When thinking about Chinese food in Central Oregon, too few names come to mind. The region’s culinary landscape is often defined by its omnipresent craft beer culture and farm-to-table Pacific Northwest fare, but tucked into the streets of Redmond and Bend is an underrated Chinese food scene, bridging the gap between classic American comfort and regional Chinese depth.
While Bend offers “elevated” spots like Chi Chinese & Sushi Bar and classic, comforting Americanized Chinese locations like Chan’s, Double Happiness and China Doll, Redmond is carving out its own reputation for mouth-watering Chinese food as well. From mainstays like Chan’s of Redmond, Cindy’s Chinese Garden and Yi’s Wok to newer additions like Aiwa Asian American Cuisine, Redmond is leaning into becoming a destination location for Chinese food.
Yi’s Wok has been in Redmond for nearly a decade, but since coming under new ownership in September 2023, the glowing word-of-mouth has been near-constant, with the online community raving about its food, swift service and throwback vibes. Every time a member of the Bend or Redmond Foodies groups posted about them, I found myself suffering from a serious case of Food FOMO.
This is how I found myself in Redmond, walking into Yi’s Wok about 90 seconds after they opened. While Yi’s has been around too long to be called a “hidden gem,” I wondered if the quality had shifted since the ownership change. Regardless, I found the 2026 version of Yi’s Wok to be some of the freshest and tastiest Chinese food I’ve had this side of San Francisco.
By using 100% cholesterol-free vegetable oil and strictly avoiding MSG, Yi’s clearly prioritizes ingredient quality. The interior is casual and unpretentious, foregoing ornate decor for a simple, cozy, old-school atmosphere that keeps the focus on the kitchen. With country music playing on the speakers instead of traditional Chinese instrumentals, Yi’s Wok feels as much a part of Redmond as it does an Asian culinary experience.
The food represents the “West Coast” or Americanized style of Chinese cooking. While traditional Chinese methods rely on steaming, braising, stewing, boiling, etc. the American-style—and the West Coast scene in general—emphasizes the deep fryer and high-heat wok, stir-frying to achieve a specific texture and speed of plating. You find “Western” vegetables like broccoli, carrots and onions as staples here, whereas traditional recipes might favor bok choy, gai lan, lotus root or bamboo shoots. Additionally, West Coast menus feature boneless meat fillets, while traditional cuisine frequently serves meat on the bone to preserve flavor and texture.
The Hot & Sour Soup features a thick, peppery broth packed with bamboo, tofu, mushrooms and all the normal goodies you find in a typical Hot & Sour, but the difference at Yi’s is the freshness; it doesn’t feel poured from a vat and reheated; instead, it tastes intentional — a far cry from the viscous gruel served at lesser establishments.
One of the specials, a Philly Cheesesteak Egg Roll, was as interesting as it sounds. The savory, cheesy beef combined with the fried shell created a fusion I didn’t know I needed. It was so addictive that I nearly ordered more to go.
Choosing from the massive, multi-page menu (including dozens of lunch specials ranging from $12 to $15.95) was difficult, but I went with the Mongolian Chicken. It was tender with a perfect crisp, leaning into a soy-garlic base rather than overt spice. The onions were crunchy and the light brown sugar notes provided a lovely sweet-and-savory balance.
My dining companion’s Chicken Curry was a show-stopper: large, tender pieces of chicken in a smooth, mild yellow curry that avoided an over-reliance on star anise or five-spice, allowing the mild Cantonese flavors to shine. It’s genuinely a flawless chicken curry and one I can’t wait to head to Redmond to try again.
Yi’s Wok has been busier than ever since blowing up on socials, but it still has a small staff and kitchen. So, for anyone who reads this and decides to head down for some delicious homemade food, please be patient and kind to the team. Trust me, the food is worth it.
Yi’s Wok
Tue-Sat 11am-8:30pm, Sun 11am-8pm
615 NW 6th St. Redmond
Lunch specials: 11am-3pm
yiswokredmond.com/
541-316-1298
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