A-Bowl (Shanghainese)(Convoy)

Thanks for stopping by to read mmm-yoso!!! It's another day with another post about food.  Cathy is writing; Kirk is back at work.

The Mister and I were driving through another heavily packed parking lot on Convoy- and behind China Max, we saw a 'Grand Opening' sign and decided to check it out.  A-Bowl has been open for about a month and we hadn't heard about it.  Apparently the menu is Shanghainese and similar to Tasty Noodle House, according to some people online. We've never been to Tasty Noodle House, so can't compare.   In any case, people were stopping out front to read the menu and walking in.  It wasn't too crowded when we did the same, but was quite busy when we were leaving.  
Looking at that back corner, with the overhead lighting, this looks as if it may have been a Karaoke venue at some point (there are several Karaoke businesses in this mall).  It had been an InfiniTea-boba/beverage place before A-Bowl. 

The menu is quite extensive (over 100 numbered items) and everything we ordered was served in deceptively large bowls...small-ish circumference, but deep and filled.
 We decided to try the House Sauce Lao Mein ($8.99).  I pulled out a noodle so you could see the eggy goodness.  The 'House Sauce' was meaty (ground beef), ever so slightly sweet, slightly salty.  There were small pieces of dry tofu, garlic, ginger and onion in the sauce.  Bean sprouts and fresh cucumber slivers rounded this out.  Mixed together, this was delicious! Kind of a Mabo, but not spicy. Satisfying.
 We also decided to share the 'Spicy Sesame Wonton' ($8.99). Pork filled, large- two-bite-sized thin skinned wontons (there were ten; three layers in the, again, deceptively large bowl) topped with a peanut butter sauce, peanuts, pickled vegetables, cilantro and scallion tops. It wasn't that spicy and we added some of the tabletop condiments (soy, vinegar, white pepper and sambal) in various amounts to get the bit of 'kick' we were looking for, even though eating it 'plain' and with the pickled vegetables was quite good.
 We decided to try this interesting "Seafood Combination with Chinese Donut" ($12.99) Large pieces of fish, squid, shrimp and (small, Bay) scallops mixed with plenty of fresh crispy Chinese (fried) donut, covered in a pretty typical Chinese 'Lobster Sauce'-a mild white sauce, chicken based, with eggs, peas and carrots along with green onion.  This was great! The 'donut' stayed crunchy, the fish and squid were tender, shrimp were plump, scallops a bit chewy.  The combination of flavors was great and the crunch of the donut was satisfying (we asked for no rice and it wasn't needed).

So far, this looks like a good lunch stop.

A-Bowl 4690 Convoy Street, Suite 111 San Diego 92111 (858)384-2278 Open Daily 11-3 then Mon-Th 5-9:45, Fri-Sat 4:30-10 Sun 4:30-9:30 

 

Comments

[Taesu2014]

Have you tried Jajiangmein? If so, does House Sauce Lao Mein taste same or different to it?

[Cathy]

I've had the Korean Jajangmyeon, Taesu. The chunjang/black gravy has the same texture/viscosity, but the flavor of the House Sauce is 'milder'- not as sweet or as salty. Almost as if this Sauce is made from scratch (or watered down, except it is still thick).

[kat]

hope you get to try other items on their menu:)

[Taesu2014]

Thank you Cathy for reply to my question.

[Cathy]

We will be returning, Kat...as long as parking is available. The menu is interesting and everything we had was very good.