Operations

Denver chef creates fast casual noodle, dumpling bar

Chef Lon Symensma

November 18, 2021

Chef Lon Symensma and ChoLon Restaurant Concepts have opened a fast casual concept, YumCha Dumpling & Noodle Bar, in Denver's Lower Downtown neighborhood at 1520 16th St. Mall.

Located next door to the brand's flagship ChoLon, YumCha was inspired by the bustling noodle shops from Symensma's travels around Asia and time spent in New York City, according to a company press release.

The dining room seats 40, and there is space for four on the patio.

Menu highlights include Crunchy Shrimp Balls with Creamy Nuoc Cham; Shiitake Mushroom Crystal Dumplings, with Kecap Manis and Vietnamese Pho Soup.

"We had so much fun creating this menu," Symensma said in the release. "I want people to feel excited about being in downtown Denver and enjoying restaurants again. It's a small but fun and focused menu, plus, we are so lucky to have Chef Michelle Xiao as part of our team here in Denver. This menu really is a space to showcase her exceptional dumpling talents. Let's roll up our sleeves and slurp some noodles!"

Chef Michelle Xiao, who was a dim sum chef at Buddakan when Symensma served as executive chef, moved to Denver from New York City in 2019. She has over 30 years of dim sum experience.