**** Chinese Kitchen has closed
When someone mentions "hole in the wall", the first place that comes to mind is Chinese Kitchen on University Avenue near College.
When I first did a post on this little shop back in 2006, it was literally that, the ordering was done at a "hole in the wall". Here's a photo from back then.
Having a food blog, is sometimes my stomach's worst enemy.....it seems that I'm always distracted by those "shiny things". New places, new recipes, and new dishes, and places that I enjoy like Chinese Kitchen fall to the wayside. So I recently made an effort to drop by the restaurant.
And my has the place been spiffed up......some new paint, and actual fixtures that look like they belong in a restaurant! Though I'll miss ordering at the hole-in-the-wall, which has been replaced by a counter. The menu, or should I say "menus" look the same, with the huge selection of Chinese Fast-food, which I've never had a chance, nor desire to sample.
In spite of the name, I instead pay attention to what I call the "real menu" of Vietnamese Dishes.
And even beyond that, there's only one item I order here...the Bun Mang Vit (Duck and Bamboo Shoot Soup), and I'm rather surprised it's still five bucks. I've found that I prefer to take my Bun Mang Vit to go.....for a reason I'll explain later.
Take out comes in three parts, the duck, which is made inhouse(I remember being told it was acquired "very fresh"), shredded cabbage, shredded banana blossom, Rau Ram (Vietnamese Coriander), and bun comes in one tidy container. Another contains the sweet, and slightly spicy Nuoc Mam Cham, which also contains minced garlic. And the soup, in which a good amount of bamboo shoots lay rehydrating.
And though it didn't look like that much, it felt pretty hefty, and if you start placing items in plates and bowls you realize that this is a pretty good amount of food.
The reason I usually do my Bun Mang Vit to go, is simple.....I want the bamboo shoots to "steep" in the light broth, which adds a nice earthy-woodsy flavor. I will place the soup in a pot and heat slowly on the stove. After placing the Bun in a bowl, and pouring on the broth, you realize that this is a pretty good sized meal.
I almost miscalculated, which would have led to an overflow. The soup is a good as always, the duck tender and full of flavor, the banana blossom added a very mild bitterness, but not the soupy-astringent flavor that banana blossom can have, to the dish.
Just as good as always, so I guess you can just read my original post, though I think there was much more bamboo shoots this time around. And still five bucks. I still haven't deviated from this, so maybe you can make some additional recommendations for Chinese Kitchen. Though I'm more than happy sticking with my Bun Man Vit.
Chinese Kitchen
6160 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92115
619-286-8778
I think it is awesome you can get good Vietnamese food at a place called Chinese Kitchen...looks delicious!
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 12:16 AM
$5 bucks! What a deal even if the broth is MSG ridden ;-)
Posted by: nhbilly | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 06:12 AM
Hi Kat - I when they bought the place, they just kept the name......
Hi Billy - Not too much MSG in this one, and $5 is a deal nowadays.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 07:47 AM
Drool, DROOL!! That looks so good for a $5 duck noodle bowl =)
I'm not sure if their 2nd item on the Special menu is good as well. It's chicken udon noodle soup with fish sausage. If you come back Kirk and want to have something new, maybe give that one a try!!
Posted by: Michelle | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 09:01 AM
Hi Kirk,
This place has been here for at least 20 years. I used to go to it when I was in College allooonng time ago. Not the same family but still a great bargain.
Cheers!
Michael
Posted by: Michael | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 09:01 AM
Ooh, this place looks good. Recently been turned on to a vietnamese place here that does broken rice dishes. Fell in love. The down home cooking makes it an always satisfying meal.
Posted by: jeffrey C | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 09:46 AM
Hey Kirk,
That looks really good, and its close by. YAY!
I've only had one other duck soup. It had tangerine in it, but didn't look like that. Plus, it comes in a huge bowl, and costs $9.50. I split it with 2 other people, and there was still a lot left.
Thanks again for the post
Posted by: stephen | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 04:42 PM
Hi Michelle - Thanks, I think I will!
Hey Michael - How are you? I hope all is well. I think you mentioned that to me before!
Hi Jeffrey - Yes, many of these little Mom and Pop places make the most satisfying food.
Hi Stephen - Check them out, the prices are very reasonable. There are many places in San Diego that make Bun Mang Vit, but this one is my favorite.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 19 May 2009 at 08:48 PM
YEAH it has been there a long time. We used to call for delivery back in the late 60s!
Posted by: George | Wednesday, 22 July 2009 at 06:43 PM
Hi George - Different owners though!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 23 July 2009 at 07:46 AM