For my next "noodling around" post, I decided to start on ECB and move West from 54th. The first place from there is the discreetly located Tan Ky Mi Gia; which used to be Hinh Ky Mi Gia, which used to be Tan Ky Mi Gia....if you're keeping score. The menu still says Hinh Ky Mi Gia......
I mentioned during the post on my last visit, that it seemed the placed hadn't aged too well.
During this visit, I noticed that the light for half the restaurant weren't even turned on.
Instead of ordering what I usually would here; I recalled that the Missus actually enjoyed the duck when this place was still Hinh Ky and I promised to try the duck again during my previous visit, so I went with the Egg Noodle with Flavor Duck; which is steamed rather than roasted. To be perfectly honest; that duck looked pretty spooky; due to the almost totally black color when it arrived.
But it was not bad; I expected really salty, but it had a strong anise-five spice flavor and was tender. It did a fairly strong offal-gamey flavor.
The simple broth was better than what I'd had previously; not so much MSG this time, decent richness, with a mild savory-seafood finish.
The rather generous portion of noodles were firm, with a slight "crunch" to them.
During my visit there were no less than five take-out orders and some guys from the, ahem, "coffee shop" next door came in for soup as I was leaving, so I'm guessing they are doing ok business. The owner; is same from my visits over a decade ago; so it seems they just keep rolling along.
Tan Ky Mi Gia
5237 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115
If it's the same owner I wonder why they keep changing the name. Maybe it's a superstition thing?
Posted by: Junichi | Monday, 23 December 2019 at 09:45 AM
One of these days I'll tell you the story I heard Junichi.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 December 2019 at 09:48 AM
I always forget about this place
Posted by: Som Tommy | Monday, 23 December 2019 at 11:19 AM
That's easy to do based on the location ST.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 December 2019 at 11:41 AM
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Kirk and Miss.
nhb
Posted by: Bill | Monday, 23 December 2019 at 02:06 PM
Happy Holidays Billy! It's so nice to hear from you. I hope all is well!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 23 December 2019 at 05:48 PM
That is curious the name keeps changing.
Posted by: Hom, Soo | Tuesday, 24 December 2019 at 12:16 AM
glad it was a decent bowl:)
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 24 December 2019 at 10:27 PM
There's an interesting behind that I'm sure Soo. I've heard a version of it.....
It was Kat!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 25 December 2019 at 10:22 AM