Western Michigan University is in for a treat as a new eatery plans to bring ramen bowls, bubble tea, and beers to the campus. Formosa Kitchen N Bar, owned and operated by the owner of Texas Township’s Hunan Garden, is approved for a lease by the WMU Board of Trustees on Thursday, June 27. This news was first seen on MLive.
The new Asian-fusion restaurant will occupy Room 1104 in WMU’s new student center, which opened in summer 2023. The center originally announced that they may partner with an outside company to run a brewpub in 2021.
Formosa Kitchen N Bar is owned and operated by Jim Chiang, who also owns Hunan Garden in Texas Township. Chiang told MLive that he drew the inspiration of Formosa from Taiwan, which was formerly known as the Republic of Formosa, and its rich culinary heritage. Once open, the restaurant will serve ramen bowls, bento boxes, bubble tea, beer and wine.
“He wants to create a lively atmosphere where students and members of the community can indulge in a menu inspired by the Formosa street food scene to embody a cultural exchange through food that captures the essence of this heritage,” Diane Anderson, WMU’s vice president of student affairs, said in the MLive article.
An opening date and more details will be announced as development progresses. What Now Detroit reached out to Chiang but hadn’t heard back by the time of this coverage. Other dining options on the same floor include Starbucks, Fuego Verde, MiPi Pizza, and Re•fresh Market. The Student Center also has a dining center on the third floor with more restaurant options.
