Bookmark and Share
FOOD . Restaurants

Chew Man Chu

Symphony House
440 S. Broad St.
215-735-8107

Chinese, Fusion/Continental, Avenue of the Arts

Marty Grims' Du Jour, which the restaurateur opened in 2008 on the ground floor of Symphony House at Broad and Pine, is now Chew Man Chu, a moderately priced noodle and dumpling bar with a big menu and a star chef — Tyson Wong Ophaso, who ran NYC's Chinatown Brasserie and most recently worked as a corporate chef on the West Coast. Interior is sexy, with plenty of deep reds, purples and oranges, plus a chef's counter where guests can watch cooks rock steamers and woks. Ophaso's menu features recognizable tour-of-Asia dishes, but the focus here is on clean, refined flavors and presentations — highlights include soup dumplings with oxtail, pork shoulder and crab meat; Indonesian-style roti with yellow curry; all manner of dumplings, including vegan choices; and Ophaso's slow-cooked five-spice pork belly, available in bun or banh mi form.

  • Average entree $10 - $20
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Takeout menu
  • Vegetarian options
  • Liquor license
  • Delivery


Comments

I had high hopes for this place, but when we stopped in the other evening, we were sorely disappointed. Found the pad thai lying in pools of oily, treacly sweet sauce. The salad, too, was overdressed in sickenly sweet dressing, completely masking any flavors in the salad. I found both inedible. The noise level is very high, making a conversation almost impossible. The tables are crammed in to make space for the big bar in the center of the room, and it makes dining uncomfortable with patrons and staff alike banging into tables. Spying the food left on my plate, the waiter asked if everything was all right. When I tried to answer truthfully, he explained in deprecating tones that the chef was trying to appeal to sophisticated tastes. Unlike mine, I guess he meant. I won't go back.
by The Deev on November 3rd 2009 1:42 PM (17 days ago)

To bad the deev had a bad experience because mine was awesome. The pork belly buns are off the hook and can say by experience that they rival David Changs buns any-day. Next i have to say that the green curry chicken is amazing, the chicken was like velvet and the perfect balance of heat coconut milk kaffir lime and thai basil was simply a masterpiece. Wok fried rice was very good especially the fresh soy beans. it was simple but when i added the house made soy sauce and chili sauce it was excellent. i cant wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. i am dreaming of the pork belly already. Vietnam and panang are very good but Chef Tyson Wong is an another league by himself and i got to believe he is just getting warmed up!!
by platedoctor on November 8th 2009 12:07 AM (12 days ago)

All reader comments are subject to our Terms of Use. By clicking Post Comment, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agree to these Terms.

Name
please enter your name
Email (will not be published)
please enter a valid email
URL
please enter a valid url
Comment
please enter a comment
Enter the security code on the right in the textbox below.
Security Code
please enter the code
Join the City Paper Mailing List
 
Recent Comments
Web Exclusives
Repertory Film
Your weekly guide to local film events, festivals and under-the-radar screenings.
Tim Hecker
Sat., Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m., $12 with Aidan Baker, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com.
Something Good
DANCE REVIEW: Fräulein Maria
Icepack
Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.
Advertisements
 


search restaurants by name
search by neighborhood
Search
search by cuisine
title
theater

Search
search for:
within:   of  
more jobs
(use zip or city, state)
Search
"Great vision without great people is irrelevant."
—Jim Collins, Author,
"Good to Great"
In Partnership with JobCircle
start date / /  select date
end date / /  select date
category
keyword
Search Buy Concert Tickets
Category:
Keywords: Search

Search Real Estate

ALL | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN

or

LOCATION:

ADVERTISEMENT