Meet the Owners: Yummy House China Bistro on East Hillsborough Avenue

It’s not every day that a restaurant opens on East Hillsborough Avenue with the words, “executive chef" at the entrance.

It's  too early to tell if the swank new Yummy House China Bistro marks a turning point for this east Tampa gateway, but co-owner John Zhao isn’t having second thoughts.

“I think we made the right decision because east Tampa is getting very crowded and busy,” he said, mentioning nearby Interstates and Hard Rock Café.

A similarly unglamorous locale didn't stop the original Yummy House on West Waters Avenue from winning legions of discerning fans of authentic Chinese cuisine in Central Tampa. It opened in 2007.

The new Yummy House’s location isn’t without its practical benefits. It is across the street from Sanwa Farmer’s Market, a Chinese-owned wholesale supplier to local restaurants that specializes in Asian foods.

Yummy House China Bistro
2620 E Hillsborough Ave.
813-237-3838

Opened: June 30

Executive chef: Tommy Tang, who also plays that role at the original Yummy House.

This one’s better dressed: Zhao hired an interior decorator give the new restaurant an airy, contemporary feel, the better to distinguish it from the original’s mom-and-pop vibe. "The old customers come in and say, 'Oh my god, it’s so different.' And that’s how I want it.”

But it’s still real Chinese: “Our main concept is everything you guys find in the big city Chinese restaurants, you will find here,” he said, mentioning items like abalone, sea cucumber, and conch. Zhao orders from suppliers New York City’s Chinatown, as well as across the street at Sanwa Farmer’s Market. “That’s the reason why people taste our food and know the difference,” said Zhao.

Not the watered-down stuff: “If they’re looking for American Chinese food, or chop suey, I would send them to Chinese American restaurant.” Along with a full dim sum menu, Yummy House’s more exotic offerings include Osmanthus mussels with wine sauce, jelly fish salad, Japanese octopus, and lotus root with garlic wine sauce.

Background: Zhao, a native of Guangdong province in China, moved to Belize with his family at age 10. In 1999 they moved to San Francisco. Zhao moved to Tampa in 2001 to work at TC Choy’s restaurant. In 2007 he and TC Choy chef Tang left to open the Yummy House in 2007.

Coming soon: Country Pumpkin Café, a smaller, more casual companion to the Yummy House China Bistro, is slated to open in early August.