A tantalizing taste of the Orient awaits lucky patrons passionate about their Asian cuisine at Happy Wok, now open in downtown Sisters. This bright spring flower in the revitalized local dining bouquet is serving up a sweet and spicy roster of Thai and Chinese favorites with a fresh, flavorful twist.
Exotic scents emanating from their Hood Avenue location across from Lutton’s Hardware are creating an untamed, salivating stampede not seen since the likes of last weekend’s Sisters Rodeo.
Owner June Spofford and her general manager husband Mark Spofford are enjoying a booming business since they opened their doors, and if running out of food is any indication of the mad rush for their Far East fare, then Happy Wok is here to stay.
“It’s been amazing, the lunch specials are selling out by 1pm most days and we’ve actually had to close early because we sold all our food,” said Mark. “It’s just June and I for prep and we can only cook so much on two woks. We’ve had many nice compliments already, people telling us how much they love the food and remember June’s cooking. They’re glad there’s an Asian food take-out restaurant finally back in Sisters.”
The varied menu is a tour-de-force of time-honored Asian delights with appetizers, entrees and soups blended with the memorable flavors of coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass and garlic.
“It’s new and different and customers are responding to that,” he said. “Food cooked with good energy and happiness shows in the consistency and quality. Her Thai-nese food has a wow factor.”
Twelve years ago, the Spoffords ran a successful Asian kitchen in Sisters called the Royal Thai Café in the space now occupied by Los Agaves.
That restaurant closed in 2001 and its spirit lives on in this second incarnation, decorated with paper lanterns and golden elephants.
Sizzling specials hot from the kitchen include traditional Asian favorites such as Kung Pao Chicken tossed with garden-fresh zucchini, bell peppers, onion, peanuts and a tangy sauce, Black Pepper Beef served with thinly sliced sirloin, Mother’s Chicken made with premium chicken lightly dipped in a tempura batter, then flash-fried and drizzled with a mandarin sauce, and the much-loved Drunken Noodles created using a wide rice noodle and combined with broccoli, bell peppers, basil and tomatoes.
Most dishes can be served with a choice of chicken, pork or tofu and all entrees come with either brown, white or fried rice. Three interesting soups are presently top-billed with ample spoons: Vegetable Coconut, Chicken Coconut and Wonton Chicken.
For those with more daring tastes, a savory selection of green, red and lemon-yellow curry dishes can be ordered accompanied by tender pork, chicken, been, shrimp or tofu.
A wildly popular daily lunch special costs just $6.50, with a discounted student price of $5. But better get there early because most days these bargain babies are gone by 1pm.
“We have a couple desserts we want people to taste too,” Mark added. “A Thai Custard made with coconut and served with sticky rice and Fried Bananas which are sweet bananas in a light tempura batter fried golden-brown and dusted with powdered sugar. The desserts here are really good. Her Thai custard is to die for.”
Happy Wok specializes in monster portions suitable for two persons and their signature stir-fried rice dishes are mixed with sweet onion, egg and fresh vegetables and choice of meat.
“Everything is prepared to order using only the freshest ingredients, spices and sauces. We’re excited to be in Sisters offering these healthy, delicious Asian dishes and want to thank everyone for the warm, enthusiastic welcome. Affordability is very important. Everybody has to be able to come in and enjoy it.”
Happy Wok, 352 East Hood Avenue, Sisters. Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:30am to close. Tables are available inside and outside picnic-style on the side lawns. 541-549-9999.
