Circling Back to 777 Noodle House

My visit to Minh Ky was really encouraging in a way. It used to be that I'd head up to City Heights a couple of times a month to see what was going on. And every so often there would be something new.....whether it was a new Peruvian place or maybe that a long time BBH place would be moving. You never know....back in 2010; I noticed that a billiard place on University had closed and was becoming something called 777 Noodle House. Which started a long chain of visits; some of which was documented here. 777 has always been a nice stop for reasonably priced grub for me; though my last visit was one for takeout back in February of last year. And strangely, the circumstances were the same. Like the last time, I had been trying to visit Tu Thanh, but there was no parking to be found in the area. So, I headed on over to 777.

There's one woman there who is always so friendly and noted "I haven't seen you in a long time" when I entered. I told her that unlike the last time; I'd be dining in. Especially since there was only one other table occupied during my visit.

My usual when I'm dining solo at 777 is the Hu Tieu Nam Vang ("Phnom Penh Noodles") Kho ("Dry"); but this time I was craving some "Mi" (egg noodles), but I still wanted to gnaw on that pork shank. So, to mix things up a bit; I went with the Mi Trieu Chau (Chaozhou - Chiuchow) Kho (Dry). Like most everywhere else, prices have risen, but here at least it's still under ten bucks at $9.97 and if you just wanted the version that's just noodle soup it would be $7.97.

    Soon enough it arrived. This time around the broth the pork shank was in wasn't overly salty and the shank had a good amount of tender gnawable meat.

The noodles were nicely firm, with a good stretch.....this is where takeout often falls short. Good amount of savory-mildly sweet sauce as I mixed everything together.

I'm used to slightly over-cooked shrimp here; but today, it wasn't bad at all.

 Don't diss the blanched bean sprouts as it adds a mildy sweet-earthiness to the dish along with textural contrast. I use the broth from the shank soup to even out any saltiness and also at the end to get every bit of  flavor from the bowl. There's no rocket science here; it's simple, comforting (for me) good grub, which is what I really wanted on this morning. Something I'd been missing during Covid.

And as always, the food gives me insight.....into the diaspora of ethnic Chinese from Chaozhou, who emigrated to Cambodia, then Thailand, ending up in Vietnam, and then finally San Diego.

I've mentioned that I had heard Annie; that wonderful, friendly woman who has been working here; along with her sister, and the gentleman who always calls me "sir", for 12 years now; speak to customers in Vietnamese, then Mandarin to another family, and then Spanish to another before. Amazing! 

To quote the late Ed from Yuma who, in his last post wrote:

"I just want to dedicate this post to ALL our immigrant mothers, fathers, and ancestors. We/they are America."

777 Noodle House
4686 University Avenue
San Diego, CA 92105

 

Comments

[RedDevil]

What a great post! I love the quote from Hamilton, “immigrants, we get the job done!”

[kat]

great quote from Ed!

[Elle]

777's parking lot has been getting full lately when I visit during lunch time on weekends. It's good that they're busy though. Love the history and culture behind foods.

I haven't been to Tan Ky Mi Gia (next to World Foods) in a long time, but I read it closed down some time ago. I hope other local businesses can still keep up. I went to Saigon Restaurant and while they are short-staffed, they still get business. They are maybe one of the only Vietnamese places in City Heights with plenty of parking lol.

[Soo]

Mmm... Been awhile since my last visit.

[Kirk]

Great quote RD!

Yes it is Kat!

I need to check to see what's up with Tan/Hing Ky Elle! Thanks for the heads up!

Still priced right and good grub Soo!

[alnc]

A beautiful piece of writing, Kirk.

[Kirk]

Thanks so much for the kind words ALNC!

[Lynnea Fleming]

Such a lovely post and nice to be reminded of Ed! He had such a big heart <3<3<3

[Kirk]

He sure did Lynnea! We miss him.