Mike's Noodle House

the food is very tasty and the prices are reasonable, but don't expect any kind of service, especially if you're asian. everytime i ask a question about something, the waiters glare at me as if i'm supposed to know the answer and the line of people waiting just add to the rush rush rush feeling i always get eating there. i recommend only doing take out. more

Mike's Noodle House is one of those "Finds" in the International District that you want to share with all your friends. They serve up tasty Noodles and Congee - a thick, yet watery rice porridge - which they serve plain or with a variety of meats & "spare parts," i.e. innards like fish maw, pig intestines and stomach at a good price. They have two types of dumplings - Won Ton or Sui Kow - both which are authentic and very flavorful. The Won Ton has the usual pork & prawn (shrimp) meat, while the Sui Kow has the former, plus the "extras" that are found in Sui Kow. The "extras" need not be uniform - some places use black mushrooms, some black fungus, some use fresh spring onions, etc. etc. Mike's has strips of black fungus and the distinct taste of a flavorful, aromatic dried and salted fish (some year, I'll find out what it is in English or scientific terms). Mike's also features a small selection of ala carte items - the deep fried "Chinese donut" reminiscent of a beignet without the sugar, steamed veggies, etc. and a stewed beef (and tendon) that is also flavorful. Examine the sauces and don't be timid about asking for a small plate in which to pull out your dumplings for dipping. I recommend the pot of chopped chillies which is flavorful and not mouth burning hot (if taken in small quantities). Enough to enhance the taste of what you eat without burning off the roof of your mouth (your personal mileage may vary). For the adventurous, try the Sampan Congee which has "everything" including peanuts on top. Order the donuts. Those are eaten with the Congee. If fish isn't your thing, don't do the Sui Kow. Otherwise, I've been there many times and have not yet once been disappointed. For the ones who prefer to play it safe, there's always the noodles with stewed beef, Won Ton and plain pork porridge. Prices are in the $5 to $6 range and tea of course, comes free. The portions are not huge but satisfying for the small / medium appetites. The place is small but clean, the waitresses harried but impeccably dressed, and smile as you are seated with a complete stranger. ;) Individual tastes differ, but I highly recommend it. Oh... and visit the neat little Tea place that just opened up beside it. It's like a little Treasure House full of Chinese tea paraphernalia. more

If you love Wonton and Congee this is the place to go! For $6 you can get a very good bowl of wonton noodle soup. For $5 you can get a good bowl of congee. My favorite--Sui Kau with Beef Brisket rice noodle. Did I forget they have pretty tasty side orders such as steamed liver with soy sauce? Yum...definitely one of the more authentic noodle house in the ID! A must go. A warning though, try not to go during lunch hour, it's madness! The lunch rush starts at noon, I suggest going there by 11:30 to beat the crowd. If you dont' mind sharing table with strangers (because of how crowded it gets), I highly recommend it! more

Okay, livers and kidneys aren't everyone's things, but if you are into them, there is no better place to enjoy these delicacies than Mike's (okay, besides nice French restaurants...). Mike's specializes in subtly marinated livers and kidneys, either in congee, on noodles, or by themselves. In the kidney and liver congee, the ingredients are cooked to perfection, meaning that they just crossed the threshold between cooked and raw. At this stage, the liver crunches to the bite, which is quite an experience. Get there early because the congee has been known to sell out by noon. more

Mike’s Noodle house takes itself a little too seriously. The wontons are a little too large and not flavored very well. Bowls of soup are not very generous. Many flavors of congee are available, but I’ve been too chicken to try any but the plain congee. Cash only—don’t even think of giving them a credit card. The restaurant is immaculate and often crowded. Canton Wonton makes a tastier wonton noodle soup and is cheaper too. more