Made the rare trip down to Chinatown for a noodle fix. Found out about Great NY Noodletown, voted one of the world's top late night restaurants by Travel and Leisure, open until 9AM-4AM Mon-Sun. So we hop down the 2/1 train to Canal and meander our way through the hoards of tourists and knock off scalpers to get to our destination. Distracted of course by the one thing you must not miss in Chinatown--the egg waffles.
I've only found these tasty little morsels in one spot in Chinatown along Canal, so I'm not sure whether or not they like to hide their carts elsewhere but one whiff of these babies will have you coming back for more. 15 for a $1? Yes, please. We buy at least $5 worth. Because that's how we roll.
After which, as everyone checks off things on their tour to do list, we make our way to Elizabeth Center, found of course in Elizabeth right by the Police Station. This is where you buy the cute, obscure, and just plain hilarious items you never knew you had to have. Including this little baby:
It says: "Don't touch me. Go home first!" That's support alright.
Then we finally found ourselves in the shadow of the Great NY Noodletown. My mouth starts to water and my feet fly to the door, only to read the dreaded sign: Cash Only.
Oh Chinatown, you never change. Word the the wise, always bring cash to the ethnic neighborhoods. They usually have a minimum on cards, and some really do only accept cash. My theory is to save on taxes. Because that's what I'd do. Kidding, IRS, kidding.
The interior was small but clean, unlike the bathroom. As usual, only a one toilet affair but at least the door locked, there was enough soap in the dispenser, and there was clean water running from the faucet. The exhaust however, was supported in place by duck tape (it holds the universe together), and the floor had some liquid spots I'd rather not think about. Try not to think about the grim scenario of the overhead unit falling on your head and then slipping on the mini puddles and the staff finding your unconscious self slumped over the toiled seat while you're doing your business.
The menus, interestingly enough, are trapped underneath the scratched but clean plexiglass. Saves on printing costs, which is probably why I can get a big bowl of congee for less than the price of a tall frappucino. We had four in our party and one man who sat at a four seater table was made to move. We sheepishly mosied along to our invaded spot but the man didn't seem to mind. After all, it is NY and you lose most of your sense of personal space while jammed between two giants like sardines in a can during rush hour. Service was prompt, and we were approached by two other waiters asking us whether or not we were ready to order after our original waiter took it not five minutes beforehand. We received tea right away, in glass cups of all things, which made them too hot to handle for the first couple of minutes. Because you know, I don't have silicone coated oven mitts for hands.
Mom and I knew what we wanted right away and we were pleasantly surprised at the price-$3.50 each for a big bowl of pork and century egg congee. It was delicious, hot and filling. Only thing missing was the fish sauce, and sadly I had a lot less century egg pieces than my dining companion.
I also ordered the roast duck/baby pig over rice meal, for $5.50. I'm not too big a fan of duck, as I find there's a certain aftertaste that lingers. This one was pleasantly fatty but the skin was not as crisp as I'd hoped it would be. I finished off the pork, which was a little bland but the skin was deliciously crisp. I ended up giving most of the duck to Johnnez and he devoured it.
Leslie ordered the Seafood Pan Fried noodles, one of the most expensive things on the menu at $11.95 but it was good. I still liked the one at Hop Kee better as this one was not as crispy burnt around the edges, but good nonetheless.
My second favorite next to the congee was bro-in-law's duck lo mein. For $8.95, it was very flavorful and I never would have guessed it was duck. Absolutely delicious, I wish I'd ordered it.
Verdict: Recommended. Bring cash. Bring a big appetite as the servings are generous enough to share. Most people will leave pleasantly full for less than $10 each. The congee alone would fill up any normal person, but then again, my appetite knows no bounds, provided enough time to recover. . . usually about 30minutes to an hour.
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