If you cringe at the thought of yet another grease-laden, fatty take-out meal, perhaps what you need is an MSG-laden, fatty take-out meal instead. The UW-Madison campus area abounds with Asian dining options, ranging from those serving classic cramp-inducing pork lo mein to more refined sit-down spots with hibachi-style cooking.
This week, the Cardinal profiles a few of the myriad local Asian restaurants you might check out, whether you want speedy take-out, a casual dinner or a quick spicy treat on your way to class.
When searching for cheap food, sometimes quality must be sacrificed. At Beijing Restaurant, however, a quality meal and low cost come hand in hand.
The very reasonably priced menu offers many traditional Chinese entr??es, yet the value is found in the combo meal selection. The combo meal menu offers 38 meal choices of chicken, pork, seafood or beef in a variety of different sauces. For a price of $4.50 to $4.99, you receive a selection of one of three soups or an egg roll, the main entr??e, your choice of white or fried rice, and a fortune cookie. The entr??es are bursting with flavor and are accompanied by an ample array of succulent fresh vegetables.
Delivery service is available and carried out in a very accurate and timely manner and offers special *Delivery Only* discounts including free egg rolls, soda, and crab rangoons. This quality Chinese restaurant is located right in University Square, an extremely convenient location for students in the dorms and southeast area. Beijing Restaurant is an excellent source for a large portion of quality Chinese food for an exceptional value.
Takara, which means treasure in Japanese, is the fanciest sushi restaurant on campus. It offers a wide selection of dishes, from the regular sashimi (raw fish) to the \special roll for special consumer"" and finishing with the Hibachi grill.
The prices are a bit high for the amount of food you get, between $7 and $20, but it is well known that refined Asian food is more expensive than a burrito and is worth trying. Takara's fish is very fresh and its combos looked very appetizing. The ""fashion maki,"" priced at $8, seduces patrons with its name. Its mix of tuna, salmon, avocado and tobiko (flying fish eggs) is original and tastes fantastic.
While the service is irreproachable, the decor is not impressive. The blend of Grecian columns and tatami tables make the restaurant's atmosphere unnatural, and the wall fountain and loud show of the Hibachi chef are tacky.
Nevertheless, the quality food and the Sapporo beer makes the interior's flaws fade away. Takara is a good pick for a dinner between friends-or try to impress your date with the flaming Hibachi grill.
A sign posted outside the Thai House cart, located on Library Mall, reads, ""At Thai House, you will find the freshest, most superb Thai cuisine at the best price around. Guaranteed."" With the Thai House's refreshing prices (nothing is more than $5) and superb food (a hearty portion of golden curry chicken, rice and potatoes for only $3.50), ordering a meal from the cart is a guaranteed good decision.
However, the Thai House is one of at least five Asian-oriented food carts situated on Library Mall.
The specialty of Amazin' Asian, a Vietnamese and Chinese cart, is beverages. A tasteful Thai tea is only $2 and a variety of unique smoothies range in price from $2 for a small to $3.75 for a jumbo.
Zen Sushi, the only sushi cart, offers more than six combo dishes, including the ever-popular and mouth-watering California rolls. The most expensive dish is priced at $5.50.
Kakilima specializes in Indonesian food. Like its counter-carts, the food is cheap-and good. Unlike the other carts, it sells lumpia, an Indonesian vegetable egg roll.
China Cottage's name speaks for itself. Its chicken, pork or tofu fried rice meals range from $3.50 to $4.50. Its hearty lunch specials, which can include a mixture of vegetables, chicken and tofu, are only $4.50. A specialty is crabmeat rangoon-crab meat, cream cheese and spices fried in a wonton, priced at two for $1.
The most satisfying part of the carts for UW students is not the flavorful food, the stellar central location or the lively student-filled ambience. Rather, convenience is key in students' choice to eat on the mall.
""I eat here [at China Cottage] because of the diversity of choices, and it's also convenient,"" UW-Madison freshman Maggie Perdzock said. ""I live in Witte and have class in Bascom Hall, so it's close.""
The carts' only drawback is their decision to accept only cash. And, though the location is ideal, the portable carts give new meaning of the phrase, ""I'll get it to go."" Once the cold of winter covers Madison, the carts must shut down.
But for now, ""As long as the weather is bearable and more than 40 degrees, we will be out here,"" said Beri Sandosa, a Kakilima employee.
That's guaranteed.
Do you like Noodles & Co., but you're in the mood for something with a little more Asian flair? Check out Chin's Asia Fresh. It's an affordable, casual place on State Street that can be described as Noodles meets Jade Garden. The atmosphere is contemporary and the food is something to brag about.
From appetizers to traditional Chinese style entre??s with some stir fry and noodles in between, Chin's has it all. If you love veggies, check out the stir fry. You can make any of the stir fry flavors vegetarian, or you can add something like tofu, chicken, beef or shrimp. There are several flavor varieties for all tastes; some mild or sweet, others tangy and hot.
If you are worried about getting something that is too spicy for you or not hot enough, it's OK. There are spice-o-meter indicators right on the menu. For the soup and salad lovers, Chin's offers some good options. You might try the Hot and Sour Soup for a little mouth rush or the Thai Basil Chicken Salad for something extra healthy.
Dessert is the same as it is at all Chinese places-the fortune cookie. Not all fortune cookies are good, but Chin's takes the cake, or the cookie, as the case may be.
The food is served hot and is brought to you at your table. If you want to do Asian food the authentic way there are chopsticks available at your table, but if you are a fork person, don't worry: one is delivered right along with your meal. When you are looking for a fun place to have an affordable, casual meal, Chin's is the place. And don't forget your fortune cookie!
