The restaurant is tucked away in a charming little alley, which immediately gives it a cool, inviting atmosphere. It feels like the kind of hidden spot you stumble upon and are glad you did. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that the staff care about what they do. The restaurant is clean, the space is thoughtfully kept, and the service is attentive without feeling intrusive. That said, when it comes to execution and the way the ingredients are brought together, the kitchen unfortunately misses the mark in several places. Mango Karaage The first dish was the Mango Karaage. In many ways, it reminded me of orange chicken. I enjoyed the sauce, and the overall flavor profile was pleasant enough. The chicken itself was cooked well. However, the issue appeared when biting into the chicken. Some oil began to seep out. It was not excessive, but it created a slightly unpleasant sensation that distracted from what was otherwise a fairly decent dish. Char Siu Rice The second dish was the char siu rice. The rice was cooked nicely, the egg was well prepared, and the vegetables were handled properly as well. Each of these components contributed to the good flavor of the dish. Unfortunately, the char siu, which should have been the centerpiece of the plate, did not deliver. It lacked the classic balance of sweetness and savory depth that defines good char siu. The texture also fell short, missing the tenderness that the dish is known for. Simply put, the star of the dish did not perform. Noodle Dish The final dish was a noodle dish. The sauce tasted somewhat curry-like to me and leaned heavily toward the rich side. The noodles themselves were Chinese egg noodles, thin and curly. Because of their shape, when you twirl them with a fork, they pick up a generous amount of sauce in each bite. Normally this would be a pleasant feature, but because the sauce was quite heavy, the dish quickly became overwhelming. After a few bites, instead of feeling satisfying, it started to feel overly rich. I eventually stopped halfway through the plate. Overall, this is an interesting restaurant with a lot of promise. I appreciate the effort and creativity behind the menu, and the prices are quite reasonable. It is still a place worth trying. I am rooting for the young chefs and their creativity. With stronger execution and better balance in the dishes, this place could become something truly special. I genuinely disliked the chairs. They are very uncomfortable. Because the back of the chair sits unusually high, it prevents you from resting your arms naturally and forces them inward in a restrictive way. It made the seating experience noticeably unpleasant.
