Full Key - Wheaton, MD

Happy New Year guys! Not just Lunar New Year, but regular New Year. This is my first post of 2013, and it's good to be back. Lots of positive changes happening including a new job, which will give me more free time (yey!) to get back to writing about deliciousness.

This past Sunday was Lunar New Year, and I celebrated the 'Year of the Snake' with my dad at one of my family's old stomping grounds. Full Key has served Hong Kong-Style food for decades in this tiny, old shopping center. I grew up in Wheaton, and my mom used to own a hair salon block away. It was nostalgic to be back after 15 years. Parking is limited up front, so there is parking in the rear. Closest metro station is Wheaton on the red line.

The interior has changed a bit since I was there last. Structurally, it looks the same, but they've added much more decor. Wallpaper, booths, picture frames and the Chinese roof replica. Even with the changes, the vibe is still very casual and not pretty, but clean.

The menu is fairly large, but typical for a Chinese restaurant. They specialize in Hong Kong-Style cuisine, which means mainly Cantonese influenced dishes.

We ordered Fried Squid with Chili Pepper and Salt (around $12), which was surprisingly good. Just looking at it, you would expect it to be boring, but it's crispy and flavorful. Half of the reason for the yumminess was the large amount of MSG sprinkled on top (you could see it), but it's ok once any a while! So good, you don't need to dip it in any soy sauce.

The Wonton and Noodle in Soup ($6.75) is a staple item because it's the best around! Huge pieces of shrimp inside the wontons, perfectly cooked noodles, and a flavorful sweet broth. It's a huge bowl too, so feel free to share so you can try the next item I'm about to mention.

Drool. As a kid, all I would order would be duck on rice. We ordered a 1/4 Roasted Duck ($7.95) which was fatty, crispy and had the right amount of salt. Look at the glistening skin!

It was great to be back, and I intend to not forget about this place again. The food was delicious, service was nice and quick, and food was inexpensive.

2227 University Blvd
Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 933-8388

Nava Thai - Wheaton, MD

When my Thai friends recommend a Thai restaurant, I need to trust their judgment pronto! Nava Thai is located in my old neighborhood. I grew up on Arcola Ave, and my mom had a hair salon across University Blvd.

There's street parking and a small lot 1/2 block down. The closest metro stop is Wheaton on the red line.

The interior looks like a converted house, which gives it a relaxed vibe, but the ornate Thai decorations make it look much nicer.

Even though I'm trying to cut back on sugar (it never happens), I ordered a Thai Iced Tea ($2.50) and the bf ordered a Thai Iced Coffee ($2.50). Look at the cute cups they used! The server said they are from Thailand. They were delicious and a great price.

They have a huge menu! They have 80 Thai dishes and 91 Japanese items (includes rolls). Good luck deciding what to eat! They all sound awesome. I came with a group of 7, but I'm only documenting items the bf, cousin and I ordered. They all happen to be very popular noodle dishes and a dessert.

1. Pad See Ew (ผัดซีิ้อิ้ว) Stir fried rice noodle w/ Chinese broccoli in bean sauce and choice of meat ($9.95). I ordered it with beef, and I'm salivating as I type. The noodles had so much flavor! Plus the char from cooking added a nice smoky flavor.  
2. Drunken Noodles – Pad Kee Mao (เกี๋ยวเตี๋ยวขี้เมา) Stir fried rice noodle w/ veggies & hot pepper, and choice of meat ($9.95). The bf ordered beef and found the two chili pepper symbol not too spicy. He thought it was good, but liked my Pad See Ew a little better.
3. Pad Thai (ผัดไทย) - Famous Thai noodles w/ egg, shrimp, bean sprouts, green onions & crushed peanuts ($9.95). The cousin ordered this, and though it had more of a fish sauce flavor rather than peanuts, it was still very yummy.
4. Mango and Sticky Rice ($4.50). The rice was sweet and the mangoes were ripe. Great way to end a meal.

I actually can't wait to go back and try other dishes. I was able to sample my other friends' and everything was flavorful. The service was great! They were so friendly. helpful and attentive. I found the prices to be very reasonable too.

11301 Fern St
Wheaton, MD 20902
(240) 430-0495
navathai.food.officelive.com

Woomi Garden- Wheaton, MD

This was my family's 'go-to' Korean restaurant for every special occasion. I've been here countless times in the past, but it's been probably 2 years since I've last been. My friend Pan and Sqrl (check her amazing baking blog) and the bf met up there for dinner. They have a parking lot on the side with meters, but are free on the weekends. The closest metro stop is Wheaton on the red line.

The interior has a middle section and then different rooms with more tables. They offer tables with grills and without depending if you want to cook your food at the table or not. They also have a sushi bar. As a kid I used to love looking at the mini indoor pond with all the fish.

Menus with pictures are the best! They have a pretty standard menu with Korean BBQ, soups, rice dishes, noodles, Japanese food and sushi.

I think they gave us a decent amount of ban chan. I've been to some places like Yechon where it covers the whole table. The kim chi was very good that day, I have to say.

For our appetizer, the bf and I shared a 'Sushi' for $8.95. I liked how the rice were like little boxes.

My friends shared a 'Sashimi' for $8.95, and 'Seaweed Salad' (sorry the pic is all blurry and crooked, geez)

We all shared 3 different kinds of meats. 1st we got the 'Bulgogi- Thin slices of marinated beef rib eye' for $18.95. I thought it ok. Tasted better wrapped in the lettuce with rice.

We then got the 'Galbi- marinated prime short ribs' for $22.95, which is my all-time favorite kind of Korean bbq and food at Woomi Garden. It's sweet and the best I've had from any restaurant.

Lastly was the 'Jaeyook Gui- thin slices of marinated pork in a spicy sauce' for $18.95. I wish it was a little sweeter. I didn't find it memorable.

We killed all the food...oh so full.

After the meal was done, they gave us 'rice punch' which was really good and sweet with rice on the bottom.

After dinner the bf and I went to H-Mart down the street to get some Asian snacks!

After dating the bf for a while, it's been hard to eat at Korean restaurants because I think his mom's cooking is the best. So with that said, I think the galbi was excellent, but the bulgogi and jaeyook gui were mediocre. So if you go, just order that. The portion sizes were small for the price too. The cooked down meat was the size of a small appetizer dish for $20. The service was nice, I enjoyed the atmosphere, and it's great for large parties.
If you're Korean, speak it! My bf ordered in English, then as we were leaving he said thank you and bye in Korean, and our waitress told us if he had spoken in Korean earlier, we would have had better care, lol. So just an FYI you guys.

2423 Hickerson Dr
Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 933-0100
Website

Mon-Sun 11:30 am - 10:30 pm