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Cheap-Ass Dining At Hon’s Wun Tun House

written by John Chow on April 2, 2007

How to make $593 in less than one hour

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Hon’s Wun Tun House has been around so long it qualifies as a tourist attraction (which may explain why the restaurant sells Hon’s T-shirts and mugs). Started in 1972 in old Chinatown as a small Hong Kong style won tun and noodle house, Hon’s has expanded into a decent size chain, with locations in Vancouver, New West, Coquitlam and Richmond. We decided to hit the Richmond location because a very good friend of mine is back in town and the first place she wanted to eat at was Hon’s.

The Richmond Hon’s, like all the other Hon’s, is a no-frills cafeteria-style, fast food Chinese restaurant. They are well known for their wun tun in MSG infested soup and “potstickers.” The only reason Hon’s is listed in the fine dining category is because I don’t have a cheap-ass dining category, which is what Hon’s is. The price maybe low, but the food is actually quite good. Here’s what we had.

BBQ Ducks With Noodles

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This is a classic noodle dish. The BBQ duck is nice and juicy and the soup base has so much MSG, you’ve be craving for a Coke after. We tried the dish with two different types of noodles. The thing I like about this dish is a Coke taste SO GOOD after!

Beef With Egg Swirled In Noodle

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This is Teresa’s favorite dish. She has never been able to order it at any other restaurant because it’s not a menu item. If you don’t like what’s on the Hon’s menu, you can request a custom made item, and the beef with egg swirled in noodle is just that. Normally, the dish is served with rice.

One Half Soy Chicken

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I used to eat a lot of soy chicken wings but for some reason, many Chinese BBQ places don’t sell them anymore. Instead, they sell the entire chicken. Hon’s serves their soy chicken with an oil and ginger sauce.

Taro & Honeydew Bubble Tea

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Yes, Hon’s is getting into bubble tea! The Richmond Hon’s has subleased part of their restaurant to iPearl. I am not sure if Hon’s owns them or if they are an independent business. The bubble tea had good flavor but the pearls were too chewy and lumped together. iPearl offered a loyalty card that gives you one free bubble tea after you buy nine.

Together, all the food at Hon’s came to just $37 with tips. That’s pretty cheap for three people. We couldn’t finish the beef with egg noodle dish. Teresa packed it in a doggie bag to take home.

Hon's Wun Tun House (Richmond) on Urbanspoon

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{ 59 comments }

Tyler April 2, 2007 at 7:25 pm

I’ve always wanted to goto Hon’s. There is one in Coquitlam and it’s always packed.

I was told Hon’s is better to go in a group so you can share dishes.

Stuart Hannig April 2, 2007 at 8:22 pm

I think that’s best with every Chinese resteraunt. It’s part of the culture, to pass around and share the dishes. So yes, bring a group of friends/family.

Jonix April 2, 2007 at 8:52 pm

It’s not only the chinese restaurants. Many restaurants in this days are suitable better for groups.

Marc April 3, 2007 at 6:52 am

Yeah we went to an Indian restaurant that had that same theme going. Each thing you could order was meant to be shared. It made for an interesting adventure :)

Dave April 2, 2007 at 10:35 pm

There is a moderately sized / priced Chinese food place in my tiny home town. People come from 100′s of miles away to eat there.

It’s exactly that style, order a bunch of dishes and share it around :)

Don Wilson April 2, 2007 at 9:51 pm

Looks like some real edible stuff, unlike the $1,000+ places you keep going to :wink:

Alex April 2, 2007 at 7:26 pm

I’d like to get my hands on one of those bubble teas.. I never saw something quite like it :neutral:

Jonix April 2, 2007 at 8:50 pm

I agree alex, they seem quite good. What that teas have at the bottom? Is chocolate mini-balls?

Michael Kwan April 2, 2007 at 9:08 pm

Those little black things are “pearls” or the “bubbles”. They’re made of tapioca.

And bubble tea is EVERYWHERE in the Vancouver area.

Gath April 3, 2007 at 1:40 am

Melbourne, too.

KidBlogger April 2, 2007 at 9:55 pm

I think its just a shake with pearls?

Dave April 2, 2007 at 10:36 pm

I shudder at bubble tea. I had one at the exhibition in Toronto last year, and it was good…I liked it alot.

However, now for some strange and unexplainable reason, whenever I think of bubble tea and those little jellies in it, I feel like throwing up lol

Alex April 3, 2007 at 6:24 pm

You probably got sick of it..

hejustlaughs April 2, 2007 at 7:28 pm

Never had bubble tea? It’s cool at first but it’s nothing special after you’ve had it.

Alex April 2, 2007 at 7:44 pm

Actually, when I think about it, I had one long time ago.. I didn’t like it very much. Like John said, it was to chewy :???:

Webmaster Labor April 2, 2007 at 7:50 pm

That duck is looking mighty tasty :)

Jonix April 2, 2007 at 9:05 pm

:S i’m getting to eat now, gee! :mrgreen:

KidBlogger April 2, 2007 at 9:54 pm

it makes me hungry!

Dave April 3, 2007 at 8:09 am

QUACK! QUACK! :)

Ed Lau April 2, 2007 at 7:54 pm

Whoa, Teresa’s back in town? Say hi for me.

Scot April 2, 2007 at 7:58 pm

What is bubble tea?

KidBlogger April 2, 2007 at 9:53 pm

just a certain kind of tea? :shock:

lyndonmaxewell April 3, 2007 at 1:36 am

You just got to try it, when the wave goes over. :D It died out in Asia already. Everyone got so full of it.

Dave April 2, 2007 at 10:37 pm

It’s a kind of sweet juice like drink, that has little tapioca balls in it

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_tea

Stuart Hannig April 2, 2007 at 8:23 pm

Wow, that all looks yummy.

Marc April 3, 2007 at 6:58 am

I’m with you there. A lot of John’s food is a bit too out there for my tastes, but those dishes look simply delicious.

Dave April 3, 2007 at 8:10 am

Yeah same here, but I really want to try and expand my horizons when it comes to food. I’ve been trying things I wouldn’t normally try lately.

Nicholas Pruett April 2, 2007 at 8:30 pm

Nice looking for there John, up to six entries now,

people are making you evil over at my contest!

http://nick.techboggle.com/contest-1-photoshop-it-evil-john-chow-10-prize

KidBlogger April 2, 2007 at 9:53 pm

Hahahaha LOL! nice pics there@

Dave April 2, 2007 at 10:38 pm

Wow, I wonder what John thinks of that…uh art?

Alex April 3, 2007 at 6:26 pm

…It’s hard to comprehend

James April 2, 2007 at 8:36 pm

In Chicago, people line up outside the restaurants for 10-15 minutes for bubble tea.
Rest of the food looks great!

Nick April 2, 2007 at 9:13 pm

I know, I just don’t get it. When we go to Lao Sze Chuan on Archer, my friends always want to stop for the bubble tea.

But the duck looks very tasty. And I am far from any decent all-night Chinese place. :sad:

Lucas McDonnell April 2, 2007 at 8:50 pm

Taro bubble tea! Excellent, excellent stuff. I’m very, very addicted to taro slushes from Pacific Mall in Toronto. It’s like taking taro bubble tea and making it 100 times better! :mrgreen:

Jonix April 2, 2007 at 9:09 pm

what’s that?

KidBlogger April 2, 2007 at 9:51 pm

count me in to taro! :grin:

Michael Kwan April 2, 2007 at 9:09 pm

Hon’s might be good, but they’re far from being the cheapest or the best. That and the Chinatown location is better (tasting) than the Richmond one.

KidBlogger April 2, 2007 at 9:51 pm

Yumm!!! I love taro! :mrgreen:

derrich April 2, 2007 at 10:10 pm

Too bad, John! I already ate. This is the first food review I read that didn’t make me hungry. Although the food does look good. Maybe I’ll come back and read it tomorrow for lunch. :cool:

Dave April 2, 2007 at 10:39 pm

I am craving Chinese food now, but I’ll have to settle for the pizza in the oven :)

lyndonmaxewell April 3, 2007 at 1:34 am

Low price doesn’t equals bad food. Or vice-versa. :D They really do look yummy!

Dave April 3, 2007 at 8:12 am

Most definitely, You can find some very reasonably priced food, that is quite tasty. Just don’t go for no $2.99 Lunch Buffets :)

Nick April 3, 2007 at 10:07 am

Most world-class cities have a specialty forum site devoted to discussing great restaurants at reasonable prices. As a frequent traveller, I find these to be a tremendous benefit. It’s a leap from the early 1990s when I’d be in Europe and have to hope that the Frommer’s $40 a Day guide had something that was not too much of a tourist trap.

Piggy April 3, 2007 at 1:37 am

Guess I’ll have to stop by there and check it out sometime

Matt Jones April 3, 2007 at 2:30 am

I love soy chicken :mrgreen: Its the best type of chicken, hands down.

ilker April 3, 2007 at 3:01 am

HAHAHAH!! :lol: That’s where you want to take me out for dinner? :shock:

Daniele Salatti April 3, 2007 at 3:29 am

Uhm…bubble tea…never heard about it… :???: Where can I find one in Italy (if I can)?

Albert Law (gnool) April 3, 2007 at 3:45 am

Wow.. how wish I am there to try out the foods? :lol: i’m starving..

Amanda April 3, 2007 at 6:38 am

I haven’t been able to eat that cheap for even 2 people in a long time

and what exactly is this bubble in the tea?

Dave April 3, 2007 at 8:12 am

Little tapioca balls. I’m not a fan…kinda nasty :P

Rosie April 3, 2007 at 8:24 am

Ew! Hon’s! It’s only good if you like rat droppings and cockroaches with your food!!

But that BBQ duck and soya sauce chicken sure look good!!

Martina April 3, 2007 at 8:46 am

Bleahhhhh…beef with egg…i could’nt eat it!!!
:mrgreen:

KidBlogger April 3, 2007 at 11:24 pm

BTW it tastes good for me :mrgreen:

Adam Henningsen April 3, 2007 at 10:00 am

That looks like one heck of a deal, except for the fact all of the food looks a little strange.

:smile:

Adam

fumbler April 3, 2007 at 10:55 am

I so should NOT read your blog when I’m hungry! The food looks damn good and has my mouth watering onto my keyboard. Thanks for sharing your restaurants with us! Gives me some new places to try out around town!

KidBlogger April 3, 2007 at 11:23 pm

I still want that bubble tea!!! :shock:

Article Checker April 5, 2007 at 4:35 am

Whoever invented tapioca should be given a medal. Every time I come across this article I crave for the stuff!!

blabWire April 13, 2007 at 8:35 am

I’m really digging how the teas look. I love finding places like this in my area, although they are few and far between.

blabEditor

Mr. Red April 14, 2007 at 2:54 am

I’m still going to stick to cheeseburgers.