Mei Wan's outlook is simple: He likes to cook.
So when the opportunity came up to start a restaurant in Lansing, he took it, pulling up stakes and moving from Kalamazoo to start a new adventure.
In early January, Wan opened the doors to
China Flavor on Lansing's East Side after finishing a six-month overhaul of the white brick diner at 2033 E. Michigan Ave. The restaurant brings new life to a space that was the previous homes of Lamai Thai Kitchen and Eddie's Chinese Restaurant that had sat vacant for nearly two years.
"I like the location," says Wan. "My friend told me this was a good part of town between East Lansing and Lansing, and I have lots of nice customers who come here."
China Flavor seats 72 people and offers an extensive menu packed with familiar Asian favorites like egg drop soup, egg or spring rolls, fried rice or lo mein, chop suey or chow mein, and a variety of chicken, beef, pork, seafood and vegetable dinners. Wan also cooks up authentic Chinese dishes including those made with duck, lamb and squid.
Wan says he's been in the restaurant business for more than 30 years. He learned his culinary art at a cooking school in China, and moved to Michigan in 1996 from the Guangdong province of South China. Since then, he's worked in restaurants and hotels. En route, he met his current chef from Hong Kong, who also has nearly 50 years in the restaurant business.
China Flavor created five jobs; offers take out, dine-in or delivery; and is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. The past midnight hours, Wan says, are intended to attract customers working night shifts at the hospital or enjoying the nightlife.
"I'm very proud of my five-star food," says Wan. "You can come here to enjoy good food and good times."
Source: Mei Wan, Part-owner, China Flavor
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
Got a story idea for Capital Gains Development News? Email Ann Kammerer here.
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