Teo Chew Cuisine at Jiu Fu

The new owner of 明记 took over Jiu Fu Café early 2022. They changed the entire menu to Chao Zhou aka Teo Chew or 潮州 cuisine. Prior to 2021, the restaurant had noodles. But the only noodles you can find is on the standard menu, no more gluten-free noodles or handmade noodles.

Teo Chew Cuisine 潮州菜 is milder than most Chinese regional cuisines. According to Wikipedia, "Chaozhou 潮州, alternatively Chiuchow, Chaochow or Teochew, is a city in 广东省 the eastern Guangdong province of China. It borders Shantou 汕头市 to the south, Jieyang 揭阳市 to the southwest, Meizhou 梅州市 to the northwest, the province of Fujian 福建省 to the east, and the South China Sea to the southeast."

Looking at the photos on the wall. These dishes are unique to Chao Zhou region:

粥 Rice Porridge or Congee is overcooked rice in water with other proteins and topped with preserved vegetables or seasoned meat. Most of Congees are served in big portions. Single portions are limited to D03 Oyster, Clams, Ground Pork 干贝咸骨粥 , D05 Preserved Egg with Pork 皮蛋瘦肉粥 and D06 Fish Slices 鱼片粥 (English dish name is missing on the menu).

The second popular dish is the oyster pancake 潮式煎蚝饼, which is more savory from the Taiwanese version. It costs $13.98 and portion is big enough for 2-3 people as an appetizer; or 6-8 people to sample it. You'll find fresh oysters, egg and gummy or elastic texture, which is from the potato starch.

The third picture shows Chiu Chou Style Sweet Potato Cake 潮州番薯饼 ($7.98). I dined solo and it was skipped during this visit. But it's a recommended dish.

I also heard that 潮州卤水 Marinated Sauce Dishes is legit, from the hostess of 美食天堂 - a local Chinese Foodie radio show. Beware, they might be marinated with pork.

If you are not adventurous or rather stay on the standard menu, you can check out Noodle & Rice, Meats (says Poultry), Seafood and Vegetable dishes. Most of them come with steamed rice. 

Updated October 28: Hotpot Bases

醉雞火鍋 Chicken with Huadiao Wine Hot Pot $49.98 - Soup base is made with one whole chicken brewed overnight. They cook chicken in the wine and I was told this can be intoxicated after meal. Huadiao Wine 花雕酒 is a type of Chinese Yellow Wine. The price includes vegetables.

豬肚雞火鍋 Pig Stomach with Chicken Hot Pot $88.88 - It should be pork belly with chicken. This soup base can be done without pork belly. But you must reserve at least a day in advance. This price includes vegetables and pickled vegetables.