By: Cinn Cing
At Yoe Yar, customers can explore traditional Burmese dishes while also enjoying popular Japanese and Korean food. Located in the heart of Jenks, the restaurant offers a variety of meals, drinks, and desserts for customers who want to try something familiar or step outside their comfort zone.
The restaurant's name reflects its connections to Burmese culture. “Yoe Yar” means “tradition” in Burmese, and the restaurant was opened with a goal of bringing Myanmar's culture to Oklahoma. While Burmese food is at the center of its identity, the menu also includes other Asian dishes, giving customers a range of choices to eat.
As a new restaurant, Yoe Yar has already attracted customers from the surrounding community. Its location in Jenks has helped bring business, including during the weekdays when students and other customers stop by to eat.
Yoe Yar is a place that brings a sense of comfort. Walking in, the lights are dim, giving a night-light restaurant vibe without being too formal or luxurious. The place isn’t too big or too small; the space is large enough for families and groups of friends but small enough to feel comfortable. Seating is arranged in either booths or tables; if you want to be closer and relaxed, booths are for you, but if customers want a more formal seating, then tables are always available.
Something new and different about Yoe Yar is that they have a bar area where they have single stools for customers to sit in.
Yoe Yar’s cozy and welcoming dining arrangements
Lumra Tadong, a student employee at Yoe Yar, whose aunt owns the restaurant, expressed her experiences working in a family business. For Tadong, working at Yoe Yar is more than just a first job. It has given her the opportunity to connect with customers and introduce them to the Burmese culture through food. Tadong expressed how working within the family business has taught her many social skills and cues, and allowed her to connect with her family while working with new people.
“Some people from my church, like from my youth, we work there so it’s nice working with people I got to know,” Tadong said. “I actually like working there. Like, coming after school and just working and talking to customers, because sometimes when they have questions about the food, I can actually know the answer to the questions. I also like recommending dishes to new customers.”
Since the opening, Yoe Yar has been busy, according to Tadong. She believes its location in Jenks has helped attract customers, including the local Burmese and Zomi community.
For Tadong, who works about three days a week while balancing schoolwork, the restaurant has also become a place to gain work experience. Although it is their first job, she enjoys the opportunity to interact with customers and help them decide what to order. Yoe Yar also enjoys the comfort and convenience of working with people she knows because it is a family business.
When customers are unfamiliar with the menu, Tadong helps explain the dishes and recommends options based on their preferences. Some customers already know which traditional Burmese dishes they want, while others may need more guidance.
For those who enjoy noodles, rice dishes, or different levels of spice, the menu offers several options; many workers, including the owner, recommend Nan gyi thoke. A traditional Burmese noodle dish made with Chicken curry and Chili oil.
An example of the wide variety of food Yoe Yar offers, giving everyone a new taste of Burmese culture.
A plate of Nan gyi Thoke, a traditional Burmese noodle dish made with thick rice noodles, covered and seasoned with chicken curry, Chilli Oil, dry seasoning, garnishes, and additional toppings. The image also shows other menu items, such as somasas, mohinga, sushi rolls, and broth soup.
“I would say, don’t be afraid to try the new Burmese dishes”, Tadong said.
In addition to the main dishes, the restaurant also serves desserts and drinks, including Burmese desserts, boba, and matcha. The different options allow customers to explore different flavors while still having familiar options available.
Yoe Yar allows many opportunities for customers to experience Burmese culture not just at Yoe Yar, but also at other restaurants. The owner also owns another restaurant in Bixby called Mt Fuji, which mainly serves Japanese cuisine. Managing multiple businesses can be challenging, as each restaurant requires time and attention, but despite all these responsibilities, the owner continues to share different Asian Cuisines with customers across the area.
“Yoe Yar could potentially be a more successful business because Jenks has a lot of Burmese people,” Tadong added, believing that Yoe Yar has the option to become even more successful because of its location and community around it.
Before opening Yoe Yar, Tadong’s aunt also co-owned another popular Pan-Asian Restaurant called Masago Sushi, a restaurant in Jenks that is popular with members of the Burmese and local communities.
“She did co-own the restaurant, so like, obviously some of the items are similar, but for Yoe Yar she created the whole menu,” Tadong added. Though some dishes may be similar between the restaurants, Tadong said her aunts created a new menu for Yoe Yar.
Behind the Scenes and Customer Feedback
While customers see the finished dishes and dining area, the restaurant also depends on the employees working behind the scenes. Preparing food and serving customers require teamwork between the kitchen staff and other employees.
When asked about the workers and what goes on behind the scenes, Tadong explained that the restaurant has two main chefs working in the kitchen and around 2-3 employees working at the sushi/salad bar. The owner continues to introduce customers to different Asian cuisines and cultures. Many of these experiences are shaped by the customers who visit.
Man Kim, a customer at Yoe Yar, offers a perspective on how the restaurant's menu and environment contribute to the overall dining experience.
“I think it was a nice restaurant. It’s really cozy and friendly; it wasn’t too comfortable or too fancy. I can see myself going there more often,” Kim said. “The food was really good. I really like their Nan gyi thoke; it was a bit pricey, but it still tasted delicious.”
As a Nan gyi thoke fanatic, Kim enjoyed trying the restaurant's version of the traditional Burmese noodle dish. Despite the price, she found the food enjoyable, adding to her expository experiences at Yoe Yar.
Although Yoe Yar offers a variety of Asian dishes, its connections to Burmese culture are what make the restaurant stand out. From introducing customers to traditional dishes like Nan gyi thoke to offering a welcoming place to eat, the restaurant gives people an opportunity to experience something new. As Yoe Yar continues to serve the Jenks community, it also continues to share a part of Myanmar’s culture with customers, one dish at a time.
Another Customer, Kim Nuam, has shared her personal experiences at Yoe Yar and explained what she enjoyed about the restaurant's food and atmosphere.
Kim Nuam and a group of her friends taking a selfie at Yoe Yar, having a great time at Yoe Yar.
“I liked how there were different options on the menu. Even if someone doesn't usually eat Burmese food, there are other dishes they can try. I think it's a good place to come with family because there is something for everyone,” Nuam said.
“The waiter was super kind and helpful, especially knowing that it's a new restaurant so all the servers were trained in a short amount of time. They helped a lot with the portion sizes and what they recommended," Nuam added.
Nuam’s experience shows how the restaurant and service can make customers feel comfortable even if it’s a new restaurant. With having a variety of food options and a welcoming waiter team, it gives customers a great impression and allows them to dive deeper into Burmese Cuisine.
As Yoe Yae continues to serve the Jenks community, it gives customers the opportunity to try traditional Burmese dishes while learning more about a culture they may not be familiar with. Through its food, employees, and welcoming environment, the restaurant brings a part of Myanmar to the Jenks-Tulsa community and gives people another reason to come together over a meal.
