Soft opening today for Baji Baji on 1st Avenue

[Image via Instagram]

Baji Baji debuts today at 145 First Ave. between St. Mark's Place and Ninth Street. They are open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ... and after a break, 5 to 11 p.m.

As we've been noting, owner Jay Yang decided to revamp China Star here... and the renovations — and subsequent inspections by the FDNY and Con Ed — took longer than expected...


[Photo by Lola Saénz]

The quick-serve restaurant recently launched an Instagram account if you want to take a look at their dishes (Yang said previously that despite the name change, the menu will mostly remain unchanged) ...

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A post shared by BAJIBAJI (@bajibaji_nyc) on Jan 18, 2020 at 9:14am PST

Hopes for a January opening at the all-new Baji Baji on 1st Avenue

Good news for Jay Yang, owner of the recently revamped China Star at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street.

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared this photo yesterday — after Con Ed signed off on all the work following a second inspection.

Starting last summer, Yang set out to upgrade his quick-serve restaurant. He unveiled Baji Baji in the space this past fall. However, the renovations got bogged down, and there was a wait time with various kitchen inspections, including the FDNY and Con Ed, who asked him to make some changes following the first pass late last year.

Now Yang is hiring staff with hopes of being open in two weeks.

You can read our interview from October 2017 with Yang at this link.

The China Star is now Baji Baji on 1st Avenue

Several readers have noted the new signage at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street where quick-serve favorite the China Star is now Baji Baji.

China Star owner Jay Yang is also behind Baji Baji in this space, where renovations — which started in July — have stretched beyond the previous reopening timeframe.

Jay told EVG regular Lola Saénz yesterday that they are just waiting now for the inspection from the FDNY before a grand reopening.

No word just yet about what to expect from Baji Baji. Said one EVG reader: "Hopefully he won’t change anything too much and will keep turning out the best fried rice around."

You can read our interview from October 2017 with Jay and learn the backstory of the China Star at this link.

The serious renovations happening at China Star

Renovations continue inside the China Star, the family-owned takeout-delivery spot at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street. The restaurant has been closed since the middle of July.

EVG regular Lola Saénz shared this progress shot from late last week...



...here's another shot via EVG correspondent Steven...



China Star owner Jay Yang told Lola that he was about two weeks out from reopening.

You can read our interview from October 2017 with Jay and learn the backstory of the China Star at this link.

The China Star closed for actual renovations

A closed gate of a favorite place during business hours is always cause for concern.

Which bring us to the China Star, the family-owned takeout-delivery spot at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street. The restaurant has been closed since at least Friday.

However, China Star owner Jay Yang told EVG correspondent Steven that they are getting a new customized refrigerator. While waiting for that delivery, they are also going to do some tile work and painting. He told Steven that they’ll be back open in another week or so. (A note on the gate for customers might be nice!)

You can read our interview from October 2017 with Jay and learn the backstory of the China Star at this link.

The China Star returns to service

After a few days off for a kitchen repair, the China Star reopened today at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street.

EVG regular Lola Sáenz shared this photo of China Star owner Jay Yang. (You can read our interview from October 2017 with Jay and learn the family backstory of the China Star at this link.)

The China Star will be back open tomorrow (or Thursday)

In case you were alarmed at the sight of the closed gate at the China Star during usual business hours... the solid, family-owned takeout-delivery spot at 145 First Ave. near Ninth Street was closed yesterday and today.

However, earlier today, EVG regular Lola Sáenz ran into China Star owner Jay Yang, who explained that they were doing some kitchen repairs, and will be open tomorrow (Thursday at the latest).

You can read our interview from October 2017 with Jay and learn the backstory of the China Star at this link.

Anyway, a reliable and affordable source of Chinese food right here.