Real Chow Baby owner to launch quick-serve dim sum concept

By caleb j. spivak + on April 26, 2011

Mike Blum, co-creator of the stir-fry based franchise, to open Yum Bunz

UPDATE (May 15, 2012):
Yum Bunz finalizes plans to open West Midtown restaurant

Yum Bunz, a quick-serve dim sum restaurant, will open it’s first location late summer or early fall of this year, according to James Oxendine with Atlanta Magazine.

The dim sum restaurant that will specialize in bao, fluffy Chinese buns stuffed with barbecued roast pork and other fillings, is the brainchild of Mike Blum, the report notes.

Blum is co-creator of The Real Chow Baby restaurants.

In a recent interview, Blum told Oxendine he was scouting out possible locations for the first Yum Bunz.

“Hoping to find a location in either Midtown, the Westside, or the Old Fourth Ward,” Blum said in the interview.

Inspiration behind his concept comes from “Roy Choi and the Kogi Food Truck,” according to Blum, as well as “Wow Bao from Rich Melman and the Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants.”

Sounds to us like he’s going for a food truck feel– without the truck.

For more details on the new concept and the inspiration behind launching, read the rest of Oxendine’s thoughtful interview here.

About caleb j. spivak

CJS is the Founder of What Now Atlanta. He was recently featured in The New York Times, Creative Loafing's "20 People to Watch in 2012," named "Lifestyle Blogger You Need To Know" by Rolling Out Magazine and highlighted as Atlanta's Metropolitan Male in fashion magazine, 944. WNA was named "Best of Atlanta" by Creative Loafing and Atlanta Magazine.

14 Comments

Felix

April 26, 2011 at 10:00 pm

Hrmm. If it’s just bao, I think the street food community would love a truck spinoff of this. I’m still waiting for quality banh mi to hit Midtown.

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Laura

April 26, 2011 at 10:52 pm

This has potential… I’d definitely try it out! I second Felix on the banh mi.

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Pandora Lee

April 26, 2011 at 11:44 pm

Please please please MIDTOWN on PEACHTREE!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mike

April 27, 2011 at 8:08 am

I was going to say the same myself Pandora Lee. Midtown on Peachtree! It’s just mind boggling how many concepts avoid the main street through our city.

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Midtown Alexander

April 27, 2011 at 9:01 am

I agree. Midtown on Peachtree!

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Alex

April 27, 2011 at 9:26 am

EASTSIDE PLEASE

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jojo

April 27, 2011 at 9:30 am

Midtown:Peachtree:Now.

Also, love the name haha.

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Midtown_DD

April 27, 2011 at 10:36 am

I’m sure rent on Peachtree in Midtown is no joke.

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inman parker

April 27, 2011 at 1:02 pm

Inman park!

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Allison Wonderland

April 27, 2011 at 1:43 pm

Mr. Blum is a genius, and vegan-friendly too. I hope it ends up in O4W.

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mypitboss

April 27, 2011 at 4:43 pm

VA Highlands! The area has no quick service food available (except for Yeah! Burger) now that Everybody’s Pizza has been replaced with a sushi restaurant.

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Alex

April 27, 2011 at 7:29 pm

Kwood – The old Miss Winners. Up for auction May 11th and probably is pretty cheap. Plus it’s got a drive through which would be awesome

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Johnny

April 28, 2011 at 10:42 am

Authentic, just like Chowbaby, Genghis Grill and PF Chang. Hope they have tripe, chicken feet and internal organs. CAN’T WAIT!

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Johnny B

April 28, 2011 at 11:45 am

So excited about this news! I frequent Wow Boa in Chicago and am a huge fan of the concept. This would totally rock!

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