Finding a Pearl in Downtown Glen Ellyn

At 12, Christine Lin received a culinary education by helping her parents run Chinese restaurants in Indiana. She did everything from customer service to management to contacting people in the restaurant field. Her family left the Hoosier state to move to Carol Stream about 10 years ago.

Those experiences became assets when she and her business partners recently opened a new downtown Asian fusion eatery: , 466 N. Main St. Lin, who is originally from the southern area of China, is the manager.

While looking for suitable locations in other DuPage suburbs such as Geneva and Naperville, Lin liked Glen Ellyn’s downtown area because “the stores are close by each other and plus, we didn’t see any sushi restaurant around here.”

Stepping inside, customers see a modern interior with black lacquered chairs and white covered tables and lantern lighting throughout the main dining room. While waiting for a table, diners come to a full service bar and watch news programming. For special parties or meetings of 10 or less, there is a tatami room. This private room invites guests to take off their shoes and sit with friends or family in a relaxing atmosphere.

Lin hired Chicago contractors to create the restaurant’s soothing décor.

“I lived in Chicago for four years and I’ve seen these types of restaurants in downtown Chicago,” she said. “Asian fusion restaurants are pretty popular down there and I haven’t seen much around this area.”

The restaurant offers Japanese, Thai and Chinese dishes. Because of their experience running establishments with these cuisines, Lin and her partners like that concept.

Sizzling wok selections include Mongolian beef, five spice duck, Hunan shrimp and General Tso’s chicken. Noodle entrees include pad kee mao—flat rice noodles with scrambled eggs, basil leaves and mixed vegetables in a garlic and pepper sauce. The Thai section offers five different curries. Lin finds that people enjoy the Panang—a red curry prepared with coconut milk, bell pepper and basil leaves.

Chefs prepare assorted maki rolls in the large sushi bar. Lin said the restaurant's signature maki list has been popular with customers since its opening. She recommends the sky roll which is filled with shrimp tempura, cream cheese and crunchy crumbs wrapped in black organic rice. Another choice, the angel hair roll, contains shrimp tempura, sliced apple, crab stick and mango.

For those who like it spicy, she recommends the hamachi guacamole roll made with yellowtail fish, avocado, jalapeno, cilantro, lime and set atop a Japanese soy-citrus sauce.

“We actually have a couple who have come back here four or five times just for that roll,” she said. “They are also bringing their friends with them to try rolls, too.”

Among those welcoming Lin and her staff to the neighborhood is Carol White, executive director of the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn, a central business district retail partnership funded by the village and local downtown retailers.

“The merchants are thrilled with having a new option for lunch,” White said. “Asian Pearl offers a ‘box lunch’ for all to enjoy on the go or in its beautiful restaurant. One should really take a minute when walking by to step in and take a look inside as the (owners) have done an outstanding job on the décor.”

White added that the restaurant has received “positive buzz on Facebook. It is quite the talk amongst shoppers (who visit) the downtown businesses."