Chopstix

Chopstix is a very popular Noodle House residing on Convoy Street. I'll readily admit that I enjoy Chopstix, and it is one of my favorite places:

I think much has to do with the homey, somewhat cozy, surroundings. I won't call it atmosphere, because there really is no true atmosphere. But there's something about the decor that is comforting to me. Service is always good, never very friendly, but never cold, and always very polite. Call it dependable if you will; but dependable is very comforting.

One of the dishes that order quite often is the Chasyu-Men($6.50):

The Chasyu-men has 4 slices of Chasyu; which in this case is the Japanese version which is usually a rolled and tied pork loin cooked in a soy sauce based sauce for several hours. Versus the Chinese style Barbecued Pork. The broth is chicken, pork, and soy sauce based. The noodles are thin egg noodles, and a half a boiled egg, bean sprouts, a slice of kamaboku, and green onions complete the dish. Just so you understand that dependable does not mean consistent, I've never had two bowls of ramen here that were exactly the same. I once had a broth that was so oily, I thought the Exxon Valdez had crashed into my bowl. Today the oil content was perfect, just many tiny beads of oil floated on the surface of the broth, and the flavor was balanced; controlling the saltiness of the broth can be problematic at times. I enjoy the 'al dente noodles, and everything else in this bowl. Except the Charsyu (Char Siu); today it was very, very dry and flavorless. Definitely not good eats. Good thing I didn't order the Deluxe Chasyu-Men($7.50), which has even more meat.

We usually get a side order of the Mix Tempura whenever we visit:

With 12 pieces of mixed tempura, I think this is quite a bargain. There are 4 pieces of shrimp, as well as carrot, Kabocha Squash, broccoli, and my favorite, onion rings, among other items. This type of tempura is not quite the very light and lacy, nor the thick and "eggy" type. It's more of a crunchy lacquer, and will keep for quite a while. Very tasty.

The one item that I order the most often is the Curry Rice($5.95), but today I ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry Rice($7.25):

I enjoy the Curry at Chopstix, it's beefy and slightly spicy, and has little chunks of beef and other disintegrating vegetables in it. And most of all, not overly sweet as Japanese Curries can tend to be. The Chicken Katsu in this case, are actually "chunks" of dark meat chicken breaded in panko and fried, not the usual flattened white meat. One item that made eating the Katsu somewhat ponderous, was that it wasn't sliced, so you had to pick up the whole piece with your chopstick and take a bite out of it. The katsu really didn't add anything to the dish. I'll stick with just Curry Rice next time. This dish came with Miso Soup that was way too salty, and a salad with an Asian Sesame Dressing.

I usually stay with these three dishes at Chopstix and maybe Hiyashi Ramen during the summer. I've always been unhappy when I've ventured too far from my favorites here. The Mabo Tofu is overly sweet, and I think things get really bad with combinations like Curry Ramen or Mabo Ramen.  So my suggestion, find what you like, and stick with it.

Chopstix Sushi & Noodle Cafe
4633 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111

Comments

[Kirk]

Hi Kristy - Well it ain't Santouka, in fact nothing in San Diego even approaches Santouka..... I hope you feel better soon, it's not much fun being sick over the Holidays! Take Care!

[Kristy]

Mmmm...thanks for the note Kirk! Hmm... you know, MS and I had Santouka last weekend at the new spot in West LA, and I'm still biased towards Ramenya. But anyhow, LOVED this place last night! It was SO crowded but we got there just in time to sit at one of the table booths. Some serious Japanese homecooking! :D Oishikatta!

[joe]

i just ate there tonight, and i have to admit that before, i was a huge fan of chopstix in san diego. However, after tonight i will never go back again. My girlfriend ordered the Deluxe Nabiyaki and I ordered my usual Chicken Katsu Curry. About halfway through the meal she found a finger nail! in her soba. It was absolutely disgusting! and then, they said they would give her another bowl (as if any of us were hungry after finding the finger nail). then, they canceled just that order of Nabiyaki, and didnt have the common courtesy to cancel the entire order, which, given another restaurant, would have been first instinct. I wont ever recommend this place for anyone to eat at again, and I dont expect to ever step into the restaurant again.