Friday, November 6, 2009

Humor at Ho Wah


Let me start by saying I would be perfectly happy eating Chinese food 7 days a week. But my husband doesn't feel the same, so we don't get it too often.

Tonight the husband came in, all stuffed up. He said he didn't feel well.

Me: I know what would help you!
Husband: What?
Me: Hot and sour soup! I'll order and pick it up.
Husband: You want to order chinese?
Me: Yes! And you can get pork egg fu yung, which is kind of Atkins-y.
Husband: OK.

I called my son to see what he wanted, and then I called Ho Wah, our favorite local chinese restaurant.

Chinese lady: Ho Wah
Me: I'd like to order something.
Chinese lady: OK
Me: Sweet and sour chicken, hot and sour soup, and pork subgum chow mein.....Oh, WAIT. I don't mean pork subgum chow mein. I mean the dish that's made with eggs.
Chinese lady: (silence)
Me, who can't remember shit: What's it called - the dish made with eggs?
Chinese lady: (silence)

I was scanning the menu as fast as I could, and then I found it.
Me: pork egg fu yung.
Chinese lady: 15 minute.
Me: OK.

I arrived at Ho Wah. While I waited for my food, I was watching the chinese owner. Everyone who works there is oriental, but tonight there was a young white guy.

Chinese owner, looking at paperwork, mumbling something about Christmas, looks at the white guy.

Chinese owner: You work Christmas.
White guy: Uh, I don't think I can do that.
Chinese owner: You work Christmas. Everyone work Christmas.
White guy: (frown)
Another Chinese employee: This is a Chinese restaurant!!!

I told a friend about this exchange and she said it sounded like I was in a Seinfeld episode, and I said I FELT like I was in a Seinfeld episode! It was like the most important thing about working in a chinese restaurant was being able to work on Christmas.

14 comments:

fullsoulahead.com said...

Hope the Hot & Sour soup did the trick! Any excuse for take out works for me!

Sandy said...

oh, man, I love Asian food....my husband not so much so I don't get it often. Maybe tonight!!

Sandy said...

Funny post BTW! Definitely Seinfeld material.

Jeanie said...

When I read this, all I could think of was the movie "A Christmas Story" when they all end up at the Chinese restaurant in Cleveland (well, they called it something else in the movie, but it was really filmed in Cleveland) because the Bumpus dogs ate their turkey. When they serve the duck at the table, I can't stop laughing. Every single year. Maybe they went to Ho Wah...

Perpetual Chocoholic said...

I love chinese too!

Tino said...

They used to serve the Christmas Story duck dish at C & Y Restaurant on St. Clair Avenue until the restaurant sadly closed a few years ago ... complete with the "Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra" rendition of the song.

We would go on Sundays for their fab dim sum, and invariably we'd always here at least one couple ordering the duck dish.

Delaney said...

Love oriental food and so does Hubby and yes, we have spent Christmas Day eating at a Chinese restaurant since they are the only ones open!

Nancy Heller said...

Next time you're looking for great Chinese soup - try Happy Buddha, in the strip mall on Cedar Road that houses Jack's Deli. http://happybuddhacafe.com/

Go for the noodle soups - each bowl is a full meal of delicious broth, tender noodles, crisp vegetables and tasty meat. It gives me a "Tampopo" fix every time. They also have a Chinese menu on their website with some great dishes.

Loved your story - I only got lunch at Ho Wah once, take out, and all I remember was that it was a strange experience and I never returned.

mommakin said...

I have a friend who worked in a Chinese restaurant. He was half Chinese biologically, but he had an American dad and was born and raised in the States. He said people were always disappointed at the restaurant when he "didn't act Chinese enough".

I LOVE hot and sour soup when I'm stuffy! (and also when I'm not...)

Sharon said...

Thanks, Nancy! My husband and I were just discussing that restaurant yesterday and wondering if we should try it. Although we live near by, we have never been there, nor have I ever spoken to anyone who has - so we will take your advice and give it a try!

JessInFocus said...

Oh my! How I missed reading your posts! :D You are so funny.

Debbie said...

That is like Seinfeld. Gosh, I miss that show. How was the food?

Euri said...

Mommy loves Asian food too! In NJ the Chinese restaurants are open on Xmas.

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