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    Ypbor Yan

    3.4 (143 reviews)
    ModerateChinese, Seafood
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:20 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Ypbor Yan Photos

    Business Info

    YPBOR YAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Very nice and clean interior.
    Ron W.

    Anyone who has grown up in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area over the past few decades and loves Chinese food like I do, is sure to know all the local restaurants that specialize in delicious cuisine from the Far East. There was a time when Washtenaw County had only one Chinese restaurant, located on West Liberty Street in Ann Arbor, which was known as "Leo Ping's." This place was really into Asian fusion food long before it came thing. In those bygone days, as far as Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti was concerned, spicy Chinese food from Guizhou, Hunan, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces didn't exist. You could order Americanized Cantonese Chinese food, duck, steak, and turkey dinners. So if your Christmas feast was a bust just like in the 1983 motion picture "A Christmas Story," Leo had you covered, but I digress. Starting in the late 1960s the area around the intersection of Golfside and Washtenaw Ave. (M-17) became the new home to what would become Ypbor Ann's predecessor the "Forbidden City." For many years this place was ideal for lunch, dinner, and group parties in the basement. Then it was renamed to the "Forbidden City East," and finally the "Emerald City" before becoming the Ypbor Ann. As good fortune would have it, this area became a hotspot for other Asian restaurants to pop-up in the coming decades. Today, Ypbor Ann is located in the building where the old Big Boy restaurant was located at on Washtenaw Ave (M-17) east of Golfside Road. It's owned and operated by Frank Zhong, who owns other similar themed Chinese restaurants in the state of Michigan. They have a really nice small museum inside the entrance that examines Chinese history, and has some very nice artifacts to go with it, which is well worth viewing. With that being said, I really liked the food they serve at this restaurant. Ypbor Ann, serves gourmet Sichuan style food, and they can prepare your dish anyway you want it. They can serve it mild, or extra spicy if you so desire. The best part is they also have a separate Chinese menu that is packed with some very delicious entrées, which I highly recommend. However, I decided to play it safe and order something more Americanized like Kung Pao Chicken for a quick lunch. So if you love Asian food and history, this is the best place to visit that won't break your bank account in the area.

    P12. Kung Pao Chicken
    Kevin Z.

    This is the most authentic, best tasting Chinese restaurant in AA area. From the decor, I knew instantly that it was going to be good. There is the American Chinese menu and Chinese menu, so be sure to note the difference. I got the squirrel fish, colds noodles, and kun pao chicken, and they were all so good. The squirrel fish could have been crispier but it tasted super good still. They were out of a few cold dishes because they've been super busy. Anytime I'm craving Chinese food I'll be coming back here for sure and only here.

    Beige nothing (garlic chicken) my mother was served.
    Matthew H.

    About a decade ago we were Ypbor Yan regulars, but prior to the pandemic, there was a steep decline in their quality. Since they had moved,, we decided to give them another chance. Ordered Kung Pao Chicken and was given a plate of absolutely flavorless food-- when Ypbor was at its peak, it would be spicy, rich with garlic and flavor. Now? No heat, no seasoning, no peanuts, swimming in an anemic orange sauce. "Everyone loves our dishes." We didn't. Possibly the worst NY-Style Chinese food I've ever had in my life. Staff borderline nonverbal (weak English) and argued in Chinese in front of us. In their defense, they did their best to make things right, even through the obvious language barrier. I give the waitress credit. Replacement dish was better, but still not up to the standards of any other hole-in-the-wall, or even the buffet across the street. Atmosphere is fine. It breaks my heart to tell folks to avoid Ypbor Yan (now Ypbor Foods Museum). You're better off getting Chinese anywhere else, and god knows the area has a saturated market.

    Joyce L.

    Place: This place is pretty authentic and has the best the Sichuan food near where I live. You don't have to do any reservations I mainly just walk in and they have tables. The space is pretty big. Service: The service is good and the portions are big. They are helpful and will tell you what is good if it is your first time. Food $$: The food is amazing and my favorite is mayo tofu, Sichuan hot and sour soup, sichuan style poached fish, and MY FAVORITE PEA TIPS haha. Audience: Great to go by yourself or do a big gathering. A lot of people come here during their lunch breaks. Solo Trip [X] 21+ [ ] Family Friendly [X] Friends [X] Date Spot [X] Recommendations/tips: The portions are so big you will have left overs and it is perfect to eat the next day.

    Hunan Chicken

    Walked in, and there was absolutely nobody but instantly greeted, the large TVs playing and Chinese decor. Definitely authentic food, but they also offer American Chinese dishes. There might be a language/patience barrier for non-speakers. The numbing/spice is toned down in most dishes, but they all leave you feeling warm and tingly. The salt and pepper eggplant was delicious--crispy with the perfect amount of salt and sweetness. (Basically salt and pepper shrimp, but vegetarian.) The Hunan chicken was fried like Kung Pao chicken, but the seasoning was soy sauce, dry hot, with a hint of Sichuan peppers and cumin, not numbing. The spicy cumin lamb wasn't spicy but was tender and flavorful. The mixed pot included radishes, fish balls, tofu skin and tofu, pork blood/intestines, and spam. The flavors were warm and numbing, with a variety of different ingredients but not overly numbing.

    Sichuan style poached fish slices (水煮鱼片) ($14.99) - pretty good. Kind of sticky texture though.
    Lena J.

    Authentic Sichuan restaurant, with ample seating inside and old style decor. I recommend ordering from the authentic Chinese menu, rather than the Americanized one. However, I personally prefer the food at Chia Shiang in Ann Arbor or the newly-opened YP Sichuan near downtown Ypsi. They are allergy friendly by the way - someone in my party had a peanut allergy and they were very accommodating. Recommended: -Yibin-style spicy noodles ($7.99) - good. Cold noodles with a variety of seasonings and ground pork. The portion size was also good. -Sichuan style poached fish slices ($14.99) - pretty good. However the texture was sticky, and the dish didn't seem super fresh. It was one of the better items I've tried here, but I prefer the renditions at Chia Shiang and YP Sichuan. Wouldn't get again: -Zigong salt merchants' chicken ($13.99) - was looking forward to trying this after reading other reviews but I just found it ok. It kind of fast-food-tasting and too salty. -Mapo tofu ($11.99) - not great. The tofu texture was nice but there wasn't much flavor, maybe in part since it's vegetarian.

    Tea Smoked Duck
    Stephanie S.

    My friend and I just visited this place at its new location. We were expecting Crazy Crab but were told that it no longer exists. Either way, the food here is amazing. We loved every dish that we got. The service was excellent as well. I had my toddler with me and the staff was super friendly with her.

    This restaurant is my home taste, the food is gorgeous, definitely would like to visit again.

    Scallions Pancakes, Eggplant w/ FIsh-Fragrant Sauce, Green Beans w/ Vegetarian Pork, Mapo Tofu, braised Pork Belly

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

    This is the best authentic place for Chinese food. Great service great experience. Excellent food.

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    13 years ago

    I love their food ! Especially the yi bin noodles!

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    9 years ago

    Don't waste your money. Looks unclean, food is all salt in a bland manner, buffet is hit-or-miss hot or cold food.

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    10 years ago

    Truly meh. Ingredients don't seem fresh, overpowering peppers, chicken dry and not very fresh tasting.

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    Thompson & Co

    Thompson & Co

    4.1
    (228 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Stopped in for lunch. Kitty was an absolute delight. She was kind, hilarious, and checked in with…read moreus just enough. Our lunches were delicious, save room for the beignets! The place is gorgeous, lots of seating but didn't feel overwhelming.

    This is one of two places that take reservations downtown and was near the festival we were…read moreattending at Riverside Park. We arrived approximately 15 minutes before our reservations and were seated immediately in the sparsely filled restaurant. Their air conditioning was refreshing after a long day in the sun. Their menu has a Louisiana flair, so I ordered the chicken-and-sausage gumbo and had their étouffée as my main course. The dishes are very similar in content, except that the étouffée included crawfish and shrimp and came with two pieces of bread. Both were very good, but we're a little light on the Cajun spices. I enjoyed a soft parade pint of beer from their vast craft beer and wine menu. Others in my party of five enjoyed their salad with a protein pizza and a cheeseburger. They have low-top, high-top, booth, and bar seating, along with outdoor patio seating. Full bar. The interior has a knotty wood finish with a somewhat industrial feel. The building used to hold Civil War barracks. Clean restrooms. Excellent service. Pricey. Parking can be difficult. They have posted 3% surcharge fee that references fast-rising expenses. They do not charge a credit card fee, so I guess it balances out. I would recommend.

    Photos
    Outdoor porch
    Outdoor porch
    Grilled Salmon Sandwich with side salad
    Grilled Salmon Sandwich with side salad
    Soft parade craft beer

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    Soft parade craft beer
    Bellflower

    Bellflower

    4.6
    (219 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I've dined at bellflower multiple times and I've only had great experiences at the restaurant. For…read morethis instance, I came to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. We were escorted to our table by our lovely host, and when we arrived at our table in the back of the restaurant, there was a cute "happy birthday" table card waiting for us. This was incredibly thoughtful and a nice touch for our celebration dinner. Also, I love how this restaurant is decorated - the art work, the furniture, and plants - all come together to create a welcoming, cozy, warm atmosphere for any dining experience. I also love how the menu continuously rotates and highlights fresh produce from local suppliers. We both ordered a different dish and shared, plus we had some leftovers, so the portions are very generous. We also tried some of the oysters with vinaigrette they were fresh and delicious. To conclude our dinner, we were gifted with a DELIGHTFUL banana pudding with a scoop of ice cream and a candle to make a wish (though our wish for a wonderful meal and dining experience was throughly satisfied already ) Thanks again for a great time bellflower!

    Fantastic meals and outstanding service! The ambience was very welcoming. We were two couples and…read moreshared the starters - plenty for four people. The salad was fresh and well dressed - simple but good. The second starter was sardine tin. Very very good. Not overly fishy and the garnishes served with it were perfect. For mains which are enough to share, one was the trout! Absolutely well seasoned and crispy. It is served whole and butterflied. We changed the side to the house vegetable. OMG these sautéed garden veggies were the best! The other main was a Japanese curry dish. Here is why the five starting dropped to a four. It was just ok. We would not order again. For dessert we had the bread pudding- another star for the night! To the owner, terrific staff. Everyone we engaged in, were positive and knowledgeable. They are a great team! Looking forward to a second visit!

    Photos
    Bar and seating
    Bar and seating
    Olive Oil Cake ($12) - very good! Vanilla-rhubarb compote with Guernsey whipped cream.
    Olive Oil Cake ($12) - very good! Vanilla-rhubarb compote with Guernsey whipped cream.
    Seating

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    Seating
    Crawdaddy’s Creole

    Crawdaddy’s Creole

    4.6
    (26 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    This is a super late review that has been sitting in my drafts for some unknown reason…read more.. But my girlfriend (who is from Louisiana) stopped in to eat here a couple months back. They had vinyl jazz playing, which i noticed but was second nature to her... We were greeted, told to order from the table, and he would bring it out. We got a whole bunch of stuff to try out... She got catfish and curly fries, which she loved. I got a larger sea food boil with every seasoning, it was great -- a bit small for what i thought the price was but for the taste i'm not complaining. We ordered hush puppies as an appetizer, and i had to hear from her that they were "good" but it's not how she would make them, blah blah blah.... Southern people and their soul food, everyone has a hot take. With that said, she ate most of them. We also had a fried basket appetizer which was catfish nuggets, shrimp, and clams i think -- also very good. Lastly, no picture on this one, but we got a blackened alfredo to go --- and it was also very tasty. We have been back twice since our initial visit. Amazing food, and come to find out the employee that was helping us, was the only one who works there... it was overall impressive, tasty, and we'll be back more.

    I'll start by saying Crawdaddy's is run by one person, so be patient or order ahead online…read more That being said, it's so fun to have something other than a burger or pizza in the downtown area. The jambalaya is vegan until you add meat to it, they have vegan beignets (though they sell out fast, so make sure to place your order early). They collards, potatoes and I believe the corn are also vegan. I would absolutely love if they had a vegan sausage, but just happy for the options. It's a very cute space with reasonable prices and hope it stays put!

    Photos
    Functioning Sears turntable with radio and eight track player along with records and memorabilia (Please, DO NOT TOUCH)
    Functioning Sears turntable with radio and eight track player along with records and memorabilia (Please, DO NOT TOUCH)
    Vegan jambalaya
    Vegan jambalaya
    Crawdaddy’s Creole

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    Mac's Acadian Seafood Shack

    Mac's Acadian Seafood Shack

    3.5
    (194 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$$

    When in the area, I love coming here! The food is fresh and delicious. They always seem to have…read morespecials going on as well!

    We went to Mac's this evening to celebrate our anniversary. What a disappointment. It started at…read morethe entrance with the greeter failing to acknowledge our presence or even say hello. All she did was grab two menus and say in our general direction "follow me." She didn't engage in any small talk, just put the menus on a table right next to the bar (she didn't ask us where we would like to sit, although there were plenty of empty tables) pointed at the table and walked away. Our server was barely more personable, acted like she would rather be anywhere doing anything than at Mac's serving us dinner. The food was also mediocre, certainly didn't taste as if it had been prepared by a real chef. I ordered the shrimp and lobster fettuccine. The sauce was thin and bland. My husband's entre was better, but in his opinion not outstanding. While we were eating dinner the bored wait staff( most of whom seemed to be very young) were plying some kind of game and running around in the restaurant. No adult seemed to be in charge. While we were eating across from a tv tuned to a rodeo , I noticed that the place also wasn't very clean. In sum, given that that the tab with tip was $100 +, not a good value, and certainly not the kind of anniversary dinner we had in mind. We won't be going back any time soon, which is a shame because Mac's used to be a reliably good, and sometimes, even excellent, restaurant.

    Photos
    Mac's Acadian Seafood Shack
    Lobster and shrimp roll. Seasonal.
    Lobster and shrimp roll. Seasonal.
    Pecan Pie

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    Pecan Pie

    Ypbor Yan - chinese - Updated July 2026

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