Xiananigans Review: Chengdu 23
by Marissa Kluger | Writer, Blogger, Explorer of the everyday
Originally Posted on November 7, 2015
I am a 吃货, foodie. There, I said, it, in writing no less. The Chinese phrase suggests though, jokingly, that I may not be good at much else beyond eating. Life here as much as it did in Xi’an, revolves around food. A discussion ensues in person, via text or phone about who will make dinner, and what will be served. When ZJ and I lived in our second story walk-up in the first of two buildings designated for foreign teachers, every meal we ate together, be it lunch or dinner, took hemming and hawing to decide. We mostly ate out so it took deciding whether we wanted to trek downtown, treat ourselves to expensive mediocre “Western” cuisine, or grab a quick and inexpensive bite from the street vendors on 师大路。I blogged about some of our local Xi’an haunts, not really reviewing said establishments.
In Xi’an, we consumed far more bowls of noodles, street food, and authentic Chinese eats. However, there are three restaurants, two of which we have frequented often enough for me to comment on their offerings.
The only redeeming restaurant Wayne has to offer, and it’s Chinese cuisine…I possess good fortune 😄！Located adjacent to the town’s shopping mall, nestled in a strip mall, of all places, the very modest exterior does not prepare you for all the delicacies that await you. They offer up very good 混沌 wonton soup，小笼汤包 soup dumplings，大碗面noodle bowls，凉粉 rice jelly，担担面 dan dan noodles，宫爆鸡 kung pao chicken，回锅肉 twice cooked pork。We have never had a mediocre meal there, and although we have yet to try it ourselves, numerous sources tell me dim sum on weekends rivals the illustrious banquets of NYC. Chengdu is first on the list for its proximity, authentic offerings, and selfishly because I am always able to practice ordering in Chinese. We ordered take out on Thursday, and even over the phone, I brushed off the speaking in 普通话 cobwebs.
Chengdu 23 6 Willowbrook Blvd Wayne, NJ 07470, chengdu23.com
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