Back within the day, “San Francisco Chinese food” meant Rice-A-Roni, however let’s simply say society’s palate and, extra essential, cultural consciousness, has developed.
China Queen has an precise bodily menu, which was a welcome change from the ever present QR codes which have been standard as of late. They even have a menu in Chinese, for these lucky sufficient to have the ability to learn Chinese. Our actually useful and pleasant server defined the variations between the 2 menus and aided us in ordering scorching tea. She introduced two varieties out for us to attempt to see which we most popular: a extra unassuming black tea, in addition to some pu-erh, which is quite a lot of fermented tea historically produced within the Yunnan Province. The pu-erh was advanced and flavorful, so we opted for that, and the teapot was continuously replenished.
China Queen has obtained loads of social media buzz lately about their pork bao buns. These are so standard (and it seems for good motive) that they usually promote out early, however that night time we have been fortunate and have been in a position to pattern the home particular buns. These steamed buns are pan-fried with sesame seeds on the underside and pork within the heart, not the barbecue/candy selection that one usually finds in such buns, however reasonably a floor pork meatball. These have been steamed completely and had a beautiful texture and style with a stunning distinction between the marginally crunchy sesame seed backside and the tender bun prime. (Photo at prime.)
Instead of the everyday scallion pancakes discovered on menus, China Queen gives scallion crepes that have been splendidly crunchy but with a little bit of chew, and whereas not the identical as scallion pancakes, they nonetheless have been an gratifying facet journey throughout our meal.
The xiao lengthy bao are in fact soup dumplings, and these have been deliciously ready, however maybe have been a bit much less soup-filled than one historically finds in such dumplings. Now, this does have some benefits; there wasn’t a gusher of scorching liquid escaping when biting into it so one can dig in with abandon. The ginger-soy dipping sauce that got here with them was additionally actually good as properly.
The pork chives steamed dumplings have been historically served with a dumpling pores and skin that was steamed excellent and a filling that hit all the suitable notes; these got here eight to a basket.
Our server noticed each final drop of the tea from the cups being slurped up, and insisted on refilling the teapot “one more time,” although the dinner was accomplished and the desk had in any other case been cleared. When we resisted, she insisted on simply “half a pot, then.” We acquiesced; we’re solely human.
China Queen, 3412 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 100 (Carrollton) 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday – Thursday; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
