New WSU-adjacent restaurant is for fans of Asian cuisine who can’t choose just one
If you love Asian food but sometimes have trouble deciding which specific cuisine you’re in the mood for, you might like a new restaurant that’s opening this week in Wichita.
Fitzgerald Tsen has partnered with the owners of Malaysia Cafe, the restaurant that’s been at 7777 E. 21st St. since 1999, to open a new concept called Journey East Asia Grill. It’s set to open to the public on Tuesday at Braeburn Square — the fast-growing retail complex on the Wichita State University campus that already has a Starbucks and a Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.
The quick-service restaurant, whose address is 4510 E. 19th St. North, is largely focused on Asian fusion bowls, but customers will be able to choose items that represent cuisines from many different countries — Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, Korea — and mix them into one creation. It has a sort of a build-your-own Chipotle setup, only the finished product is a bowl full of Asian flavor.
“It’s a totally new concept,” said Tsen, who along with his partners have spent a lot of time over the years they’ve been planning the restaurant explaining to people that no, it’s nothing like Panda Express.
Customers have the choice of either picking from one of the restaurant’s six different pre-imagined bowls or building their own bowls, first choosing first a type of rice or noodle to serve as a base, then a protein, then a sauce then a topping, and then a side like miso soup or fried gyoza.
Protein choices include diced pork, sliced beef and grilled chicken, though tofu and seasoned vegetables are also an option. Sauce options include Japanese teriyaki, penang curry, Korean bulgogi, Chinese Kung Pao and oriental five spice. For toppings, choices include roasted mixed vegetables, stir fried cabbage, corn kernels and fried eggs.
Customers will be able to make Keto-friendly and vegan bowls, Tsen said. Most bowls will cost $8.50. There are also appetizers like crab Rangoon, chicken wings and more. Soon, the owners will be adding gelato, boba tea and beer to the menu.
The inside of the restaurant is large, with high ceilings, seating for 80 and lots of Wichita murals on the walls. In back, there’s a large patio with seating for 30 and views of the man-made lake east of Braeburn Square. A garage door connecting the restaurant to the patio can be open in nicer weather.
Tsen said he hopes to attract both students and people from the community and envisions the restaurant being a place people can hang out before Wichita State basketball games. A shuttle will take people from the restaurant to the games, he said.
He’s also planning to eventually start on-campus delivery for students.
Now, he’s just ready for people to come in and finally get a taste of the restaurant he’s been planning for so long.
“We cannot wait to get feedback,” he said.
The hours for Journey east Asian Grill will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 10:12 AM.
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