*** Dedes' has closed
Whew, it's been a long day of running around, so just a real quick post tonight.
Ever since I had what I considered to be a very mediocre version of Cumin Lamb at The "New" Spicy City, I've been pining for my favorite local version of the dish. Finally giving in to the craving we headed over to Dede's. And of course I ordered the Cumin Flavored Lamb($9.50):
Other than the price, which has gone up $1 in the last few months, it is the same dish that I posted about in 2006. Perhaps a lighter hand was used in regards to the salt this time around. One of the benchmarks of a good version of cumin lamb requires left-overs. If the Missus walks into the kitchen while I'm in the process of reheating the cumin lamb with fingers pinching Her nostrils telling me; "ewwww, that smells like really bad B.O., open the windows!" I know it's good.
We also tried the Chung King Hot Pot($13.99):
While the broth had the required "ma-la"(numbing hot) thing down, this fiery caudron lacked the flavors of herbs and other spices that we enjoy in in this style of Hot Pot. In other words it was only spicy..... The bean curds sheets added a nice texture, as did the tender chicken, but the tripe was very bad, I don't think it had been prepared properly, it had a dank odor, and the flavor was on the bitter-unpleasantly milky side.
Still, I was more than satisfied with my Cumin Lamb...and was more than satisfied with the Missus's reaction to my reheating the dish. I think I'll need another Cumin Lamb fix again soon....... I've been told that cumin is addictive, I'm starting to believe that there's some truth to that statement.
Dede's Teajuice City
4647 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
My previous post on Dede's can be found here.
Hmmm...what would happen if you (or the Missus) reheated cumin lamb for lunch at work??? Hahaha...
Posted by: liver | Saturday, 15 March 2008 at 10:17 PM
Hi Liver - Before or after we get escorted to HR???? ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Saturday, 15 March 2008 at 11:06 PM
Have you tried the cumin lamb at Little Sheep? Dede's is pretty good but I think Lil Sheep is better. It has much stronger cumin taste and you can see the seeds everywhere.
Posted by: cumin lamb | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 09:43 AM
Hi CL - Yes, we had the cumin lamb at Little Sheep:
http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2007/11/little-sheep-mo.html
We found the lamd to be tough, without enough lamb flavor(not gamey enough) and salt. Dede's uses cumin powder, that is why you don't see the seeds.
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 16 March 2008 at 01:24 PM
Costco needs to start selling the BIG spice containers of cumin.
Posted by: janfrederick | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 08:50 AM
Hi Jan - LOL! If they did, you'd sure be able to smell them from the entrance.... ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 09:17 AM
I love dede's! My colleagues all adore the cumin lamb, its been spot on every time. I absolutely love the spicy shrimp and the fried fish there too. Mmmmm
Posted by: jennywenny | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 12:45 PM
Hi Jenny - Yes, Dede's does a good job on some dishes.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 07:06 PM
Kirk,I never really got into cumin lamb until a year ago when friends of ours from Beijing did a barbecue and had lamb with cumin. It was great. Opened my eyes on cumin as a seasoning. My wife has since done dry fried beef with cumin seasoning. Heavenly.
Hope you are having a great time traveling!
Posted by: Jeff C | Thursday, 03 April 2008 at 12:36 PM
Hi Jeffrey - Thanks, we're waiting for our flight to LAX in Taipei at this moment. We had a wonderful time!
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 06 April 2008 at 05:29 AM