Lai Lai Wok
History and Background |
Lai Lai Wok is a family owned Chinese restaurant. The owners moved to the United States from Southwestern China in 2000. Shortly after, they purchased Lai Lai Wok from a Taiwanese family. They view Lai Lai Wok as a restaurant that serves predominately authentic Chinese cuisine. Given the large population of Chinese students on campus, the owners try to make food from all parts of China in order to best serve their diverse customer base.
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Menu InfoSzechuan eggplant, an authentic dish served at Lai Lai Wok
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Lai Lai Wok brands themselves as an authentic Chinese restaurant that specializes in Szechuan cuisine which reflects the family's origins in Southwest China. While Szechuan style Chinese food is their specialty, in an effort to serve the diverse Chinese student population on campus, they serve dishes from all over China.
Chicken is their signature dish, but they are also known for making special dished over the holidays. These seasonal dishes are traditionally Chinese. Though, since these dishes are not always easy to make, Lai Lai Wok is selective about when and how frequently they make these dishes. Even though Lai Lai Wok is branded as an authentic Chinese restaurant, they still attract and market to American students. This can be reflected in their menu, both its presentation and its content, and the name of the restaurant: Lai Lai Wok. According to the a Washington Post article, "Wok" is one of the most common words used in the names of Chinese restaurant in the United States. Restaurants use buzz words to tailor to Americans by making them feel like they are getting an authentic Chinese experience. The menu is written in both Mandarin and English. They also offer dishes that, while less traditional, Americans are often more familiar with like orange chicken. and beef with broccoli. In a further effort to appeal to American students, they offer fortune cookies, like most Chinese restaurants in the United States. |
Customer Base |
Lai Lai Wok attracts a diverse customer base with Chinese students that are from nearly all parts of China. Additionally, Lai Lai Wok is popular amongst American students. When asked about the increase in the population of Chinese students on campus, the manager of Lai Lai Wok, Vicky Li, said that she has noticed a corresponding increase in the number of Chinese students who frequent Lai Lai Wok.
Since much of their customers are American and can be unfamiliar with more authentic cuisine , the workers at Lai Lai Wok often explain and recommend certain menu items if needed. |
Panda Express
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Vicky Li viewed the presence of Panda Express on campus as a benefit to Lai Lai Wok. She does not view them as competition because they offer a different product, more Americanized Chinese food vs. more authentic food. Additionally, Lai Lai Wok prides itself as a sit down restaurant whereas Panda Express is fast food.
Vicky believes that Panda Express serves as a way to introduce American students to more authentic Chinese food, She mentioned how often, after eating at Panda Express, certain American students wish to try more authentic food. Vicky Li said that she rarely eats at Panda Express, only when she is travelling. Interestingly, she also worked at Panda Express while in high school. |