Stay on the trail: Springfield visitors bureau debuts cashew chicken tour
This week in 417 food news: A new trail is the epitome of Springfield's food culture and a longtime Chinese restaurant closes.
Visitors bureau debuts cashew chicken trail
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau already offers self-guided tours that take you to the area's best spots for brews, both caffeinated and alcoholic. So why not get some food to go with those drinks?
The Cashew Chicken Trail has got you covered. Much like the Ozarks Coffee Trail or the Ozarks Tap and Pour, the "trail" consists of a list of nearly 30 participating locations that you can visit and check in at to earn points. The locations aren't limited to traditional Chinese restaurants — you can also get points for sampling "The Springfield," a sandwich that includes cashew chicken at the Chicago Cheesesteak Company South, 303 E. Battlefield Road.
Once you accumulate 30 points, you can collect a pair of custom, reusable chopsticks or a T-shirt for 60 points. Signing up for the trail is free. Participants will need to complete the trail and redeem their prizes by April 17, 2025.
Hungry for more Springfield food news? Get a weekly helping with the News-Leader's Restaurant Roundup newsletter
After 16 years, local Chinese restaurant closes
5 Spice China Grill closed on April 13, according to a sign on the door at 2058 S. Glenstone Ave. The sign did not reveal a reason for closure, simply thanking patrons for 16 years of business.
The restaurant's website and Facebook page have both been taken down as of April 18. A call to the business's phone number gave an automated message that the number is temporarily unavailable.
Ocean Zen owners John and Johnson Tan opened 5 Spice China Grill in 2008, four years after opening Ocean Zen, according to previous News-Leader reporting. The restaurant is housed in Ocean Zen's original location. The Tan brothers grew up in Springfield and chef Johnson Tan trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona, before returning to the area to open Ocean Zen, according to previous reporting.
Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield visitors bureau debuts cashew chicken trail. How it works
