China Chop Suey

Finding China Chop Suey is like finding a really dirty ten dollar bill in a trashcan: you kinda didn’t want to go there in the first place, but after getting the grime off your hands and off your new bling, you begin to appreciate the decision to go head first into no-man’s land. Thus, I ended up at China Chop Suey, which is located waaaaay over in the boonies in south Fresno, at my dad’s suggestion. When I first drove up, I realized that I had passed this location before while driving around downtown (which has only been a handful of times in my life). China Chop Suey (every time I type the name I have an urge to type ching chang chong, which is probably uber racist, but not really since I’m Chinese too, right?) is located in a former Sizzler’s/Denny’s-type restuarant, on the corner of Blackstone and Clinton, I believe (aka nowhere). However, we shouldn’t judge places based on appearances, correct? Right!

So I guess after eating there (I’m already jumping to my conclusion, but grammar, syntax, and writing structure be damned), I have to say that the establishment serves food that is delightfully subtle in flavor, but only probably because a layer of grease coats everything, which in turn coats the taste buds, thus preventing the tongue-brain-mind complex from fully appreciating the real flavors. In short: get rid of the grease, and it’s actually good.

The actual meal took place over a month ago, so I can’t really offer much more than what I just said; I seriously thought up that pseudo-review while eating there, with the intention of wowing my readers with that incredible insight into gastronomy. It doesn’t sound so flashy anymore, so I’ll just post short descriptions and photos of the dim sum I ate.

Clay pot with fried tofu and braised beef is a pretty standard dish, although not many Chinese places serve it in Fresno, probably because this is a standard Chinese Chinese dish, not like Panda Express.

I still try to figure out what this is. My best guess is Strips of taro and bacon, smushed together, and pan fried. It’s pretty good though, like a twist on regular radish or taro cake.

Shrimp and corn fritters (?) I don’t think fritter is the right descriptor, but it’s the only word from my limited vocabulary that fits. Unless I want to start confabulating and creating new words, that is.

Fried pumpkin rice cake I’m not sure if they used actual rice cake, because the pumpkin flavor was quite pronounced in this dessert. Wipe some of the grease off, and it becomes a must-eat dish.

Rice cake/mochi filled with peanuts and coconut Another dessert that was delicious, but somehow managed to glisten with grease when it came out. It’s good, but not as good as the pumpkin cake.

Pork belly and taro This dish was cooked with a sweet and sour or barbecue sauce (reminiscent of BBQ pork) and laid on top of a bed of cabbage, which was cooked by the heat and sauce. For the portions of taro and pork in the dish at the price (which I unfortunately forget), this dish was quite a deal. Get this, another vegetable dish, and a bowl of rice, and you’re set for a really filling and tasty meal. I’d get this again just because I’m a sucker for this cut of pork.

I’ll definitely try to go back, unless my laziness to drive across town inhibits me. That, and maybe if too many people I know begin showing up to eat there. I’ll stop going when that happens, too. I’m just antisocial like that.

China Chop Suey

2345 N Blackstone Ave

Fresno, CA‎

(559) 226-2337‎

It’s Asparagus Time

You’d think a post entitled “It’s Asparagus Time” would be dedicated to a crap ton of asparagus goodness. I only have one picture, and it’s from China Bistro. Although since it’s a seasonal item I guess it’s ok because having a post about a seasonal food gives me +10 food blogger points. Did I mention the asparagus san yan is delicious? And to my knowledge, it didn’t make  my pee smell, either. Huzzah!

This was made using a black bean sauce, asparagus, beef, chicken, and shrimp.

I also had a combination fried rice while I was home last month. My parents seem to always tell me they have a new recipe for fried rice whenever I go home. As long as it has chicken powder/MSG, it’ll always be delicious.

China Bistro

2021 W. Bullard

Fresno, CA

PS I actually have more asparagus-related comments: after buying a pack of asparagus from Trader Joe’s, I realize that asparagus looks pretty intimidating to prepare. Or maybe it’s the tree-bark-like exterior of raw asparagus that scares the crap out of me. That’s normal, right?

I Have A Problem.

I’m lazy.

LAZY.

In college, I remember telling the pre-med advisors my one weakness was my laziness. They laughed. At my UCSD interview, I told them I was not good at keeping myself motivated (euphemism for “I’m lazy”). I didn’t get accepted.

And now, I’m getting too lazy to cook. I tried to make oyako-don this past week, and instead of using chicken, I used tofu. Cutting up and de-fatting chicken is too much work. Washing and chopping vegetables are also too much work for me. I stopped after slicing up an onion. I added in frozen peas to build up my cooking ego (more ingredients + more color = automatically better cook, right?).

I just don’t have anything to write now. It’s not writer’s block, it’s because I’m filled to the brim with sloth and gluttony (but that’s a separate issue). I’d like to elaborate on the intrinsic problems that accompany laziness and a goal of becoming a surgeon, but…I want to take a nap right now. Well, at least vegetarians would be pleased that I’m eating veggie-centric dishes. Except I killed at least 4 chick embryos to kick up the protein content of the dish. Woops.

The Lazy Man’s Semi-Vegetarian Oyakodon

Add onions, tofu, peas, soy sauce, sugar, rice wine, hon dashi, chicken broth, and water in a wok. Season everything to taste. Add eggs. Cook rice. Poof–you’ve accomplished cooking food while being lazy. Hooray?

Christmas Dinner (It’s Only A Month Late)

So why am I posting about Christmas dinner almost a month after it occurred? For a variety of reasons: 1. I have a huge stockpile of pictures from winter break that I need to post and I decided to start with this one, 2. there’s never a bad time to post about good food, and 3. I don’t care about Christmas so I don’t care if it’s a month late.

That’s right. Christmas can suck it.

It’s a consumerist’s holiday that brings out the shallow and superficial sides out of people (pretending to be good) and it makes to stores crowded and then I get pissed at everyone because I want to shop in peace and not have to use my people-whacking skills to knock everyone out of my way.

Christmas is, however, good for one thing: getting the family together for a good meal. And nothing beats hot pot on a cold (at least in California terms) winter night.

The spread usually includes various leafy veggies, noodles, tofu, sliced meats, and meatballs of sorts accompanied by dipping sauces. It’s sorta like Japanese shabu shabu, except it’s got more variety for a smaller price.

For a meal that doesn’t overtly emphasize carbs, it’s suprisingly easy to get stuffed eating just meatballs and veggies. I’m always amazed to see my mom (who’s 5′5″ and 105 lbs.) finish up everything long after everyone else has called it quits. It’s downright shameful to see someone almost half my size eat at least twice as much. I guess I can find some solace in the fact that I can always eat more burritos and tacos than her. But that’s cuz she hates Mexican food. Hooray for technicalities!

P.S. If anyone has a portable grill and wants to have an old-fashioned hot-pot-in, let me know! I’ll be available…in 3 weeks, after my test.

I’m Hongry

I wish I had some Golden Cheesecake from 99 Ranch Market. So fluffy, so non-cheesecake-like, so delicious.

Or maybe some Portuguese egg tarts would hit the spot. I can’t believe the Chinese didn’t think of crisping and caramelizing the tops of egg tarts before.

I don’t think I should have pictures like this as my desktop background; it’s probably the reason I’m always hungry. What can I say? I’m a glutton.

Random Pictures From Fresno…

…of food. Did you think I meant friends?

I definitely had to stop by and get grub from the family businesses, East Meets West China Bistro and EMW Tea Co. Multiple times. And every time was delicious.

My dad calls these flat (fat?) rice noodles with beef. It’s a new item. Oh ya, I’m going to be impartial once again, and not post my opinion on the food–just pictures.

Broccoli Chicken with Brown Rice. Brown rice is good for the pooper. So is broccoli.

Lots and lots of milk tea from EMW Tea Co. We made a bunch for the Thanksgiving potluck at church. People started snagging these before we were even allowed to get food–animals!

And here is my poochy, Bananas. She is more special than any other dog.