Chinatown's Shiao Lan Kung

Although I think it's a cool neighborhood, I rarely stop in Chinatown for meals. On Saturday my good friend Callen and I were wondering around Philadelphia, and walked through Chinatown. The mid-autumn festival was in full swing, with street blocked off, traditional dances, and people everywhere. We figured now was as good of a time as any to grab dinner. I didn't have a single recommendation; I didn't even have an idea of what might be good. Luckily, we stumbled upon Shiao Lan Kung.

The front windows of this small eatery are almost completely obscured by reviews and awards. Philadelphia magazine, Craig LeBan, and Citysearch, among others, have been giving this spot props for over fifteen years. Despite the positive press, I was a bit skeptical. One inside, the interior has about as much atmosphere as a roadside diner.

Shiao only tries to impress with their food. We were quickly seated and offered hot tea. A quick look over the extensive menu and Callen and I were ready to order. We split orders of rice, hunan chicken, and the Phoenix and Dragon's nest. The pork fried rice was excellent; a great base for our other dishes. The Phoenix and Dragon dish was a mix of chicken and shrimp with snow peas, broccoli and carrots tossed in a light butter sauce. It was served in a hardened bowl of crunchy noodles (the nest) although they weren't really edible. The hunan chicken was the real hit of the meal. This dish was perfectly prepared and the hunan sauce was excellent.

Between the two of us, we couldn't finish our food. This is surprising, especially considering the bill was $20 each, after tip and tax. And, the food tasted great reheated. At the end of the meal, we were full and satisfied, but didn't feel gross. This is a hard feeling to find after a Chinese meal.

Bottom Line: Shiao Lan in a small operation, a bit shabby and quant, with friendly faces serving up delicious food. Callen and I really enjoyed ourselves, and want to make this a regular stop when he has the chance to visit Philadelphia. Most impressively, Craig LeBan gave it three bells. But I wanted to give my spin first. If you're not a vegetarian and you are looking for great Chinese food, Shiao Lan Kung is definitely worth a try. We didn't BYOB, but you can, making this small place even more versatile, and a great cheap and delicious option.

Essentials:

930 Race St

(215) 928-0282

Avg Ent: 7-13

Cash only: No

Reservations: No

BYOB: Yes