Introduction

Yao’s is located in one of the most restaurant-packed parking lots in Oviedo, squished between Arcade Monsters and IHOP. Having opened in September of 2024, the restaurant has been praised for its family-friendly environment and Chinese-American dishes.

I tried four dishes, each of which I rated on a scale of one to 10. I will also share my opinion on the price and atmosphere of the restaurant.

Overview of restaurant

The inside of Yao’s was vibrant, with many red-colored lights, booths and designs. The staff was friendly and accommodating, and made the food surprisingly fast. I wish I had taken more time to soak in the unique restaurant, as just sitting inside was quite an experience.

Menu Items

Yao’s baos—4/10

The dish, in summary, is flavorful American BBQ with flavorless white bread and thin, fresh cucumbers I could see right through them. In theory, the bread should’ve complimented the meat, but the taste was so unusual that, at first, I found it hard to enjoy.

In order to get a good bite, I would recommend having less meat than you would think in proportion to the cucumber to balance everything out.

D’s dumplings: 9/10

These were some of the best dumplings I’ve ever tried. The meat was seasoned to perfection, and it went great with the wrapper that was cooked just enough that it had flavor, but not so much that it was burned.

The only thing that took away from the dish was the fact that the dumplings were greasy. It was tough to eat without getting my hands coated in grease. Though a little annoying, the flavor was amazing, and I would definitely recommend this dish.

Three pigs fried rice: 8/10

Being a huge fan of fried rice, I knew I had to order this dish. The rice was perfect, but the heavy amount of meat added a level of saltiness that …let’s just say, wasn’t the best.

I would recommend staying away from bites with a whole bunch of meat, and instead eat the truly irresistible rice.

Honey orange chicken: 7/10

The dish was beautiful but the chicken had a very sharp flavor of citrus. It truly hit me more than I expected. When mixed with the white rice provided, though, the flavor is dulled, but also enhanced in a new way. The sweetness tasted fresh, despite the initial punch of tang.

If you tone down the chicken, this dish is definitely worth trying.

Price and value

Yao’s was expensive, as each dish averaged around $18. However, considering the quality of each dish, I would say the price was fair. The food was quick and looked quite appetizing. Though one dish was a swing and a miss, the rest of them I will try again on special occasions.

Conclusion

Yao’s is a unique Chinese-American restaurant that serves high quality food and fast, friendly service. The dishes are tasty, though some depend on personal preference.

8/10.