Boston | I finally got to eat at Zhongxing Garden
š„¢ Chung Shin Yuan : Newtonās Hyped Breakfast SpotāOne Hit, Lots of Misses After months of hearing about its popularity, I finally tried this weekend-only breakfast spot in late 2022. Sadly, itās overhyped: long lines, pushy service, and mostly underwhelming food. Only one dish stood outāand itās not enough to warrant a return. ⨠The Only Highlight Steamed Double Delight (Pork Intestines + Ribs, $19.95): š The saving grace. The intestines are clean (no off-putting smell), and the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tenderāboth coated in a fragrant, slightly spicy rice flour mixture. Moist, savory, and genuinely delicious. Worth trying, but⦠š The āMehā Youtiao (Fried Dough, $3.25): š„ Decent, crispy, but nothing specialāstandard you can find at most Chinese bakeries. Ji Juan (Fried Tofu Skin Rolls, $15.95): šÆ Greasy, with a bland pork filling. The fried tofu skin is crispy, but the inside lacks flavor. Sweet Soy Milk: š„ Basic, sweet, and drinkableāno complaints, but no ā The Shock Salty Soy Milk: š„£ Sour, vinegary, and utterly confusing. I get itās a regional specialty, but the sharp acidity overpowered any other flavor. Not my cup of tea (or bowl of milk). šø The Verdict Price: $60+ for two people at breakfast? Steep, especially for the quality. Service: Aggressive ordering pressure (felt like being pushed to buy more) and inattentive staff. Final thought: The steamed double delight is good, but not good enough to endure the lines, attitude, or price tag. A one-and-done spot. š Chung Shin Yuan 183 California St, Newton, MA 02458 (Weekend breakfast only) #BostonBreakfast #ChineseBrunch #Overhyped