'Fresh and Healthy' Are on the Menu at Black Bamboo Chinese Restaurant

People love to stand behind a hometown boy and cheer him on to success. There’s a sense of pride when one of their own has excelled.

It is this kind of community devotion that Sonny Chen, owner of Black Bamboo Chinese restaurant at 844-A Farmington Avenue, credits for his strong showing since he opened his establishment’s doors last December.  

“There has been great support from the area, like an open-armed welcome from the community. People have been treating us very well. We are a small restaurant and we need the community’s support to make it work. We are not corporate. We’re just a family-operated restaurant so we have been very lucky,” states Chen.

While other young men his age might be off “finding themselves” or struggling to land a paid job, the 22-year-old Chen is well on his way to becoming an established entrepreneur. In fact, he is already setting his sights on opening a second restaurant, possibly in Glastonbury.

Chen, a 2007 graduate, was born in China and came to the United States with his parents when he was seven years old. He grew up around the restaurant business, spending much of his youth running around his uncle’s Hartford restaurant.

After his high school graduation, his parents, who came here to pursue a better life for the family, wanted Chen to pursue a college degree. It was their dream but, as it turns out, not his. After a semester at Manchester Community College, Chen became restless and decided to take another path.

“I am a hands-on guy. I’m very social and I like to talk to people. The restaurant business suited me better than a classroom environment.”

With the help of a friend who happens to be a contractor, Chen leased his space in the old Kinsgwood Market shopping plaza and proceeded to create an attractive, intimate setting for his restaurant. The walls are painted a warm teal and a silver metallic pressed-tin ceiling hangs above. A digital menu board, installed by a friend who works at the Apple store, hangs above the register.

There is limited seating – for only about 10 people – but that does not seem to be a problem, as much of Chen’s business comes from take-out.

When planning his menu, Chen envisioned something other than the traditional Chinese menu that Americans had come to expect. “Nowadays, there are so many Chinese restaurants so I want to be something different: a healthier, more modern restaurant. People are very health conscious and I wanted to provide food for them.”

Chen decided that he wanted to create healthier entrees by cooking strictly with vegetable oil, and by using low sodium soy sauce, brown rice and organic vegetables, many of which are bought at a Hartford farmer’s market. “Fresh” is a word that Chen’s uses often and he emphasizes that his sauces are made in-house, and even the dough for his dumplings is made from scratch. 

The menu consists of old standby favorites such as Moo Goo Gai Pan, Sesame chicken or beef, General Tso’s Chicken, and the usual assortment of appetizers. Yet it also includes vegetarian/vegan offerings such as soy-based “chicken” and vegan barbeque boneless spare ribs.

Chen acknowledges that he must maintain a high standard of quality for his clientele. “West Harford is full of sophisticated eaters. They travel and they know good food. Somebody told me that if you make it in West Hartford, you can make it anywhere.”

For now, it appears that Chen and his ebullient personality are a recipe for success. And what about his parents' desire for him to earn a college diploma?

“My parents still want me to go to college. I’m going to do it once we settle down. Maybe I was burned out so maybe a break is good. I’ll feel refreshed and ready to hit the books again.”

One thing is for certain. He will have tasty, healthy food to fuel his late-night study sessions.

Black Bamboo is open seven days a week, Sunday: noon–10:00 p.m.; Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m.–10 p m ; Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.

All major credit cards are accepted and delivery is available with a $10.00 minimum order.