Why: Blazin Asian Express has been in business for 16 months. The restaurant is located in a strip mall space that formerly housed a Chinese restaurant. Blazin Asian provides fast, fresh gourmet Asian food similar in style to the popular Panda Express, but “much better,” as I was told upon placing my order. Hot and sour soup and egg flower soup are available at no cost to dine-in customers. Pre-made lunch boxes offer a grab-n-go option.
What I tried: I tried the General Tso’s chicken and vegetable deluxe with fried rice, and my dining companion had the orange chicken and broccoli beef with lo mein. We also tried the egg flower soup, and we sampled the egg rolls, which are made fresh to order, and the crab puffs.
We enjoyed the egg flower soup on the cold day of our lunch visit and had not quite finished our servings before the rest of our meal arrived — all selections piping hot.
Every item was delicious and appetizing. All the chicken used in the recipes was tender and void of any chewy pieces, as was true of the beef, as well. The fried rice contained traditional add-ins in balance with the portion of rice and it was not greasy, dry or overfried. The lo mein was equally impressive. The vegetable deluxe was a mixture of broccoli, carrots, zucchini, peas, onions and cabbage and, wow! It was the highlight of my meal. The vegetables were cooked just short of soft and drenched in a yummy white sauce. This selection could make eating vegetables easy for someone who normally avoids them.
Dining out guide: Blazin Asian Express
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Telephone: 360-896-9988
Where: 12329 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
Health score: Blazin Asian Express received a score of 10 on Nov. 15, 2017. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
The egg rolls contained a pork mixture and were larger than is typical. They were very good, although I have had better. The crab puffs were more dough-like than flakey and had a fair amount of filling in the center.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Kung pao chicken, teriyaki chicken, sweet and sour chicken, string bean (or zucchini) chicken, garlic chicken, and Chinese steak supreme are among the entree choices. White rice is also available. Add-ons include pork pot stickers, pork hum bow, barbecued pork, and fried shrimp.
Atmosphere: Diners are directed toward the ordering counter by a half-wall at the entrance; just beyond, tables and chairs are set for two to six people on a black and white tile floor. Soup and beverages, condiments and silverware are help-yourself style. There is another room toward the back that is being revamped to accommodate more in-house dining. Walls are painted in warm shades of green and ivory and trimmed in oak.
Other observations: Service is super friendly, food is fresh, and I will agree, much better than Panda Express. The atmosphere is homey. Blazin Asian has take out and local delivery is available.
Cost: Meals are available in sizes ranging from one entree and one side up to three large entrees and two large sides. Prices start at $6.50 and top out at $36. You may add a soda and two crab puffs for an additional $2. A kids meal is $5 and includes a drink. Pre-made lunch boxes start at $2. Add-ons are $1.25 to $8. A la carte prices are $2.50 to $16. Salads are $6.95. Beverages cost $1 to $3.50.
