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
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Kirk: I think you folks have more “plate lunch” choices where you live vs. me in the Phoenix area. The few places here all have the standard stuff — teri chicken, teri beef, kalbi (maybe), chicken katsu, tonkatsu, and kalua pig and cabbage (a poor imitation). I really miss the plate lunch places I used to frequent in Honolulu. I could get s/s spareribs, hamburger steak and grilled onions, pork cutlet, beef stew, curry stew, etc. etc. You get the picture. I really hate to cook everyday, but to find simple comfort food here is difficult.
I know Kat…bummer….
Hi Alan – Man, do I miss a good local style beef stew…or decent teri beef sandwich! That’s a bummer about having only what seems to be the bsic “Hawaiian BBQ” fare. I remember going to a plate lunch place in the late ’90’s when I was doing some consulting work in the PHX/Tempe area at a place named something like Aloha Kitchen maybe? Man, that was like over 20 years ago.
Kirk: Aloha kitchen is still here. The owner is now semi-retired and has essentially turned the operation over to his younger staff (I don’t think they are family members). IMO the food quality has gone down an I think it is because the owner is not cooking or running the place now. They do have fried saimin on the menu, and they have Hawaiian food on the weekends. But I still want the variety that the old-school Hawaiian plate lunch places offered. I can still remember the messy “mixed plate” lunch that I used to get with a little of that and a little of this on the plate. Do you remember those places?
Oh man Alan – You just made me recall Masu’s? Remember Masu’s massive plate lunch? Geez, I’m getting old….
Yup; I remember Masu’s Massive Plate Lunch. I used to love a favorite place on Sheridan Street (I forgot the name). I still go to eat at the original L&L on Liliha Street (the first one) whenever I go home to Honolulu, and it is still very good. I also used to love going to Kewalo Basin and eating plate lunch from the lunch wagons there. Man, those were the good old days.
I remember Hana Chicken near Sheridan; the old Masu’s was on Makaloa. I fondly recall Tsukenjo’s, which I think is still around. I miss places like Tanoue’s/Washington Saimin/Wo Fat/ Tin Tin/Bea’s…all the Okazuya’s/Aotani Fountain/Chicken Alice/Kaimuki Inn/Kuhio Grill…..wow….it’s a long list!
I had L+L a couple months ago when they catered a work event. It was ok. Better than my last trip to an L+L maybe 10 years ago.
So, your saying I should give L&L another try Soo? Ok….
I stick to the hand pulled noodles at Shann Xi. They’re serviceable. Still need to check out Da Kine’s.
I had that a while back Junichi and didn’t are for it much…need to try it again one of these days.
I still have a few go-to dishes I enjoy at Shann Xi – it definitely isn’t perfect but by San Diego standards it’s hit the spot. Via Da Kineās, I haven’t tried the Teri chicken yet but it’d be a bummer if it’s not marinated. I agree about the rice, it’s been hit and miss for me too. I stick to the kaula + katsu (though the teri beef was also surprisingly decent).
Even back in the “old days” I thought the teri chicken at Da’ Kine’s wasn’t very good Derek. The rice there kinda goes “back and forth”…so strange.
Had to comment one more time: I finally remembered my old-time favorite plate lunch place….Torii’s Lunch Room on Sheridan Street!!
Torii’s….yeah, I remember that place Alan! Man, that goes back pretty far!
Yeah Kirk: I am an old-timer now. When I was in high school, I worked part time at Varsity Motors in Moiliili (across Beretania from I think the supermarket). I used to eat lunch at Maruzen, a small mom and pop lunch room where I could get a nice lunch for under $2, including a drink.
As am I Alan! ;o)