Location Highlight: Susu Gourmet
Ratings:
Overall: 4.5/5
Food: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Cleanliness: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Coming from the food heaven of Hong Kong, my family and I are always searching for the best Cantonese cuisines for a taste of home. We have tried countless restaurants, but they could only mimic a fraction of Hong Kong’s flavor and style. As the years went by, we have all but accepted that there is just no restaurant in Boston that’s an acceptable substitute of Cantonese cuisine (except for Yummy Cafe which closed its doors during the pandemic).
One day, a friend who was born and raised in Guangzhou recommended to me Susu Gourmet. Being an 8 minute walk from the main Chinatown streets, I have never noticed it before. With my family, we decided to go and test it out.
Truthfully, the walk there was not pleasant, the streets were littered with garbage, the smell of it permeating through the air. When we entered, it was a dinky little place with only a few tables and chairs. The owners were chatting in Taishanese, about to eat their lunch (we came around 3pm). I firmly believe that the trashier a place is, the better it tastes. We sat down and ordered the fried milk, the Su su chicken, the Eel claypot rice, and the fried rice noodle. The owners were very nice and recommended some additional items for us. They can speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese, and English.
It took a long time for the food to come out, but it did not disappoint when it did. The fried rice noodle unlocked a memory I didn’t know I had of Hong Kong. I distinctly remember the flavor but I haven’t eaten it since I arrived in America 13 years ago. The fried milk exploded in my mouth, burning it in the process, but it was well worth the burnt tongue. For the eel claypot rice, the chef , an old grandma, came out personally to help us stir it around, ensuring we get as much crispy rice as possible. It was the best claypot rice I had since coming to America. The food and the vibes there were so authentic that it brought me right back to Hong Kong, where my grandmas still reside.
The bill was not too bad for Massachusetts standards. It was around $15 per person with tip and we were stuffed by the end of it. We could not stop talking about how authentic and delicious the food was, bringing my family closer together that afternoon.
Susu Gourmet is definitely the best place to go to for some authentic Cantonese food. The claypot rices are a must try, but the others are close contenders. It is a true hidden gem of Boston and Chinatown.
It is important to support both Asian businesses and small businesses in these times. In my MarkitApp account (@kristin), I aim to highlight the best spots for Asian cuisine, as well as telling the honest truth of whether something is worth it or not. Cantonese cuisine is not something you can eat alone. If you are new in town or your family and friends are uncultured, the MarkitApp can help you find like minded people to try out great spots, such as this restaurant!