Chaya Asian Bistro Review

www.chayaasianbistro.com

8874 McGaw Road

Columbia, MD 21045

(410) 381-8887

This restaurant is done up in shades of orange and yellow, red and white, turquoise blue and lime green. The seating consists of seating at the sushi bar, high bar tables and stools placed throughout the middle of the restaurant and regular seating along the walls. The front of the restaurant is a big glass window, which gives it an open and airy feeling. While inside the restaurant, one is met with a small and cozy space. There are lots of Asian pictures scattered throughout, both tapestry and painting. Providing illumination, were glass mosaic hanging lighting fixtures above the tables. The service was neither spectacular nor terrible, though this impression may be due to more of a cultural dissonance than anything else. Our waitress was pretty much always at hand and she was neither rude nor overly friendly… efficient would be the best way to describe her.

According to their website, they serve traditional Japanese and Thai cuisine such as Sushi, Hibachi, Teriyaki, Curry and Thai hot entrees. They are located in a shopping center off of Snowden River Parkway, next to the new Wegman’s Shopping Center. Due to this, parking is plentiful and easy to find. This is a great place to hang out with friends, coworkers, family… even to grab a bite alone. We give Cha Ya Asian Bistro ♪♪♪ and a half note.

MISO SOUP

Being that Miso soup is a standard offering at Asian restaurants, it was nothing spectacular, but was a good, solid showing… not too seasoned, not too mild.

THAI STEAMED DUMPLINGS

These dumplings, shaped like little cups, were earthy and oceany all at the same time. This was due to combination of the pork, shrimp, water chestnuts and Thai herbs filling them and the crabmeat topping them. The dip with which it was served was gingery, sweet and spicy, having basil and ginger in it. Crunchy ginger was sprinkled on top, which was a nice touch.

GOLDEN ROLL

This roll was topped with paper-thin slices of mango and the chef’s special sauce. The Mango and the sauce perfectly matched the tempura shrimp. The tempura shrimp gave the roll crunchiness and the avocado was a nice addition, serving to ground the dish and give it a nice creaminess.

SPICY MARYLAND JUMBO LUMP CRAB ROLL

This roll was like a crab salad sushi. Seasoned with old bay, which was a wonderful addition,the dish had a slight creaminess and oceaniness.

TIGER ROLL

This roll was made with crunchy raw fish and tobiko, wrapped with salmon, fluke, tuna, eel and yellowtail. The chef added three different sauces, which gave the dish creaminess throughout; a brown, a white and an orange sauce.

MANGO AND STICKY RICE

OMG… This was the best mango and sticky rice we’ve ever had. Again, paper-thin slices of mango combined with coconut-flavored, sweet sticky rice came together to create a warm, comforting, absolutely divine treat.