Pots and Pans - Panhandler Food Review: Good Fortune Co.
It feels like Good Fortune can't miss. Famous for their ramen, handmade dumplings, and one-of-a-kind chicken wings, its the immaculate vibes brought on by dedicated staff that keeps us coming back!
Wednesday, March 19th, Panhandler inc. made a stop by the celebrated local ramen shop Good Fortune Co.
I have never met anyone who has had a negative experience at Good Fortune, and frankly, I don’t want to… I am not sure I could trust that person.
Jokes aside, I have to say upfront that I am unabashedly a vocal supporter of Good Fortune. I have been since their inception in 2020. Frankly, Good Fortune has always treated me right. Every. single. time. And I have been many times.
When people visit from out of town and ask where they should eat, I always recommend Good Fortune. So, in some ways, this is more of a check-in on my favorite restaurant. But I will still maintain my objectivity regarding today’s experience.
I want to be upfront with this information because as I continue the Panhandler Inc. Food Review series, which has focused on Asian-inspired Memphis eateries this season (see my reviews of Petals of a Peony and Nagoya House at the end), I want to assure everyone that I do my best to give an honest and objective assessment of my experience. After all, honesty is all I have to offer. I am not a chef or professional critic. I am just a guy who grew up with a mother who is a naturally exceptional cook and a father who grows the freshest produce in Tennessee at Broken Point Farm.
Okay, so in fairness, I would say I know a thing or two. But probably not much more than that. That said, understand I am a regular, unfussy diner who values high-quality, fresh food. This series is designed to help identify those amazing places that care about food as much as we do.
Alright, now that we have that out of the way. Let’s get to the review
Drink: Red Envelope
We shared a “Red Envelope”. This fruity, cucumber, and gin cocktail was incredibly well done — quite sweet and not overly alcohol-y, but very delicious. Its shape and beautiful red color reminded me of the Kool-aid man but just much more sophisticated, like if the Kool-aid man was an architect or something. Served with a single but large cube of ice, with an accouterment featuring a red envelope cause - duh.
And what’s better is that the envelope actually had a real handwritten note inside, saying “Loving yourself isn’t vanity; its sanity” which drew an audible “Awwwwww” from each of us. That was an incredibly cute and appreciated touch. Honestly, you could splash vodka in my eyes and slap me across the face, and I would have been just as tickled by this heartfelt gesture.
I think this drink and its affirmational surprise is a perfect metaphor for why Good Fortune is loved so much. It is quality without arrogance. It goes the extra mile just for the hell of it. It is thoughtful, and it cares for its patrons selflessly.
Bites: Charred Edamame, GFC Wings, Potato Dumplings, Impossible Beef Dumplings
Every time we come to Good Fortune, we get the Charred Edamame. I am not kidding when I say the edamame here has ruined every other restaurant’s edamame for me.
These delicious soybeans are charred and bathed in a shao xing glaze. For those wondering at home, a shao xing glaze uses shao xing wine as a key ingredient, along with other flavor enhancers like soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, and aromatics like ginger and garlic. I am not sure exactly how Good Fortune achieves this for their glaze, but it is divine. Do not forget to dip them in the smoked chili sea salt, which is the perfect sidekick for this fresh soybean dish.
In addition, I got the GFC Wings.
So, let’s face it. These are the best wings in Memphis.
I am tired of pretending they are not. Maybe next season, I will do a Memphis wings review and get to the bottom of the long-standing debate on that front, but I truly believe that the flavor, composition, and uniqueness of the Good Fortune wings are unmatched.
Really, that is all I have to say about that. Go try them for yourself and get on the bandwagon.
Additionally, my partner ordered two sets of dumplings for her main course. The vegetarian/vegan friendliness is another reason that we continue to come back again and again. We appreciate that the menu has an almost even split of vegetarian/vegan options.
The impossible beef dumpling is a classic dumpling. They are handcrafted and yet are almost so perfect and uniform that you would think they are machine-made. But make no mistake, the quality of these is something no machine could achieve. The bite is juicy and chewy, and the impossible beef could fool even the most experienced carnivores. It has a rich ginger flavor and is complemented by a delicious chili oil that the dumplings swim in before you bite.
On the other end of the spectrum of dumplings, the potato dumplings are crispy and fried, with a warm pillowy potato filling. Served with a creamy sauce drizzled on top, the fried potato dumplings are the distantly related and more aristocratic cousin of a basket of fries. Elevated, but still perfect to split with friends (or keep all to yourself!).
Main: Mazeman
Good Fortune Company’s brotheless ramen: The Mazeman
For my main course, I had the brothless ramen called the Mazeman. The Mazeman is served with soboro, which is a richly flavored ground beef, on a bed of handmade noodles and miso mushrooms topped with an egg yolk. Once you mix the egg into the rest of the dish, you get a delightfully creamy and savory ramen. This is a wonderful spring and summertime ramen since it does not come with broth like the other options.
Overall, the Mazeman leans into hardiness with the addition of the beef and egg yolk but does not leave you feel like you are dragging by being overly salted, thanks to the combination of the naturally rich flavors that work hand-in-hand together.
Dessert: Blueberry and Yuzu Ice Cream
We were on our big back activity tonight and finished our evening with the flavor of the month, Blueberry and Yuzu ice cream. Yuzu is a lemon and mandarin flavor that is very floral and slightly citrusy, and it pairs amazingly with the blueberry sweetness it is served with. Served in a fluffy waffle cone in the shape of a large-mouth bass, I can only hope you have saved enough room to enjoy the whole thing. It is always worth it.
Takeaways:
Takeaways:
Good Fortune remains an elite choice for incredible food and continues to assert itself as one of Memphis’ best restaurants. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the incredible vibes, great bar staff, and wonderful servers. The staff will remember you and you will remember them. Seeing the same faces over and over again when you visit indicates that they treat their employees right and value their contributions to their unimpeachable approach to the customer experience. It creates a neighborly and inviting atmosphere that’s a staple of Memphis’s friendly and laid-back culture.
Good Fortune is, without a doubt, one of the city’s most valuable assets for its combination of incredible food and first-class dining experience. I am thankful to have such a reliable, affordable, and delicious option in the downtown area to come to again and again. I think it is important to highlight just how difficult it is to run a restaurant at this high of a level and not cut corners on a single aspect of the business. With the recent losses of several Memphis food and drinking options in the city, it is paramount for locals and tourists to take their spending money to places like this that so selflessly dedicate themselves to their passion.
So, remember:
Loving yourself (and loving Good fortune) is not vanity; it’s sanity
5/5
To see more about Good Fortune’s approach to food, check out their feature on Guy Fierei’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
