For a culinary adventure that’s as sizzling as the steak and as comforting as the lai fun noodle soup, head to YouYu Noodle Bar inside the Hard Rock Hotel in AC, New Jersey. Currently celebrating the Lantern Festival, this vibrant spot offers an authentic taste of Asia, with dishes inspired by Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and Szechwan cuisine. From mouthwatering dumplings to grilled specialties and a vast selection of noodle dishes, there is something on the menu to satisfy every hunger pang.
Their menu begins with traditional offerings like Cantonese Shrimp Spring Roll and Shanghai Pan Fried Minced Pork as well as Vegetable Buns. I suggest that you get the dumplings. I live in New York City and was fortunate to visit China several years ago as well as our current Asian population in Flushing, NY. This dish reminded me of my visit to the country’s south province and the city of Guangzhou.
Legend has it that dumplings in China’s history were invented by Zhang Zhongjing, a Chinese medicine practitioner who lived during the Eastern Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). This appetizer can be shared. While frozen pot stickers are widely available and popular, there’s nothing quite like the real thing. It’s absolutely delicious!
For a drink, I selected their Walovi Herbal Tea. I typically drink hot tea with my meal, most specifically in the colder months. During this visit to the Jersey Shore, it was so hot and humid that I opted for tea on ice. I’m glad that I did. I never heard of Walovi prior to this visit and I’ve since discovered that you can purchase it online. With no additional sugars added, I am a fan of this beverage. Google it.
My go-to meal in most Chinese restaurants is Beef and Broccoli, General Tso’s Chicken or Sweet & Sour Shrimp — I don’t know why I order brown rice thinking it’s healthier than white rice. These are not from Asia so much as American inventions like Moo Goo Gai Pan. On this evening, I chose their L.A. Kalbi Beef Short Ribs served with fresh scallion, a generous scoop of kimchi as well as a root vegetable that I never had before — daikon. I am forever a fan of this crispy pickled veggie from the radish family. Gochujang sauce has a bold sweet, spicy, umami essence. The entire dish was perfectly balanced with flavors and textures.
Be prepared for a surprise: the restaurant’s exterior hallway is adorned with a captivating display of suspended lanterns. Inside the formal dining room, the minimalist design, bathed in focused lighting, echoes the country’s history with its muted tones of gray. Though the room is bustling with large groups and conventioneers, there’s a cozy counter where you can watch talented chefs prepare their signature dishes.
I’m not typically a dessert person, but their Pistachio Cheesecake was a game-changer. A unique blend of pistachio and cream cheese, it defied my expectations of traditional Asian flavors. New York City is synonymous with incredible cheesecakes, and this one was no exception. The pistachio origin remains a mystery, but it’s a culinary masterpiece worthy of celebration. Every bite was a delightful surprise.
The Lantern Festival is a creative concept. I hope it evolves into a full-fledged event or competition with local schools and artisans. The highlight of YouYu Noodle Bar, however, remains its exceptional cuisine. Even the most discerning and hungry dragon would agree.
There is a special prix fixe menu for $40. My selections above were from the a la carte menu. The Lantern Festival runs until October 13th.
YouYu Noodle Bar
1000 Boardwalk,
Atlantic City, NJ
08401
(609) 449-1000
Website link: YouYu
Photo Credits: P. K. Greenfield
