Yen Ching Chinese Restaurant

Yen Ching occupies a quiet corner of Modaff Plaza on 87th Street, the kind of neighborhood Chinese restaurant that regulars guard like a secret. The kitchen covers a broad menu of Cantonese, Szechuan, and Hunan dishes, and the execution stays remarkably even across the range. We started with the Egg Drop Soup, silky and properly seasoned with that familiar warmth that Chinese soup should deliver. The Mongolian Beef arrived with sliced flank steak wok-seared over high heat, the scallions and ginger adding layers without crowding the beef flavor. Shrimp with Lobster Sauce brought a generous portion of plump shrimp in a savory egg-based sauce that rewarded every spoonful over steamed rice. The lunch specials offer strong value, pairing an entree with rice, soup, and an egg roll for a price that feels anchored in a different decade. Yen Ching does not try to modernize or reimagine Chinese food. It serves the dishes people grew up with, prepared with care, and that approach has kept its takeout line steady for years.