Just a couple of revisits for tonight.
Shann Xi Magic Kitchen:
**** This location of Shann Xi Magic Kitchen has closed.
I was shopping around lunch time at 99 Ranch Market….business at the Balboa location seems to be picking up. Since the weather's cooling off a bit, I thought I'd give Shann Xi Magic Kitchen another try. My last visit left something to be desired.
In what I thought was kind of an interesting move; it seems that Shann Xi MK gives you a discount when you pay in cash. Not a big deal, but I got a seventy-six cent discount, which brought my bowl of Yang Rou Pao Mo to ten bucks exactly.
The Yang Rou Pao Mo was even worse this time around. The broth, while scalding hot, was really thin, super salty, with too much white pepper and lacked any other redeeming qualities.
There was a scant three slices of lamb in the soup; which was actually nice and "muttony". Like I've said before, the "pao mo" that I've had in the states leaves much to be desired as it's really just gummy dough.
The amount of paomo has been reduced as well.
Boy do I miss this…..
Which was so amazing…..from Tong Sheng Xiang in Xi'an.
You can tell the difference, right? I wonder why restaurants in San Diego can't even get it close……
Shann Xi Magic Kitchen
5950 Balboa Ave (In the 99 Ranch Market Food Court)
San Diego, CA 92111
Da Kine's:
**** Da Kine's has reopened in La Mesa. You can find a post here.
Yes, I know I did a post on Da Kine's reopening just last month. But week or so ago, I was chatting with another Ex-pat Kama'aina at my favorite watering hole about Da' Kine's. He told me that the Teri Chicken had really improved. I told him that the teri chicken at Da' Kine's had never been a favorite of mine, but was told to try it and see.
Well, this was just ok. I don't think they marinate the chicken at Da' Kine's. I wouldn't be surprised if they just dunked it in some kind of sauce and put it on the grill. It was fairly bland. While on the dry side, it wasn't as dry as what I'd had before. The rice was too mushy this time around, though the mac salad was chilled and nicely seasoned, just like what I'd had the previous month.
I mentioned this when I saw the guy the next time. His response, "it's better than L&L…." Man, talk about setting the bar really low…though when was the last time I had chicken from L&L…hmm…..do I really want to punish myself like that???
Da Kine's Plate Lunches
5401 Linda Vista Rd.
San Diego, CA 92110