I never were quite sure how the words like Tsim is pronounced. If this Tsim word is similar to Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced as Jim Sar Jui), then Tsim Chai Noodles would be pronounced as Jim Chai noodles. Any Cantonese out there who can confirm this?
Arkensen was in a camp at Golden Ears that day we went to Tsim Chai Noodles. So, it was just the three of us (Nanzaro, Suanne and I) who went out for supper. We don’t normally go out for supper but since we had “dinch” (or was it “luncher”) that day, we did not get down to dinner until later at night.
All the years we were in Richmond, we had visited almost every restaurant around that neighborhood around the Richmond Public Market but this is one we had never stepped our foot into before.
Tsim Chai is very much a Cantonese place and I do really think that the owner is from Hong Kong. My impression is that these type of restaurants are the “first wave” of Chinese restaurants … you know, they are opened before 1997 when HK reverted to China rule and lots of Hongkongers came over to Vancouver. Today, most Chinese newcomers came from Mainland China (i.e. Mandarin speakers).
Anyway, since we did not want to eat that much, we decided to just get two dishes of noodles to share between the three of us. I love beef tendon and got a bowl of Beef Tendon and Wonton Noodle in Soup. The soup is quite fragrant and unique in that it came with a bit of dried tangerine peel. This bowl costs $6.25.
I don’t know what is the right name to call this. I would translate this to chili oil. You see a lot of this on the table in Chinese (Cantonese only?) restaurants. Sometimes, this comes in a container with something like 90% oil with 10% chili! We always drain out the oil … but question … do people normally take the oil too? *Shudder* too much artery clogging oil to me.
Another thing I could not understand is that they do not normally provide one of the mini saucers to put this chili on. We normally use the soup spoon for this. Some Chinese restaurants provide the mini saucers, some don’t … I never knew why.
Anyway, Nanzaro digs this stuff. He can easily take two spoonful of that in a sitting. It seems that this chili oil is some sort of a specialty in Tsim Chai Noodle. They proudly display and sell bottles of these on their counter. I think it was at $5 a bottle.
Nanzaro ordered the Fried Rice Noodle Singapore Style which is categorized as mild spiciness. The waitress is surprised by Nanzaro for ordering spicy food — they all do. Nanzaro really likes spicy food which is kind of uncommon for someone his age. Arkensen on the other hand is completely opposite … he just can’t take spiciness.
Total bill came up to $18 including taxes and tips. I recommend this place. It’s easy to find, lots of parking, service is quick, the price were pretty standard, and most importantly, the food is pretty good. They are located in the strip mall just across the road from the Richmond Public Market … you won’t miss it.
Opens Monday to Sunday from 11:00 am to midnight.
Here is the menu of Tsim Chai Noodles … click on image for larger image:
chowtimes.wordpress.com 
The ideal wonton noodle place would have a combination of Mak’s soup/broth with Tsim Chai’s wontons (normal and especially the deep fried ones).
Hi Erick:
That was a gem of a place. We went to Mak’s this afternoon, it was absolutely good. We’ll definitely go again.
Ben
Hi Ben,
Mak’s Noodle House is located on 1200-8580 Alexandra Road. It’s tucked in behind the parking lot and close to some hotpot and Korean restaurants. We like the wonton soup and their jook. I believe they’re cash only though…
Cheers!
Erick
Hi Ben,
Tsim Chai’s was a staple of mine when I use to work on Westminster and No. 3. However, $6.25 is too costly for a bowl of noodles x topping. They overcharge you if you mix toppings. They do not give your a regular portion of wontons or tendon if you mix. I suggest you order the tendon noodles and a separate bowl of JUST wontons. That way your family can share too!
Hi Erick:
Mak’s Noodle House? Never heard of them. Where are they located?
Ben
Hey Ben,
I like this WordPress. Great job in conversion. My wife likes this chili oil especially when she eats noodle soups like won ton mein or fish ball noodle (her favorite). She takes a scant teaspoon of the chili oil and puts it in her bowl of soup. If there’s an extra soup spoon nearby, she’ll put the oil and chilis into the spoon and let it float on top of her soup and use the soup spoon as a dipping dish.
How does this place compare to Mak’s Noodle House, one of our favorites.
Cheers!
I was taught to mix the oil with black vinegar as a dipping sauce for dumplings, and to use the chili when mixing with food/rice.
The oil is the “essence”. You are supposed to use the oil AND the chili together! Since most people only use less than a spoon full of it, the amount of cholesterol is negligible.
hm, I’ve seen people in put the chili oil right in the bowl or food. So I guess that’s why some don’t have any container for the chili oil. And they also take the oil along with the chili, no draining the oil. ( I avoid it, too much oil >hm, I’ve seen people in put the chili oil right in the bowl or food. So I guess that’s why some don’t have any container for the chili oil. And they also take the oil along with the chili, no draining the oil. ( I avoid it, too much oil ><)
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there’s ‘chili’ oil, then there’s XO chili oil. the basic is just red chili flakes cooked in oil, the XO style is when they add stuff like dried scallop, or dried shrimp to give it another level of flavour and texture.
…. and most people try to avoid the oil, that’s why only the oil is what’s left, but oil is necessary so it won’t mold as fast.
Hi Ben – I think ‘Jim’ is right (as long as you don’t read it in English way, if it makes sense). I would say that a bit chilly oil like your picture should be fine. After all, oil is fattening stuff. 🙂