Dish of the week: Drunken noodles from Tao Yuen

"My go-to order is the ho fun ($6.62), or as my Cantonese-speaking partner likes to call them, drunken noodles. Bouncy rice noodles, thinly sliced cabbage, caramelized onions, and marinated beef are stir-fried in an umami sauce for the dish. It's topped with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, and a smidge of cilantro, creating a symphony of savory and fresh flavors. Tao Yuen is known for its heaping portions, so even if you ask for a small box, expect the server to fill it to the brim."

"On a weekday afternoon, the line snaked past three neighboring storefronts and was only growing as downtown workers emerged from their offices and Chinatown residents headed down for lunch. 816 Franklin St., Oakland [phone] Open daily 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; cash only A no-frills establishment located in the heart of Oakland Chinatown, Tao Yuen serves steaming hot dim sum to-go at accessible prices."

Tao Yuen Pastry sits at 816 Franklin St. in Oakland Chinatown and operates daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the shop is cash-only. The establishment offers accessible-priced, steaming hot dim sum to-go and draws long weekday lines as downtown workers and residents pick up lunch. The ho fun features bouncy rice noodles, thinly sliced cabbage, caramelized onions, and marinated beef stir-fried in an umami sauce, topped with sesame seeds, scallions, and cilantro. Portions are heaping, often requiring rubber bands to secure boxes. Popular pairings include shrimp dumplings, salt-and-pepper shrimp, and fried chicken. Nearby ATMs and transit/parking tips ease pickup.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org