Foomanlou -- major new authentic regional Chinese restaurant opens in Central Pattaya

[Jingthing]

Foomanlou Chinese Restaurant

Dumplings, noodles, hot pots, many side dishes, perhaps more

Regionally it seems to be centered on BEIJING style dumpling cuisine

2nd road at north corner entrance to CITY WALK a block south of Royal Garden Mall.

This rates it's own thread I think as opposed to a one post mention on the Hit and Run review thread.

Chinese food lovers in town suffer from a lack of half decent choices for non-luxury hotel OK priced authentic regional Chinese food.

There is Pao (if and when it happens to be open) and there is Shanghai (but it's not in Central Pattaya) and both of those are worthy places to go.

However the opening of this place is a rather a major development.

Given the very central location and large space and undoubtedly HIGH RENTS, the prices here are NOT CHEAP and probably can't be cheap; they are certainly higher than Shanghai for similar items.

However, there are a LOT of dishes offered nowhere else in town and it's not luxury hotel expensive, so it's still going to definitely be of interest to the Chinese food lovers among us.

Have been once and had two dishes

Noodle soup w/ beef stew like meat 200 baht

Cold shredded potato side dish which I SPECIAL ORDERED Sechuan style (MALA) 100 baht

Communication was a BIG PROBLEM. I mean really, no kidding. If you speak some Chinese language you'll be doing well, but if you speak English, Russian, or Thai you will have a big problem asking for any info about the food.

The menu is clear enough with English and pictures, but the trouble is in asking any questions.

I really wanted to know about the NOODLES in the soup dishes and persisted. At first a chef type guy seemed to indicate in sign language that they were hand pulled noodles, but I was skeptical. I then talked to a Chinese lady who had enough language to say they were bought in noodles. I got it across that I wanted in house handmade noodles and then they seemed to give me a CHOICE of those and showed me a huge brick of dough and made motions of hand slicing the noodles. That sounded great to me!

As far as what I got in the soup, frankly, I wouldn't bet any money that they were actually the hand sliced noodles they mimed to me or not! An expert might be able to tell. I did LIKE the noodles, they were al dente and reminded my a lot of a style of noodles I used to love at a Chinese Muslim restaurant in California. The beef stew meat was a bit sparse but tasty, there was bok choy, and the broth was adequate. Overall I was happy with that 200 baht dish.

If you do order any noodle dish there on the chance I really got what they indicated, I would suggest trying also to get that style of noodle instead of anything bought in. Good luck on that though!

Comparing to Shanghai's version with hand pulled noodles, well different style of noodle and the beef meat is tastier at Shanghai, and the dish costs much less there.

Anyway, on the potato dish, I know that could be done Sechuan style so I pushed it. The chef understood me and what was presented was very pleasing indeed to me. Plenty of redness, and even a large amount of Sechuan peppers. Went great with the soup. The Sechuan peppers themselves were not that fresh (hard to get in Thailand) so there wasn't much sizzle but the dish did still have Sechuan flavor. Again, no way will you get this in the special style I got if you don't push for it hard.

Probably the bulk of their menu is BOILED DUMPLINGS in a large range of fillings.

They also offer large HOT POTS with different style broths (they can do Sechuan style as well but you need to ask for it CLEARLY).

These appear to be 350 for the setup and then you order the a la carte items to cook in the broth. At least is seemed that way to me. This would easily add up to an expensive meal of course.

My general impression is that I would not be super excited about this place opening in San Francisco, but for Pattaya, this is really something.

BTW, the offering of SCALLION cake bread is pretty exciting to me. Haven't tried it there yet. Goes great w/ soups and dumplings.

A lot of their menu.

About their menu, they have their main menu and they ALSO have some extra menu CARDS that include other items. Insist on seeing the cards too.

Boiled (mostly) dumplings

chives and egg shrimp 200

mushrooms pork 200

pork picked veg 200

pork and celery 200

pork and leek 200

scallops 350

pan fried dumpling 300

steamed buns 90

Noodles

wontons in soup 150

green pepper noodle soup 150

tomato egg noodle soup 150

beef noodle soup 200

pickles noodle soup 150

cold noodle shredded chicken 150

cold noodle mushroom 150

Side dishes, etc.

boiled peanuts 100

fried peanuts 100

cucumber 100

spinach garlic 200

boiled chicken 350

minced preserved egg w/ ginger sauce 150

minced cold potato 100

pig ear salad 250

jellyfish vinegar 250

fried octopus 300

preserved egg and tofu 150

mixed tofu and shallot 100

steamed buns 90

Rice

fried rice soy sauce 200

yangzhou fried rice 200

Breads/Pies

scallion cake 150

meat pie 200

Large Hot Pots

hot pots choice 350 for broth setup plus add ons (I think)

[Jingthing]

Oh, just in case you didn't get this from the OP, this is some kind of NORTHERN Chinese style eatery. Meaning it is very WHEAT based rather than rice based. While there are two fried rice dishes, the rest of the menu is not really "dishes to eat with rice" style. Mentioning this as many Thai people who are rice-centric might not appreciate such a place so much.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Foomanlou...I thought it was a new Peter Sellers movie review. With those prices and the general lack of parking in that area I'll pass.

[Gone]

Wow great post JT ! Thanks

[Ulysses G.]

I hope the cook does not decide to thump Jingthing for asking too many questions. I want more reports on this place.

[Jingthing]

Wow great post JT ! Thanks

You're welcome. I am also not thrilled with the price level but such is life.

Hopefully they will succeed. Just went by and there were two tables of Chinese looking people. I reckon they will mostly attract Chinese tourists and also Russians who are often familiar with Chinese wheat based cuisine like meat pies. Thais and Thai Chinese not so much. I guess f-rangs are the x factor.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Jingthing]

I hope the cook does not decide to thump Jingthing for asking too many questions. I want more reports on this place.

No they already like me for understanding their food.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[RabC]

And you have the bare faced cheek to call 5 Star Hotels expensive . Let's not forget the food quality plus, I get understood in English and do not play food Russian Roulette with some non English speaking waiter. Move along nothing to see here

[OMGImInPattaya]

I hope the cook does not decide to thump Jingthing for asking too many questions. I want more reports on this place.

More likely thumped over the head with some fresh wheat noodles!

[RabC]

I hope the cook does not decide to thump Jingthing for asking too many questions. I want more reports on this place.

Why does it really affect you in Chaing Mai or you just want aboard the Jing one opinion bus?

[banglay]

Is it safe to go there on a baht bus ??? or should I take my body guard? just a light hearted reply not to be taken seriously

[Jingthing]

Just a fun food thread here ... no reason to make it hot ...

To be clear I am not raving about their food but I do consider it a very welcome addition to the local Chinese food scene.

Now a 'normal" person could have done my same order and maybe would't have gotten the same noodles as me ... not sure ... but I am sure the potato dish would have been boring without the extra Sechuan kick. So yes maybe you need to be a bit adventurous to dine there; you definitely need to be tolerant.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Jingthing]

Is it safe to go there on a baht bus ??? or should I take  my body guard?    just a light hearted reply not to be taken seriously 

It's a baht bus ridin' wet dream!

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[thailandbeachisland]

Thank you <3 Really hope that they won't be suxxers as Pao...

[Ulysses G.]

I hope the cook does not decide to thump Jingthing for asking too many questions. I want more reports on this place.

Why does it really affect you in Chaing Mai or you just want aboard the Jing one opinion bus?

I visit Pattaya fairly often. It is not that hard to figure out.

[drx13]

The cook,&lt;deleted&gt; Yoo,is the author of ''The Endangered Species Cookbook''

[paddyjenkins]

200 baht for fried rice....sounds very overpriced to me....tourist ripoff place

[OMGImInPattaya]

I hope the cook does not decide to thump Jingthing for asking too many questions. I want more reports on this place.

Why does it really affect you in Chaing Mai or you just want aboard the Jing one opinion bus?

I visit Pattaya fairly often. It is not that hard to figure out.

A most welcome visitor...both in person and in-virtual personas

[Jingthing]

200 baht for fried rice....sounds very overpriced to me....tourist ripoff place

This is authentic style Chinese food which is in very short supply in Pattaya. This is not Thai food which you can get everywhere here. I'm defending their price structure because they have a specialized CHINESE chef, large space, large staff, modern clean / attractive restaurant with comfortable seating, and very prime LOCATION. I don't see how a place like that can have any hope of being economically viable at budget prices. The same concept in a smaller space, lower rent location, and smaller staff could have charged lower prices.I don't think it's fair to label such a place a rip off unless you experience their actual food and decide they aren't delivering a good product. So far I think they are showing some promise.

I would say Shanghai is better value for money. However, it's location is inconvenient for many and they don't have all of the same dishes or the same chef.

Hopefully there is room for all kinds of new Chinese places in town now with the increase in incoming Chinese tourism, and these current places are the tip of the iceberg.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[OMGImInPattaya]

200 baht for fried rice....sounds very overpriced to me....tourist ripoff place

This is authentic style Chinese food which is in very short supply in Pattaya. This is not Thai food which you can get everywhere here. I'm defending their price structure because they have a specialized CHINESE chef, large space, large staff, modern clean / attractive restaurant with comfortable seating, and very prime LOCATION. I don't see how a place like that can have any hope of being economically viable at budget prices. The same concept in a smaller space, lower rent location, and smaller staff could have charged lower prices.I don't think it's fair to label such a place a rip off unless you experience their actual food and decide they aren't delivering a good product. So far I think they are showing some promise.

Do they serve shark fin soup? If so, this may be a factor in many people's choice of whether to patronize this establishment. If they do, it would certainly negatively affect my opinion of the place. Edited December 9, 2013 by OMGImInPattaya

[Bernard Flint]

Sirs

May i jump in here,if one like british CANTONESE CUISINE

There is one that has just opened on soi bukhaw,virtualy opposite Jollys restaraunt,that has the most delightful food,and far better than China Garden.They also do takeaways,and home delivery,And the establishment is called Wok and Rock,the old Vikings bar.

I believe the owner is SCOTTISH AND HIS THAI WIFE OF 10 YEARS,HAS A SCOTTISH ACCENT,QUITE NICE REALY.

I here there is an official opening on the 13th,with plenty of free food

[UncleJ]

Not the same as Thai fried rice.

Ripoff? 200bt is not allot of money although I do know people (basement dwellers) that refuse to eat anything over 100bt.

[OMGImInPattaya]

Sirs

May i jump in here,if one like british CANTONESE CUISINE

There is one that has just opened on soi bukhaw,virtualy opposite Jollys restaraunt,that has the most delightful food,and far better than China Garden.They also do takeaways,and home delivery,And the establishment is called Wok and Rock,the old Vikings bar.

I believe the owner is SCOTTISH AND HIS THAI WIFE OF 10 YEARS,HAS A SCOTTISH ACCENT,QUITE NICE REALY.

I here there is an official opening on the 13th,with plenty of free food

BRITISH Cantonese cuisine...cooked by a Scotish/Thai couple...sounds yummy...NOT!

[Jingthing]

Sirs

May i jump in here,if one like british CANTONESE CUISINE

There is one that has just opened on soi bukhaw,virtualy opposite Jollys restaraunt,that has the most delightful food,and far better than China Garden.They also do takeaways,and home delivery,And the establishment is called Wok and Rock,the old Vikings bar.

I believe the owner is SCOTTISH AND HIS THAI WIFE OF 10 YEARS,HAS A SCOTTISH ACCENT,QUITE NICE REALY.

I here there is an official opening on the 13th,with plenty of free food

That's the type of item that would best fit in the long standing HIT AND RUN restaurant review thread, but thanks for the news! While my preference is for more "authentic" regional Chinese Chinese food, Britain is a region as well ...

Good food is good food whether it's "authentic" or not. Hopefully this new place will deliver ... good food.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

200 baht for fried rice....sounds very overpriced to me....tourist ripoff place

This is authentic style Chinese food which is in very short supply in Pattaya. This is not Thai food which you can get everywhere here. I'm defending their price structure because they have a specialized CHINESE chef, large space, large staff, modern clean / attractive restaurant with comfortable seating, and very prime LOCATION. I don't see how a place like that can have any hope of being economically viable at budget prices. The same concept in a smaller space, lower rent location, and smaller staff could have charged lower prices.I don't think it's fair to label such a place a rip off unless you experience their actual food and decide they aren't delivering a good product. So far I think they are showing some promise.

Do they serve shark fin soup? If so, this may be a factor in many people's choice of whether to patronize this establishment. If they do, it would certainly negatively affect my opinion of the place.

No! I posted most of the menu. There are plenty of shark fin specialist menus in town, especially set menus for Chinese tourists. That is well covered (and doesn't interest me personally). There is a also the Sharks fin / Birds Nest place long standing about a block away in front of Royal Garden that has a much more robust menu besides featuring those items. I don't happen to personally like their food much and have commented specifically on some of it in past.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[OMGImInPattaya]

200 baht for fried rice....sounds very overpriced to me....tourist ripoff place

This is authentic style Chinese food which is in very short supply in Pattaya. This is not Thai food which you can get everywhere here. I'm defending their price structure because they have a specialized CHINESE chef, large space, large staff, modern clean / attractive restaurant with comfortable seating, and very prime LOCATION. I don't see how a place like that can have any hope of being economically viable at budget prices. The same concept in a smaller space, lower rent location, and smaller staff could have charged lower prices.I don't think it's fair to label such a place a rip off unless you experience their actual food and decide they aren't delivering a good product. So far I think they are showing some promise.

Do they serve shark fin soup? If so, this may be a factor in many people's choice of whether to patronize this establishment. If they do, it would certainly negatively affect my opinion of the place.

No! I posted most of the menu. There are plenty of shark fin specialist menus in town, especially set menus for Chinese tourists. That is well covered (and doesn't interest me personally). There is a also the Sharks fin / Birds Nest place long standing about a block away in front of Royal Garden that has a much more robust menu besides featuring those items. I don't happen to personally like their food much and have commented specifically on some of it in past.

Good on them...good luck to them.

[smedly]

Sirs

May i jump in here,if one like british CANTONESE CUISINE

There is one that has just opened on soi bukhaw,virtualy opposite Jollys restaraunt,that has the most delightful food,and far better than China Garden.They also do takeaways,and home delivery,And the establishment is called Wok and Rock,the old Vikings bar.

I believe the owner is SCOTTISH AND HIS THAI WIFE OF 10 YEARS,HAS A SCOTTISH ACCENT,QUITE NICE REALY.

I here there is an official opening on the 13th,with plenty of free food

BRITISH Cantonese cuisine...cooked by a Scotish/Thai couple...sounds yummy...NOT!

maybe you might want to try it before making stupid comments like that

It is the best I've tasted in Pattaya by a long shot and I've been here nearly 10 years

[canman]

Just a fun food thread here ... no reason to make it hot ...

To be clear I am not raving about their food but I do consider it a very welcome addition to the local Chinese food scene.

Now a 'normal" person could have done my same order and maybe would't have gotten the same noodles as me ... not sure ... but I am sure the potato dish would have been boring without the extra Sechuan kick. So yes maybe you need to be a bit adventurous to dine there; you definitely need to be tolerant.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"normal" person Love it!

[Jingthing]

Just a fun food thread here ... no reason to make it hot ...

To be clear I am not raving about their food but I do consider it a very welcome addition to the local Chinese food scene.

Now a 'normal" person could have done my same order and maybe would't have gotten the same noodles as me ... not sure ... but I am sure the potato dish would have been boring without the extra Sechuan kick. So yes maybe you need to be a bit adventurous to dine there; you definitely need to be tolerant.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"normal" person Love it!

Could have also said basic or mediocre. If you want to get the most out of dining experiences, especially when there is a language issue, it sometimes takes some actual effort. I don't think most people are up for that and will just accept "whatever" and not even care or try to get something closer to what they actually want (or they don't even know what they want). Of course not everyone is PASSIONATE about enjoying food either; there is no right or wrong about that. Good restaurants are out to please customers and some customers are seeking information about what is being sold and/or requesting certain variations be done within reason and possibility of course. Restaurants don't NEED to help with that, that's their business choice. but GOOD ones at least try to.

This place even with the language issue, was definitely interested in TRYING to understand, and I think they did pretty well in actually responding. I give them credit for that.

Edited December 9, 2013 by Jingthing

[canman]

Just a fun food thread here ... no reason to make it hot ...

To be clear I am not raving about their food but I do consider it a very welcome addition to the local Chinese food scene.

Now a 'normal" person could have done my same order and maybe would't have gotten the same noodles as me ... not sure ... but I am sure the potato dish would have been boring without the extra Sechuan kick. So yes maybe you need to be a bit adventurous to dine there; you definitely need to be tolerant.

Sent from my GT-S5360B using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"normal" person Love it!

Could have also said basic or mediocre. If you want to get the most out of dining experiences, especially when there is a language issue, it sometimes takes some actual effort. I don't think most people are up for that and will just accept "whatever" and not even care or try to get something closer to what they actually want (or they don't even know what they want). Of course not everyone is PASSIONATE about enjoying food either; there is no right or wrong about that. Good restaurants are out to please customers and some customers are seeking information about what is being sold and/or requesting certain variations be done within reason and possibility of course. Restaurants don't NEED to help with that, that's their business choice. but GOOD ones at least try to.

This place even with the language issue, was definitely interested in TRYING to understand, and I think they did pretty well in actually responding. I give them credit for that.

I get it mate, if I'm paying for it i also like to be sure I get what I want. Not having a go at you, just found the phrasing to be amusing.