WILSON, Pa. – Foodies are flocking to a new full-service restaurant – offering sushi, lo mein, pad Thai, hibachi platters and other Asian specialties – in Northampton County.
Kirin Oriental Cuisine, offering diverse and authentic Asian cuisine, held a soft opening on Oct. 23 at 1800 Butler St. in Wilson.
Kirin Oriental Cuisine operates at 1800 Butler St. in Wilson.
The renovated building previously housed a Lafayette Ambassador Bank branch.
Kirin, with seating for around 30 customers, offers soups and salads such as miso soup, tom yum soup and kani salad; kitchen starters such as shrimp shumai, Thai crispy squid and Japanese spring rolls; and sushi bar starters such as tuna tataki, salmon or yellowtail tartar and octopus jalapeno.
There are also classic maki rolls ($5.50-$10.50) such as California, Philadelphia and shrimp tempura; and signature rolls ($15-$17) such as “Yummy Yummy” (lobster tempura topped mango avocado), “Monster” (soft shell crab tempura and avocado topped with spicy tuna and spicy salmon) and “Dancing Eel” (shrimp tempura and cucumber topped with eel and avocado).
Customers also can choose from a wide array of a la carte sushi or sashimi such as eel, fluke, mackerel, red snapper, salmon roe and scallop; and signature dishes such as Mongolian beef, steamed Chilean sea bass, lobster tail with ginger scallion sauce, Thai mango chicken or shrimp, Thai-style hot pot with green curry and crispy jumbo shrimp with honey walnut.
Kirin Oriental Cuisine operates at 1800 Butler St. in Wilson.
“We’re blending Chinese, Japanese and Thai dishes so customers can enjoy a variety of flavors,” Kirin owner Xin Chen said. “So far, people are really loving our hibachi options.”
Chen is an experienced Lehigh Valley restaurateur, who previously operated a Chinese restaurant in Forks Township, and is excited to serve “fresh and flavorful dishes,” she said.
Kirin’s hibachi selections, starting at $13, include chicken, beef, shrimp, salmon scallop, tofu and combination.
Additional menu highlights include other kitchen entrees such as crispy orange beef, General Tso’s chicken, shrimp and vegetable tempura and Malaysian red curry sauce (with choice of protein), along with noodle and rice dishes (with choice of protein) such as lo mein, pad Thai, chow mei fun, pineapple fried rice, Thai basil fried rice and yaki udon.
“At Kirin Restaurant, we pride ourselves on bringing the finest flavors of Asia to your table,” a message on the restaurant’s Facebook page reads.
“Whether you’re in the mood for fresh sushi, sizzling hibachi, savory teriyaki, or comforting classics like lo mein and pad thai, we have something for everyone! Our diverse menu offers a culinary journey through the rich traditions of Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and other Asian cuisines, made with the freshest ingredients and authentic recipes.”
Kirin is operating in a completely renovated space, featuring new flooring, counters, kitchen equipment and other upgrades.
Seating for around 30 customers is available at booths, banquettes and chairs, there also is a four-seat sushi bar where customers can get an up-close look at the sushi-making process.
Kirin, which also offers bento boxes, lunch specials and desserts such as fried cheesecake and mochi ice cream, is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 9:30 p.m. Sundays.
The BYOB restaurant is offering a grand opening special of 20% off dine-in orders.
Takeout and catering are also available. For more information, call 610-438-2227 or visit kirin1800.com.
