Noodle Brained
Since returning to Seattle for a project, I've been doing things out of habit like I used to several years ago, as well as asking my friend who have since lived here for advice. His input so far has been quite valuable.
It was my friend who told me about the Taiwanese restaurant called Sandie's Gourmet. I don't know how this came about, but ever since I was a little kid, as far back as I can remember, I have always loved noodles. It is arguably one of my favorite foods, be it Chinese or Italian style. And Sandie's Gourmet serve up a pretty decent Taiwanese beef noodles.
When my friend asked me what I thought of it after I went there, I told him it was so-so. But it was still better than nothing, considering that I have not yet discovered any Taiwanese restaurants in Chicago after living there for over three years. Then he briefly mentioned to me that I should try the beef noodles at another restaurant another time.
Well, after running my six miles after work, I suddenly developed a jonesing for noodles. And remembering what my friend had said, but forgetting the name of the restaurant, I called him up right away.
John: What's that other restaurant you recommended for beef noodles?
Changren: I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but it is on 7th or 8th Ave across from House of Hong.
John: Wasn't it close to Yesler Way?
Changren: No, that would be too far north.
John: Let me look it up on the map.
Changren: Look up the Green Leaf, a very popular Vietnamese restaurant. That noodle restaurant is right next to it.
John: Oh, okay. I got the location. Thanks!
Instead of showering, I got dressed and drove down there. You see, I have learned that the best time to eat is 20 to 30 minutes right after a strenuous workout, as that is when your body can best process foods into glycogen, the best energy store for an athlete.
As soon as I got to 8th Ave, I started circling around several blocks in search of a parking spot. After not having any luck, I finally saw a little sign that read: Parking While Dining at House of Hong. I thought, "Wow, not only have I found the restaurant, they also have their own parking lot!"
When I walked in there, there were perhaps about 75 tables. After being seated in a booth, I looked for the noodles section of the menu. I remembered from the conversation weeks ago with my friend when he described that there are three different kinds of beef noodles. So I looked over the menu, and found three. But I didn't remember which one he had recommended, so I sent him a quick text message: "Which one did you like? They have Beef Noodles with Oyster Sauce, Tomato Beef Noodles, and Beef Brisket Noodles." Although none of them sounded like a regular beef noodles dish, I didn't bat an eye.
Within minutes, my friend called.
Changren: I don't know the name of the dish in English, but in Chinese it is Hong Saow Neo Rou Mien.
John: Oh, okay. Thanks!
Server: [While interrupting my phone conversation...] Are you ready to order?
John: Changren, hold on, okay? The server is here. Miss, which one of these is Hong Saow Neo Rou Mien? [I started feeling cocky, because I was ordering in Chinese. But I immediately realized that she was probably thinking I was an idiot for not being able to read the Chinese printed on the menu!]
Server: What?
John: I want Hong Saow Neo Rou Mien.
Changren: Yeah, that's right.
Server: We don't have that!
John: Hey, did you send me to the wrong restaurant?
Server: ... [Looking really confused at me.]
Changren: No, I didn't.
John: Well, they don't have that dish.
Changren: I don't know what the name of the restaurant is, but it should be next to the Green Leaf!
John: [Realizing he totally forgot about that little bit of details...] Oh, it's not the House of Hong? [Hoping that he didn't notice that I totally forgot about the crucial detail about being next to the Vietnamese restaurant.]
Changren: No, it's a little hole in the wall.
John: [Looking around at the massive convention hall of a restaurant I am in.] Oh shit! I think I walked into the wrong restaurant!
Changren: The noodle shop should be right across from House of Hong.
John: Well, right across from it is underpass of a highway, and lots of parking spaces!
Changren: It should be down the hill on the street.
John: I think it's too late now. I'm already drinking their tea. I'll look for it later. Thanks!
I couldn't believe how stupid I felt right after that. Well, so much for jonesing for some noodles. Suddenly, I was in a tight crunch to order food, because the server was still standing there waiting for me to order! So I just blurted out: I'd like some shrimp fried rice.
As the server walked away, I felt like the biggest idiot. And later, when all was said and done, I walked out of the House of Hong, and looked slightly to the right. Oh! There's the Green Leaf! Dammit!
Yeah, you can say I got noodle brained tonight...
It was my friend who told me about the Taiwanese restaurant called Sandie's Gourmet. I don't know how this came about, but ever since I was a little kid, as far back as I can remember, I have always loved noodles. It is arguably one of my favorite foods, be it Chinese or Italian style. And Sandie's Gourmet serve up a pretty decent Taiwanese beef noodles.
When my friend asked me what I thought of it after I went there, I told him it was so-so. But it was still better than nothing, considering that I have not yet discovered any Taiwanese restaurants in Chicago after living there for over three years. Then he briefly mentioned to me that I should try the beef noodles at another restaurant another time.
Well, after running my six miles after work, I suddenly developed a jonesing for noodles. And remembering what my friend had said, but forgetting the name of the restaurant, I called him up right away.
John: What's that other restaurant you recommended for beef noodles?
Changren: I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but it is on 7th or 8th Ave across from House of Hong.
John: Wasn't it close to Yesler Way?
Changren: No, that would be too far north.
John: Let me look it up on the map.
Changren: Look up the Green Leaf, a very popular Vietnamese restaurant. That noodle restaurant is right next to it.
John: Oh, okay. I got the location. Thanks!
Instead of showering, I got dressed and drove down there. You see, I have learned that the best time to eat is 20 to 30 minutes right after a strenuous workout, as that is when your body can best process foods into glycogen, the best energy store for an athlete.
As soon as I got to 8th Ave, I started circling around several blocks in search of a parking spot. After not having any luck, I finally saw a little sign that read: Parking While Dining at House of Hong. I thought, "Wow, not only have I found the restaurant, they also have their own parking lot!"
When I walked in there, there were perhaps about 75 tables. After being seated in a booth, I looked for the noodles section of the menu. I remembered from the conversation weeks ago with my friend when he described that there are three different kinds of beef noodles. So I looked over the menu, and found three. But I didn't remember which one he had recommended, so I sent him a quick text message: "Which one did you like? They have Beef Noodles with Oyster Sauce, Tomato Beef Noodles, and Beef Brisket Noodles." Although none of them sounded like a regular beef noodles dish, I didn't bat an eye.
Within minutes, my friend called.
Changren: I don't know the name of the dish in English, but in Chinese it is Hong Saow Neo Rou Mien.
John: Oh, okay. Thanks!
Server: [While interrupting my phone conversation...] Are you ready to order?
John: Changren, hold on, okay? The server is here. Miss, which one of these is Hong Saow Neo Rou Mien? [I started feeling cocky, because I was ordering in Chinese. But I immediately realized that she was probably thinking I was an idiot for not being able to read the Chinese printed on the menu!]
Server: What?
John: I want Hong Saow Neo Rou Mien.
Changren: Yeah, that's right.
Server: We don't have that!
John: Hey, did you send me to the wrong restaurant?
Server: ... [Looking really confused at me.]
Changren: No, I didn't.
John: Well, they don't have that dish.
Changren: I don't know what the name of the restaurant is, but it should be next to the Green Leaf!
John: [Realizing he totally forgot about that little bit of details...] Oh, it's not the House of Hong? [Hoping that he didn't notice that I totally forgot about the crucial detail about being next to the Vietnamese restaurant.]
Changren: No, it's a little hole in the wall.
John: [Looking around at the massive convention hall of a restaurant I am in.] Oh shit! I think I walked into the wrong restaurant!
Changren: The noodle shop should be right across from House of Hong.
John: Well, right across from it is underpass of a highway, and lots of parking spaces!
Changren: It should be down the hill on the street.
John: I think it's too late now. I'm already drinking their tea. I'll look for it later. Thanks!
I couldn't believe how stupid I felt right after that. Well, so much for jonesing for some noodles. Suddenly, I was in a tight crunch to order food, because the server was still standing there waiting for me to order! So I just blurted out: I'd like some shrimp fried rice.
As the server walked away, I felt like the biggest idiot. And later, when all was said and done, I walked out of the House of Hong, and looked slightly to the right. Oh! There's the Green Leaf! Dammit!
Yeah, you can say I got noodle brained tonight...
posted by StHalcyon at
00:08
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