Quick, Cheap Takeout Dinner in Chinatown? (Beside King Fung Garden)

[hiddenboston]

I'm need to get to South Station early this evening and will have little time to eat, as I'm coming from north of Boston just at the start of rush hour. I was thinking of running over to Chinatown if I have time. Usually, I do takeout from King Fung Garden, but I wouldn't mind trying something different, as long as it is quick and cheap (and good!). Any suggestions? Thanks!

[kobuta]

Are you eating at the station / eating on the run, or will this takeout food be eaten eventually at home? I think all the options mentioned are good suggestions, except if you need to eat on the run, then soup noodles are tough to work out.

East Ocean City and Vinh Sun are also good options. Any Chinese restaurant can do takeout pretty quickly - just order your favorite dish and a side of rice.

[hiddenboston]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I decided on Taiwan Cafe.

kobuta, I should have mentioned that I was going to run over to Chinatown and eat back at South Station, which is exactly what I did (and I did literally run!). Got a couple of apps, since I was really short on time. The steamed veggie raviolis/dumplings were excellent (especially dipped in the ginger sauce), though I still like the ones at Qingdao Garden in Cambridge better, I think. The scallion pancakes were rather disappointing, as they were literally dripping with grease and did not taste all that fresh.

I'd like to go back to try a full dinner there, especially now that I know that the atmosphere is better than I had expected (quiet, comfortable, lights, aren't too harsh, etc.).

Thanks again!

[9lives]

2 of my favorite dishes at TC are the beef/poblano peppers and the eggplant/basil

[hiddenboston]

I think I saw the first dish you mentioned--they called it beef and longhorn peppers, I believe? The second dish was one I briefly considered, but I wasn't sure how well it would travel, especially if I had to wait a few minutes for a table at South Station (which I didn't).

[9lives]

I may have an old menu..poblano. The new 1 may say longhorn. They travel fine but I was thinking for your next trip..:)

BTW, just read in the Herald that KFG is closing the CTown location and will only be in Brookline.

http://bostonherald.com/entertainment...

[hiddenboston]

[Place fingers in ears]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO............

Why are all my favorite restaurants closing? Oh well, at least they will keep the Brookline location open. I haven't been to that one; is the quality about the same?

[heathermb]

Oh no! That is terrible news - it just won't be the same in Brookline. I'm actually trying to figure out if I can squeeze in a visit between now and Monday (even though I was just there all of what, 3 weeks ago?)

:-(

[kobuta]

Oh crap! Thank goodness my sister and I were hoping to make a trip there this Friday. Time to make sure she gets that duck order in!

[yumyum]

That makes me so so so sad.

I love King Fung -- especially the crappy atmosphere! Rats.

[kobuta]

Yeah, the sticky seats with duct tape and creaky wobbly tables are part of the package. Plus wading past the dumpster out front, and getting the draft in the winter b/c the room is about 20x20. Great place - I hope their food quality carries thru to the new place. I've never been, but it seems accessible by T, so I'll have to try it out some time.

[rsucre]

Admittedly, Chinatown wins on ambience. the second location is no more than two blocks from the Brookline Hills D-train stop....there's also a bus or two that run past it on Boylston Street.

[eatanddestroy]

hiddenboston posted a comment on my blog this morning letting me know the bad news, and I still haven't gotten over it.

It looks like I'll be heading to the Chinatown location on Saturday for one last meal at that location before the Belgian Beer Fest.

(I'm glad that the Brookline location delivers to JP!)

[hiddenboston]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, EAD....

I wonder what will go into the King Fung Garden spot? I'm thinking that this time, anyways, an upscale cocktail lounge won't be in the cards, since it's such a nasty little place (and there is little room to build on it, even if they tear it down). Hmmmm, why am I picturing the term "CHECKS CASHED" flashing on and off in my head?

[Parsnipity]

I really like Taiwan Cafe's water spinach with noodles and pork. I'm not sure of the name of the dish, but it's something like "Taiwan noodle". Every time I've had it, it's been enough for 2-3 meals. I love that they use all sorts of authentic greens and veggies, rather than just substituting broccoli since it's a known entity.

[yumyum]

Thanks for the rec -- I have gotten into a rut at TC, always ordering the same 4 or 5 (sublime) things. I'd like to shake it up.

My favorites:
beef with longhorn peppers
clams with black bean sauce
crab and pork soup dumplings
peking ravioli
salt and pepper fried anything

[jylze]

i don't know what it's called, but the rice plate with the fatty cuts of pork is the best. i eat it every time i go there and my wife isn't with me...

[gourmaniac]

Royal Pacific (the one in the upstairs food court) now on Tyler , a block south of Kneeland. Good , fast and inexpensive. Best Cafe (downstairs from China Pearl) has good BBQ pork, and duck rice plates. Also like aforementioned Hong Kong Eatery.

[Taralli]

Who would you recommend for a hanging whole roast duck for take out?

[gourmaniac]

I like Best Cafe and the nameless place beside Hei La Moon.

[finlero]

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but the soups from Xinh Xinh are about seven bucks, and they travel pretty well. I love the curry chicken noodle soup.

[gini]

I like Hong Kong Eatery for take out. The roast meats stand up well.

[yumyum]

Taiwan Cafe is one of my favorite takeout options in all of CH.

[jylze]

as much as i'd like to recommend hong kong for takeout, they can be inconsistent with their portions. if you get a big portion, then it's more than worth the price. if not, then it's...not quite worth the price.

taiwan cafe i think is more consistent in that area. not like you're reading this anyway, you're probably already in chinatown.