Lunch #57: Canton Wonton House

We snuck out today with a reasonable sized group since we were headed for a tiny noodle shop called Canton Wonton House. We have found many great noodle shops in our tour so our hopes were high that we were about to find another.

Canton Wonton House, Seattle
Address: 608 S Weller St, Seattle, WA, 98104
Cuisine: Chinese: Hong Kong
Average rating: 3.3 chopsticks
Lunch date: 5/29/2008 @ 11:58:00
Time taken to be seated: 0 minutes
Time to take order: 0 minutes
Time for food to arrive: 19 minutes
Total lengh of meal: 52 minutes
Chopstix quality: Nice Orange Plastic
Do they use MSG?: A little bit.
Where is the owner/chef from?: Hong Kong
Number of tables: 11
Number of occupied tables: 7 (63%)
Number of business lunch tables: 1 (14%)
Number of "local" tables: 6 (85%)
Healthcode Score: 0
Links: Yelp!, Urbanspoon

Luncher: Adam

Lunch: #28 - Sui-Kau & BBQ Pork Noodle Soup - $6.55
Rating:

Adam's Review

I have to tell you... I've actually been pretty excited to come here. The lovely Loufel(sp?), who cuts my hair at the Rudy's Barbershop in Ballard, recommended this restaurant.

The dumplings were fresh and delicious. Sui-Kau have a little something extra over Wontons, and are always just a shade tastier. The BBQ Pork in the soup was actually pretty bland and there were precious few pieces. I shouldn't have expected the pork to be too great because this place didn't have its own meat in window.

If you're in the mood for some noodle soup in the ID, this place is a great choice.

Luncher: Geary

Lunch: #10 - Sui-Kau & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup - $6.55
Rating:

Geary's Review

Canton Wonton House is similar in size to HHKC or Szechuan Noodle Bowl. They also all share the same interior design style of "less is more". Canton Wonton House is a perfect example of at least the "less" part. The menu options are limited to noodle soups and a short selection of congee. The noodle soup section sports various combinations of meat, won ton, and sui kau. I went with the Beef Brisket & Sui Kau Noodle Soup. The soups come in small and large options. I went with the large hoping that meant extra Sui Kau not just extra broth. We also threw in an order of Baby Bok Choy. The server was very friendly and helpful.

The soups came out quickly. Since everyone ordered large using the same logic, it was hard to tell if we in fact got more dumplings. It seemed like we did. The soup was packed with Sui Kau along with bok choy, noodles, and chunks of beef. The beef wasn't as tender as SNB, but it was just as good. The beef also imparted a rich beefy flavor to the broth. The Sui Kau were excellent and were chocked full of shrimp, mushrooms, and other Sui Kau goodness.

Friendly service + good soup = 4 chopsticks.

Luncher: Emmett

Lunch: #8 - Wonton & Sui-Kau Noodle Soup - $6.55
Rating:

Emmett's Review

If I were Nebraskan and just got off the plane from Omaha or something and stumbled into Canton Wonton House, I'd probably be telling my friends "OMG OMG you have to try this little wonton house in Seattle it's sooooo good, hee haw." But as we winnow our list of places, and I can, without pretense, say I've eaten wonton noodle soup at EVERY place in the ID, this place comes up a little short.

It's got the low-key curb appeal of a largely unknown place, the interior is sparse yet welcoming, and we were seated and served quickly. The waitress greeted us with a smile and waited patiently for us to make up our mind. We got some bok choy as a side dish, and I ordered the Wonton Sui Kau noodle soup.

The dish was served quickly, and was quite appetizing. The broth however, was a little bland, the noodles were nothing special, and the Sui-Kau and Wonton, though tasty, couldn't compare to the giant brainy-looking wontons at Mike's nearby. Ocean City II across the street had a slightly more flavorful broth as well. A little hot sauce zipped it up. The bok choy was a tasty side, and the meal came out to be very affordable.

Though tasty, I found the meal average compared to the other noodle places nearby.

Luncher: Michael

Lunch: #8 - Wonton & Sui-Kau Noodle Soup - $6.55
Rating:

Michael's Review

Is MSG good or bad? Is it just the ‘5th taste’? Or is it, as some articles on the internet it is the root of all dietary evil in the US. Obesity, diabetes, and the republican party are all a direct result of MSG in our food. Other articles, like that one in the NY TIMES, tell me that there is no clinical evidence that MSG is really all that bad. If it is evil and/or unhealthy can someone please provide links to a real, clinical, peer reviewed study proving that it is? And if its benign can we just get over it and move on?

I wish I knew, because then I could come to terms with the issue of asking our server if they use MSG in their food. Every time I hear the question asked I cringe. Little alarm bells go off in my head to warn me that this might be one of those ‘dumbass ugly american’ kind of moments. For example – talking slowly and loudly will never get you through a language barrier. It just make you sound like an idiot. And asking about MSG will only net you the same answer you get every single time: “oh, we use just a little bit.” And really, if the stuff isn't bad for you, then what’s the point of asking?

So that’s why I kicked Adam in the shins under the table. I'm sorry Adam. I'll make it up to you later with some spring rolls and beer.

Oh yeah, and the noodles here were really good. You should have lunch here.

Luncher: Joey

Lunch: #8 - Wonton & Sui-Kau Noodle Soup - $6.55
Rating:

Joey's Review

When I want wonton soup I usually go to one of three places. Mike’s Noodle House, Canton Noodle House (on 12th Ave), or Canton Wonton House… in that order. Mike’s makes the best wontons period, but not only are they often really busy but they have limited seating, so my backup is Canton Noodle House on 12th near Hau Hau Market. Their wonton used to be my favorite actually, but now I think it tastes pretty close to Canton Wonton House… so confusing I know, since their names are so similar.

A bowl of wonton noodles at Canton Wonton House isn’t spectacular or anything, but if you’re craving a bowl of soup and noodles then it’ll get the job done. I was impressed however with how hot their soup was, so they definitely get brownie points there. I give them a standard 3 rating. Not bad, but not awesome either.

Luncher: Jared

Lunch: #27 - Wonton & BBQ Pork Noodle Soup - $6.55
Rating:

Canton Wonton House Photos

Canton Wonton House


Menu


CWH Menu


#8 - Wonton & Sui-Kau Noodle Soup


#28 - Sui-Kau & BBQ Pork Noodle Soup


#10 - Sui-Kau & Beef Brisket Noodle Soup


#27 - Wonton & BBQ Pork Noodle Soup

Lunch #56: Pho Hoa

Al...most...there. Eight intrepid MSG150 luncher headed out today for the next spot on the ever shortening MSG150 route. Today our target was Pho Hoa, a Vietnamese noodle soup franchise restaurant.

Pho Hoa, Seattle
Address: 618 S Weller St, Seattle, WA, 98104
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Average rating: 2.9 chopsticks
Lunch date: 5/27/2008 @ 12:05:00
Time taken to be seated: 0 minutes
Time to take order: 1 minutes
Time for food to arrive: 10 minutes
Total lengh of meal: 46 minutes
Chopstix quality: Cheap Plastic
Do they use MSG?: Yes
Where is the owner/chef from?: Franchised
Number of tables: 16
Number of occupied tables: 15 (93%)
Number of business lunch tables: 8 (53%)
Number of "local" tables: 2 (13%)
Healthcode Score: 5
Links: Yelp!, Urbanspoon

Luncher: Geary

Lunch: Lunch Combo #3: Bun Tom Thit Nuong with Fresh Spring Roll - $8.87
Rating:

Geary's Review

My first Pho experience as a young lad was at Pho Hoa in Redmond. Because of that, I have a soft place in my heart for Pho Hoa. Since then, however, I have discovered numerous better, non-franchise, choices. Pho Hoa an odd little franchise, with fifty or so restaurants scattered around the world from Oklahoma to Dubai. I'm not sure I see the benefit of buying a franchise Pho Hoa rather than just opening your own spot. Especially in some place like Oklahoma. There's no reputation or advertising that would somehow make Pho Hoa stand out from Pho Geary. I'm sure I could create my own sign and laminated menus for less than the franchise fee. My menus would even have the item numbers in (get this) numerical order.

I ordered Bun noodles today since I had most recently had Bun at Pho Bac and thought it would be a fresh comparison. I ordered #25, Pork and Shrimp, but was served #32, Pork and Egg Roll. Close. I ordered the Bun as part of combo #3 which included a Fresh Roll (or Fried Roll) and drink. The Bun was passable but certainly a couple of chopsticks below Pho Bac's. The meat was not nearly as good and of much lesser quality. There was no fresh basil and the sauce just wasn't as fresh and tangy. The Fresh Roll was fine and had a tasty hoisin like dipping sauce that was improved with a couple of squirts of Sriracha.

After lunch Michael, Adam, and I we went next door and bought some cookies at a bakery named "Cake House, My Favorite". Michael insisted that we would have to change our name to MSG149 if we didn't.

Luncher: Adam

Lunch: #15 - Pho Ta Nam Gau Gan Sach - $5.40
Rating:

Adam's Review

Do you like noodles? Do you like salt? Do you like mostly flavorless broth? Pho Hoa is your best bet in Seattle's Chinatown.

I actually can't believe that they're franchising pho. I really never expected to see tripe and tendon on a franchised menu, but there it lies on the laminated corporate collateral. Even worse, I didn't ever think I'd order it off of a franchised menu. This is flavorless tripe in a flavorless soup. mmmm.

Really, just skip this place. Walk over to Pho Bac.

Luncher: Emmett

Lunch: #31 - Bun Ga Nuong - $6.31
Rating:

Emmett's Review

"The McDonald's of Pho." is what I've heard about Pho Hoa. I didn't really think anything of it. How bad could it be?

We arrived at the noon hour to a relatively full restaurant. The menu is what you'd expect - lots of Pho in all it's infinite variations, some spring rolls, vermicelli dishes, and rice. I went for the Chicken and Vermicelli, also known as the Bún Gà Nướng (how do you like them crazy letter mods?). It was good -- very similar to what you get at Pho Bac. It was fresh, tasty, and the chicken was well cooked with a nice flavor.

They bill themselves as a "Health Conscious Choice." Not a bad claim, given that it's hard to deep fry soup, though I have no freaking idea how much Sodium is in this stuff. My guess is a decent amount. Regardless, I wouldn't hesitate to come back if I wanted Pho and it was nearby, but with many decent options nearby for Vietnamese, I wouldn't come here first. Pho Back and Saigon Bistro offer slightly better fare and better atmosphere for the same price.

Luncher: Tyan

Lunch: #18 - Pho Ga - $5.40
Rating:

Tyan's Review

For a Pho restaurant this place was not my favorite. The food I had wasn’t too great and the service was terrible. I ordered Chicken Pho and was unimpressed. The chicken had a lot of gristle, the broth was too salty, and they forgot the onions. The broth did have a lot of flavor, though, which is unusual for chicken Pho. They messed up several orders other than mine, and forgot one order completely. We never got refills on our water and the server never came back to check up on us. Overall I’d say for Pho you could do better. But if you like salty broth this would be a good place to try.

Luncher: Al

Lunch: #40 - Pho Chin Nam - $5.40
Rating:

Al's Review

Return to Pho Hoa? No wa(y). Rather go back to Pho Bac.

Luncher: Jared

Lunch: #2 - Pho Tai Chin Nae - $5.40
Rating:

Luncher: Anthea

Lunch: Pho Khong Da - $5.40
Rating:

Anthea's Review

Soup is salty and lacks flavour.

Could be a little more generous with the meat. You can count the few pathetic pieces swimming in the salty soup.

But their noodles are cooked to the right tenderness, so at least that is not too bad. But I will definitely give a 3.0 if the soup is not so salty.

Luncher: Michael

Lunch: Lunch Combo #3: Bun Ga Nuong with Fresh Roll - $8.87
Rating:

Michael's Review

'Lunch Combo Number 3'. That made me laugh. Maybe they can supersize it?

This is the fast food of Pho. Nothing wrong with that. But that ultimate American invention of the 'combo meal' is just not what you are looking for when you trek over to the ID for lunch. If you want quick and fast and cheap head for the food court. It's lots more fun, faster, and cheaper. This place wasn't bad. But there is so much better within a few blocks that I can't ever see going back.

There is a Pho Hoa over in Bremerton. It rocks. I'll eat there again and again. But that's cause it's the *only* Pho place in the entire city. I have no choice. In the ID you have sooo many better choices - take adavantage of them and skip the combo meals.

Pho Hoa Photos

Pho Hoa


Pho Hoa Entry


Top 400!?


#18 - Pho Ga


#15 - Pho Ta Nam Gau Gan Sach


#40 - Pho Chin Nam


#2 - Pho Tai Chin Nae


Bun Tom Thit Nuong


#31 - Bun Ga Nuong


Fresh Roll


Pho Hoa Menu


Bakery Next Door: Cake House, My Favorite


Inadvertent Self Portrait


Cakes


Cookies, etc.


Cake & Cookie


Pastry