moo shu pork question -- for Chinese people or people knowledgeable

[Anonymous]

We went to a Chinese restaurant that bills itself as Szechuan style and that I think is pretty authentic -- most of the patrons seem to be Chinese, and it was recommended by a friend from China. One of the dishes we ordered was moo shu pork. It didn't come with the crepe/pancakes that I usually expect so I asked the waiter. Her English wasn't very good and she seemed confused, then said they were extra, and I said -- that's okay, we'd like them. Then they came back very apologetic, and said it was their mistake. I said no problem, although I wasn't clear what the mistake was (no charge? no pancakes?). The pancakes then came out much later. They never brought the Hoisin sauce that I usually see with moo shu.

So...can anyone clarify this? Is this a regional variation? Or only Americans order this? Or only Americans want this with pancakes and Hoisin? Or this waiter was just really confused? It did actually seem like she was brand new and she looked really young. The pancakes were excellent and tasted fresh, so I don't think they just took them out of some cupboard for the random Americans. I don't want to be a pain when I order, and I feel like there was a lot lost in translation so any cultural assistance is appreciated.

[Anonymous]

The moo shu pork served in homes in China does not have pancakes or hoisin sauce, according to a Chinese friend as well as the Woks of Life cooking blog. Many restaurants in the US serve both though.

[Anonymous]

You are eating "Western" Chinese food. It is absolutely not the same as what is in China.

[Anonymous]

Moo Shoo isn't Szechuan. It's some American food for Americans to eat there.
I used to eat it in Boston. No pancakes. Pancakes and hoisin are for Peking Duck!

[Anonymous]

Okay so if I go back to this restaurant, consensus is that I should not ask for the pancakes with any moo shu? They do a big Peking duck business there so I guess that’s where they got me the pancakes from.

A lot of the people there were speaking mandarin and previous time I was there was with a Chinese friend who did all the ordering. The waitress also just forgot one of our orders so it was a little hard to tell if we were being weird by asking for it or if she was just not really up to speed on the whole waiting tables thing or what.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are eating "Western" Chinese food. It is absolutely not the same as what is in China.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay so if I go back to this restaurant, consensus is that I should not ask for the pancakes with any moo shu? They do a big Peking duck business there so I guess that’s where they got me the pancakes from.

A lot of the people there were speaking mandarin and previous time I was there was with a Chinese friend who did all the ordering. The waitress also just forgot one of our orders so it was a little hard to tell if we were being weird by asking for it or if she was just not really up to speed on the whole waiting tables thing or what.

Don’t be silly. Eat the way you want to eat. I’d definitely ask for pancakes and sauce because that’s the way I like it!!

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure of the correct answer, but I did just order Mooshu (with pancakes) because it sounds so good! Haha

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are eating "Western" Chinese food. It is absolutely not the same as what is in China.

Just as well. I probably will not like the authentic Chinese. Similar to the Japanese food, I prefer California Roll over raw fish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went to a Chinese restaurant that bills itself as Szechuan style and that I think is pretty authentic -- most of the patrons seem to be Chinese, and it was recommended by a friend from China. One of the dishes we ordered was moo shu pork. It didn't come with the crepe/pancakes that I usually expect so I asked the waiter. Her English wasn't very good and she seemed confused, then said they were extra, and I said -- that's okay, we'd like them. Then they came back very apologetic, and said it was their mistake. I said no problem, although I wasn't clear what the mistake was (no charge? no pancakes?). The pancakes then came out much later. They never brought the Hoisin sauce that I usually see with moo shu.

So...can anyone clarify this? Is this a regional variation? Or only Americans order this? Or only Americans want this with pancakes and Hoisin? Or this waiter was just really confused? It did actually seem like she was brand new and she looked really young. The pancakes were excellent and tasted fresh, so I don't think they just took them out of some cupboard for the random Americans. I don't want to be a pain when I order, and I feel like there was a lot lost in translation so any cultural assistance is appreciated.

LOL that you think a restaurant is authentic bc you deem everyone in it is a certain ethnicity and your one Chinese acquaintance recommended it.

[Anonymous]

OP you went to a terrible restaurant.

I have eat that dish in many countries never once has it come with out hosin sauce and pancakes.

Go somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Eat it however one likes. In China, it does not usually have pancakes and Hoisin sauce. It is all fine.

[Anonymous]

Moo Shu Pork in the US does come with pancakes and sauce. It's one of the main reasons to order it. I've also seen Moo Shu Chicken on the menu.

Ask for it to be served the way you want it. It's not expensive to provide and if they upcharge, so be it. A good restaurant will provide a little tailoring to make a customer happy.

[Anonymous]

For the people crapping on the restaurant without knowing what it is, I’m wondering what Chinese restaurants you would recommend in Montgomery County? Always open to suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the people crapping on the restaurant without knowing what it is, I’m wondering what Chinese restaurants you would recommend in Montgomery County? Always open to suggestions!

RIP Hollywood East.