Chinese: A-Wah Restaurant
Recently gracing New York Magazine’s Cheap Eat list, A-Wah is located deep in Chinatown, nestled among dim sum joints and dry foods stores. Last week, I paid a visit to this hole-in-the-wall; I started with an old favorite – dan dan mein (noodles).
Originating from Sichuan cuisine, dan dan mein features chewy egg noodles and minced pork in a spicy/sweet chili oil broth. Every restaurant has a slightly different take on the dish, so I love trying it whenever I see it on the menu. A Wah’s version was a good mix of textures (the springy noodles with the crisp vegetables) and flavors (sweet, savory and slightly oily). At $4.50 for a bowl, I’d recommend.
My eating buddy ordered from the section of the menu titled “World Famous Rice in Casserole.” World famous, huh. Quite a tall order. Also known as bo zai fan (clay pot rice), rice and meats of your choice are cooked in a clay pot over an open flame. Eating buddy ordered the chicken and mushroom casserole. When it arrived, we added the requisite sauce:
Mixed everything together:
…and dug right in. I’m actually not the biggest fan of bo zai fan, but eating buddy enjoyed it – for $6.25 for a large bowl, it’s a pretty good deal.
The ambience at A Wah doesn’t get much fancier than the green-and-white checkered vinyl tablecloth, and a few flat screen tv’s showing Asian pop stars. However, for the price, it can’t be beat. If you’re in the area, give it a try.
Good and cheap for dan dan mein and clay pot rice.
A-Wah Restaurant
5 Catherine St. (btw. Division and Broadway)
212.925.8308
noodles. oh noodles. i love thee.
1Were they just in NYT for their bo zai fan? Looks good anyway — I love getting bo zai fan in the winter on the street in Hong Kong.
2Next time I come to NY, I am definitely going to call you for a foodie tour!!
3Thanks! I am always looking for authentic Chinese food.
4Yum, i love clay pot rice!
5Mrs. Hot Cocoa – yes, it was! They also tried the clay pot rice – I guess that does make it "World Famous"
6I always want to hop on a plane to NYC when I read your blog and this is no exception. I want noodles…now!
7is this the one in the tunnel?
8Ivester, No – it's near Golden Unicorn
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