Yang's Restaurant
Yang's Restaurant is on Pratt St., opposite Suva Central and next to the Hare Krishna. Prominent local media harlot Culden Kamea notes "that it's easy to spot because they hang their roast duck, chicken and pork in the front window". He also observes that their Combination Long and Short Soup is "world famous", and that is where this review starts:
The soup is both short (it has won tons) and it is long (it has noodles). The combination bit must come from the roast chicken, beef and roast pork. The lady (we'll call her Mrs. Yang) spoons out the broth, noodles, and won tons from three big pots. The meat and veges are cut with a pair of scissors and placed in the bowl - as far as I know no other short order cook in Suva that cooks with scissors.
We won't comment as to whether the soup is "world famous" but it is certainly Mrs. Yang's most popular order, and at $6.80 its great the value for money. If there is a negative point it is that the broth is rather bland, so chilli it up first.
Other highlights include the Red Pork, which comes with rice, cabbage, some sort of wierd black sauce, and a bowl of that same broth as the soup. With no tasty fillings to break the monotony the full blandness of the broth hits you, but you can probably use it as a dipping sauce. This is also $6.80. A simple dish done well.
If you are short of cash you can get fish/sausage and chips for $3.
There are seven tables, and the establishment can get quite warm, with only a lone oscillating fan struggling bravely against small room full of large sweaty island folk. In the back of the room there is a 'bar' that has long since ceased to serve alcohol and now serves as the washing up station.
In Summary
- Yang's Restaurant
- Pratt St, Suva
Opposite Suva Central - Opening Hours:
- Monday - Saturday: 9am - 8pm
- Spend
- $3 - $6.80 per person
- Verdict:
- Thumbs-up
3 comments:
Lovely dishes but like you mentioned, a shithole to eat in....very cramped and smelly (especially if 3 BIG sweaty men in overalls are sitting in a table next to you).
Wow. Ive eaten at Yangs since the day they opened. I love the lack of ambience! Its the best short soup Ive had anywhere outside Beijing... In some countries tyat veg is called bokchoy...not by hoities but by peasants...in others, cabbage..by farmers. Red Pork, Char Siu and BBQ Pork are all interchangeable. What really matters is that this soup is SICK! Best ever! I just wish she still used the homemade rice noodles like she used to....
I last time I ate here when I was living in Suva up until 2004...I am now returning on a visit some 8 years later with an urge to eat there again...that has to speak volumes for the food if after 8 years I still fondly remember the place and the combination soup / red pork. I like the fact that it's not anything special to look at, it keeps the prices down and the customers honest.
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