Yen Ching, Bloomington

I walked in and was soon greeted by a friendly guy behind the counter. I said I wanted something vegetarian, and he immediately named several vegetables that could be stir fried. I also ordered a vegetable egg roll and tea. The food was delicious, and the main dish was large enough for two meals for me. I was surprised that the tea was filled with tea leaves, so I couldn't drink it right away, as the leaves were floating on top. However, when I got home, the leaves had sunk to the bottom, and the tea was very good. I used the leaves again the next day. Although this place is not fancy, a couple things that separate it from other places in the area are that the food was not drowning in sauce and they use tea leaves rather than bags.

On a street packed with the same old fast food franchises, Yen Ching Express is the place to go. Just as fast, even cheaper, and really good food. We have tried many of the meals and have never been sorry! The recipes may be different than what you are used to - the General's chicken has vegetables, but it's really good, the garlic chicken is wonderful! The best part of the meal is the vegetables, they are so fresh and cooked perfectly! They are not scimpy with the chicken either!! I love the crab rangoon. The egg rolls are not the best, too much cabbage, but at least no peanut butter taste. We have dined in, gone through the drive-thru and and walked in. Try Yen Ching Express, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

We live in Arkansas and go to Illinois every year or so to see family. We ALWAYS stop for food at this little restaurant. We have never been dissatisfied, always get large portions and end up taking food out for a next meal, and it's at a more than reasonable price, much less than most other places. The service is as fine as it gets. We are not fancy type people and do not go to fancy places. This is not fancy, but sure is good for us.

We order takeout from this restaurant two or more times a month because we like it so much! What is NOT to like! The meals are very inexpensive ($3.50 to $4.00) and easily feed two people -- or give us one meal for now and one for later. We've never ordered anything that wasn't prepared well and quite delicious. Our favorites are General's Chicken, Beef with Broccoli, Egg Foo Young, Cashew Chicken, Crab Rangoon, and Egg Rolls. Entrees are served with a choice of white rice, fried rice, or lo mein noodles. We enjoy the fried rice, but our favorite is the great lo mein noodles. At this place it is more economical to order take-out than to dine inside, where the ambiance is pretty basic. We've never had a problem with phone service -- we are always promptly answered and greeted. The service at the drive-thru is usually pretty speedy. We phone ahead and usually arrive 15 minutes later. They tell us when we phone the approximate time our food will be ready. We seldom have to wait at the drive-thru window for our food -- only when someone who has not phoned ahead preceeds us. We love this place!