N13

We have to go with the Exxon Valdez comment. Everything was just pure grease. We had the spring rolls. They were dripping grease. Then tried the pork belly wontons. Again, even after using several napkins to sop up grease, still too greasy. Beef in the noodle bowl had no flavor whatsoever. The rice bowl also did not have flavors blended. Had a bite of each and took rest home and fed it to the crows. Hope they are not mad at us.

Reasonable prices, quick service, and friendly staff. The stir fry dishes are palatable, especially the szechuan stir. But nearly every entrée option lacks both texture and flavor. The soup noodles are bad, despite the revamped menu: every single broth option is blander than a watered-​down pack of Top Ramen and utterly lacking in umami. So much oil winds up in the broth that you could skim it off the top and use it to make fried chicken for a family of four. The noodles in both the broth and the stir-​fry dishes are rendered a soggy mess due to the combination of overcooking and the Deepwater Horizon treatment. Meat and vegetable portions are ornamentally small. The ramen’s nori is soggy, and its eggs are lost in the broth because they’re not medium-​boiled before their addition. I’ve encountered tiny pieces of eggshell on several occasions – perhaps the only texture available at N13. The «pepper sauce» tastes like peppercorn-​flavored grease. The seaweed salad, although surprisingly quite good, is offered in a single portion size so small that the entire thing could be sandwiched between two saltines. And the potstickers, another one of the more flavorful menu items, are still dripping with oil and should come with their own sauce.
The good news, however, is that this place has plenty of potential. Hamilton, NY, is devoid of quality Asian cooking, and if N13 can figure out the basics of flavor and texture, it will be able to capture a large clientele, particularly in the take-​out business. It should also take advantage of the lack of late-​night dining options on Friday and Saturday nights and stay open late – if its food becomes tasty, it will be able to capitalize on the crucial college town «rush hour». It should also expand its already good beverage selection to include high quality hot and/​or bubble tea, both high-​margin menu items with quick table turnover. And finally, it should embrace delivery, contracting students and locals to drive via a service like UberEats, Grubhub, or Crunchbutton. But none of these ideas are worth much if N13 can’t up the quality of its food.

We stopped in to try the new N13. While it was not wonderful, it wasn’t terrible either. Looks like it would be better for take-​out, as the dining room is exceptionally small. Two tables that seat two, and a counter with a half dozen or so stools. My wife ordered the Pad Thai, and I got the Pad See Ew, both with chicken. We liked the kind of «build your own» aspect to it by being able to add different proteins and quantities. We both got ours with chicken, but you could also add Ribeye, Shrimp, Egg and Tofu. My wife’s Pad Thai was very bland, without a lot of flavor. My Pad See Ew was alright, but nothing to really get excited about. My main complaint would be that when we sat at the table, it was FILTHY. I don’t mean it was a little messy, or needed to be wiped, I mean it was filthy. Crumbs, smudges, and brown sticky liquid (I assume some soy based sauce) across the table. It didn’t really set a nice atmosphere. I would’ve also liked if they had some fountain drinks and you didn’t have to buy individual bottles, but that’s minor. All-​in-​all, I imagine we’ll stick with other options.

Gross. We’ve tried the Pad Thai, sesame ramen, and the sweet chili. It’s like the Exxon Valdez in a cardboard box. Regardless of what you read on the menu, there were no radish, shallot, nor garlic chives to be found in any of those dishes. The sesame ramen had no detectable sesame in any form, tasting entirely of canola oil. I love greasy noodles, but one serving from N13 is enough to kill a flock of cormorants. Save your money: you could do better on a hot-​plate in your dorm room.

I lived in Asia for 12 years, so I know authentic Asian cooking. Our family of four decided to give N13 a try; genuine Asian cuisine is hard to come by in CNY, though it’s improving with the influx of immigrants. We were blown away by the dishes we had — three noodle and one soup. All were perfectly cooked with the right balance of spices, convincing us we needed to make this little hole in the wall a regular stop. A couple we met who frequent N13 also spoke highly of the food. The menu features set dishes, or you can «build» your own.
The American-​born cook takes his job so seriously that he takes lessons from a Chinese-​owned eatery in Syracuse. N13 is tiny, with only two small 2-​chair aluminum tables and five stools against a wall bench. So, it’s not a place for group dining. Rather it’s really designed for a quick bite. (And get a nice frozen yogurt dessert across the street at Yogate.) Prices are low.

This place is such a treat! All the dishes are really yummy, though my favorites have to be the dumplings and the stir fry. The flavors are all really complimentary, and it is definitely a very satisfying meal. Is it possible to go too often?

I love coming here when I need a quick Asian fix. This place is absolutely delicious. If you have a chance to stop in, try their Sweet Chili Chicken dish. It’s so yummy!