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| - Looking for excellent and authentic northeastern Chinese comfort food (pasta and dumplings) in the greater Phoenix area? Look no further than Chou's Kitchen! They have two locations. The original is in Chandler and the newer location, the subject of this review, is in Tempe, very near the ASU campus.
Perfectly situated on a corner location in a small strip mall, this unassuming family-style restaurant is a big draw for many students and local residents alike. And, when most of the customers are Chinese or Asian, you know you've walked in the right place.
The service was quick and friendly. The servers were attentive and exhibited great teamwork. The humble but very passionate owner really made all of her diners feel at home. She was also very hands-on and was involved in many front of the house operations, including waiting tables.
Other than a few items which are familiar to most American diners, the place also features several Szechuan specials. But, pasta and HAND MADE, yes, I said, HAND MADE, dumplings are the reasons why this place is a must eat in when in Phoenix.
For our dinner, my wife and I ordered Chinese cucumber salad appetizer (best way to describe it), beef fried rice, Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings, 10 pieces per order) and shrimp, pork and chive dumplings (also 10 per order).
The fresh and crunchy cucumbers (small Chinese cucumbers), tossed in freshly minced garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar and salt, was a very refreshing opener for a hot summer evening.
The beef fried rice was excellent. Overly salted and soy sauce drenched brown mystery deal one would usually expect from one too many Chinese carry outs and restaurants trying to appeal to the majority of American taste buds will not be found here. Instead, you will find what the Chinese want when we order fried rice; white rice seasoned primarily by salt. Simple. Clean. Delicious.
The shrimp, pork and chive dumpling filling melted in your mouth but the HAND MADE dumpling skin was absolutely the star. The skin was perfectly al dente. Nothing beats hand made pasta. Because they are hand made, it does take a little bit of wait time. But the wait was very much worth it. The dumplings come 10 per order. Perfect single order for those wishing a little snack. Also perfect for family and friends wishing to share and try several different dumplings.
Finally, the piece de resistance, our order of Xiao Long Bao or soup dumplings. Each delectable, steamy and soothing bite-size pouches of goodness is the very reason that draws the masses to this wonderfully unpretentious but excellent jewel time after time. The broth within each dumpling is just right. The pork filling melts in your mouth and, again, the hand made dumpling or bao skin is perfectly al dente. Sure, if you have eaten Xiao Long Bao at the famous Din Tai Feng chains, Xiao Long Bao at Chou's has a bit of catching up. BUT, it doesn't matter. Excellence is excellence. Xiao Long Bao at Chou's will make you want to go back time and time again.
My wife and I left very satisfied. Our bill for all the food? Just a bit over $22. I love it. We will most definitely return again. And we will also try out the original Chandler location. Chou's Kitchen, definitely one of the best northeastern style Chinese comfort food in the greater Phoenix area, a must go.
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