Momiji Express opens Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Cousins Ashley and John Zhen are putting the final touches on Momiji Express Gourmet Japanese and Chinese Cuisine restaurant slated to open on Wednesday, June 24, next to Coastal.

By Tom Peterson

Momiji Express Gourmet Japanese & Chinese Cuisine next to Coastal in The Dalles is set to open on Wednesday, June 24.

They have a nice offering to firefighters and local hospital staff. 

The new restaurant is honoring them for their hard work during the past difficult months. 

So they get to, “try it for free,” said owner John Zhen, 35.

Health care workers just need to show Identification, and like the restaurant on their Facebook page, Momiji The Dalles.  

“We are part of the community now.” Zhen said. “We want to do our part.” 

The 2500-square foot restaurant, 2632 W. Sixth St., offers both sushi and Chinese food. 

Yakisoba, Lo-Mein, Chow mein, Lunch combos, sushi, nigiri, rolls and bento are all on the menu. Go to momijitd.com to see the menu. 

They will be offering take out and delivery to start. 

Zhen said they have been working at opening the restaurant since January 2019, but paperwork and the pandemic slowed them down. 

“We have put $350,000 into this restaurant,” he said. “Everything is new.”

“That is double what we expected,” he said of the investment.

The restaurant, which is part of a chain with locations in Salem, Lincoln City, Lebanon, Monmouth, North Bend, Newberg and Newport, is family owned. 

Zhen is helping his second cousin, Ashley Zhen, 22, get the restaurant up and operating here in The Dalles. Her husband cheffed at the Lincoln City establishment.

They are currently employing seven people and still need to hire four more. Applicants should apply in person.

And what does Momiji mean? Zhen said it was the reference to the individuality and stunning color of the Japanese maple leaf in fall. “They can be different, but they are all beautiful,” he said, noting it was a metaphor for the restaurant chain and the family members that run them.

The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 541-769-1313. 

Combination plate.

Nigiri and California Roll