ROast duck

[abei7]

Have just moved here from Australia and missing my Hong Kong style roast duck. Any decent places in LA? There must be at least one! Help!

[Clinton]

According to the LA Times years ago, Lucky Deli on Broadway in LA Chinatown was #1. Haven't been there in a while since parking is always horrendous! Sam Woo is pretty good but the price of duck is almost $20 which is for me absolutely ridiculous! I was hoping they gave you a golden egg with each purchase?

[carter]

Years ago in the Chinese restaurant eating scene is about 6 months ago.
Places come and go so often, especially at a center like the San Gabriel Square with 99Ranch Market, and all those restaurants, that it is hard to keep up.
Anyone generalizing about duck, or nearly anything else within the framework of Chinese food, must be current, not 6 months old, much less 1+ years old. It changes way too fast.
Anyone generalizing about Chinatown back when would not be up on the fact that the operators of Full House are now the owners of ABC Seafood, and the food at both has substantially changed, with ABC now very good, unlike a year ago.

[Clinton]

Good comment. Also, food taste is very subjective. What one finds tasty, may be repulsive to another person. Everyone has their own opinion so all I can say is stick to what you like and decide on your own. My mother used to always tell me to sample everything. If you don't like it, don't criticize but to put it down, smile and say thank you.

[miteymike]

dude... just go anywhere on valley blvd or garvey... in monterey park. chinese food galore.

[abei7]

Maybe we are spoilt for choice in Oz but a lot of the Chinese food in the SGV is designed for the American palate and doesn't come close to being authentic. I for one am not a fan of Sam Woo.

[linus]

edit.

[taiwanesesmalleats]

Could you expand on your comment a bit? What places do you consider to be designed for the American palate? While I have no doubt that happens, your categorization of "a lot" seems to speak that a majority in the SGV are not authentic.

[linus]

maybe you're used to chinese food designed for the australian palate.

[TonyC]

"maybe you're used to chinese food designed for the australian palate."
PWNED.

Let's see: population of Chinese in Oz: 860K, give or take? SGV Chinese population (including Sino-Vietnam, Sino-Thai, Sino-Burmese, blah blah blah) roughly 450K. Add the Chinese from the BA, you get over a mil.

Cali has more Chinese than the entire country of Australia. But sure, it's possible there's no "decent" HK style roast duck in LA.

What's up w/ trolls this week on CHOW/board/2? First the guy with the SD BBQ issue, then this?

[ns1]

Chinese from the BA?

[TonyC]

Bay Area.

[Porthos]

You know what they say, "Don't feed the trolls."

[linus]

i'm too old to "pwn" anyone.

[raytamsgv]

"...a lot of the Chinese food in the SGV is designed for the American palate and doesn't come close to being authentic.."

I'm curious why you believe the food is designed for the American palate. What characteristics do you see?

What characteristics of roast duck would you consider to be "authentic"?

Finally, which restaurants have you already visited?

[Clinton]

I too am curious to know what is considered "authentic"? I go by taste and not by personal opinion. As that famous person on TV says, "if it looks good, eat it!".

[carter]

You might look at it the other way, as much of the Chinese food in Oz is meant for the Aussie palate.
Just another perspective.
And since more people of Chinese (and every other Asian nationality) ancestry live in southern california than anywhere else in the world, you should keep that fact in mind.

[Tripeler]

I would imagine that abei7 has very little experience in the SGV. I am still having trouble digesting the post.

[ipsedixit]

Sam Woo in Alhambra (corner of 6th and Valley).

Triumphal Palace and 888 also do good versions, but a bit pricier.

[Mr Taster]

How many of the real Sam Woos remain? I have a hard time telling the real ones apart from the fake ones (or the semi fake ones) anymore. The good thing is, I'm rarely disappointed-- even when I wind up with a San Wo or a Shen Wu duck.

Mr Taster

[Ernie]

Triumphal Palace has been closed for a while. Did you mean Lunasia that is in its place now?

[ipsedixit]

yes