Won-Ton Soup

I know this is somewhat pedestrian but I crave a great bowl of Won-Ton like the kind I used to get at Wo Hops on Mott in NYC's Chinatown. Anyway... I'll travel from Montery Park to the Westside if you could just be so kind as to point me in the right direction.

[Dommy]

My fave ever was the one served at Dim Sum at Ocean Star... made on the cart, so flavorful and delicate

[ipsedixit]

Alas, the Ocean Star we knew and love from the days of yore is no more ...

[Mr Taster]

Days of yore meaning, for example, 2006? 1998? Or is there a more recent changeover that I'm not aware of?

Mr Taster

[ipsedixit]

New management and ownership circa Sept. 2009.

Adopted the always cut-throat (and superstitious) pricing model of 1.68, 1.88, 1.98, etc.

It's now like a clone of Top Island ... which is not a good thing.

[Mr Taster]

Wow, had no idea.... off I go to search for recent Ocean Star reports.

Mr Taster

[raytamsgv]

I believe they changed their Chinese name at that time--the banners advertised it, but I don't recall the new name.

[Chandavkl]

It's Miriwa.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/650425

[Dommy]

I had heard of the change, but didn't know they went THAT far... :( Ah well, at least we'll have 888 still...

[Mr Taster]

The kind of wonton soup you're looking for is the Cantonese inspired version, not the other styles recommended here (including the california-fied "wor" version). In fact during my 2 months in China where I ate wontons from Beijing to Xi'An, Sichuan and Hong Kong, I was utterly blown away by the similarities between Hong Kong Chinese food and New York's. (It makes sense since the early Chinese immigrants were from Guangdong, and they brought their food with them). Paul's Kitchen on San Pedro does serve that old timey wonton soup... it's close, but not exactly right.

Mr Taster

[foodcorejunior]

The closest I've seen (and I too have been searching for years) is at:

Sze-Cwan Inn
22323 Sherman Way
Canoga Park, CA 91303-4313
[phone]
http://www.szechwaninn.com/

It's tucked away in a deep corner of a shopping plaza with a Ralph's in the valley. The address says Canoga Park, but I thought it was West Hills. Anyway, when you dine in they also put down crispy noodles (though thin & round, they taste right), duck sauce, and -- the clincher -- hot mustard at the table. I always ask for extra noodles to eat with the soup. Also, the garlic chicken they serve is the closest version I've gotten to the dish I love from back in NY.

[Barbara Ladden]

I love the "Wonton or Egg Noodle Soup" at Red Corner Asia, 5267 Hollywood Blvd. and Normandie. I get it with wontons and egg noodles. The best I've had in a long time. The menu reads "Wonton wrapped with seasoned minced pork and shrimp topped with B.B.Q. pork and vegetables." Had it again tonight. Delicious.

[garvanza girl]

Even though this thread is almost 5 years old, I find it a perfect time to plug my absolute favorite wonton soup: the three-flavor wonton soup at China Islamic.

It has no pork in it, of course, but contains lots of chicken, beef (or is it lamb - I'm not certain) and shrimp as well as wontons and lots of veggies. A meal in a bowl!

[Clinton]

I've been going to Golden City in LA Chinatown since the 60s and the recipe has not been different with all of the management changes throughout the years. My favorite is still the beef noodle won ton soup noodles (gnau nam) . It also comes with either roast duck (siu op), char siu or just plain won tons. Sam Woo does a mean soup noodle dish too. My third option is Tasty Kitchen in Gardena which comes pretty close to good and fill the bill.

[ns1]

I quite enjoy Sam Woo's wonton soup. Quite meaty IMHO.

Also good is Luc Din Ky (not to be confused with lu din gee), with 2 locations in Little Saigon.

No idea if it's the type you're looking for though, just tasty.

[glutton]

I'm a fan of the version at Mei Long Village in Alhambra, which is pretty close to you. I don't know the NYC version you're describing, so if I am suggesting some alternative style of wonton soup, please pardon me.

[raytamsgv]

Are you referring to Won-ton soup with lots of cabbage, shrimp, water chestnut, and BBQ pork? That's what people refer to as Wor Wonton--a classic Chinese-American dish.

I know it is way out of your way, but if you every get to the San Fernando Valley, the Lotus Inn on Ventura Blvd. serves an excellent wonton soup. The bowl is stuffed with flavorful pork wontons, fresh good sized shrimp, sliced white meat chicken, BBQ pork, Broccoli,
baby Bok choy, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots and carrots in a flavorful broth. For those of you that live in the valley, they also have free delivery.
Try it!

Lotus Inn Chinese Restaurant
21733 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Phone: [phone]

It's all about WON TON TIME in Monterey Park. Corner of Garfield and Valley, across the street from The Hat where the old Garfield Theatre used to be. Famous stand in Hong Kong that made its way over. I believe there are only 2 things on the menu with 3 possible add ons. Won Ton, Won Ton with noodles, add fish balls, sliced beef, or vegetables.

Wang's Palace on Lemon and Myrtle in old town Monrovia. Won ton with chicken, shrimp, wontons, mushrooms and greens. That and their pot stickers and shrimp lo mein and shrimp egg foo young are great Chinese comforft food us gringos. (Get the idea I like shrimp?)

i really like the szechuan won-ton soup at yang chow. its spicy and garlicy and delicious. seems americanized, at least slightly.

[shelbo]

+1. The spicy szechuan won-ton soup at Yang Chow is fabulous. Spicy enough to bring on sweat and tears, but you can't stop eating it. Oooo, I shouldn't read this board so close to lunch . . .

-----
Yang Chow Restaurant
819 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

[Mr Taster]

The original poster wasn't looking for Szechuan wontons, which are prepared in a completely different style than the Cantonese-cum-NYC Chinatown style.

Of course, the original poster asked the question 6 years ago, so maybe the point is moot.

Mr Taster

I posed a similar question some time ago, and have linked to the resulting thread below. For whatever it's worth, I tried most of the suggestions proffered, and my favorite for Americanized won-ton soup was Manhattan Won Ton Company on Doheny in Beverly Hills, which, if I'm not mistaken, you recommended.

Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/...

You are correct that I recommended Manhattan Won-Ton Company awhile ago. While it always does in a pinch I've come to feel it's just a little too uninteresting... I guess I was craving something a bit more substantial. Thanks by the way for all your good postings.

I understand. I like Manhattan Won-Ton too, but it's not Ah Fong's. BTW, if you work down town, Tai Pan, in the Wells Fargo Center, does a decent take out won-ton soup -- it's my preferred lunch when I have a cold but have to be in the office anyway.

Not familiar with Wo Hops, but I suspect its Americanized Chinese food you are after. In Monterey Park there is a place I like for Wor Wonton in that style at the somewhat retro Paul's Kitchen oon Atlantic Blvd. The soup includes chunks of bbq pork, shrimp, and healthy sized wonton dumplings.

Paul's Kitchen
1950 South Atlantic Boulevard, Monterey Park, CA 91754
[phone]

I don't know the new york place. My fave wonton soup is at Full House on Hill Street in CHinatown, the wor won ton soup. It does have squid in it. Hope that's not a dealbreaker.