Midweek Meanderings: Huynh Hoa Tuu closed, Suan Nai (Beijing style yogurt) in San Diego, and Halmouny (Hal Mu Ni) reopens

This past weekend, I managed to make a couple of short drives, just to see if anything had changed since we left for vacation over a month ago. Here are a couple of items.

Huynh Hoa Tuu is gone:

I was pretty surprised to see almost all traces of Huynh Hoa Tuu gone when I drove by.

Kinda sad to see this one go as I had  enjoyed some pretty good meals there over the last couple of months. It seems that they just up and closed the place.......

Hal Mu Ni (Halmouny) finally open:

It seemed to take a while, but Hal Mu Ni has finally opened in the old Kabul Market location.

The sign for the restaurant still says only Korean BBQ and Tofu, but the shop next door; coverted to a kimchi take-out shop says Halmouny. My previous posts on the place can be found here and here.

4425 Convoy St. #217
San Diego, CA 92111

Suan Nai - Beijing Style Yogurt at Xinhua Bookstore:

FOY (Friend of Yoso) Candice informed me upon my return from China, that Xinhua Bookstore on Convoy Court has been carrying Beijing style yogurt from Bluecherry Yougrt Bar in Alhambra. So I dropped by this past weekend to check it out.

We'd visited this outpost of the very large Chinese bookstore chain when they first opened, and haven't been back since.

There is now a coffee and snack counter tucked away in the corner of the store.

 I didn't look over the offerings in great detail, but did note dried squid, pork sung, and other items in the chiller, and frozen dumplings in the small freezer opposite the cold case. And yes, there was Beijing style yogurt.... which BTW, you can also get at Little Sheep. There are the regular small containers, the stuff we usually get at places like Tianjin Bistro and Hunan Chilli King at $2.50, and a larger container for $8...... not cheap, but hey, this ain't Beijing.

Candice's email could not have come at a more perfect time. Suan Nai was one of the (many) things I was missing from China. So of course I bought a large container.

 
 So what did I think of the yogurt now that I've had several different versions in China? I'd say that this is much sweeter than even the sweetest Suan Nai we had. The texture is right, though. It wasn't bad, but the Missus is trying to encourage me to make my own Suan Nai........ I'm not quite sure I'll be able to pull that off......

Xinhua Bookstore
7373A Convoy Court
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[Lynnea]

would you say the yogurt at Xinhua bookstore is worth seeking out for someone who adores all types of yogurt but has never had the opportunity to try Beijing style?

[Kirk]

Hi Lynnea - To put it simply..... me lady should try Beijing Yogurt to expand her horizons! It is a pretty liquid yogurt, so don't be surprised using a straw. At the least you could have crossed Beijing style yogurt offf your list.

[kirbie]

I've never visited this bookstore though I always pass by it. I've never tried Beijing style yogurt either. I need to go and try this.

[Kirk]

Hi Kirbie - Give the yogurt a shot.... it's not cheap at $2.50, but it's only a quarter more than what they charge for it in LA.