Tian Fu DIY Hotpot has become a staple for Corvallis students seeking authentic Chinese food. With its distinctive Minion-painted interior, the restaurant is not just a local favorite, but now a nationally recognized establishment.
Ranking ninth in the nation for best Chinese food Tian Fu DIY Hotpot website, Tian Fu DIY Hotpot stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of its founder Yue Jay Chen along with his wife, Ivory Jing.
Originally from Sichuan, China, Chen grew up surrounded by a rich culinary tradition. He pursued his undergraduate degree at Sichuan University before moving to the United States to continue his graduate studies in music at Oregon State University. He was a TA throughout his time at OSU.
Later, Chen began a doctoral program at Indiana University but soon realized his deep love for Oregon and its diverse community specifically in Corvallis.
“You meet a lot of people who have never gotten out of the state,” Chen said. “During 1989, (there were) still not many Asians, and so I just felt really out of place.”
With a strong attachment to Oregon, Chen returned and secured a job at OSU’s music department while also auditioning for the Portland Opera, where he earned the principal trumpet position. He also performed with the Oregon Symphony, solidifying his place in the state’s arts community.
Chen envisioned the restaurant as a way to help his wife Ivory’s parents find meaningful, easy work after moving to the U.S., and that work included making “noodles.”
At the same time, he saw an opportunity to bring authentic Sichuan flavors to Corvallis.
“I know my mother-in-law makes incredibly good noodles, so (we thought we’d) maybe just do a restaurant … and (making noodles) is not too hard for them,” Chen said.
In the summer of 2014, the space now occupied by Tian Fu was a small restaurant called Bento, owned by an elderly couple. Chen inquired about purchasing the business, and after a late-night Skype call with his in-laws, he laid out the reality of the decision.
“I just said, ‘Do you want to do this?’” Chen said. “‘You have to understand, if you do this, you move to the U.S. That means you leave everything behind. You don’t know the language. You have no friends. If you want to go somewhere, we have to drive you, so please think very carefully.’”
By the following day, the decision was made. Chen wrote a check right then and purchased the restaurant, beginning a new chapter with Tian Fu.
Chen took a 1-year leave from the Portland Symphony to help his family with the restaurant. After that, he chose to stay and now runs it with them.
The name “Tian Fu”, meaning “House of Heaven,” is a nickname for Sichuan Province, the southwestern part of China where Chen himself grew up. The restaurant gained popularity for its commitment to authentic flavors, high-quality ingredients and an engaging hotpot experience.
Initially, when Chen and his wife were notified of Tian Fu’s ranking, they dismissed it as a scam. However, after receiving a follow-up phone call, they realized their restaurant had truly earned a spot among the best Chinese restaurants in the country.
One of the restaurant’s defining ingredients is the Sichuan peppercorn.
“We have this very authentic Sichuan peppercorn, which gives you a numbing, tingling sensation. So, very fresh and unique to (customers),” Chen said.
Beyond national ranking, the Corvallis community has embraced Tian Fu. Local food enthusiasts frequently recommend the restaurant in online culinary forums.
“They just say, ‘You ought to go check out Tian Fu,’” Chen said, “which I love to hear.”
