CHEAP EATS: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant

Amelia Robinson and Michelle Fong

Go ahead, order an appetizer or three, a couple of entrees, some sushi and a few drinks ....

Here's a fact: you can eat like a queen or king at CJ Chan, the Japanese and Chinese restaurant located at 536 Wilmington Ave. that opened in 2010.

More importantly, the food at the stylishly decorated and intimate (the restaurant only has 38 seats) eatery is on point — flavorful and fresh.

CJ Chan is often the answer when area foodies are asked about their favorite local Asian spot.

Manager Juan Zhang says the Sushi Bento box on the Japanese menu and the currytastic Singapore Mai Fun on the Chinese menu are crowd favorites.

We concur.

Zhang said the restaurant takes care to give customers great options and plate its food beautifully.

"We have a friendly staff and crew," Zhang said.

Enough of the talk! Here is a look at some of the restaurant's grub.

  • CHEAP EAT: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant , item 1
    Photo by Michelle Fong

    An order of two crispy vegetable spring rolls are $2.75. Fresh and packed full of flavor, these veggie rolls are a perfect nibble to go with that glass of wine while waiting for your entree.

  • CHEAP EAT: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant , item 2
    Photo by Amelia Robinson

    The Sushi Bento Box comes with a carrot-ginger salad and miso soup.

  • CHEAP EAT: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant , item 3
    Photo by Amelia Robinson

    Speaking of that Sushi Bento Box, it includes tempura veggie and shrimp, five pieces of assorted sushi and eight pieces of California rolls for $12.50. What a deal!

  • CHEAP EAT: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant , item 4
    Photo by Amelia Robinson

    How about a little dim sum? Pork Shumai, a steamed pork dumpling served as a dim sum dish, is $4.50 an order. You get four dumplings. These are hard to share. You might want these all for yourself.

  • CHEAP EAT: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant , item 5
    Photo by Michelle Fong

    CJ Chan's Mai Fun noodles are light with a delicate spicy flavor. A big bowl of beef mai fun is $8.25. These thin rice noodles, unlike many noodle dishes, are super easy to eat. That huge bowl will be empty in no time. The good news is you won't feel like you can't move for hours after you finish eating this dish, or that you will need an immediate nap.

  • Connect:

    CHEAP EAT: Yumtastic Asian grub at Dayton restaurant , item 6
    Source: CJ Chan's Facebook page

    CJ Chan Chinese and Japanese Cuisine

    536 Wilmington Ave., Dayton

    Phone: 937.259.9866

    mycjchan.com

    Facebook