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    Noodle & Bun

    4.7 (253 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    NOODLE & BUN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Noodle & Bun

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    Got Buns Hun
    Rocky R.

    Post Padre Game and where to eat Noodle and Bun is the place. Talk about service, these folks are a well-oiled machine. We tried one of the ramen bowls and of course, buns. The buns were pillow-soft and delicious, the bowl piping hot. We can't wait till our next game

    Spicy brisket noodle soup.
    Marc W.

    Service was quick and mostly attentive. Decor offers little of value though I like open kitchens and being able to watch the "show". Had the spicy brisket noodle soup. The brisket was tender though a bit on the fatty side. The hand pulled noodles were great as was the broth but I was left wanting for more vegetables-a single bok choy sliced three ways seems a little light though the flavor was good and the quantity was more than I needed. All in all a great bargain in the gaslight.

    Leslie G.

    Service is great. So many options to choose from and nothing was disappointing. Dan Dan noodles, veggie buns, dumplings. Lots of tables and open space.

    Spicy Brisket Noodles
    Dania A.

    I passed by this place after closing one night, I got this gut feeling that this is definitely somewhere to visit. I lassoed up my friends and we headed there for dinner tonight and it did NOT disappoint. Service is so friendly and quick (wait time to be seated was non-existent even for a Saturday evening and the food arrived relatively speedily). It looks and feels like a clean and well maintained place. We ordered a wide range of items and nothing disappointed. We even took leftovers to go because it was all worth it. We ordered the meat mix chow mein, cabbage rolls, pot stickers, veggie buns, the beef wrap, the cucumber salad, and the spicy brisket noodles and honestly YUM! I devoured the cucumber salad -- such a great palette cleanser with the perfect touch of tang and garlic. The veggie buns were so satisfactory and fluffy. The spicy brisket was also surprisingly phenomenal. I definitely plan on coming back real soon and love that they have options for a mix of dietary needs.

    Cucumber salad IG @WholeWellnessMamas

    Broth DELICIOUS. Sadly I wanted the wide noodles and they made a mistake so gave us all hand pulled noodles. It was a super bummer and they didn't swap it out but they gave us an extra appetizer. The cucumber salad was vinegary and not too sweet. The cucumber was a little sweet but the vinegary veggie was perfect to go with the fatty but delicious beef broth. I don't do spice so I got the regular beef noodle. Again I wish I had gotten the wide noodle but next time! The broth is freakin delicious with various spices! Definitely recommend!

    XLB
    Su J.

    Their noodle slaps! So chewy and fresh! We got the beef noodle and Dan Dan Mian, I loved the texture of the noodles, definitely hand pulled and freshly made. The beef noodle broth was comforting and not too salty, definitely hit the spot after a long day at the zoo. We also got the Xiao long Bao and pot stickers. They are really delish. The cucumber salad was very simple and refreshing on a hot day. Service was quick and friendly. Food came out timely and every dish we ordered was excellent. I'm usually pretty picky with Chinese food. The restaurant was clean and spacious. I love how they space out each tables so you don't feel so crammed like most small Chinese restaurants. The sitting was comfortable and the restaurant felt clean. Will def come back if I'm ever in the area!

    Entrance
    Steven H.

    I'd give this place a 3.5 if Yelp allowed it. We came to Noodle & Bun with high expectations after reading all the rave reviews, but unfortunately, we left pretty disappointed. To be fair, the food was definitely fresh, but we found the actual flavors to be really bland and boring. I ordered the Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle Soup, and it just wasn't spicy at all. I actually had to add about half a jar of the chili sauce from the table just to try and get some heat and flavor into the broth. My partner had the Veggie Chow Mein and ran into the same issue, needing to add a lot of soy sauce and chili oil just to give it some taste. We also shared the Veggie Spring Rolls, which were cooked nicely--light golden brown and very crispy--but again, they just lacked much flavor. I know I might be the outlier with my review, and maybe we just caught the kitchen on an off day. Like I said, the ingredients are fresh, but the dishes just needed a lot of help. A quick heads-up about the location: I'd strongly recommend eating inside rather than sitting at their outdoor tables. It's not that the entire Gaslamp area has this issue, but just where they are located on the street, there is a large homeless presence nearby and, unfortunately, a pretty strong smell of urine. On the bright side, the service was very attentive for this type of casual restaurant. They constantly kept our waters refilled and brought extra napkins without us even having to ask. I'm unsure whether the attentiveness was just a hustle to get people in and out quickly or because they genuinely wanted us to enjoy ourselves, but it was great either way. Overall, great service and fresh ingredients, but it fell short on the flavor we were hoping for, and the outdoor atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired.

    Soup dumplings
    Lauren C.

    One of our favorite go to quick dinner spots in downtown. Staff is amazing and super friendly. The owner is usually here and is so welcoming. Cute little shop in downtown with amazing food. The food honestly taste so similar to Din tai Fung but WAAAAY more affordable. Normally, I wouldn't leave a review because I want to keep this place a secret, but it's well deserving of the high praise!

    Spicy Wontons
    Katherine K.

    This place is really good! Service was great and I liked how the tables weren't squished together so we weren't on top of other people. The restaurant itself is very bright and a bit aggressive on the eyes if you are facing the inside. My guy and I got the following: - Spicy Wontons - very good and it wasn't drowning in sauce. They had a nice amount of stuffing too, which was really appreciated - Scallion Pancake - I have never had a scallion pancake before and I'm really happy my guy decided we should get this because it was really good! I liked how the flavors were lighter than some of the other dishes we got, so it was a nice change. - Spicy Beef Brisket Noodle Soup - packed full of flavor, but really oily. The brisket was perfectly cooked and flavored. Noodles weren't my favorite type in this kind of dish, but still good - Bok Choy (side) - fresh and they gave a lot! I was really happy they left it unseasoned so I could eat it with the other dishes Overall, this place is now one of my favorite spots! However, I do need to be mindful about how oily some of their dishes can be.

    As advertised
    Rom P.

    Hand-pulled noodles done right -- Lan Zhou beef noodle is a must Tried Noodle & Bun in downtown San Diego and it was a great experience from start to finish. I ordered the N-1 Lan Zhou Noodle Soup, and it did not disappoint. The hand-pulled noodles had excellent chew and texture, the beef broth was rich and comforting, and the braised beef shank was tender and flavorful. You can tell the noodles are made fresh -- that alone sets this place apart. We also shared soup dumplings, fresh pork buns, and the beef roll. The dumplings were juicy with good skin, the pork buns were soft and fluffy, and the beef roll had a nice crispy bite from the pancake wrap. What really made the visit memorable was the owner, Danny. He's genuinely kind, welcoming, and clearly takes pride in taking care of his customers. He checked in to make sure everything was good, which always goes a long way. Clean, casual spot with fair prices for downtown and quality food. If you're nearby and craving real hand-pulled noodles, this place is worth a stop. I'll definitely be back.

    serina c.

    Love love love this place. I went on a whim cuz there are no good Chinese places in dt. My go to order is cucumbers, beef wrap spicy, and sometimes shrimp fried rice. They are quick on getting you served and that's much appreciated!!

    Shrimp and Pork Chili Wontons
    Vivian T.

    Noodle & Bun is fairly new to DT. The space reminds me of a Din Tai Fung, where you can view the staff preparing dishes through the window. There is plenty of table seating and the restaurant is a large size for many guests. Spicy Wontons (3/5): I found myself eating the wontons with the soup because they were overly salty while the noodles and broth were more on the bland end. Their wontons are a smaller shape from what I've seen, but are very filling, especially if you order your own noodles. Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (3.5/5): The beef was so tender and soft! They give you a lot of meat for the bowl, but I didn't think the broth was spicy. Luzhou Beef Noodle (4/5):This style broth is a clear base broth and seemed to be flavored by many herbs and spices. It is reminiscent of the bone soup you can choose for hotpot. Overall I like the soup and noodle combination more than the spicy noodles. I'd say this is an authentic spot for beef noodle soup and dumplings. They have all the standard toppings that go into the beef noodles but overall the dish itself is very simple.

    beef wrap
    Smita N.

    Hearty and perfectly chewy hand pulled noodles in an incredibly comforting and rich broth. The beef was perfectly tender and almost fell apart in my mouth. The beef wrap was zingy with mala flavor, crunchy and herbaceous. The two beef items couldn't be more different, and I'm glad I got to try both. Service was solid for a casual setup.

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    15 days ago

    Literally so delicious 10/10 definitely returning and definitely recommend, me and my siblings had a great time here :)

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    It means a lot that you took the time to leave this — thank you!

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    14 days ago

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    Your kind words keep our team motivated — thank you so much!

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    16 days ago

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    22 days ago

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    5 days ago

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    27 days ago

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    3 hours ago

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    10 days ago

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    3 months ago

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    We truly appreciate the support — it means a lot to our team!

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    3 months ago

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    Your feedback made our day — we can’t wait to serve you again!

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    4 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    Thanks so much for visiting — we loved having you here!

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    11 days ago

    Passed by here to pick up dinner because I heard it's legit and I'm happy to say it's true. The beef and noodle is outstanding!

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    28 days ago

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    Thanks for choosing us! We’re thrilled you had a good time here.

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    Thanks so much for visiting — we loved having you here!

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    We’re so happy to hear this! Thanks for giving us a try.

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    Really appreciate your kind words — hope to see you again soon!

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    Thanks for making us part of your day — hope to see you again soon!

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    6 months ago

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    We’re so happy to hear this! Thanks for giving us a try.

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    So glad you liked it! Hope to see you again for more favorites.

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    We’re so grateful for your support — see you soon for more noodles!

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    Ask the Community - Noodle & Bun

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    I put off eating here for a long time because I questioned if I would truly like the fusion of…read moreFilipino food (mind you I am Filipino) and didn't want to be disappointed spending all this $$$ when I'm truly basic and can appreciate typical Filipino cuisines. We came here to celebrate my birthday and right off the bat the ambience was amazing! The music, the vibe and our server was wonderful. Started off with the tuna kinilaw. Hubby said and I quote "this is literally the best thing I've ever had in my life!" Got the Taiwanese chicken and it just melt in your mouth like butter. The basil aioli accompanied with this appetizer was just perfection. How do they come up with this? Wagyu corned beef fried rice was also good but definitely not the star of the show! Crispy potatoes were definitely a favorite and that sweet Chinese sausage made it ten times better. Short rib kare kare was so tender. The flavor I wasn't really feeling, but it was still good! The star of the show was definitely the pork tomahawk tocino. So tender, so flavorful! Just when you thought they couldn't get any better. The sticky rice crème brûlée...omggg I want to have this everyday! Please if you were ever hesitant to eat at Animae, you need to now! Everyone needs to try this at least once in their life! I can't wait to go back.

    My wife and I wanted to go somewhere upscale and special during our vacation in San Diego. After…read morereading reviews and looking at the menu, we settled on Animae and made a Dinner reservation. Food: With all the hype, we were expecting great food... and boy did they deliver! We ordered a variety of different appetizers and entrees, and each one was literally perfection in all ways possible! Presentation, texture, and taste, all came together in every single dish to create a unique and lasting memory. The food simply cannot be over hyped, it really is that good. Dessert: After having some of the best food we have ever tasted, we definitely wanted to give their dessert a try as well. We shared the Sticky Rice Creme Brulee. Simply wow! Once again made to perfection. Service: The staff were very friendly and our server was knowledgeable and answered all our questions to help us pick what to order for the evening. She even brought us a complementary desert when she found out we were celebrating an occasion. Ambiance: The restaurant looked and felt upscale. There interior design was very well done. I particularly loved the multiple sources of low lighting that created a calm atmosphere. To Summarize: We had some of the best food of our lives, honestly. You can tell that so much care and planning was put into each and every dish they make. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. The ambiance of the restaurant was inviting and calm. Literally everything about our experience here was perfect!

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    Choi's - Galbi Glazed Tomahawk. 30 Day Dry Aged

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    Came here with their revamped fine dining Korean Asian Fusion menu during Happy Hour and this place…read morewas absolutely amazing!!!!! First off, there is free parking available, just circle around the building until you see a garage entrance for retail parking. Two hours for free! Let me first explain the aesthetics of this place. Clean and modern with mid century feel accented with greenery throughout. Please note that they won't seat you until most of your party is present. We came here for Happy Hour which was from 4-6pm from Tuesday to Sunday! This is fantastic that HH includes the weekend!!!! To start, got a wellness shot which had a meld of juices and ginger. A great drink to ready your palate. For cocktails, I tried the Suika Spritz, which was refreshing! The Absolutely Pho-nomenal definitely tasted like cold Pho broth but spiked. It wasn't my favorite drink, but glad I tried it nonetheless. Of course we ordered the $1 oysters, and ordered all three - Baja, Pacific Northwest, & East Coast. It came with some Asian fusion sauces to dress our oysters. My fave was the Baja as these were the freshest! All three were smooth and non briny. On the HH menu we also tried - Bulgogi Birria Vampiro - Tender meat with bulgogi seasoned beef on top of a tostada. Really liked the meld of the two cultures in this dish. Duck Liver Mousse - Comes with rustic bread & crème fraiche. Very duck forward. I liked this because it was rich with flavor. Stone Crab Taco - Loved the nod to Loganisa in this taco! This was by far, my favorite protein dish on the HH menu!!!! Regular Menu - Mango Nasturium Kimchi Salad - I absolutely loved this vibrant and fresh dish!!!! I had to go back for second and thirds! Shishito Peppers with Bonito Flakes - This was definitely a fun and flavorful dish with lots of umami. Dessert - Hotteok and Vanilla Ice Cream - this was my favorite dessert! The pancakes were flaky and delicious!! Bonbunja Tiramisu - Beware! This has a strong coffee taste. It reminded of the strength and flavor profile of a Vietnamese coffee. I can't believe it's not cheesecake - Definitely a mix of a brûlée but with a cheesecake flavor. Confusing but works lol. We met the executive chef, Kyler, who explained and served some of dishes we ordered. The entire staff was so accommodating and even reminded us if we needed our parking validated! Our water never ran empty and our dishes were promptly taken away as we finished. Definitely a place to visit during HH since they offer amazing food and cocktail choices.

    My wife and I went here for dinner expecting to eat great food based on all the high reviews and…read morethe upscale price, but we were instead left with disappointment and a big fat check with an unexpected automatic 20% gratuity fee for 2 people. Food: We got several appetizers and 3 entrees. We had the Mango Kimchi Salad, Bulgogi Birria Vampiro, Silkworm Pupa Tacos, Doenjang Risotto, Miso Lingcod, and Braised Short Rib. We got plenty of dishes to try, but unfortunately they were either simply mediocre or had an issue. The Kimchi Salad was too strong in spice and the mangos were unripe and hard. The Birria Vampiro was simply mediocre and sort of bland. Silkworm Pupa Tacos were again sort of bland. The Risotto was undercooked and crunchy instead of 'al dente'. Miso Lingcod had a very fishy taste and not much else. And the Braised Short Rib was too salty. Drinks: I got the Choi's cocktail and my wife got the Gangnam Style espresso martini. Both drinks were very well made and tasted great! Service: Unlike the food, the service was great! From the person who confirmed our reservation, to the staff at the front of the door, and to our server, they were all extremely friendly. We were celebrating an occasion, which we made known when booking and upon sitting down we got a handwritten card with a congratulations note. That was very unexpected and awesome! We also got a couple of complimentary cocktail shots from the bartender while we were there. Overall, I would say the staff and service was extremely good. Parking: The area of San Diego that Choi's is located is unfortunately very bad. Overfilled with homeless, drug addicts, and just plain shady looking people who roam the streets. I was overjoyed when I found out that they give you two hours of complimentary parking in a safe place! So to summarize: The staff that provide great service, the bartender with awesome drinks, and the free parking in a safe place simply do not make up for the main reason we were there: the food. The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 was because of all these other factors besides the food. Before paying the bill and leaving, we did let the server know about the issues we found with the food in a very friendly and constructive way. She was thankful for the honesty and the feedback.

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    OB Noodle House - Brisket pho #11

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    It's a very different pho experience…read more I ordered the original pho. The soup did have the full spectrum of unami. Slightly less herbal aroma than average pho, I think. But what made this very different than usual, was the soup didn't feel complete when I tasted it. Until I put the lime juice in it. It added the punch that soup needed, and flavor felt complete. And that's what I thought was interesting. Usually, lime in pho is optional, at least for me. This is a first pho where I have to have lime juice in it for full experience.

    I never like to leave a bad review. It doesn't matter if the waiter is awful, the food comes out…read morereally, really late because he forgets to pick it up, even though you tell him you're on a time schedule. It doesn't matter if the music is so loud it gives us all a headache. These are the things I never want to put in a review. It is our job as San Diego Foodies and Carlsbad Foodies to tell you what to order when you go. So here it is: even if your waiter tell you it's not that spicy.... If you enjoy very spicy food, order the house fried rice. And please don't ask for less spice because they put it into the mix so there's no room for adjustments. They add so many interesting vegetables providing crunch, so many different meats and when you hit a 'flavor spot' in the rice, you know why people order it. With garlic, gusto and gratitude,  Chef Marian  San Diego Foodies Carlsbad Foodies

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    4.3(687 reviews)
    1.2 miGolden Hill

    Exceeded expectations! We stopped by for a date night, had…read morebeen by years ago and hadn't been back due to the crowds, somehow got 2 seats at the bar on a Friday night. The space is beautiful with that SoCal casual fancy (love it, hate stuffy dressed up fancy atmospheres). The staff were friendly, attentive, knowledgeable, definitely were helpful in making informative recommendations. The efforts put in are Michelin level. They notified us multiple times of the automatic 20% tip that's shared with all staff which I'm honestly fine with. We got the Pig Ears Salad (recommended by the bartender, the best, most surprising dish, 100%, will never find this anywhere else in the world), eggplants (they were still good and plentiful but not our favorite), and the dry aged duck ($$$$, the confit duck made me uncontrollably laughed and gnaw on the bones praying to extend the moment). I will always get the pig ear, and I was initially skeptical of the price of the duck but left feeling it was worth it. We left with leftovers and it's a good amount of food. Overall, excellent meal, great service, so happy it's at a point that we can do walk ins, and will be back!

    I throughly enjoyed my dining experience at Kingfisher. My partner and I had a reservation here and…read morewas seated promptly after we arrived. The hostess had a note for our anniversary celebration. They also printed a little celebatory note directly on the menu - a great personal touch. Our server was friendly and answered any questions we had. We ordered the beef tartare, smoked aged duck, and the deep fried sand bass. For the drink we ordered the Seasame Soirée. While our food came out pretty slow, I'd say it was worth the wait. We also enjoyed 2 complimentary glasses of bubbly while we waited as part of our anniversary celebration. The restarant itself is decorated beautifully with a jazzy ambiance. The interior had bits of gold and green with a beautiful pearlescent leafy wallpaper. The bar is located in the center and also doubles as a centerpiece to the restuarant. Restrooms are located in the back - there we many private, clean and spacious rooms. Below is a summary of the food we ordered: Beef Tartare (5/5) - Savory, sweet and spicy beef tartare dressed in fish sauce and thai chilis. Paired alongside fresh herbs like cilantro, shiso, argula and radicchio. The sesame rice crackers were light and airy. Smoked Dry Aged Duck (5/5) - Perfectly cooked, sweet and salty aged smoked duck paired with rice noodles, herbs and 2 different sauces. I appreciated the many ways you can wrap and enjoy the duck. I do wish the slices of duck were either smaller or thinner - it's hard to eat in one bite. Whole Fried Sand Bass (4/5) - I'll always order a whole firied fish wherever I go and this was no expection. I loved the sweet & sour ginger sauce. The fish was a bit over-fried in my personal opinion, but the inside is still very soft and tender. Sweet & Sour Rice Noodles (5/5) - Aboslutely delicious! Slippery and cold rice noodles dressed in fish sauce and other seasonings. It's not overpowering at all and goes great with the Whole Fried fish as well. Seasame Soiree Cocktail (5/5) - A very unique drink made with gin, ginger, coconut, seasame seeds and more. It was very fragrant in the best way. The flavor really develops after the first sip. I love how nutty and decadent yet light this drink is. Overall, I had a great experience here and this is one of the top restaurants I've had the pleasure of enjoying in SD. Highly reccomend especially if you like Vietnamese food / fish-sauce forward dishes. (At least for the dishes I ordered)

    Photos
    Kingfisher - Interior

    Interior

    Kingfisher - Hokkaido scallops $39

    Hokkaido scallops $39

    Kingfisher - Tamarind Chicken Wings

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    Tamarind Chicken Wings

    Fortunate Son

    Fortunate Son

    3.8(1.5k reviews)
    3.9 miUniversity Heights, North Park
    $$

    I have heard mixed reviews about this place, so I finally got to experience it myself. The place…read morewas quite small, but the overall aesthetic of the place was clean and stellar. We had a reservation as well and were seated right away. I am someone who looks at menus before I go places and I had my eye on something that was not on the menu anymore. I forgot to take a picture of the updated menu, however the beef dish I got was one of the newer items. The food was family style so great to share. Both dishes I felt were really yummy, not too salty, and good portions. If anything, I wish there would have been a little more ribeye because it was tasty. Another random side note, I wish there was more than one bathroom!

    I always passed by this place and it looked intriguing, especially their inside decor, here was my…read moreexperience. AMBIANCE Parking: Welcome to (No)rth (Park). It can get pretty busy just got to put in some extra time in the neighborhood or streets for metered parking. Seating: Inside and outside seating. For inside, reservations are recommended. Room for about 50 people. Vibes: Welcome to North Park, a lot of eateries and bars to hop around. It's a pretty hip place with constant traffic. The spot itself is Retro Chinese-American aesthetic with a modern twist. Think red lighting, plants, and a playlist that keeps the energy up. It's one of those spots that feels trendy but still approachable--good for dates or catching up with friends. FOOD / DRINKS Mayo Walnut Shrimp (Recommend) This is one of their standout dishes--and for good reason. Crispy shrimp coated in that creamy, slightly sweet sauce with candied walnuts. It hits that crunchy + rich + sweet combo really well and is easily one of the safer bets on the menu. Green Beans (Recommend) Simple but solid. Good balance to the heavier shrimp--fresh, slightly savory/umami making it a nice side to round things out. Ginger Lemonade (Recommend) A refreshing sip with a nice bite of ginger. SERVICE Friendly and efficient, especially considering how busy it gets. Food comes out fairly quick once you're seated. TL;DR OVERALL 4 stars. Steady prices, good food, and good choices. Fun spot with strong vibes and solid Chinese-American comfort food. It leans more elevated takeout-style than traditional, but that's kind of the appeal. I've been to pretty good Chinese spots but this is a nice experience if you're looking for nice aesthetics and good food. TIPS * This is one of the Consortium Holdings (like Morning Glory) *They also serve food for next door (Polite Provisions)

    Photos
    Fortunate Son - Instagram: @hungrytamale

    Instagram: @hungrytamale

    Fortunate Son - General Tso Cauliflower! Crispy, mildly spicy zing, tender but with some crunch - well sauced and prepared! Definitely a nice option!

    General Tso Cauliflower! Crispy, mildly spicy zing, tender but with some crunch - well sauced and prepared! Definitely a nice option!

    Fortunate Son - Buddah Beer

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    Buddah Beer

    Noodle & Bun - chinese - Updated May 2026

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