Every once in a while I get together with my friend at a restaurant to catch up and shoot the shit. It’s nice because we introduce each other to new places and take turns buying. This time around, it was his turn to pick. Coincidentally, he picked Fortune Cookies in Fountain Valley, which was just down the street from where I was meeting a client on the same day.
Walking into the restaurant, I was a little confused. They have a large counter with a bunch of cash registers, so I thought it was a fast food place. But just beyond the registers to the right, there is a main dining room with a sushi counter. A Chinese/Japanese mix is kind of weird to me. Besides being confusing, it’s kind of a weird mix of cultures in terms of “fusion” food.
Beyond the identity crisis though, the food and service is executed pretty well. I’m assuming there is a lot of to-go business since the registers in the front are manned with cashiers at all times (though I don’t remember seeing a menu board on the walls). Anyways, it’s worth a try if you’re ever conflicted between Chinese and Japanese food.
Fortune Cookies – Fountain Valley
A heaping portion of mixed vegetable tempura. It was a really nice batter. Not too thick and just enough crispity crunchiness.
A Firecracker Roll is a California Roll with a Shrimp Tempura inside and Spicy Tuna on the outside. It’s topped with tempura crumbs and what looks/tasted like a mix of creamy Sriracha sauce and eel sauce.
This is what really made me think that this restaurant has an identity crisis. When I think of Spring Rolls, I immediately think of the Vietnamese Goi Cuon. When I think of Egg Rolls, I think of either the Chinese version which is filled with veggies, or the Vietnamese version that is filled with a mixed meat (usually pork and shrimp) filling and other goodies. I think it’s more of a cultural association.
Anyways, the “Spring Rolls” were beautifully put together and fried up crispy. Good stuff.
I really enjoyed that the Crispy Orange Chicken didn’t consist of pieces of mystery chicken, like it usually is at the fast food places. You could tell that they actually sliced up chicken before putting a light batter on it. There was just too much sauce for my taste.
My buddy ordered the Kung Pao Beef. It looks like it has everything it’s supposed to have.
Talk to me, Goose.