The United States is often described as a melting pot, and Thanksgiving is representative of our diversity. We have Southwestern turkeys, Cajun deep-fried turkey and turkey mole with chorizo stuffing. This year, Chinatown is all over Thanksgiving. Restaurants are offering “BBQ roasted turkeys” to take home. Available only during the month of November, the turkeys are steeped in a soy sauce marinade which is made with two different kinds of vinegar, a sweet syrup, and star anise.
I was invited by The Chinatown Business Improvement District to enjoy one of the turkeys, along with a stunning Chinese feast at Golden City Seafood Restaurant last week. The multi-course meal started with Steamed Santa Barbara Prawns. The meat was tender and sweet, but it was just a bit of a tease.
The turkey arrived golden and enticing. Aren’t you getting excited about next week???
The chef carved tableside, fascinating and tempting the other diners. You can tell by the photograph how moist the white meat is. There was a delicious dipping sauce mysteriously called “mixed sauce”. I definitely tasted notes of the laquer coating for char siu pork.
You can tell by the photograph how moist the white meat is. There was a mysteriously named “mixed sauce” that was delicious. The turkeys are served with sticky rice stuffing with sausage and mushrooms. Availability of stuffing and the ingredients will vary according to the restaurant.
Our next course was a refreshing Dried Scallop Winter Melon Soup with Assorted meat. Winter melon isn;t sweet although it is referred to as a melon. It is mild and the texture is lovely in soups. The “Assorted meat” seemed to be dried scallops and fresh shrimp. I accidentally dumped a bowl of this soup in my lap and just let it soak in to play it off and not make a scene. Nobody even noticed that I had dumped the soup, but I can tell you there is one thing you don’t want to walk around smelling like all night and that thing is dried scallop broth.
Filet mignon, French style, was the best Chinese beef dish we have ever eaten. The beef was as tender as a baby’s bottom. Wait, that just sounds really wrong. I asked what made the dish “French” and was informed that it was a recipe from French Indochina — Vietnam.
The mixed vegetables, including Bamboo Fungus, Black Mushroom with Snow Pea Leaves was one of my favorite dishes. Bamboo fungus forever!
The classic – Peking duck. Although it looks like just the skin, there is a very thin layer of fat and meat. I was pleased to have it served with the bao-like bread instead of mushu pancakes.
Golden Garlic Bean Curd puffed up lightly without being spongy. The other diners didn’t eat as much of it as I did. Maybe they were already full. Although the restaurant said they served food from all provinces they seemed more Cantonese. This was the most Szechuan style dish.
What’s Thanksgiving without pies? I was delighted to see the egg custard from Phoenix Bakery.
Here is a list of participating restaurants and delis. I can personally recommend Golden City Seafood and Ocean Seafood.
CBS Seafood Restaurant
700 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-2323 213-617-23
Contact Person: David Ho
Roasted Turkey ($38+Tax, 16-20 lbs)
Place order 3 days in advance
Golden City Seafood Restaurant
960 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-253-2660 213-253-2660
Contact Person: Edward Chao
BBQ Roasted Young Turkey ($45+Tax, around 14 lbs) includes Pan Fried Sticky Rice Hong Kong Style, gravy and a small bottle of red wine (187ml)
Place order 3-4 days in advance
Now through November 30th
Able to host Holiday Party – call for availability
Hong Kong Chinese BBQ
803-807 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-687-7238 213-687-7238
Contact Person: Eddie
Roasted Turkey with Sauce ($39, 15-17 lbs)
Roasted Turkey w/Sticky Rice and Sauce ($45)
Place order one week days in advance
Hop Woo BBQ Seafood Restaurant
845 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-3038 213-617-3038
Contact Person: Lupe or Judy Liang
Roasted Turkey ($38, 16-20 lbs) includes Garlic Rice cooked in clay-pot & Special Sauce
Place order one day in advance
J&K Hong Kong Cuisine
724 N. Hill Street, #216
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-0638 213-617-0638
Contact Person: Jane
Roasted Turkey ($45.95, 13-15 lbs) includes Beef Fried Rice & Sample of Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce
Place order two days in advance
Lien-Hoa Deli
721 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-625-5001 213-625-5001
Contact Person: Tracy
Roasted Turkey ($43, 13-16 lbs)
Place order four days in advance
Lucky Deli (Wol Deli)
706 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-625-7847 213-625-7847
Roasted Turkey ($38 including tax, 18-20 lbs; $35 including tax, 14-16 lbs; $32 [including tax], ? lbs) Check with the store when ordering whether sticky rice is included.
Place order a week in advance
Master Chef Restaurant
937 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-687-3638 213-687-3638
All diners will receive a free turkey dish with your meal. Dine-in Only on Thanksgiving Day.
Ocean Seafood Restaurant
750 N. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-687-3088 213-687-3088
Roasted Turkey ($38, 12-15 lbs)
Place order three-four days in advance
San Woo BBQ Express
727 N. Hill Street, #111
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-1063 213-617-1063
Contact Person: Liyan
Roasted Turkey ($29.99, 12-15 lbs)
Place order three days in advance
Spring Street Smoke House
640 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-626-0535 213-626-0535
Contact Person: Michael Mullins
Smoked Turkey ($60.18, 14-16 lbs)
Place order four days in advance
Yum Cha Cafe
638 N. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-617-8698 213-617-8698
Roasted Turkey ($35+tax, 12-14 lbs) includes Sticky Rice and Sauce.
Place order three-four days in advance
*List received from merchants. Subject to change without notice.
