China Wok, a new Oriental eatery, has opened its doors at 1575 La Crosse St., Suite B, next to the Geico insurance office.

China Wok serves Chinese, Thai and Japanese food. And the kitchen is open, which will allow patrons to watch the chef as he prepares the food.

For now, the chef is Lee Zhu, the Chinese restaurateur who operates the Coco Palace and other restaurants in Rapid City. But the business is actually owned by Zhu's wife, Xiuying Lin.

Zhu said he is helping out at the new eatery. Unlike the family's other restaurants, the China Wok is primarily a take-out restaurant. There is seating inside but no table service. Diners can order entrees, soft drinks, iced tea and water at the counter.

Later, perhaps as early as March, the China Wok will add delivery service to its offerings.

Zhu will continue to help out at China Wok, but he will have his hands full running his other restaurants. The list includes the Hong Kong Buffet on East North Street and the Asian Garden Restaurant on Mountain View Road.

He also owns the China Buffet in Sturgis, but he is leasing that to another operator.

The family's biggest venture is the Coco Palace, which opened last summer in a former Jehovah's Witness Hall at 1900 Maple Ave., across from the Rushmore Mall. Zhu's other two restaurants are primarily buffet-style eateries. But Coco Palace is a sit-down restaurant with a large menu and elaborate furnishings.

With China Wok, the family has an eatery that now offers Chinese-style fast food.

Hours at China Wok are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

For more information call 716-9965.

Contact Daly at 394-8421 or dan.daly@rapidcityjournal.com