. Since it is super hot, I suggest you to take it in small sips. Grilled prawn follow the tom kha shot. Another finger food that comes my side is the chicken and lamb satay, oily but finger licking. I learn from Moevne that it is skewered in its own animal fat.
Another tasty offering at the café is the crispy fried prawn crackers that comes with tamarind dip. But the USP of the menu here is the 25 variants of dim sums. Innovative, colourful and tasty. It has a pumpkin shaped dim sum stuffed with Sichuan chicken. Simply amazing! Filo prawn is an utter delight too. It has the perfect crunch which blends well with the juicy prawn.
Then there is Chinese pizza too dripping with gooey cheese.
Out of its 38 main course options, I try out the Vietnamese bamboo shoot chicken, a sweet and sour preparation having the perfect balance of Oriental flavours.
Putting a full stop to my gastronomic journey at the café is its carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, just divine.
Yo! China Café
DLF Mall Saket
Meal for two: Rs. 600
