North China Restaurant — Restaurant in Houston

If you know your geography, you know that Korea sticks out like a rabbit-shaped appendage from China. The cultural and culinary ties between the countries are profound though Koreans have grown almost as wary of their powerful northern neighbor as they've been towards the other nation across the East Sea (a.k.a. "Sea of Japan") that has tried to conquer Korea. Korean cuisine pulls from both countries but remains unique. If you've ever had Korean sushi, you know what I mean. But other than a place in Spring Branch called Mandarin (now closed), we haven't had many spots here that have specialized in Chinese-Korean food. Or so I thought.

A friend posted on his visit to a Korean-Chinese place at the corner of I-10 and Highway 6 called North China Restaurant (14525 Katy Freeway), and it took us less than 24 hours to make our visit. This turned out to be one of our favorite meals of the year, and I'm kicking myself that I did not know before this nearly 50 year old restaurant.

The delights start once you walk in the front door, where tall, handsome Fred, grandson of the restaurant's founder, will greet you like you're a long-time regular, which most of the diners are. Fred's family, who is ethnically Chinese, ran a restaurant in my birthplace of Seoul for many years and picked up on those dishes, particularly the ones with Chinese roots, that are favorites of Koreans. Most of the dishes on the menu are original recipes of his grandmother. He was happy to bring me a Korean menu that featured many of the dishes on the regular menu but also several unique ones. The menu definitely skews Chinese, but everything we tasted had us noticing unique touches of Korea.

We started with very unique homemade egg rolls though we noticed that nearly every table was ordering a plate that resembled a mini-temple featuring stacked Mandarin spring rolls. We're definitely getting that next time! We also had excellent steamed mandu (pork dumplings) with homemade cabbage kimchi.

Next arrived a plate called "Beijing Fish," featuring chunks of filet in a light batter, topped with a fine relish of scallions, garlic, yellow onion, sesame seeds, red papper, chile de arbol, and a slightly sweet soy-like sauce. A simple looking dish but super tasty--much like fish my Mom cooks at home.

This was already a lot of food, but we couldn't pass up our favorite of all Korean pasta dishes, japchae and jiajiangmyeon. Japchae is a traditional Korean plate of glass noodles sauteed with vegetables, beef, and any number of other toppings. There is no other noodle dish in Asia quite like it, and every Korean kitchen on the planet has its own recipe. I love the version here--far more veggies than usual but so finely chopped that they practically blend with the glass noodles.

Oh, and that jiajiang!! My Mom likes to cook for family birthdays, and we get to choose our favorite dish. For Richi, it's always jiajiang. Once again, the recipe depends on the chef, and the menu here features about 7 different varieties! We went with the traditional, featuring onions and small slices of beef cooked in a slightly sweet fermented black bean paste and served on rice noodles a little thicker than spaghetti topped with slivers of sliced cucumber. This dish, which has roots in Beijing (I've eaten at the restaurant there that claims to serve the original recipe), is so popular in Korea that in Incheon, the city where Seoul's new airport is located, there is a street called Jiajiang Alley, full of restaurants that only serve it. The only version of this dish in Houston that is better than the one at North China is, you guessed it, my Mom's!

I can't wait to come back and try more from this menu--omurice (like an omelette filled with rice sauteed with beef and sauces--including in some recipes ketchup!), jjampong (the best seafood soup on earth), and tangsuyuk (a true Korean-Chinese fusion of sweet/sour pork or beef). It may have taken me 50 years to visit this place, but it's not likely to take more than a few days for me to...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at this establishment for the second time, and I must say that my experience was nothing short of incredible. From the moment I walked through the door, I was greeted with warmth and genuine friendliness from the staff, which instantly set a positive tone for the evening.

Let's talk about the food; it was an absolute delight. Every dish that graced our table was a culinary masterpiece, but there was one standout that I simply cannot stop raving about: the cucumber dish. The precision with which the cucumbers were sliced and prepared was nothing short of artistry. The taste was unlike any other cucumber dish I've ever had. It was so fresh and flavorful that it elevated the entire meal to a whole new level. It's safe to say that this restaurant has perfected the art of cucumber preparation, and it left me with a newfound appreciation for this humble vegetable.

As for the ambiance, it was nothing short of charming. The bathroom, in particular, caught my attention with its adorable decor, reflecting the attention to detail that permeates every aspect of this establishment. The cleanliness of the entire place was also commendable, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that only enhanced the overall dining experience.

Beyond the food and ambiance, this restaurant is an excellent place to gather with friends. The cozy atmosphere lends itself to meaningful conversations and memorable moments. Whether you're catching up with old friends or meeting someone for the first time, this establishment provides the perfect backdrop for a delightful get-together.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful restaurant to absolutely everyone. It's a five-star gem that excels in every aspect, from the friendly staff and delectable food to the charming ambiance and spotless cleanliness. Dining here for the second time has only reaffirmed my belief that this is a truly exceptional establishment that deserves all the praise it receives. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience this culinary haven...

Lunch in the energy corridor can oftentimes be a daunting task... filled with long wait times, poor service, crowded dining areas, and food that takes forever to get to your table. North China is the exception to the area. That'll surely save me 45 minutes on my lunch break.

Located right next to Salata, I was afraid that the place would be just as packed. On the contrary, our party of two was sat immediately, without being tight like sardines. The staff was incredibly kind and very prompt. They offer a free "snack"/appetizer buffet during lunch hours. The hash-like potatoes and cold noodles were d-e-licious. The food arrived and I couldn't believe how generous the lunch portions were! I ordered the San Dong Beef (sliced beef sauteed with garlic) and my coworker ordered the Hunan Chicken (spicy w/ vegetables). All lunch entrees come with rice and an eggroll. Both were under $10. Both were so hot and yummy.

The menu itself is a little tough to understand, given that descriptions are either very vague or nonexistent. Just ask your server for recommendations. They're a lot more helpful than your average Chinese restaurant.

If you're coming here to find the "best" Chinese food in Houston, or the most "authentic"... then just turn your tail feathers around and keep struttin' it to China Town. For me, this is the best spot I've found so far in the Energy Corridor for lunch. If you want good food, good value, good service, and something quick, then North China won't...