After Nearly 20 Years, Ming Tsai Will Close Blue Ginger

Acclaimed Boston-area chef and television personality Ming Tsai is closing the restaurant that made him a name to know. Blue Ginger, the Asian-fusion restaurant that focused in-part on offering allergen-free options, has been open in suburban Wellesley, Massachusetts for 19 years. In 2013, Tsai opened a sister restaurant in Boston’s Seaport District, Blue Dragon, which will remain open. According to the Boston Globe, Blue Ginger’s final day of service will be June 3.

Following the closure, Tsai — who has made appearances on Iron Chef, hosted the Food Network show Eats Meets West during its run from 1998 to 2003, and continues to host the PBS show Simply Ming — will focus on a new fast-casual project, Eater Boston reports. Tsai’s entry into the genre is ChowStirs, a quick-service stir-fry restaurant set to open 2018. ChowStirs will be nut and allergy-free, and a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds will benefit Family Reach, which supports families of children with cancer.

Tsai is the latest of a long list of chefs to hop on the fast-casual trend. Eleven Madison Park’s Daniel Humm, Del Posto’s Mark Ladner, and Brazilian chef Alex Atala all plan to open fast-casual restaurants this spring. And ChowStirs, which will serve bowls with the customer’s choice of vegetable, protein, and sauce is very much in keeping with the healthy-ish, customizable offerings that have made fast-casual giants like Chipotle a success.

• Ming Tsai Restaurant Blue Ginger to Close [BG]
• Ming Tsai Is Closing Down Blue Ginger in Wellesley [EBOS]