Yummy Yummy Top Chinese in Oklahoma City: Sichuan Heat and Handmade Noodles on NW 23rd Street
Yummy Yummy Top Chinese is a casual counter-service restaurant in Oklahoma City's Asian corridor on NW 23rd Street that specializes in Sichuan dishes and hand-pulled noodles, positioned between quick lunch stops and sit-down dining. The space seats roughly 30 people at a mix of tables and booths, and the kitchen operates open-counter style so diners can watch noodle preparation and wok work. Most entrees land between $7 and $12, making it accessible for weekday lunch and family carryout without premium pricing.
What Yummy Yummy Top Chinese actually is
The restaurant sources its identity from Sichuan cooking, the western Chinese province known for numbing-spice profiles from Sichuan peppercorn and chile heat. Hand-pulled noodles (la mian) anchor the menu; cooks stretch and fold dough by hand rather than rolling and cutting, creating strands with an elastic chew that resists clumping when tossed with broth or sauce. The kitchen also performs wok cooking to order, visible from the dining area. The owner operates one location; this is not part of a regional or national chain. Walk-ins are common and lines form during lunch hours on weekdays.
Menu and pricing
Noodle soups run $7.50 to $9 and include Chongqing chicken (la zi ji with hand-pulled noodles in spiced broth), beef noodle soup with star anise and cinnamon, and a vegetable option with bok choy and mushroom. Spice levels are marked; the restaurant offers mild, medium, and hot versions of several dishes. Dry noodle dishes (no broth) like dan dan noodles (sesame paste, chile oil, ground pork, peanuts) cost $8 to $9. Sizzling plates, wok-tossed protein with vegetable, run $9 to $11 and come in chicken, beef, and shrimp. Rice bowl dishes ($7 to $8) pair the same proteins over steamed jasmine rice with quick-cooked greens. Sides like potstickers ($4.50 for six) and edamame ($3) suit sharing. Prices are confirmed current but should be verified by phone before ordering in bulk.
How it compares to other Chinese restaurants in Oklahoma City
The distinction between Yummy Yummy Top Chinese and other Chinese restaurants in Oklahoma City turns on regional style and noodle technique. Imperial House Chinese Restaurant, also on NW 23rd, focuses on Cantonese-style Americanized entrees (orange chicken, chow mein) and plated sit-down service; choose Imperial House for a fuller dining experience with table service and broader appetizer selection. Panda Express at multiple Oklahoma City locations serves streamlined versions of similar dishes at lower price point but without Sichuan flavor profile or hand-crafted noodles. Lucky Dragon, elsewhere in the city, offers dim sum service at lunch and Cantonese cooking; it suits diners seeking soup dumplings or dim sum carts over noodle-forward orders. Yummy Yummy Top Chinese's angle is speed, authentic Sichuan heat, and the visible craft of hand-pulled noodles, ideal for lunch breaks or carryout rather than lingering service.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This restaurant works for people who tolerate or seek spice and want authentic Sichuan profiles rather than Americanized sweetness. Lunch diners and families ordering carryout benefit from quick turnover and lower price per person. It suits noodle enthusiasts who notice the texture and spring of hand-pulled versus dried or factory-made strands. It does not suit diners who dislike capsaicin heat, expect full waitstaff table service, or require extensive English-language menu translation; the space is counter-order and casual, and a printed menu exists but verbal confirmation of spice level is advisable. Those seeking dim sum or Cantonese flavors should look elsewhere. Vegetarians can order the vegetable noodle soups and tofu dishes but have fewer protein options than meat eaters.
What the first visit involves
Walk in and join the line at the counter. A staff member will hand you a menu or take a verbal order. Specify your desired spice level (the restaurant knows most first-timers do not handle "hot") and whether you want noodle soup, dry noodles, a rice bowl, or sizzling plate. If you are uncertain, ask the staff to recommend a mild option; the dan dan noodles are less overwhelming than Chongqing chicken for new customers. Pay at the register and wait at a table or take a pager. During lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) expect a 10 to 20 minute wait from order to receipt. Carryout orders can be called ahead and picked up in under five minutes. Eat at a table in the dining area, which fills quickly at noon.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Yummy Yummy Top Chinese operates 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; it is closed Mondays. The address is on NW 23rd Street in the Asian shopping corridor; street parking is available directly outside and a shared lot serves nearby businesses. There is no dedicated lot, so arrive early during lunch rush or plan for a quick walk from street side. The restaurant is 10 to 15 minutes by car from downtown Oklahoma City and adjacent to other Asian groceries and restaurants, making it a stop within a broader neighborhood visit. Confirm current hours by phone before traveling, as holiday closures vary.
Yummy Yummy Top Chinese fills a specific niche in Oklahoma City's Chinese dining landscape: it delivers authentic Sichuan flavor and handmade noodle work at lunch-friendly prices and speed. For diners seeking that combination, it outperforms both chains and broader Americanized Cantonese options in the city.
