Cheers Chicken & Noodle

REVISIT POST ON CHEERS CHICKEN & NOODLE [HERE]

Around a week ago when visiting Dasarang, my first choice was actually Cheers Chicken & Noodle (as well as Church's Chicken). So, being in Burquitlam for another late night dinner, I decided to finally give the restaurant a try.

Cheers Chicken & Noodle is located at the plaza beside Hainan Plaza and is next to a Karaoke joint. When we walked in, the staff was having dinner and the waitress immediately got up to greet us. The restaurant was empty on a weeknight around 10:00pm but shortly after we seated, four to five groups followed. The interior is quite spacious, has booth seating arrangements, and the only complaint is that the tables are shorter than usual which made me feel like I was hunching a bit. Also, the restaurant has an upbeat vibe due to the Korean pop music in the background.

BANCHAN, KOREAN SIDE DISHES.
TAKUAN, WHITE RADISH AND SHREDDED CABBAGE.

Takuan is pickled daikon radish, which can be eaten alone or put in soup. Following, the diced white radish has a pickled taste, and the shredded cabbage as well as carrot are for munching on with the fried chicken. The shredded cabbage and carrots are freshly shredded and the thousand island dressing tastes very light.

FAMILY SIZED NOODLE IN DELUXE SPICY SEAFOOD ($21.99).

The waitress asked if we liked spicy and of course, we said yes. I appreciate her asking because most Korean restaurants do not and may prejudge consumers by holding back on the spiciness (which is good for non-spicy fans… but not for me!). 

The soup has a seafood broth flavour along with a good settled spiciness, and a hint of char taste from the grilled onions. As for the seafood ingredients, there are squid, small mussels as well as scallops, baby shrimp and a whole baby octopus. The mussels do not taste chewy but are very small, which the waitress mentioned before we ordered. As for the small scallops and baby shrimp, both do not taste overcooked and are quite tasty. However, I rather pay an extra $5.00-$6.00 or more for regular sized prawns and medium sized scallops, as well as a pot served on a burner. Regardless, the soup is a very large portion and is good enough for two to three people. Athough the soup did get cold fast.

As for the noodles, they are housemade and freshly made to order. The noodles taste perfectly cooked and slightly soft with a nice chewiness. Also, scissors are provided to cut the noodles and baby octopus. The octopus tastes tender and has a nice stiff chewy snap. Furthermore for the price, I think it is worth it. The soup is tasty, the noodles are pretty good, and a whole baby octopus is served. Baby octopuses are not cheap and at cost for the restaurant is probably $8.00-$10.00. 

ORIGINAL FRIED CHICKEN, HALF ($9.99) AND FRIED CHICKEN WITH SPICY SAUCE, HALF ($10.99).

WOW, the highlight of dinner... seriously. The chicken is perfectly deep fried and lightly battered. That is not just it. The white meat tastes extremely moist, juicy and flavourful! The chicken is open deep fried and tastes very comparable to Church's Chicken. However, Church's Chicken tastes juicy due to the oil but Cheers Chicken's juiciness comes from the chicken. Dasawhat? I rather come here than Dasarang for sure, x100. 

As for the spicy chicken, the meat has a slightly sweet flavour and a sweet n' spicy after taste. Personally, I find the spicy sauce overwhelming (which is the point) and takes away the juiciness from the chicken. Furthermore, the chicken also tastes soggy because of the sauce. As for the sauce, there is a nice consistency and is neither too thick nor thin. We just prefer the original fried chicken a lot more.

POSITIVES
- Friendliest Korean restaurant I have been to
- REALLY good fried chicken
- Homestyle Korean cuisine
- Good eats (except the spicy chicken, probably personal preference)
- Spacious and comfortable restaurant
- Open late night
- Fresh ingredients

NEGATIVES
- If medium sized scallops and regular sized prawns were used (even if price was higher), I would have enjoyed the soup more (3.5/5 rather than 2.5/5)

LITTLE THINGS
- Revisit post on Cheers Chicken & Noodle [here]
- Push bell service
- Friendlier staff and better tasting chicken than Dasarang
- For a "healthier" alternative, I will come here rather than Church's from now on

Food: 2.5/5 (original fried chicken 4.5/5)
Service: 3.5/5