That Was Duckin’ Delicious
We’re writing this review with big ol’ hearts in our eyes. We randomly decided to go here on a Thursday evening after Yelping “noodle soup restaurants” in the Alhambra area. We didn’t really go into this with high expectations since it was just a random, off the cuff decision. However, we were so blown away by the food and service here that we just couldn’t stop raving about it the whole ride home.
Our five minutes of “research,” aka scanning pictures and reviews on Yelp, led us to order their roasted duck noodle soup and HK style wonton noodle soup. We also tacked on their salt and pepper chicken wings just out of curiosity. This is definitely the move here because every single thing we ordered was scrumptious! Had us lickin’ our chops and reveling in the dankness.
Before we get into the food, we want to take a minute to talk about how wonderful the service was here. The servers were so friendly and accommodating towards us. They came and wiped off the excess condensation that our drinks left on the table and were super attentive and kind.
The space itself is really clean and inviting. The kitchen is semi-open with panes of glass separating the kitchen from the rest of the restaurant. You can definitely peek in and see the action in the back though which is something we always appreciate.
We ordered the honey lemon tea which was super sweet. Tasty, but a little too sweet. The superstar of this drink though was the cup it was served in. It came in a metal mug that had the most functional spoon attachment we’ve ever seen. The spoon was long and had a curve in the middle that allowed it to rest perfectly on the lip of the mug. So clutch. V impressive.
Now onto the food. All of our dishes came out really fast. Granted, we did come on a weeknight about 45 minutes before they closed, but still...It was quite impressive. The roasted duck noodle soup was so flavorful. Each piece of duck was packed with flavor and so juicy and succulent. If you do order this, just know that you’re taking on a laborious and involved task. Duck isn’t always the easiest thing to eat, and this place is no exception. The fruits of your labor are oh so worth it though. We definitely want to try the duck a la carte next time.
The wonton noodle soup was also amazing. The wontons were cooked to perfection; juicy, succulent and flavorful. The wrapper was nice and thin and very soft. The broth, just like the roasted duck noodle soup, was very flavorful and savory. They serve their noodle soups with thin egg noodles which adds a really nice crunch to every bite. Each bowl also included a couple pieces of bok choy. These noodle soups were nothing fancy; just four ingredients in each including the broth. This simplicity is what made them so special and enjoyable.
And onto the last dish: the crispy salt and pepper chicken. We hadn’t read anything about this on Yelp which is really surprising and just ordered it at the last minute. THEY WERE SO GOOD OMG. Each piece of chicken was deep fried to perfection. Very crunchy and had that nice salt and pepper finish. The chicken was topped with crunch pieces of garlic, jalapenos, chili, and green onion. Definitely on their oilier side but so damn flavorful and delicious. Pair these bad boys with an ice cold beer and you are in business.
Overall, Ho Kee Cafe was a really, really wonderful experience. There’s a lot to explore on their menu but their staples did not disappoint. If you’re looking for a clean Chinese restaurant with exceptional service and delicious food, definitely stop by.
Ho Kee Cafe
533 S Del Mar Ave
San Gabriel, CA 91776
