20 - 26 December 2001
Issue No.565
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 20 - 26 December 2001 Issue No.565 |
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Kung fu fighting
Injy El-Kashef throws a fit
"If I don't get my Chinese this week, there's going to be trouble," I thought to myself as I planned this review. Circumstances must not keep deterring me from obtaining what I seek. "We only live once, and if I don't get my Chinese tonight, who knows if I ever will? What if I get run over by a truck while crossing the street? What if an earthquake destroys my house and leaves me lying under rubble, a cold corpse?" I raved with pleading eyes. My friend looked at me, on his face a frown that expressed curiosity, surprise, disbelief and maybe even a little fear. "It's OK, Injy, we'll get some Chinese, you don't have to lie under the rubble for that," he reassured me. The drama queen was calm now.
I had heard that a Chinese restaurant, Kung Fu, had opened opposite the AUC Library, and that piece of information had made it clear to my sharp and logical mind that it must be an arrangement allowing students to grab some spring rolls between their classes or something. Desperate as I was, however, I walked eagerly with my friend in Kung Fu's direction, parting a way for myself through the sea of people crowding the streets, hearing and seeing nothing. We arrived and immediately saw the red entrance standing out among the sober grey of the buildings. We were greeted by a man in Kung Fu attire with a head band on his forehead, dressed to kill -- literally. The setting was pleasant enough, with an open courtyard and plants and little statues, but we preferred to sit upstairs where no shisha smoke could interfere with the Far Eastern atmosphere.
Starving to death and faced with a little menu that resembled that of most fast food joints in quality, quantity and price, we ordered a huge amount of food. Only then, while we waited, did we realise that Kung Fu is actually managed by Gulf Royal (a very positive sign), the music playing was atrocious, the tables were quite nice in lacquered black and red, the restaurant was completely empty (except for three young men who seemed to be up to some very dodgy business) and that this was not at all a bad place to be.
We ordered some Spring Rolls (OK- tasting, but too thick if you ask me) some Chicken Nuggets, which consisted of thin chicken strips deep-fried in a flour batter, and some Kung Fu Balls. Now these balls were truly good: they looked like won ton but were darker, crispier and with a delicious filling of unknown, but safe, identity. Next we had some Beef in Brown Sauce and that was no good at all. The sauce was so gooey that it had the consistency of raw egg whites, and the tiny amount of beef tasted awful (just to think of it turns my stomach, so that's enough about the beef). On the other hand, the two chicken-based dishes on the menu were very, very decent with their delicious noodles and garlicky sauce. We topped this meal with some yummy Deep Fried Bananas and were off, rising from under the rubble with the strength of a happy meal for LE76, including drinks.
Kung Fu, 20 Mohamed Mahmoud St, opposite AUC Library
Tel 795 6837/977
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