Comments on: Real Chinese food hidden in "secret menus"

By: emilyco

emilyco — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:51:18 +0000

So what word would you use Peng?

By: ameiam

ameiam — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:39:45 +0000

Peng, so you’re saying wonton soup can’t be good? I beg to differ…authentic or not authentic. Wonton soup can be good.

By: Peng

Peng — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:55:39 +0000

I used to love the guy, Anthony Bourdain. but after hearing him say, “This is really good…” when he drank the wonton soup, I lost all respect for him. His opinions no longer provided any significance on the culinary front. YOU DON’T USE THE SAME PHRASE FOR SOMETHING LIKE WONTON SOUP (AMERICANIZED) AS YOU DO FOR OTHERS. dammit, i really don’t like this guy now.

By: chuck

chuck — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:42:00 +0000

Bourdain’s a good guy.. he’s just out to learn other people’s cultures and their foods.. I respect that he’s open to stuff.. and I just wish I had his job.. haha

I’m totally kool with the “secret menu”.. and am actually leaning towards keeping it secret.. I’m open to tell those who ask.. but it’s like an exclusive club.. that takes time or special interest to attain.. besides, I agree that most people go to Chinese restaurants with the “Americanized” food fare in mind.. and at times I have urges for that style also.. but for those who want more from their average neighborhood friendly Chinese restaurant, those who seek will be rewarded.. =)

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:37:24 +0000

I would trust Bourdain’s opinion on what is authentic due to the fact that he goes out and interacts with the locals who are most familiar with the food in that area.

By: Kriz_wong

Kriz_wong — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:12:34 +0000

I love ordering off the menu. I do not read Cantonese; however family does so I know the names of good dishes. Pi guwat (not sure the spelling) is a dish of spar ribs in a black bean sauce. Best dish from my childhood… mmmm

By: David

David — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:00:32 +0000

I love Anthony Bourdain! Although given what he’s eaten on his show over the years, I hardly think it’s representative of what “westerners” really want.

By: MJ Klein

MJ Klein — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 01:37:20 +0000

Bourdain wouldn’t know authentic anything from crap.

By: jessiev

jessiev — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:37:31 +0000

asking the waitstaff always helps. you have to have a little insider knowledge, though – or an insider, with you!

now you’ve made me HUNGRY!

By: Josiah Lau

Josiah Lau — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:19:01 +0000

I won’t say it’s a secret menu, we just know what we want and order them, not all the dishes are posted on the walls, plus a lot of times restaurants have the ‘catch of the day’, for fish, veggies, etc, all you have to do is ask the waiter what’s fresh today, and after they tell you the list, ask what styles are they making it and what’s the one they’d recommend.

As far as introducing this ‘secret’ menu, i’d say go right ahead, but i think owners are afraid of losing their customers because they don’t like certain foods, but i found more and more of my non chinese friends wanting to try these food, not the generic take out ones

now you’ve made me hungry, good thing i got enough food in the fridge to make some yummy chinese dish