Comfort Foods: Chopstix, Niban, Golden City

Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!! today.  Cathy is writing because the guys are just too busy.

After I got my fill of spicy foods following three weeks in the Midwest, it was time for what I just couldn't get back there (comfort food, San Diego style). Kirk posted in 2005 and again in 2015 about the original location of Chopstix. In 2006, he and I wrote a joint post about the second location and, in general, both locations are efficient with fresh food.The simple Hiya Yakko (cold tofu topped with chopped green onion, grated ginger on top of salad)($4) was just something I never thought I would miss and this really hit the spot.   Hiyashi Soba ($9)- cold buckwheat noodle topped with imitation crab, chicken, sprouts, corn, cucumber, egg and seaweed was a perfect flavor mix on this day.   The Mister ordered his 'usual'- mabo ramen ($7), which has a deep, sweet-spicy flavor along with the ground pork and tofu.  Most of the other soup bases and fillings here are sort of 'plain'.

Chopstix 4633 Convoy San Diego 92101 (858)569-9171 open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily

 Ten years ago, I wrote about Niban and then again in 2010 and in 2011.  It's a regular spot for us when we don't want to cook at home: fast, fresh, unassuming.   After ordering and paying, finding a seat and having water and hot tea (still free) brought out, food soon arrives. 
  The chicken katsu salad ($4.50) was what I wanted.  So simple: iceberg lettuce topped with cold noodles, carrot and cucumber slices and cherry tomatoes along with a perfectly breaded and fried chicken thigh. The miso based, Japanese radish/fresh ginger salad dressing is so very good. One of the window specials that day was chicken katsu curry ($7). The Mister wanted his own pieces of chicken along with the flavorful beefy curry sauce made here-it satisfied his cravings.

Niban 7081 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92111 (858)268-0465 Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Then there was my craving for something from underrated, more than ten years in the same location, consistent always good, comfort food for Kirk also, unassuming restaurant located at the South East corner of the 163 at Claremont Mesa. The rock cod with black bean sauce ($16 if not at lunch or late night (after 9 p.m., when it is $8)) is just done right here.  Lightly crisp fried fish with red and green peppers, onions and salty black bean sauce along with some red-chili heat is just what I wanted.  

Then again, so was the simple beef topped egg foo young ($14 at dinner, $7 at lunch or late night).  That is a larger than tablespoon spoon on a very large platter.  The crispy vegetable filled omelet, so simple to make (in theory) is just wonderfully flavorful, crispy and somehow addictive in flavor here.  Most times, we order it just with gravy/vegetable only, because that's all I really want.  

Golden City 5375 Kearny Villa (at Claremont Mesa) 92111 (858) 565-6682 open daily  11 a.m.-midnight website

Hope your week is still going well!