Niu Rou Mania - Hunan Chinese Restaurant

**** Hunan Chinese Restaurant has closed

Unfortunately, this is one of those PWTSDS (sounds like putdz) posts....... "Posts Where the Sun Don't Shine". I had thought about just deleting the photos, but I don't get up to North County very much, and I'm not sure I'd want to have the NRM here again. So my apologies in advance......

Somewhere, in the comments section of one of my posts, someone mentioned that Hunan Restaurant in Rancho Bernardo made Niu Rou Mein. Being a big fan of NRM, I made sure to drop by when I was in the area.

  

To be perfectly clear, there ain't anything "Hunan" about Hunan Restaurant except for the name. I had a meal here years ago, and it was totally "ABCDE" (American Born Chinese Dining Establishment). But looking at the menu board, I noticed a section that had various noodle and rice dishes which looked promising.

So I entered the restaurant, and stepped into an alien green world!

 

I just found the greenish hue somewhat unappetizing, but I've never let stuff like that stop me before. Since I like to keep a low profile, and never use a flash, the lighting made taking photos somewhat difficult. For a while I tried timing my photos to the opening of the front door which would let light into the place. But of course, the wait between photos would have been pretty long!

The women here are pretty nice, and I simply ordered the Niu Rou Mian, which got the lady speaking to me in Mandarin, during my entire meal....... I don't think she ever figured out that I really didn't understand what she was saying!

Soon enough the NRM ($6.95) arrived.

 

When my bowl arrived, all I could think was "what the Pho?" That's what the broth looked like, Pho..... Though scalding hot, it was insipid, there was just a trace of five spice flavor, and it lacked any of the richness or the beefiness of Niu Rou Mein. What the heck? The noodles were the packaged stuff I buy from 99 Ranch Market, and was cooked well. What was impressive about this bowl was the amount of meat in this bowl. There was just as much meat under the noodles as was on the top!

 

The meat was tender, but lacking in flavor. I think I just found a NRM for those folks who think Bun Bo Hue is all about the meat, and should taste like "spicy Pho".

 An acquaintance of mine loves the ABCDE food from Hunan, so those dishes might be good. I thought the service was very nice and friendly. But I cna get Americanized Chinese in dozens of places less than 25 miles from home.

Hunan Chinese Restaurant
16719 Bernardo Center Dr
San Diego, CA 92128

Open Daily: 11am - 9pm

Comments

[Carol]

Wow, you went all the way up to RB for NRM! As far as ABCDE goes, it is one of the better places in the RB/Poway/Scripps area (unfortunately). If I had the choice between Hunan and Chin's (about 2 miles from Hunan), it would be Hunan. But then, RB is the land of the newly wed or nearly dead.

I don't think their noodle dishes are much to speak of. I've tried a pan fried noodle and soup noodle before and didn't enjoy either very much. I haven't tried any other noodle dishes since.

The mu shu pork here is okay. The Mister likes the Kung Pao Chicken, which is not too bad (but then I don't like KPC). The Hot and Sour Soup is hit or miss. The Peking Pork is actually decent, usually. Yup, ABCDE all the way. But they are pretty nice as far as service, even though we get things to go. And they've never screwed up an order yet.

Next time you have the urge to come up to my neck of the woods for NRM, better off just coming to my place for dinner instead. It won't be NRM but at least you won't be seeing green. lol!

[Janfrederick]

This is a place we used to go to where our co-worker would order from the "secret menu". I remember being shocked when he offered to take us there since he was all about really good Chinese food. The secret menu items are "way" better than the items listed in English. However, I haven't been in 7-8 years, so it could have gone downhill.

[MrM]

LOL.

I love your 'stepping into an alien green world' comment. Its similar to how I felt when I went to Hunan. I kind of looked around and thought 'What the H!'.

I'd heard the soup was good there (particularly the Niu Rou Mein), but I wanted to see just how 'Hunan' this place was before coming again to have soup so I ordered their 'Hunan' Beef.

My spice tolerance is fairly high as I live south of I-8, but I was expecting them to Gringo it down for me since I am white as a sheet. Even so, I've been to other places where they Gringo it down, but still leave a bit of a kick. Not this place! Unfortunately, what I got was not what I was expecting. I got a plate of fairly greasy beef chop suey...not the spicy fried beef strips with scallions, garlic, and chilies I was expecting. No chili oil either! Very blah and flavorless.

I ate, left, and had a great deal of fun trying to back out and leave the place with the never ending Jack In The Box Drive-Through crowd behind me blocking my way out.

Needless to say, I've not been back. So far, the best Chinese I've managed to come by in the RB, Carmel Ranch, Poway triad is a little place on Camino Del Norte and Pomerado Rd. called Chopsticks (but of course). Its basically another ABCDE, but if you get her 'house special' of the day, you might get something with quite a kick. She's obviously from Hunan or Szechuan Province. Her house specials are invariably a chili oil stir fry affair. Basically Kung Pao Something with variations. She even asks what level of spicy you want, no matter how Asian or not you look. She also calls you 'Her Friend' as her greeting to you upon entering. No Ba Ren, of course, but as good as I can find up here in the RB Burbs.

Also, next door is this place: http://www.amerasiancuisine.com/. A Turo Turo joint in Poway! Not too bad either!

[Kirk]

Hi Carol - I might just take you up on that.

Hi Jan - More than a few years back, one of the ex-managers of Spicy City (not the nasty one), quit and took over Hunan. I heard that the food was pretty good during that period. I think they've changed ownership since then though.

Hi MrM - This place is Hunan in name only. I think I might give Chopsticks a try. It might be interesting. Thanks for the recs!!!

[nhbilly]

I'd be afraid to introduce you to any ABCDE in Tx. There is only a few and I don't even bother going and my Chinese wife feels the same way too. :-(

[Carol]

Ooo, Chopsticks in the Albertson's shopping mall...Uh, hmmm. We tried that place a couple of times a few years back when we were searching for somewhat decent Chinese food and it was not good. The Mister hated the KPC. But it's been years since we've tried last so maybe we'll stop by in the near future. (hmm, sounds like a post to me).

Let me know if you decide to try it Kirk. Maybe I'll meet up with you, hehe.

[Sandy]

I've tried this place many years ago, but I can't remember anything about the experience. I think we chose Cantonese-style dishes, despite the name of the place.

I guess if you can speak or read Chinese, you can access the secret menu for better, tastier dishes.

Pearl would be the best Chinese restaurant in the North County inland area, but it's pricey. I usually just drive down to the Convoy Street area.

[Green Turtle]

I just ate there today and got the #9 on the noodles menu (mixed chow fun). Good amount of meat, shrimp, etc. The broth was a little bland so I did add some la jao (the red hot condiment on the table). I'm surprised to see your menu show 6.95, I could've sworn it was 6.50 when I looked at it today (went lunch time during the week, maybe you went on a weekend when the prices are higher?). It's a good size bowl with enough for leftovers to take home for those without voracious appetites.

[Judy Lee]

Okay... Maybe I missed it somewhere. What is ABCDE? "A Bland Chinese Dining Experience?"

[Judy Lee]

Ahhhh, nevermind. I found it!

[foodhoe]

Since I don't know the dish NRM, I had to look at your previous posts about it and while you have many posts about it, there are only a couple that you liked! Such dedication...

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - LOL! I don't think I'm that bad!

Hi Carol - I'll let you know....

Hi Sandy - Since it's been a while, I'm wondering how the Dim Sum is now at Pearl?

Hi GT - I went during the week.....and did get charged $6.95. So I dunno......

Hi Judy - It's just a silly acronym I made up. I kinda like yours better!!! ;o)

Hi FH - When done well, it is a wonderful dish!