*** LHK on Convoy has closed again
Back in July I noted that Luong Hai Ky had returned to its former spot and had considered dropping by. But it was just too darned hot for Mi for me (no pun intended). I also figured that the fare would be about the same as the Mira Mesa location and the last few visits to the Convoy shop. If you are at all familiar with how the broth used to be before the original owner past away, you'd probably be as blase' as I was.....
Still it was only a matter of time before I visited......
There was a certain eeriness to entering the restaurant and seeing it looking exactly the way it was before......like nothing changed.
That may be comforting to some; but to me it was just kinda strange.
LHK had always been on the high side with regards to Mi Gia, so I was surprised to see $4.99 lunch specials on the menu.
So I decided to order the Won Ton and Dumpling Egg Noodle Soup ($4.99).
The broth at LHK has always been on the saltier side, but before there used to be a touch of savory, almost seafood flavor to it......which is no longer. Still, it doesn't lack for flavor....it's only that it is now mostly salty which is better than bland. The won ton and dumpling are the status quo for these type of shops, worked and hard, something I've grown used to over the years. I'm not going to go all (as my friend Peter says) "dumpling Nazi" over the stuff here. It's cheap eats..... and I'd say worth $4.99. The portion size did strike me as being a bit smaller than the usual...but then again, LHK was never known for huge portions.
A couple days later the weather had cooled even more, so I decided to drop by and try the Beef Sate noodle dry ($6.80).
I'd had the Beed Sate Noodle Soup at LHK before, an underwhelming experience, but felt that I should have it dry (Kho) just to see. This was an error on my part. Other than a mild spiciness the flavor fell flat...there was so little of that savory sate flavor going on, the meat was on the tough side....too much Thai basil killed everything else.... I ended up removing it. Some tomatoes and more onions replacing all that iceberg lettuce would have been nice as well.
And at almost 7 bucks, I just didn't feel that this was a good value at all being on the small side portion wise.
I'll stick with the $4.99 lunch special for now......
Luong Hai Ky Restaurant
4633 Convoy St Ste 107
San Diego, CA 92111
You can read Kirbie's post here.
Saved me a trip here Kirk, thanks. I wanted to try their Roast Duck Noodle Soup...
Posted by: Dennis | Tuesday, 23 August 2011 at 09:05 PM
By the way, the banh cuon shop around the corner from the MM location seems to have closed. Too bad, I kinda liked the signature dish. But with cash-only and them "running out" of their signature dish the last two times we visited (not to mention horrible pho), I guess it was only a matter of time.
Posted by: Janfrederick | Wednesday, 24 August 2011 at 07:52 AM
Dumpling Nazi, hahahaha!
Posted by: Carol | Wednesday, 24 August 2011 at 08:34 AM
I went to this plaza two weeks back, around 830p, and this place was dead. It's always sad to see that and I hope their business picks up.
I always find it amazing how a restaurant can charge $4.99 for a generous size of wonton/ dumpling soup. Like HOW IN THE WORLD do you make money :) I've tried their wonton/dumpling soup before and found it to be 'so-so'.
nice post!
Posted by: Faye | Wednesday, 24 August 2011 at 10:40 AM
Hi Dennis - I'd encourage you to check it out....I believe ith's about $7.50.
Hi Jan - You know, I haven't been around there for a while, I'll need to check it out.
LOL Carol....... yes, that's what I'm called.
Hi Faye - $4.99 is very affordable and at that price point it's worth it. Otherwise, I find their prices to be on the high side.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 25 August 2011 at 06:37 AM
Hiya Kirk! Long time no type! Ironically, I was just at this place the other week, and I had much the same impressions of the food. I had the basic pho--nothing to write home about either flavor-wise or portion-wise, but for under 5 bucks, it was decent enough. I am slowly getting back on the food-exploration trail after a bit of a hiatus--hope to be present in these pages more in the future. Cheers!
Posted by: mizducky | Monday, 29 August 2011 at 11:57 PM
Hi Mizducky! Long time no hear! I really didn't try the Pho......after all the "never eat Pho without Pho in it's name" rule has been spot on.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 30 August 2011 at 06:34 AM