Bay Area's $30 Feast: Out-of-Town Bestie's Rave Review! 🎉👏🍜

My best friend flew in from another state to visit the Bay Area. She mentioned that authentic Chinese restaurants are rare where she lives, so she was eager to indulge while here. I immediately decided to take her to Sis Special Noodle, a well-established local chain with six branches across the Bay Area! This time, we visited the San Jose location: 📍1530 S De Anza Blvd, San Jose, CA 95129 Five of us enjoyed a full table of hearty dishes for just $150 after tax 🎉—and we even got a complimentary basket of soup dumplings! Here’s my genuine review: 🍖 Chairman Mao’s Braised Pork Belly I’ve been craving the iconic red-braised pork ever since watching God of Cookery, and this Bay Area version did NOT disappoint! 🤩 The pork was incredibly tender, with perfect layers of fat and lean meat. Sweet and savory in all the right ways, it’s an ideal pairing with steamed rice. And the best part? It’s only $15! The rice noodles and hand-pulled noodles here are absolutely fantastic in both flavor and texture 🌟: 🌶️🍜 Sichuan Peppercorn Lamb with Rice Noodles in Soup The broth is infused with aromatic peppercorn—spicy but not overwhelming. The lamb slices were fresh and tender without any gaminess. Paired with smooth, slurp-worthy rice noodles, this dish was deeply satisfying. 🥩🍝 Hunan-Style Stir-Fried Beef with Rice Noodles The beef was wok-fried to perfection—tender and bursting with heat from fresh chili peppers. Tossed with chewy rice noodles, each bite was richly spicy and fragrant. 🍜 Old Beijing Fried Sauce Noodles The noodles were springy and toothsome, topped with a deeply savory—but not overly salty—soybean paste sauce. Fresh shredded cucumber added a refreshing crunch. An authentic taste of Northern Chinese cuisine. 🥟 Thumb-Sized Pan-Fried Pork Buns As soon as this arched plate arrived, we knew it was something special—such a fun presentation! These mini buns were crispy on the bottom, juicy on the inside, and filled with hot soup. Almost like a xiaolongbao in pan-fried form 😋. 🍖🍚 Steamed Sticky Rice with Spare Ribs Glutinous rice steamed until soft and fragrant, topped with tender, flavorful pork ribs. The rice absorbed all the meaty juices—so comforting and hearty. 🍆🫛 String Beans and Eggplant in Garlic Sauce A classic homestyle dish—crisp green beans and soft eggplant wok-tossed in a well-balanced savory sauce. Simple, familiar, and delicious. 🦐🧀 Deep-Fried Cheese and Shrimp Balls Crispy outside, bouncy and juicy inside. Each shrimp ball oozed with stretchy melted cheese—utterly irresistible! Right now, orders over $88 receive a free basket of soup dumplings 🥢—thin skin, rich broth, and delicate filling. Our meal was perfectly balanced with protein, veggies, carbs, and soup. All five of us left completely stuffed for under $30 per person (after tax!). The menu offers something for everyone—Northern and Southern flavors alike. Great for groups and family gatherings! You can also order via Fantuan for delivery 🍙—they often have amazing deals. Good food, great value, total convenience! #BayAreaFood #SanFranciscoBayArea #BayAreaFoodGuide #BayAreaEats #FoodReview