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So depressed ---East Asia is GONE

I haven't been this upset about a restaurant closing in a long time...if, in fact, ever. If this has been discussed on another thread, I apologize, though a quick search didn't yield anything.

I live in the south end so don't make it to that side of the river often, but whenever I do, I make sure to plan an East Asia trip, Their kung pao chicken was always one of my favorites, a deliciious sauce perfectly spiced with crunchy fresh vegetables, it was always consistently GOOD.
This week I found myself over there around lunchtime and called, only to have the number ring and ring and ring --no one picked up. Thought it was odd, but thought maybe, just maybe something was up with the phone. Then tonight...again....in the area....called and the same thing happened...endless ringing but no picking up and/or message. I was hoping against hope maybe they'd taken a summer vacation, but....drove by just to see...and.....there was a handwritten sign in the door...with a new name (which i don't remember) and something like "come back for our noodles or..." whatever..i honestly don't remember. I couldn't believe my worst suspicions had been confirmed. GONE.

Not sure if any of you guys know about this already (or know about the new place moving in) I can only assume the owners were simply done and sold the business --can't imagine business wasn't good as it was such a great spot for takeout. No idea, but feel free to shed some light if you know. Not that it'll make me feel any better...but still.

Figured only hounds would be able to truly commiserate w me...


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  1. Oh, that is really sad. They had the best fried rice that I'd found in the area by far. I'm not super surprised, though. I can't remember it ever being anywhere near full when I was there (and they did not have many tables to fill) and also rarely saw anyone else getting takeout. Still, definitely a loss for the area.

    5 Replies
    1. re: maillard

      I think they had a really good takeout business. No doubt they didn't get many sit-down folks as the ambiance wasn't exactly great...but they've been around for YEARS and my guess is they would have gone out of business years ago if they weren't getting enough customers....i think they were getting older and perhaps just decided to sell.
      I guess it doesn't really matter. I'm just so sad to see them gone. I used to have no problem driving an hour round trip to grab an order of kung pao chicken.....best stuff in the world :(

      1. re: twentyoystahs

        Those were my two favorite items! Kung Pao Chicken and Fried Rice.

        I stopped by on Monday and the sign said "Sorry we are on vacation until mid August." The place was a bit of a mess inside but I was holding out hope. : ( Are you totally sure they're closed?

        1. re: chez_shai

          We stopped by last night --Wednesday --there was a sign like that taped on the middle of the door but it said something like "Opening Soon..[some wacky restaurant name, with an asian twist]"

          1. re: twentyoystahs

            Sorry to doubt you. I just didn't want to believe it. : /

            1. re: twentyoystahs

              "[some wacky restaurant name, with an asian twist]" is such an edgy name for a restaurant. I, for one, can't wait for it to open.

      2. are we talking about that place in central sq with all those young weekend bands play?

        2 Replies
        1. re: twinky101

          No, the tiny place in Powderhouse Sq with really good kung pao chicken and fried rice.

        2. They had the best homemade tofu in the area.

          2 Replies
          1. re: Boston_Otter

            Homemade tofu? Like they had a vat of boiling soy beans in the back?

            1. re: Luther

              I'm not sure where they got their tofu, but the menu called it "homemade" and the lady on the phone said it was "homemade" when I ordered it. It was firm tofu that had many, many layers, as if it'd been folded many times, and had a great chewiness.

          2. Noooooo! I just started a thread a few weeks ago about how good their tofu was! This is incredibly depressing.

            1 Reply
            1. We lived a few houses down when I was at Tufts. Great food and a great loss to the area. Sad news.