Chinese Restaurant In Soi Welcome

[PattayaParent]

You go past the Grand Palace hotel (corner of soi Watboon) towards soi Chaiprook. The soi had a big half-circle sign that says "Welcome"

http://www.soidb.com...oi-welcome.html

How far along the soi?

Is there any place to park a car?

[susanschwaiger]

Am quite amazed that some Farangs' Chinese are pretty good! Sia Pow, in standard Madarin Sha (smashed bean) Bao (dumpling).....

Yes, it is funny that Shanghainese, Beijingnese, Hongkongnese etc.. they can't understand each other if they only talk dialects...

[TheWalkingMan]

Always called them bao or Chau Su Bao (steamed pork buns).

[Jingthing]

Indeed curious... How they can survive if they don't speak English and only speak limited Thai? Anyway, this weekend, will go there with hub and a lady from Beijing... At least we shall not have communication problem, ho ho ho ....

Think they may be geared to Chinese bus tourists , not sure but the soi is a tourist glut of massage shops and restaurants.

A salapow is more of a fluffy steamed dumpling ,

They do not serve that common pork bun DIM SUM as above. It's a tiny place with a huge menu. There is NO WAY they are serving busloads of Chinese. Interestingly many Russians are buying the Beijing style breads (some stuffed with stuff) displayed at the front of the restaurant, to go. Russians do like meat pies so maybe not that surprising. Plenty of Beijing style stuffed fresh pasta dumplings, mostly boiled/steamed served with garlicky dipping sauce. (Different variety than what most westerners think of as dim sum.) It's funny that people think I haven't tried the food. It would take months to try their entire menu. I simply posted my first impression. You want a professional food review, try the New York Times.

Also, please don't get the impression the place is only about Beijing style breads, dumplings, and many Sechuan dishes (mostly not labeled as Sechuan you have to know). Its a shockingly HUGE menu for such a tiny place with so few workers. It is not there to pander to tastes for western bastardizations of Chinese food.

I can also assure you as other people have suggested, not EVERYTHING on their huge menu is really stellar. But being a huge menu with very authentic offerings, there is most certainly SOME very good stuff. So you'll have to be prepared to spend money to experiment there.

BTW, because of the language issue, the service is indeed very limited unless you bring a Chinese speaker. You're probably mostly OK pointing at the items (the menu does have English) IF you don't have any kind of special request or question.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

BTW, if they are about to get crowded based on this forum discussion, they don't know that yet. There is no way they are prepared for that. Should be interesting (but probably not in a good way). You've been warned.

Edited February 8, 2012 by Jingthing

[Gers1873]

BTW, if they are about to get crowded based on this forum discussion, they don't know that yet. There is no way they are prepared for that. Should be interesting (but probably not in a good way). You've been warned.

Thanks for the updates on this place. May head down later today --- good chance for my wife to practise her Putonghua.... while I eat

[JimmyTheMook]

Picked up 2 of those Chinese stuffed pancakes tonight that I posted an image of in an earlier reply, they are very tasty.

Better try this place quick , they were sitting around twiddling their thumbs.

[Jingthing]

To give people who are not familiar with the regional style of food featured at this exciting new restaurant some idea of what to expect, these pictures include similar foods that you will find there. Not all, but many, and of course there is a lot more. This is about the non-Sechuan part of the menu.

A teaser to start. The classic steamed pork dumplings. Looks the same at this place here. The cooked dough is marvelously toothsome. You dip them in side sauce. Many choices of fillings, mostly involving pork:

http://www.yelp.com/...N2w0zom45LsQm2A

Edited February 8, 2012 by Jingthing

[jehricaholic]

I just finished writing an extensive review and clicked something and it was gone. Oh well... The Verdict: I won't return

[Jingthing]

I just finished writing an extensive review and clicked something and it was gone. Oh well... The Verdict: I won't return

Oh too bad! I'd really like to hear about your experience there. I think its not for everyone, that's for sure.

[Rimmer]

I just finished writing an extensive review and clicked something and it was gone. Oh well... The Verdict: I won't return

The new software saves your text, I think maybe if you had clicked back it would have still been there.

[jehricaholic]

I just finished writing an extensive review and clicked something and it was gone. Oh well... The Verdict: I won't return

The new software saves your text, I think maybe if you had clicked back it would have still been there.

I did click back and it was gone... but not forgotten. The irony is that I was highlighting what I wrote for copy/paste purposes, (in case something unfortunate like this happened), before clicking 'post', but IT happened before 'copy' was selected...FML

Edited February 9, 2012 by jehricaholic

[Jingthing]

The "review" that got away. Lost in critical space. I guess that makes going to this restaurant even MORE of an adventure.

[jehricaholic]

THE REVIEW THAT GOT AWAY

Title: The I Can't Wait Forever for JT Review

Introduction:

First off, let me tell you that this place is well off the beaten path of Jontiem, when you're thinking you've gone too far really means you haven't gone far enough. When you get to the Welcome hotel soi (as mentioned in previous posts) this place is about 100m down the soi on the right (look for the display of fried pancakes in front of the restaurant). It's about 10 min Baht Bus journey from the Jontiem police station. The owners are indeed F.A.B (Fresh Across the Border), understand little English, so be prepared for a little adventure in the ordering process. They currently have 5 photos of 5 menu items (they just hand you the individual photos) out of 100++ menu items, so the menu is a work in progress (they were taking photos of the dished I ordered) and there are many unusual items on the menu (turtle,frog,etc). I was the only customer in the place.

What Was Ordered: (in order of service)

Coke 500ml @ 30 baht

Dumplings @ 70 Baht

Fried Squid @ 160 Baht

Beef Noodle Soup @ 100 Baht

Kung Poa chicken @ 180 Baht

Chinese Pancakes 4pc @ 80 Baht

Total cost: 620 Baht (yes it was for 1 person, but I'm a big eater, enjoy variety, and left the place totally stuffed with the pancakes to-go)

Expectations vs Actualities:

Coke: You gotta love a restaurant that has man-sized (500ml) Coke (even though I asked for orange and they didn't understand me, said they didn't have it, then I see it in the beverage display after the fact)

Dumplings: Let me start by saying that I'm not a big fan of these Chinese meat dumplings (I prefer the dim sum style, look-a-like Har Gaw steamed shrimp dumplings which have a lighter rice flour covering). I ordered these becasue there were so many variations on the menu and thus seemed to be a feature of this restaurant. I ordered the pork and leek variety, 10 pc came steamed with a soy-garlic dipping sauce (you can also get them fried but I don't speak Chinese and nothing is indicated on the menu). They tasted the same as what I've had a few times before in the west but alot cheaper here. Nothing exceptional taste wise, but make a good starter and they go well with the dipping sauce.

Fried Squid: I expected the Chinese style salt & pepper fried squid (tentacles, tail, and tubes pieces lightly battered), an inferior verion of the Greek Calamari (nobody can beat the Greeks with fried squid). What I got was 10 pc Japanese style panko breaded squid rings without any dipping sauce. These were tasty and fresh but lacked seasoning, I needed to use the leftover dipping sauce from the dumplings to make them more palatable. Another decent starter only if a dipping sauce is provided.

Beef Noodle Soup: This was where I had to get very theatrical in my ordering style and was lead into the kitchen to show what they had. I should have known this was not going to end well when they took out a bag of egg noodle from the freezer to show me. Anyways... what I expected/wanted was a fried rice noodle with Beef, but there was nothing listed on the menu for noodle dishes. What I got was a Beef noodle soup with said egg noodles. Let me say that I thouroughly enjoy a good Beef noodle soup, whether Pho or Thai style, however this was quite horrible... the broth tasted like the water the noodles were cooked in, and there was little in the way of vegetable in the soup.

Kung Pao Chicken: I have had this dish several times in the west and I can say that this was the worst version I've tried (even though it came garnished with 3 tiny, berry flavored, gelatin hearts!) The dish was monotonous in terms of texture and ingredient size, very stew-like. The taste was OK but usually the chicken is fried separately to give it a crunch, but here it seemed it was stirfried with the other ingredients. Perhaps if one had no expectations they would enjoy this dish, but not me.

Chinese Pancakes: These are the ones sold at the side of the road @20 baht/pc. They are quite large and filling, think of a banana pancake except savory (pork and veg). I personally think they are too big (too much bread), if made smaller they would be more appetizing. Taste was OK, nothing special.

Conclusion:

I will not return (too far from my home, not to my liking). Value was not an issue. Perhaps those who are within walking distance/short drive will be able to find things on the menu that they enjoy, but I'm happy elsewhere.

[Jingthing]

Thanks for very much for your detailed review. It gives weight to my hunch that the type of food to order there are the dumplings, breads, salads (such as bitter gourd salad), etc. that are more Northern Chinese than the Sechuan food. Gong Bao chicken is a Sechuan dish and no, in the authentic version the chicken is NOT fried separately and certainly not deep fried. However, based on my experience of a Sechuan stir fry dish that should have has a dry spice coat on the meat (and even lacked the flavor of the spice described on the menu) and was served saucy/stewlike as your described, I am guessing they are not so expert in Sechuan cooking. Sechuan food is popular in many parts of China but that doesn't mean every place does it well. I also wonder if they are cooking these dishes a different way for western customers, under the often correct racial stereotyping of the western love of lots of sauce.

Anyway, I am sorry to hear the beef noodle soup sucked. That is the type of dish I would have expected them to do well, and I would have expected the noodles to be freshly homemade noodles because they obviously have that capability with all the dumplings they make. A Chinese beef soup with fresh made noodles is heaven but I guess that was too much to wish for. I was going to try that so you saved me money, ha ha.

The fried squid preparation you described would have surprise me coming out of a Chinese kitchen.

BTW, I am sure they do offer fried dumplings but agree the menu is not the clearest. (But not horrible either.)

I understand your reasons for avoiding the place, but I am still pretty sure most Chinese food lovers if they experiment will find food to love there.

Edited February 9, 2012 by Jingthing

[jehricaholic]

Thanks for very much for your detailed review. It gives weight to my hunch that the type of food to order there are the dumplings, breads, salads (such as bitter gourd salad), etc. that are more Northern Chinese than the Sechuan food. Gong Bao chicken is a Sechuan dish and no, in the authentic version the chicken is NOT fried separately and certainly not deep fried. However, based on my experience of a Sechuan stir fry dish that should have has a dry spice coat on the meat (and even lacked the flavor of the spice described on the menu) and was served saucy/stewlike as your described, I am guessing they are not so expert in Sechuan cooking. Sechuan food is popular in many parts of China but that doesn't mean every place does it well. I also wonder if they are cooking these dishes a different way for western customers, under the often correct racial stereotyping of the western love of lots of sauce.

Anyway, I am sorry to hear the beef noodle soup sucked. That is the type of dish I would have expected them to do well, and I would have expected the noodles to be freshly homemade noodles because they obviously have that capability with all the dumplings they make. A Chinese beef soup with fresh made noodles is heaven but I guess that was too much to wish for. I was going to try that so you saved me money, ha ha.

The fried squid preparation you described would have surprise me coming out of a Chinese kitchen.

BTW, I am sure they do offer fried dumplings but agree the menu is not the clearest. (But not horrible either.)

I understand your reasons for avoiding the place, but I am still pretty sure most Chinese food lovers if they experiment will find food to love there.

They had quite a few soups on the menu, but it was not my intention to order soup, and I didn't pay much attention to that section of the menu. It just seemed they threw the slices of beef with the frozen noodles into the hot water. I did a rather theatrical panto of someone making fresh noodle (stretching the 'invisible' noodle with my arms, etc), and they gave me a blank stare, thus it's never gonna be a fresh noodle joint.

[jehricaholic]

THE REVIEW THAT GOT AWAY

Title: The I Can't Wait Forever for JT Review

Introduction:

First off, let me tell you that this place is well off the beaten path of Jontiem, when you're thinking you've gone too far really means you haven't gone far enough. When you get to the Welcome hotel soi (as mentioned in previous posts) this place is about 100m down the soi on the right (look for the display of fried pancakes in front of the restaurant). It's about 10 min Baht Bus journey from the Jontiem police station. The owners are indeed F.A.B (Fresh Across the Border), understand little English, so be prepared for a little adventure in the ordering process. They currently have 5 photos of 5 menu items (they just hand you the individual photos) out of 100++ menu items, so the menu is a work in progress (they were taking photos of the dished I ordered) and there are many unusual items on the menu (turtle,frog,etc). I was the only customer in the place.

What Was Ordered: (in order of service)

Coke 500ml @ 30 baht

Dumplings @ 70 Baht

Fried Squid @ 160 Baht

Beef Noodle Soup @ 100 Baht

Kung Poa chicken @ 180 Baht

Chinese Pancakes 4pc @ 80 Baht

Total cost: 620 Baht (yes it was for 1 person, but I'm a big eater, enjoy variety, and left the place totally stuffed with the pancakes to-go)

Expectations vs Actualities:

Coke: You gotta love a restaurant that has man-sized (500ml) Coke (even though I asked for orange and they didn't understand me, said they didn't have it, then I see it in the beverage display after the fact)

Dumplings: Let me start by saying that I'm not a big fan of these Chinese meat dumplings (I prefer the dim sum style, look-a-like Har Gaw steamed shrimp dumplings which have a lighter rice flour covering). I ordered these becasue there were so many variations on the menu and thus seemed to be a feature of this restaurant. I ordered the pork and leek variety, 10 pc came steamed with a soy-garlic dipping sauce (you can also get them fried but I don't speak Chinese and nothing is indicated on the menu). They tasted the same as what I've had a few times before in the west but alot cheaper here. Nothing exceptional taste wise, but make a good starter and they go well with the dipping sauce.

Fried Squid: I expected the Chinese style salt & pepper fried squid (tentacles, tail, and tubes pieces lightly battered), an inferior verion of the Greek Calamari (nobody can beat the Greeks with fried squid). What I got was 10 pc Japanese style panko breaded squid rings without any dipping sauce. These were tasty and fresh but lacked seasoning, I needed to use the leftover dipping sauce from the dumplings to make them more palatable. Another decent starter only if a dipping sauce is provided.

Beef Noodle Soup: This was where I had to get very theatrical in my ordering style and was lead into the kitchen to show what they had. I should have known this was not going to end well when they took out a bag of egg noodle from the freezer to show me. Anyways... what I expected/wanted was a fried rice noodle with Beef, but there was nothing listed on the menu for noodle dishes. What I got was a Beef noodle soup with said egg noodles. Let me say that I thouroughly enjoy a good Beef noodle soup, whether Pho or Thai style, however this was quite horrible... the broth tasted like the water the noodles were cooked in, and there was little in the way of vegetable in the soup.

Kung Pao Chicken: I have had this dish several times in the west and I can say that this was the worst version I've tried (even though it came garnished with 3 tiny, berry flavored, gelatin hearts!) The dish was monotonous in terms of texture and ingredient size, very stew-like. The taste was OK but usually the chicken is fried separately to give it a crunch, but here it seemed it was stirfried with the other ingredients. Perhaps if one had no expectations they would enjoy this dish, but not me.

Chinese Pancakes: These are the ones sold at the side of the road @20 baht/pc. They are quite large and filling, think of a banana pancake except savory (pork and veg). I personally think they are too big (too much bread), if made smaller they would be more appetizing. Taste was OK, nothing special.

Conclusion:

I will not return (too far from my home, not to my liking). Value was not an issue. Perhaps those who are within walking distance/short drive will be able to find things on the menu that they enjoy, but I'm happy elsewhere.

Edit:

Chinese Pancakes: These are the ones sold at the side of the road @20 baht/pc. They are quite large and filling, think of a banana pancake except savory (pork and veg). I personally think they are too big (too much bread), if made smaller they would be more appetizing. Taste was OK, nothing special. Re-heated the next day, and eaten when you're not bloated with Chinese food, they are quite delicious and great value compared to said banana (40 Baht) pancake

[Jingthing]

The breads in front looked nice but they are just sitting there in the tropics without covering, there is a cold grease factor, plus meat just sitting there. I don't find that so appetizing. I wonder if you order off the menu whether they cook fresh ones or if they've got them sitting out front, just pull from that. There are so many items on the menu that it's hard to know exactly what you're ordering anyway. That's why this place more than most, extensive experimentation is probably the way to go, if you're up to it. Its not as if you can ask questions about the food either.

Personally, I'm really into regional Chinese food, and the language issues at this place I've also found at small regional Chinese places in Bangkok. Even dining with a Thai, forget about English

Edited February 9, 2012 by Jingthing

[jehricaholic]

The breads in front looked nice but they are just sitting there in the tropics without covering, there is a cold grease factor, plus meat just sitting there. I don't find that so appetizing. I wonder if you order off the menu whether they cook fresh ones or if they've got them sitting out front, just pull from that. There are so many items on the menu that it's hard to know exactly what you're ordering anyway. That's why this place more than most, extensive experimentation is probably the way to go, if you're up to it. Its not as if you can ask questions about the food either.

Personally, I'm really into regional Chinese food, and the language issues at this place I've also found at small regional Chinese places in Bangkok. Even dining with a Thai, forget about English

Well I ate one 24 hours ago for my first (missing) review and have suffered no ill effects (purchased after 10 pm when the owner was dismantling the display for the night, perhaps recycled for the morning... ugh)

[JimmyTheMook]

Is cat on the menu ?

[Jingthing]

Is cat on the menu ?

It's not on the menu but I am not convinced that what you actually get necessarily corresponds to what is written. I had a "lamb" dish. The meat was fine and rather neutral but it didn't look and taste like lamb. I really have no idea what it was. Horse? Possibly, but not in bad way. It wasn't unpleasant but it underlines this is a place for the adventurous and/or Mandarin speaking.

[jehricaholic]

Is cat on the menu ?

That is a highly inappropriate comment when referring to such modern, cosmopolitan city such as Pattaya. Please appologize and change the word cat to dog.

[jehricaholic]

Is cat on the menu ?

It's not on the menu but I am not convinced that what you actually get necessarily corresponds to what is written. I had a "lamb" dish. The meat was fine and rather neutral but it didn't look and taste like lamb. I really have no idea what it was. Horse? Possibly, but not in bad way. It wasn't unpleasant but it underlines this is a place for the adventurous and/or Mandarin speaking.

I like Lamb, but when I looked at the menu the grillled varieties were rather pricey, as is the norm in Pattaya. I did notice one Lamb dish, a little cheaper and probably what you ordered, but I was turned off by it being a simmered Lamb, or something to that effect.

[Jingthing]

No I ordered the cumin lamb which is a classic Sechuan dish. I asked for Sechuan peppercorns in Chinese which are supposed to be in the dish but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. The man understood BUT the dish that came was drenched in goopy sauce, was hot spicy but I barely detected the Sechuan peppercorns which taste very different than normal peppers because they aren't even peppers, and I couldn't taste any cumin. It wasn't actually bad for what it was but it was I think a fail for presenting the dish I ordered. It was 250 baht. Not worth it and I won't order that dish there again.

Here is version of what I would have expected. Notice it is a dry dish with a flavor crust.

Another version. Note the not saucy:

Edited February 9, 2012 by Jingthing

[jehricaholic]

No I ordered the cumin lamb which is a classic Sechuan dish. I asked for Sechuan peppercorns in Chinese which are supposed to be in the dish but I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. The man understood BUT the dish that came was drenched in goopy sauce, was hot spicy but I barely detected the Sechuan peppercorns which taste very different than normal peppers because they aren't even peppers, and I couldn't taste any cumin. It wasn't actually bad for what it was but it was I think a fail for presenting the dish I ordered. It was 250 baht. Not worth it and I won't order that dish there again.

Here is version of what I would have expected. Notice it is a dry dish with a flavor crust.

Another version. Note the not saucy:

yes with an unknown restaurant like this I rejected any menu items that were over 200 baht

[Jingthing]

Understood. But I've never seen Cumin Lamb on any menu in Thailand and it's a dish I love (not their attempt).

[pauljones]

Is cat on the menu ?

That is a highly inappropriate comment when referring to such modern, cosmopolitan city such as Pattaya. Please appologize and change the word cat to dog.

They can wok your dog.

[rmicheald]

You go past the Grand Palace hotel (corner of soi Watboon) towards soi Chaiprook. The soi had a big half-circle sign that says "Welcome"

http://www.soidb.com...oi-welcome.html

How far along the soi?

Is there any place to park a car?

About 1/3 of the way down from the beach road on the right side. there is a big parking lot at the farther end of the soi near the hotel.

[CatCage]

Please no more cat and dog jokes they are in bad taste

[sparebox2]

I'm on the case! I am surprised to hear about goat on the menu though. Yes, I know the Chinese eat everything but first time I've heard of a Chinese goat dish. I've also never seen goat on ANY menu in Thailand. I like goat when cooked properly but it is a VERY strong meat that you can often taste the next day. Are you sure it was really goat or maybe a translation issue, like maybe it was mutton?

I'm not fully clear on where Soi Welcome is. I have found most of the restaurants around that general location to be dreary tourist traps. So is it at Soi 14 or is it at the same soi as the Welcome Beach Hotel?

Goat and mutton is often eaten in Western China due to the Muslim influence. Many Chinese muslim estuarants have popped up in cities populated by migrant workers. In fact I have seen the odd goat tethered outside restuarants in Southern China waiting to be ordered and dispatched accordingly.

Surprised to hear of it in Jomtien - perhaps JT can up date us if he tries the food.

My mouth is starting to water. I don't think my tastebuds can wait for JT much longer

Apart from goat, there are along of camel in western china. Especially camel foot, well like by the chinese.