Asian Noodles revisited

*** As of August 2011 Asian Noodles has closed

There's something about this place that keeps me coming back every six to eight months or so. It could be that I'm just a sucker for a good story, in this case the story of Ma Mon Luk(Asian Noodles claims to be "Home of the famous Ma Mon Luk Family"), the migrant from Canton who is credited with being the pioneer of Chinoy (Chinese - Filipino food) cuisine. You can read a bit more in my earlier post on Asian Noodle. I'm also fascinated by the Chinese Diaspora, and how the Chinese have influenced food wherever they have landed. Or perhaps, I'm just intrigued by the blending of flavors..... who knows, but I always return.

   

One thing I'll miss about Asian Noodles is the friendly "Liza" who would entice us off the sidewalk to eat. She passed on recently, much too early, we'll miss her.

On one of my visits, I finally took a photo of the giant woks in the cooking area.

 

This post will be on some of the "other items" here.......not just the Beef Mami or Siopao.

On one of my visits I tried the Seafood Mami, at ten bucks it was one of the more expensive items on the menu.

 

I really didn't enjoy this. As is the case about half the time here, the noodles were very mushy. The broth was bland, and the seafood of low quality. It's always bad when the best thing about a soup is the Napa Cabbage.

When I mentioned this to good FOY "MG", I was told that I had ordered badly, and that we'd needed to make a visit to Asian Noodles so she could set me straight. A few months later, the day finally arrived. As we had a seat, MG started kidding the shy and very nice young lady taking our order. She easily passed as Filipino to me, and even MG had been fooled at first. One one visit however, when MG started chatting in Tagalog with her, the truth was revealed......she is Thai! The young lady understands enough Tagalog to get by. I'm wondering how many folks think that she's a nice, young Filipino gal? The rule was no Mami, no Siopao, I've already had those dishes.

MG suggested I try the Beef Pares.

 

This classic "pair" (pare) is a simmered stewed beef served with garlic rice. I found that garlic rice might just be the way to go here, nicely browned fried rice, with a nice garlic flavor. The stewed beef was a palette of familiar flavors; soy sauce, star anise, sugar, and a touch of garlic.

 

The beef was fairly tender, the larger pieces were a touch on the dry side. I enjoyed the broth/gravy, it was like a good Chinese Beef Stew.

MG ordered the Tapsilog, and insisted that I try some of the Beef Tapa.

 

The exterior of the beef was crisp, the interior soft, and wonderful combination of textures. The flavor was an excellent combination of salty and sweet, which reminded me a bit of Mongolian Beef. It was different from most versions of Beef Tapa I've had.

We also ordered the "Special Pancit".

 

Basically a chow mein like dish. The noodles again were a bit too soft for my taste. The beef was fairly soft and moist, but this was just kinda plain to me. It showed no characteristics of being prepared in a wok.

For me garlic rice is the way to go here; and I'll probably be back for the Beef Tapa in a few months!

Asian Noodles
1430 E Plaza Blvd 
National City, CA 91950
10am - 8pm Daily

Comments

[nhbilly]

The place looks simple and so the does the food. The seafood bowl looks sad, the broth is so murky.

[Bong]

Thanks for the review. I'm going to try them out next time I'm in the area.

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - It's nice Chinoy fare.

Hi Bong - Thanks for visiting. Check them out when you have a chance.