Junzi Kitchen's second New York location (Photo/Wang Fan)
(ECNS) -- Junzi Kitchen, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in northern Chinese dishes, has recently opened its second New York location, again a big hit.
During peak times, the new Bleecker Street location is often buzzing with diners who might be indulging in a bowl of Chinese noodles or a pancake wrap called Chinese chun-bing.
Those are typical northern Chinese flavors, similar to what Junzi’s founders grew up eating. It is said the idea for the restaurant popped up because of their nostalgia for hometown cooking.
Founded by a group of Yale University graduate students, Junzi opened its first location near colleges in New Haven during 2015. At that time, it was like home away from home, with students being the majority of customers.
With its expansion to New York, Junzi has become a restaurant with a more diversified clientele. According to Zhao Yong, Junzi’s CEO, more than 70% of the restaurant’s customers are non-Asian.
For those who know little about northern Chinese food, there is nothing to worry about, as Junzi is a spot where people choose a base of noodles or Chinese chun-bing and build on with sauces, braised meats, vegetables, and garnish.
Junzi will open its fourth location near Bryant Park in New York City this year, and is setting sight on Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and other parts of the United States, said Zhao.
There is a large demand for a brand like ours in the United States, and I hope that Junzi can help change the Americans’ stereotype of Chinese restaurants, added Zhao.
By Wang Fan
