Growing up in a traditional Chinese family (my mom was 1st generation from China), our homemade breakfasts consisted of Chinese noodle soup with char siu, choy sum, and sometimes soup-type won tons with varying degrees. Meals sometimes included egg rolls, and special occasions included e-mein, chow mein, or specially-made noodles with veggies, meats, and seafood; and fried won tons.
The one thing requirement that my mom had for these starches is that they be freshly made. And as we lived in Pauoa Valley, she would visit nearby Young's Noodle Factory on Liliha Street for her regular purchases weekly.
Young's Noodle Factory was originally on Smith St in Chinatown and moved to its current location on Liliha St in the late 1990's. It's a long-standing local business known for its fresh, handmade noodles and dumpling wrappers wholesaling to local restaurants, supporting local chefs, as well as retailing to local home cooks. Its noodles include chow mein, saimin, hoon tiu mein, egg chow mein, and e-mein. Wrappers for dumplings include won ton, gau gee, siu mai, mandu, and egg roll.
As I learned to make fried/soup won tons and chow mein dishes from my mom, I continue to purchase the same noodles and wrappers from Young's Noodle Factory today. Yes, old school, and as if nothing has moved forward over time. Depending on what is made, you can watch workers hand-cut the noodles using a metal measuring plate. Sometimes you can't help notice how wrappers might be cut a little crooked, but that's okay. No high-tech machines to make processes more efficient.
Prices are very reasonable for noodles and wrappers. Try and do the math once, and you will be amazed at what the Chinese restaurants are capable of charging you for won tons and noodle dishes.
Staff is usually friendly and accommodating. But during holiday periods when the demand for these wrappers and noodles is high, they may be curt in customer service due to pressures on hand to have them available. Once I assumed they would have my won ton wrappers, they were sold out. I had to try the wrappers from another business and was not satisfied with the result. So now, I always call beforehand to ensure that they have sufficient inventory when I need them.
Much of the interior space is dedicated for making noodles and wrappers. As soon as you walk in, you may see staff wrapping saimin noodles or won ton/siu mai wrappers with wax paper to be placed in the giant steel refrigerator. There is simply one order counter for local residents, whereas there are cases of noodles/wrappers ordered by restaurants taking up a lot of space. Yes, no ambiance, just factory working space. Interior cleaning is done daily, but during holiday periods, much of the interior is covered with flour to keep humidity out of the starches. I appreciate the large amount of flour used to separate my won ton pi wrappers so that they don't stick together during high humidity days.
Hours of operation are Mon, Wed, Fri 6a to 12n; Tues, Thurs Sat 6a to 2p; Sun closed. I can never remember this schedule and must consult prior to purchase. As noted previously, I always call beforehand to ensure they have what I want. Other than a lone metered street parking space fronting its business, there is no parking available. It is easier to have two people in the car, the driver waiting, while the other runs in for your purchase. Note that there may be a company van sitting near the front entrance, with cases of noodles/wrappers being loaded on for delivery to wholesalers.
While I certainly don't eat a Chinese noodle soup dish daily like my mother did, but I do occasionally have them, together with soup-type won tons or fried won tons. I'm glad that Young's Noodle Factory is still around so that these dishes continue to be precious memories and nostalgia for so many years! Their products continue to be known for their freshness, affordability, and authentic local flavors that allow me to preserve my cultural heritage! Support local! read more