New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Mu Shi Pork
Mu Shi is, in essence, the Chinese version of a burrito or a wrap. Alternate spellings are Mu Shu, Moo Shu, or Mu Xu. This dish is an interactive one and in my opinion, a good gimmick to get your child to try it – getting some vegetables into his or her body without realizing it.
The dish is primarily shredded green cabbage, pork, thinly sliced carrots, scallions, bean sprouts, wood ear mushrooms, and a small amount of scrambled egg. Though there are quite a few variations circulating. It is accompanied by a small dish of sweet, salty Hoisin sauce and a bunch of warm, steamed tortilla-like pancakes.
The interactive part is making the taco or burrito since, in my entire life, I have never had a restaurant explain the proper way to do it. I guess, it’s like a famous cookie, whereby there is more than one way. What I do is smear a little Hoisin sauce on the pancake, spoon in the deliciousness, roll it into a cylinder, fold the bottom flap up and then proceed to fail and embarrass myself. But at least everyone else gets to have a laugh.
All that aside, it is absolutely delicious and I have enjoyed every version of it from any restaurant I’ve eaten it.
I’m trying to expand my diet to more exotic foods, and I appreciate your tips on how to be more explorative with Chinese food. You’re right that I, like a lot of people, tend to stick with my favorite foods and not branch out often. The Mu Shi Pork you talked about sounds amazing, though, and I’ll definitely have to give it a try next time I’m in a Chinese restaurant.
I have never heard of the Egg Foo Young dish before. What kind of dish is that? My husband is always in the market for new Chinese dishes, as that is his favorite type of cuisine. I will have to share these dishes with him, so he has something new to try the next time we go out.
I can totally relate to the part where you mentioned that you mostly order dishes that have gained positive reviews from other people. I’m not someone who would usually explore Chinese restaurants, but seeing a lot of them online makes me want to try it. It would be better if I’ll check the reviews first before ordering from a specific restaurant.