Before meeting up with some friends to see Drag Me to Hell, PK and I decided to get some Vietnamese food at Xinh Xinh. The plan was that we were going to get a vermicelli and a seafood dish. However, when we walked in, PK couldn’t take her eye off the Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crepe) that the person next to us was eating.
So, we decided to get the crepe. It is listed as an appetizer, but it is more than enough for a meal. It was good, and was packed full of bean sprouts with a bit of shrimp and chicken. We also got the Mucrang Muoi (Spicy Fried Calamari).
As usual, we had a great meal at Xinh Xinh.
Verdict: Delicious as always!
Cheap, Chinatown, Vietnamese
Boston, Cheap, Chinatown, Vietnamese
About two Fridays ago, Pk & I were planning on going to the Brookline Greekfest, but, at the last minute, we decided to check out The Red Heroine that was playing for free in Chinatown. After the film (and the live performance), we headed to Peach Farm.
We started with an order of Peking Ravioli ($4.50) which were better than average, but not as good as down the street at King Fung Garden.
Then, we got the Jumbo Crab with Ginger & Scallion (about $25) which was pretty damn big and delicious.
We also ordered the Fried Stuffed Taro Root with Duck ($12) which was great, but I wish that it had a bit more duck in it.
Verdict: One of my favorite restaurants in Chinatown and my #1 spot for seafood in Boston. 
Chinatown
Boston, Chinese, crab, food, seafood
Before going to see the Bouncing Souls and Lifetime play on Thursday, PK and I met up with Tio in Chinatown. I was craving the roasted pork at the Hong Kong Eatery, but when we walked by Xinh Xinh, I remembered reading something good about their soup on chowhound.com.
Unfortunately, it was way too hot outside for pho, so we tried some other items on their menu. We started with Chim Cut Roti (roasted quail; $8.95), which was quite good–mainly due to the tasty marinade. For our main course, PK went with her favorite Vietnamese dish– Bun Thit Nuong (grilled pork with vermicelli; $5.95). This was very good! She had tons of food in her bowl, and the pork was deliciously grilled & marinated (even though a few pieces were a little too charred). I ordered the Ca Kho to (catfish hot pot; $9 or $10). This was also very good.
Verdict: Not the best Vietnamese food in Boston, but it is still very good. 
Boston, Chinatown, Vietnamese
The other week, PK and I were running some errands in Downtown Crossing and decided to head to Peach Farm for lunch. We wanted to keep our meal under $25, since, between us, that was all the money we had. As we entered the restaurant, we made sure to grab the yellow colored menu that lists many dishes that are not on the regular menu given to English speakers. We split the Spicy Salted Shrimp with their heads ($11.95) and, even though we both wanted the Soft Shell Crabs (which we had on our last visit), we had to keep within our budget so we ordered the Sizzling Eight Delights which consisted of scallops, shrimp, squid, fish cake, chicken, pork, bean curd, and mushrooms ($8.95).
As always, everything was fantastic and very fresh. We were both shocked at the amount of food that we got with the Sizzling Eight Delights, but we were disappointed that it only included one scallop.
Verdict: If you want delicious seafood, Peach Farm is at the top of my list. There are just too many seafood dishes that I want to try on their menu. I already know what I am going to order the next time we go (the scallops served on the halfshell and the ginger and scallion crab).
Boston, Chinatown, Chinese
On Sunday, PK, Marg, and I decided to head to Chinatown for some dim sum. We normally go to China Pearl, but this time, I wanted to try Hei La Moon since I had read so much about it on chowhound and Boston Chomps. We got there just before noon, and there was already a long line. After waiting for almost 30 minutes, I was getting impatient since I really hate waiting to eat, especially in the morning.
Once we were seated and the carts were stopping at our table, I soon forgot about the wait. Hei La Moon is a step above every dim sum place around due to quality, flavor, price, and variety.
The fried squid dish was delicious.
The fried and spicy shrimp (with their heads) were very good, but far from the best I have had; however, we will get them again due to PK’s shrimp head addiction.
The shrimp dumplings were fantastic. They were my second favorite of the meal. My favorite was a similar dumpling on the same cart that was packed full of scallions.
The long rice noodles with beef were very good.
The turnip cakes were good, but not a favorite.
And, this was voted the least favorite of the meal.
Verdict: No matter where you go for dim sum, you will have to wait, so you might as well wait outside Hei La Moon.
Chinatown, Chinese, Dim Sum
A few days ago, PK and I were walking by Chinatown. Neither of us were hungry, but I could not resist stopping in the Hong Kong Eatery to get some food for the following day’s lunch. If you have never been here, this is one of the best values for pork, duck, and chicken. We ordered a roast pork over rice ($4.75) and another half pound of roast pork without rice ($4.50). The rice plate was perfect for both of our lunches. We used the half pound of pork in a dish that we made a few nights later. If anyone knows what kind of sauce they pour over their rice plates, please let me know. I have been trying to figure it out for years.
Verdict: For a delicious rice dish, the Hong Kong Eatery is the perfect spot. Unfortunately, I have yet to try anything else that they serve so if you have any recommendations please let me know.
Boston, Chinatown, Chinese
I have always been a fan of this restaurant since I stumbled in there a few years ago and tried one of their noodle dishes. Now that they have the Mongolian Fire Pot, I have started to dream about this place. Their Mongolian Fire Pot puts all the shabu shabu places to shame. PK and I met her parents at King Fung a few days ago. We ordered the Mongolian Fire Pot for 2 ($13.00 per person), scallion pancakes ($?.??), Peking Ravioli ($?.??), Salty and Spicy Shrimp in the shell ($8.95), and extra shrimp and scallops for the fire pot ($4.50 each). As always, we had half the fire pot with a mild broth and the other half with a spicy broth. The fire pot came with layers of plates loaded with raw beef, pork, chicken, lamb, and squid to cook in the broth. Our favorites were the squid and the shrimp that we ordered extra. This was just amazing. There is no other word for their fire pot. The scallion pancakes were very good. Their Peking Ravioli was some of the best that I have had in Boston. And, the Salty and Spicy Shrimp were very tasty. This dish is better at a couple other places in Boston, but PK can never resist ordering them here.
Verdict: This is one of my favorite restaurants in Boston. Even though their fire pot is amazing, we need to remember to try some other dishes on the menu. My only complaint about King Fung is that they only have one fire pot so if another table has it, you will have to order something else or wait and since the fire pot usually takes us almost 2 hours, waiting is not a good idea unless the people are almost done with it.
Boston, Chinatown, Chinese