Man, it's really blowing outside. Cathy sent me a message saying the power out in her part of San Diego. I hope everyone is keeping warm and out of the wind!
Two weekends ago, I went up to Mira Mesa to get a haircut. I'll usually hit up a place for breakfast before my haircut; Pho Cow Cali or Pho Lucky. This time around I thought it was time for a revisit to Tim Ky which I thought was pretty good when I first visited, but was quite pedestrian on my last visit. It was fairly early, so just simple won ton and dumpling egg noodle for me.
This was pretty good, Better than what I had the last time around. The broth was light, pork-chicken, with just a touch of oil, savory, and not overly salty this time around. The charsiu was on the bland side and the two won tons were on the tough side, the 4 dumplings were also kind of chewy. The egg noodles were quite nice, good chew. Nice and simple, a nice breakfast. This got me wondering if this might be better than the version at Minh Ky.
Tim Ky Noodle
9330 Mira Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92126
So yesterday, before the storm moved in; under the overcast sky, I headed up to Minh Ky.
And while I usually order the Beef Sate Noodle - Dry here; I went with the won ton and dumpling egg noodle soup. Which, while packed with stuff, looked quite light.
The differences were quite striking. The egg noodles here were not quite as yellow as the version at TimKy and also thinner. It was also nice and al dente, the noodles probably went to MK as did the charsiu, the dumplings, and the won tons which were much more tender that I ever recalled having here. Perhaps getting here before the crowds descend (0830) makes a difference?
I think the broth at Tim Ky was slightly better, mainly due to the richness, but overall, I still think Minh Ky is better overall.
Minh Ky Restaurant
4644 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92115
It was fun doing a nice simple comparison which started with going to my haircut appointment. My hair didn't fare so well. The guy who's been cutting my hair for ages; I'd followed him all over the place, Mission Valley to Serra Mesa to El Cajon to College to his uncles house (during a bad spell he was pretty much homeless) to Rolando, to Oceanside, then most recently Mira Mesa. Unfortunately, he had just quit the day before....and I needed to get my hair cut, so I had one of the other guys cut it.....so I now have quite the buzz. The Missus gasped when I got back home....but hey, it's hair, it'll grow back. One of the guys at work asked me why I just didn't shave my head.....looking at him (balding), I just said, "hey, I get to prove that I actually have hair...."
bummer about the haircut, the noodles look good, stay warm!
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 31 January 2016 at 09:51 PM
Breakfast of champs.
Posted by: nhbilly | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 05:01 AM
Yeah, it's given my quite an interesting look Kat.
Totally Billy, one of my faves.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 06:42 AM
I've been to Minh Ky once around 9am and was surprised that there were people were there!
Posted by: jack | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 07:43 AM
That's a good comparison! I go to Minh Ky for the won ton soup too. I'll have to try Tim Ky again. Sam Woo has pretty good won ton soup as well.
Posted by: Soo @ hungryones | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 08:58 AM
Folks started coming in at about 9am Jack. I got there at 0830 and was the only customer.
I recently had the Won Ton Soup at Sam Woo and found it to be MSG heavy and the noodles were mushy Soo. With this weather, perhaps I'll try them out again.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 09:47 AM
I haven't been to Tim Ky in awhile - maybe it's time for a re-visit. Yesterday would have been a good day for soup noodles except that it was too cold to leave the house!
Posted by: Sandy | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 09:59 AM
That's some serious dedication to your barber! It sure was windy yesterday. Our mailbox blew down!
Posted by: Junichi | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 10:59 AM
Great comparison! When we lived closer, Tim Ky was our go-to place but since we're closer to Minh Ky now, we end up there quite a bit except on Wednesdays. Overall, we do prefer MK. The portion size goes to MK as we feel TK falls a little short there. So with that said, were you able to finish the entire bowl at MK for breakfast?
Posted by: LL | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 11:26 AM
Funny post - sad about the barber though.
Posted by: Ed (from Yuma) | Monday, 01 February 2016 at 08:12 PM
I think it's even colder this morning Sandy!
I'm glad that was the only damage sustained Junichi. It sure was windy!
I agree LL. And yes; I was hungry so I finished it.......didn't eat lunch though! ;o)
Hi Ed - Yeah.......I did track him down though.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 02 February 2016 at 06:34 AM