China Buffet finally finds home in Moses
China Buffet hostess Jinny Thomason, manager Steven Peng, owner Jasmine Chiew and waitress Yan Ying stand outside the recently opened restaurant.
Restaurant gives customers new eating experiences
Chances have improved of driving along Pioneer Way and seeing a bunch of people waddling.
That's probably because they're leaving the recently opened China Buffet, located at 323 S. Pioneer Way.
And they're probably waddling because they've eaten their fill.
The buffet business opened May 7, after owner Jasmine Chiew, with her husband and co-owner Eagle Peng, spent four years trying to come to Moses Lake.
"We're from Ohio," Chiew said. "We had friends in Wenatchee and we came here, and I found a lot of farmlands and all this mountain water. I like it here, and my friends say, 'Why don't you come here and stay near to us?" So that's why we are here."
It took a long time for Chiew and Peng to find the building, she said.
"I'm happy to be here now," she said. "At long last."
The place employs 17 people, Chiew said, some who were already living in the area and others who had to be hired from elsewhere, including the chef and some of the assistants.
"(Some of) the people I hired because they know about Chinese food; it's easy to explain to the customers," she said. "When we're busy, I do have local part-time in here. My hostess is local, too."
Chiew said she thought that there was a need for her sort of business in Moses Lake.
"When I came here to look for a place, I found that there was no buffet here," she said. "Have recipe, will travel. (There have been) good compliments from customers and friends. They like it, and I have varieties of food."
As for plans for expansion, Chiew said she'd like to have more family members to look after the shop.
"The restaurant business is not easy; long hours," she said.
Chiew and Peng also own a China Buffet in Walla Walla, she said. Chiew's aunt and daughter are minding that business, and she said she will go back occasionally for business, but she does have a house in Moses Lake.
Here, Chiew sometimes gets to see the reaction from customers who are trying something new for the first time.
"On the dessert bar, I have this sesame ball," she said. "It's a very Oriental dessert, and they've never tried it before. They try it and they like it. I had people buying two dozen just to take home."