Restaurant grants every diner’s wishes

Set Meal ($38, Restaurant Week special)

As your office begins planning its holiday party this year, Yum Cha Hawaii hopes you’ll consider hosting your gathering at its Uraku Tower location.

Clean and classic, with crisp white tablecloths, striking contemporary light fixtures, a handsome well-stocked bar, and an outdoor seating area, Yum Cha Hawaii offers the perfect setting for celebrations of all sizes, up to 140 guests.

Pumpkin Mochi Puffs ($4.99 for three pieces)

“Many people don’t realize that they can rent the whole place,” says owner Lisa Samuels. “Our banquet menus range from $25 to $60 per person.”

Known for delectable Chinese cuisine served family style, Yum Cha is now offering a special Restaurant Week Set Meal for just $38, designed with younger diners in mind. “These days, they want to have their own meals, their own portions,” explains Samuels. The set begins with West Lake Soup and the restaurant’s Chinese chicken salad, made with lettuce, crispy wonton strips, fresh chicken, cilantro and house-made Asian aioli.

The restaurant’s dining space is perfect for large events. PHOTO COURTESY YUM CHA HAWAII

For an appetizer, the set includes a crispy egg roll and a scrumptious Crab Rangoon won ton, a treat that begins with imitation crabmeat and cream cheese, wrapped in a wonton and deep-fried, and served with sweet-sour sauce.

Then, most impressively the meal comes with a live whole Maine lobster with ginger-onion sauce and your choice of one entree from a list of some of Yum Cha’s most popular dishes, including Honey Walnut Shrimp, Eggplant Szechuan, Salt & Pepper Pork Chop and Braised Tofu. This satisfying lineup is served with steamed white rice and for dessert, your choice of mango pudding or almond float.

Salt & Pepper Pork Chop (Set Meal entree option)

Just for fun, Yum Cha Hawaii will offer a charming Thanksgiving-themed dim sum this month. Pumpkin Mochi Puffs ($4.99) consists of three plump little mochi pumpkins stuffed with roasted kabocha. Kids of all ages will love them.

By the way, Yum Cha happily welcomes takeout orders.