I love this! I’ve had this chicken noodle soup over 10 times from New Asia restaurant. New Asia is located on the top floor of the Crocker Galleria (at Kearny and Sutter St.) in San Francisco’s financial district, where the food court is. There is actually another New Asia restaurant in Chinatown that is not related to this New Asia, so don’t get confused!
I have to say that no other Chinese restaurant makes their chicken noodle soup like this and at this price, around $5. With tax, it is only $4.87! But starting on June 1st, they are raising prices on all of their food due to the increase in minimum wage and other expenses. What is special about this chicken noodle soup? When I started going to New Asia, I thought it was very similar to Panda Express. You can get readymade food displayed behind glass in a buffet style bar, ala carte or as a 1 item, 2 item or 3 item combo with rice, fried rice or chow mein.
Then one day I noticed their soup menu. They have won ton noodle soup, pork noodle soup, beef noodle soup, and chicken noodle soup. Now to me, “chicken noodle soup” sounds very plain and it makes me think of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup. I didn’t want pork or beef and I’ve had the won ton before, so I gave the chicken noodle soup a chance. And boy was I amazed to see that New Asia’s chicken noodle soup comes with a lot of goodies.
First of all, it isn’t plain boiled chicken. Their chicken noodle soup comes with tender and delicious BBQ chicken straight from their food bar. And they give you a lot of chicken and it’s really good! Then underneath all of the chicken, you will find an assortment of vegetables – broccoli, Chinese mustard greens (gai choy), bean sprouts, and slices of carrots. This chicken noodle soup fills me up too. One time I was eating New Asia’s chicken noodle soup at the Crocker Galleria and someone asked me what I was eating and where to get it. It’s that good, so good that I have this once a week.
If you order to go, they will give you separate containers for the noodles and the soup so that the noodles don’t get soggy. The only drawback is that you have to wait a few minutes for them to make the soup because it’s made to order. Among the over 10 times that I have ordered this chicken noodle soup, they have messed up my order twice. I have just learned to wait near the cashier and be more attentive. It’s worth it, people! If you get this, go early, as a long line forms outside the door after 12pm.