Yoan's Garden of Delights

Interviewed by Wenzhong Chen    Written by Elise Krentzel

At the Crossroads of Enterprise

Mr. GuangHua Yu, founder of Yoan's Garden, a humble take-out eatery, has a fastidious real estate sense. In 2004 when he first spotted the densely populated area in Iselin, New Jersey at the intersection of potential residential and business customer traffic, he knew instinctively that Worth Street and Green would be a prosperous beginning. And he was right!

Mr. Yu says, “Two main roads are located right in front of the establishment. At the cross point, while drivers wait for the lights to change, they can easily view the restaurant. It’s very convenient for picking up take-outs. Besides, two schools are within close proximity, providing a large body of student customers.”

With seating for 20 in the 1,200 square foot space, this take-out focuses on the food, not the interior decoration. Simply done up in light and dark woods, neon signs attract drivers by.

Management Philosophy

Hi IQ Food

The Boneless Spare Ribs, Shrimp Dumplings, Chicken w. Garlic Sauce and Rice are highly recommended by the owner. The Boneless Spare Ribs are not to be found elsewhere. “The method of preparation is quite different because we do not fry the ribs, which is adopted in most other restaurants. Instead, we grill them," says Mr. Yu. “In this way, the oil on the ribs is lessened making it almost greaseless”. “The taste is crispy outside and tender inside," says Mr. Yu.

As for the Shrimp Dumplings, the rich and flavorful filling is prepared with celery, water chestnut, onion, egg white, shrimp, a little sesame oil, salt and sugar. Size matters too. “I take care of portion sizes and notice what the right size of each piece of meat is to give diners the ultimate masticating experience. Order our General Tso’s Chicken or Beef with Broccoli to examine what I guarantee” offers the owner confidently.

Chicken with Garlic Sauce is another flavorful winner served in many Chinese American restaurants yet here it's made with the Midas touch. Sliced chicken breast anis stir-fried with ginger, curry leaves and scallion stalks in a rich brown sauce that is at once sweet yet savory. It gives an exciting hot flavor. The chicken is usually pared with scallions or other vegetables giving it an allure that is incomparable in scent and flavor.

To meet market demands, Yoan’s Garden also offers diverse healthy options. “Steaming is considered the most healthy cooking method, therefore we offer a series of steamed items," says Mr. Yu.

Steamed Chicken or Shrimp with Broccoli or mixed vegetables, Steamed Bean Curd with mixed vegetables are some of the offerings. Vegetarians also can find their favorites in Bean Curd with mixed vegetables or Broccoli, Eggplant or String Beans in Garlic Sauce. Most Americans choose brown rice with Steamed mixed vegetables, String Beans with Chicken/Shrimp, we learned.

Let's not overlook the rice. Here there are three types of rice served: white, fried and brown. Rice plays a considerable role in Chinese dining culture so Mr. Yu uses the highest quality Thai jasmine fragrant rice to make white rice. That is in keeping with the top quality that his customers have come to respect and expect. Besides, he never uses yesterday's rice to prepare fried rice. He says knowingly, “A lot of restaurants use that trick!”

On average, 250 orders of fried rice are sold everyday. Healthy dieters like to match steamed vegetable and tofu or seafood dishes with brown rice. There are three keys to remember in perfect rice preparation: Use premier rice of the highest quality, control the amount of water and temperature. Lastly, master timing – don't over boil.

Yoan’s Garden purchases its material on a daily basis to insure high quality, freshness and customer satisfaction. Says Mr. Yu, “I spare nothing to ensure the materials we purchase are the best.”

Speedy Gonzalez Service & Teamwork Win the Day

The mainstay of a service business are its customers. In the take-out business the theory, according to Mr. Yu, goes much deeper. He emphasizes quality of service. When customers first enter Yoan's, they feel a passionate welcome and are impressed by the ultra speedy and considerate service. They leave with a satisfactory smile. Food is delivered in 20 minutes within 1 mile, and 30 minutes within 3 miles. That is a guarantee Mr. Yu makes. 

“We have to win customers’ hearts and trust, so as to fuel our business” adds the owner. He believes the customers are always right, and it’s an honor to satisfy their requirements. There's always room to make improvements," Mr. Yu promotes. This is why customers are willing to make suggestions to him. There is a good two way communication between them and the owner. The friendliness extends beyond the strictly business-like.

As to management, teamwork is their core edge over the competition. “Providing a complete service, to a certain extent, is just like playing soccer," offers Mr. Yu. “The delivery man is like the forward, the receptionist is the center forward and chefs are like the fullbacks. In a soccer match, an excellent goal is the result of the smooth cooperation between fullback, center forward and forwards. It’s the same in dealing with an order. The time we handle an order depends on the cooperation between each staff member. All of the staff have been well trained in teamwork.” “The monthly meeting is necessary to discuss problems while finding solutions together.

Mr. Yu has a list of his management do's and don'ts that have helped him through the years.

• Don't focus on a “best dish” but rather on the most palate-suitable food


• Learning customers’ preferences are the preconditions to provide them with the most considerate service.


• Teamwork counts for efficient management.


• Delivery speed and food quality are the two mainstays for a take-out eatery


• Attention to detail is essential in making a difference


• Make sure you can finish what you decide to focus on

Progress by Design

Mr. Yu has a down-to-earth approach with a strong technical understanding of restaurant management systems. In 1999, when he first came to this country he had already had a background in the business; his family owned restaurants. From the ground level he worked his way up making significant progress due to his sharp observations and abilities in business. Four years later the opening he sought presented itself. He founded Yoan's Garden on the premise that a take-out was more practical than a dine-in establishment. Five years into it his progress hasn't slacked off.

His success is attributed to devotion, observation and reflection upon what needs to be improved upon. Selecting the right location for a business is key in running a take-out operation. Besides, strict rules in management are necessary to establish efficient teamwork, he believes. As to the future, Mr. Yu may open an upscale dine-in operation. “I don't believe that will be too hard to reach as a goal, so long as I myself keep making progress," he asserts.

Yet after all is said and done, Mr. Yu acknowledges with great pride that his success would not be worth all the money in the world if it weren't for his family's support over the years. Through thick and thin they have stood by his side. They have watched his ups and downs and patiently corralled around him. He finally verbalized passionately what he has been storing up inside of himself for a long time.  “I want to thank my family for their love, especially my wife. In the past five years, we were so well coordinated and always supported each other. As a family-owned business it's sometimes overwhelming.”

“My wife ought to be accorded equal importance for the restaurant for all she has done, emotionally and financially. She is, equally valued and respected by me.”

Yoan’s Garden

• Location: 849 Green St., Ste 2, Iselin, NJ 08830-2996


• Cuisine: Americanized Chinese Food


• Capacity: 20


• Offers: Take-out, Delivery


• Signature Dish: Boneless Spare Ribs, Shrimp Dumpling, Chicken w. Garlic Sauce and Rice


• Year of establishment: 2004


• Phone: 732-636-5080


• Owner: GuangHua Yu