Lunch Ladies: Wild Ginger
The Lunch Ladies enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes at Wild Ginger in Provo.
Lyndsi cleaned her plate of the Chicken and Garlic Lunch Special, which came with fried rice, egg roll, and choice of soup.
Jennette branched out from her usual order of sushi and tried the General Tso's Chicken Chinese Bento Box.
Sylvia splurged this lunch hour and had the Scallops and Steak Lunch Special. CREDIT: Sylvia Abbott
Gabby enjoyed the All You Can Eat Sushi lunch with the Tornado, Happy, Sunset, and Heyburn rolls; she left extremely full! CREDIT: Gabrielle Harris
True love. Pessimists will say it doesn’t exist. Realists will say it rarely exists and is hard to find, and opportunists will say love the one you’re with. What are my thoughts on true love? Well, whatever they used to be, I can undoubtedly say that I know true love exists, because on the magical day of 11/11/11 I fell deeply in love … with sushi!
On that fateful day almost 3 years ago, I fell for something that I never knew I always wanted, something that would complete my palate in a way I had only dreamed about since I was a young girl. I had finally found that greater sense of enjoyment, that diamond among the rough, that one thing I would never tire of and would daydream of growing old with. Too much? Or possibly not enough?
I had been missing out my whole life, and no one had had the guts to call me to the carpet! Why had loving friends not held an intervention to show me the error of my neglectful ways?? My life could have been so different, so gloriously filled with sushi!
Wild Ginger was the first place I experienced my beloved sushi, and therefore holds a special place in my heart. So it was only fitting when my fellow Lunch Lady Jennette was adamant she would NEVER eat sushi, that I not only knew it was time for DEFCON 1, but that Wild Ginger was the remedy! I couldn’t let her continue life in ignorance the way I had been; I had to convince her to give it a try. She finally agreed, after some premeditated persuasion on my part. And of course, success was achieved!
She, too, fell in love with the generous giver of wonders known as sushi. We knew a Lunch Ladies’ official outing was soon to ensue. We figured out everyone’s schedules, and when we would have sufficient time for this sit-down restaurant, which can be visited on the lunch hour, but is best if not too rushed. We made a plan and enthusiastically looked forward to the date.
After being seated we perused the menu, surprised at how many options Wild Ginger offered other than just sushi. With such an array of dishes we took a moment to decide, then placed our orders.
Here is what we went with this lunch hour:
Jennette — General Tso’s Chicken Chinese Bento Box, $10.00
I have been to Wild Ginger numerous times since Gabby and I first went, and I always get the delicious sushi. Today I decided to branch out and try something different. I chose the Chinese Bento Box; it came with a variety of items that sounded interesting. The Bento Box was served with a starter of soup, I chose hot and sour, my favorite! Then came the box. I give it five stars just for presentation, each compartment of the box held a different delicious item. The items were General Tso’s Chicken, tempura potatoes and broccoli, rice, salad (cabbage and carrots, so yummy), and potstickers. I was very happy I decided to branch out today. They only serve Pepsi products so I only had water today.
Gabby — All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch, $13.95
The All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch is set up so you can order a cup of soup while you wait for your first rolls to come out. You can order two rolls per person at a time, and there is a wide selection of rolls and sides to choose from. I enjoyed some Miso soup, while I waited for a Tornado roll with shrimp, crab, and avocado, along with a Happy roll with salmon, veggies, and sauce. I couldn’t resist going for a second round, where I tried a Heyburn roll with crystal shrimp and spicy tuna and a very citrusy Sunset roll full of lemony zest. The rolls were tasty as always! I will mention to my fellow Celiacs out there that when it comes to sushi, it’s of course tricky to know what sauces may have hidden traces of gluten or contain wheat, but I never seem to have issues with sushi, but if you are concerned, always call ahead so you can enjoy with peace of mind!
Sylvia — Scallops and Steak Lunch Special, $9.95
I know, I know, $9.95 is a bit pricey for lunch … but scallops sounded so yummy I just couldn’t pass them up. The special came with soup and sides. I chose the egg drop, fried rice (no ham, yippee) and an egg roll. All were okay, but the entree was WOW. I got loads of scallops, and beef, all stirred together with super fresh snow peas, zucchini, red peppers, onions in this sauce to die for. I’ll be back to Wild Ginger to try another saucy lunch special (I think there were 20 on the menu). P.S. Thanks Gabby, for sharing your pickled ginger with me; it’s one of my favorite condiments.
Lyndsi — Chicken and Garlic Lunch Special, $6.99
I was a little sad when the decision was made to go to Wild Ginger for lunch today, not because I dislike their food — the opposite actually. I love sushi and was really jealous as I sat there watching Gabby enjoy roll after roll. I have been placed on a temporary 9 month hiatus from this delicious food. I know there are technically some I could have, but I didn’t want to worry about it so I decided on the Chicken in Garlic Sauce lunch special and was happy with my choice. The sauce was so very flavorful and the mixture of the chicken and zucchini was delicious. The fried rice and egg roll were the perfect side dishes and I liked it all so much I cleaned my plate! I just can’t wait to go back and enjoy some of their sushi!
We definitely enjoyed our lunch at Wild Ginger. Sushi lovers can praise Wild Ginger for the freshness of the ingredients, the variety of the rolls, and the All You Can Eat setup at a fantastic price! Other diners can enjoy the wide assortment of tempting menu items offered. And all patrons can perhaps find true love at this local Provo restaurant!
Wild Ginger. 366 N. University Ave, Provo. Open Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-9:30pm. Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sundays.