This week in Springfield-area restaurant news: A Chinese-Mexican-Japanese fusion truck plans to open and an organization announces a vegan competition in Springfield.

Chinese-Mexican-Japanese fusion truck opens Nov. 6

The Metro Eats food truck park, 2463 W. Sunshine St., is getting a new resident: Whatever You Want, which will serve Chinese, Mexican and Japanese hibachi food. The truck’s grand opening is Nov. 6.

Owner Janeth Moreno grew up the restaurant industry and has been planning the venture since 2020. She hopes that people will embrace the menu.

“I definitely want people to not be so scared to try the fusion, whether that be the Chinese burrito or a hibachi taco,” Moreno said. “I definitely recommend trying them — I know they sound weird, but it works.”

Whatever You Want will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

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Springfield businesses could compete in vegan challenge

For the month of January, Springfield businesses are invited to participate in the Vegan Chef Challenge, according to a press release from challenge host Vegan Outreach.

From Jan. 1 to Jan. 31, people will be able to sample vegan dishes and then vote on their favorites. Winning dishes will be announced in February.

According to the website, the Vegan Chef Challenge was born in 2010 when writer Eleni Vlachos noticed the lack of vegan options in Durham, North Carolina. A chef friend suggested, “Chefs love a contest. Make it a challenge.”

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].