Yujean Kang
Chef-Owner
Yujean Kang's Restaurants
Pasadena and West Hollywood, CA
Gourmet Magazine described Yujean Kang's as "a Chinese restaurant with an adventurous and modern spirit". Borrowing ingredients and techniques from Western Cooking, Chef Kang reinterprets the classics of Chinese cuisine with his own personal twist given to each dish.
Yujean Kang was born in Taiwan to restaurateur parents who were natives of Beijing. He emigrated to the United States when in his teens. His partner and wife, Yvonne, was also born in Taiwan. After working in several Chinese restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area, the Kangs opened Yujean's Modern Cuisine of China in 1986, the year the couple married, followed by Yujean Kang's in Old Town Pasadena in 1991. In 1997, the Zagat Guide referred to this location as "Pasadena's most famous Chinese experience". Additional quotes included "delicate, exciting", "in a league of its own", and "not your father's chop suey". Additional awards have included Best New Restaurant (Esquire Magazine, 1991), California Restaurant Writer's Association Four Star Awards, and Los Angeles Magazine's Top 40.
When Yujean and Yvonne opened their second Southern California restaurant on trendy Melrose, there was an audible cheer from westsiders who until then could only infrequently make the trip out to Pasadena. Now gourmet Chinese cuisine could be enjoyed on a regular basis. Designed by Danna Hu and Jaynelle Ip, Yujean Kang's on Melrose reflects a unique blend of classic Chinese sensibility with a definite California attitude - a perfect blend of east and west.
The menu features a bold blend of exciting, aggressive flavors in many new and unusual dishes, along with a selection of familiar favorites from the Pasadena location. Black Beans with red chili, soybeans and yellow chives, fresh leeks with honey mushrooms, Chinese eggplant and Chinese polenta are some of the components of the cuisine. Appetizers include crunchy & spicy, sweet and sour Marinated Cucumber Coins. Entrees include Sautéed Tofu Knots with Green Soy Beans and many dishes featuring seafood, shellfish and vegetables. To compliment Chef Kang's unique approach to food, the finest wines of California, France, Spain and Italy are also featured - Yujean is among the chefs best known by California winemakers. Mandarin Orange Cheesecake and Kumquat Polenta are two of the desserts that perfectly complete a meal at Yujean Kang's.
Whether cooking for the James Beard House in New York, or hosting the American Institute of Wine and Food's 1999 Chinese New Year Dinner, Yujean and Yvonne Kang present lucky diners with an innovative experience of consistent high quality. They have definitely brought new meaning to going out for Chinese food.
Yujean Kang's Pasadena is located in Old Town at 67 North Raymond Avenue. For reservations and information please call (626) 585-0855.
Yujean Kang's West Hollywood is located at 8826 Melrose Avenue. For reservations and information please call (310) 288-0806.
