Wok 3 offers authentic and affordable Chinese cuisines

If one were to ask an average Ugandan on the street the meaning of a food court, one would get a myriad of answers. The reason for this ignorance is mainly due to the obvious absence of shopping malls rather than any other reason.

A food court, also known as a food hall, is a common area within a facility that houses multiple food vendors. These vendors are typically located in an indoor plaza or common area, attached with their counters.

Food courts are prevalent in various locations throughout cities in developed countries, including shopping malls, airports, parks, and even some standalone developments. They have also become a popular feature in educational institutions such as high schools and universities, where they often replace or supplement traditional cafeterias.

Food courts offer a self-serve dining experience, with meals ordered at one of the vendors and then taken to a shared dining area. They also provide the option for takeout, with food packaged for consumption elsewhere- at home or the workplace. In some cases, vendors may also sell packed meals for customers to take home.

The origin of the food court concept can be traced back to the US, with the first successful implementation at the Paramus Park shopping mall in Paramus, New Jersey in March 1974.

This was a project by the Rouse Company, a leading mall building company at the time. The concept was initially attempted at the Plymouth Meeting Mall in 1971, but it was not successful due to its small size and lack of variety.

Over time, the food court concept has evolved in the US into the food hall, and in Jakarta, it has transformed into the food-park concept, where food stalls are located in park-like open spaces.

Food courts and other types of restaurants differ significantly in terms of atmosphere. A food court, typically found in shopping malls or large commercial complexes, offers a casual, bustling environment. It is a shared dining space, where multiple vendors sell food from counters, often representing a variety of cuisines.

The atmosphere is generally noisy and busy, with a high turnover of customers. Seating is communal, and the decor is usually functional rather than stylish.

On the other hand, standalone restaurants, whether they are fast food, casual dining, or fine dining, provide a more controlled and distinct atmosphere. Fast food restaurants are designed for quick service, but still offer a more personalised experience than food courts.

Casual dining restaurants offer a relaxed environment, often with unique decor and background music to enhance the dining experience. Fine dining restaurants focus on creating a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere, with high-end decor, ambient lighting, and often, a dress code.

James Beard, the great American chef, cook book author, teacher, whom I met on a couple of occasions back in the 1970’s while I lived in New York, once remarked that in all the world, ‘there are only two really great cuisines: the Chinese and the French.

China’s was created first, untold centuries ago, and is judged to be the greater----when executed by superb chefs. It is the most complicated cuisine; it uses ingredients no other employs; and it is distinctive in that, for the most part, it is cuisine a la minute (prepared very quickly and served at once).’

For those of you devotees of Chines cuisine and especially those who are budget-conscious, Wok 3 is a godsend and the answer. Make your way over there and check out their great food. As explained earlier, the Wok 3 offers food that can be prepared quickly and served in a setting that is not elaborate nor fancy.

It has a distinction of being the longest successful joint to be found in the Acacia Mall Food Court, since the inception of the mall in 2014. Wok 3, as the name implies is a Chinese joint that specialises in food from the region that is authentic and affordable.

They also offer a limited number of Thai and Indian dishes, which adds a nice touch. The beauty of the Food Court set up, among other things, is that one is not restricted to eating from any one particular vendor and one is at liberty to choose from other service providers. Recently we dined there with the family and I ordered for the chicken hot and sour soup, which is an all-time classic found in many of the better Chinese joints. 

Yes, it is hot. And yes, it is sour. But rarely does one find such a soup bursting with flavours. It also rare to find appetising stimulating yumminess. No sooner has the spoon hit the bowl, it usually does not stop moving, until the last drop. Indeed, if ever one can lay claim to a supreme soup among soups, the winner by a long shot would have to be hot and sour soup. While still on the subject of starters, the spring rolls are made out of the most wondrous phyllo pastry with an equally delicious filling. Vegetarians will be delighted with the tofu in black beans or else the oriental mixed vegetables. Not to be outdone are the special combos which are very popular seven or eight pieces of chicken wings or goat ribs served with chips and salad and can be shared amongst a group.

Place: Wok 3 

Venue: The Food Court

Address: Acacia Mall

Smoke-Free Zone: Strictly enforced

Recommended items: Chefs’ special combos 

Service: Good 

Ambience: Not bad 

Open: Daily 7 days a week till late

The Crowd: local and foreigners 

The Bar: Soda, water and juice

The damage: Reasonably inexpensive and a couple can get by with Shs50,000 

Sound level: Good

Parking: Available

RATINGS: Not to be missed