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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You’re a jerk.

ALSO incorrect. OP, moo shu is a northern Chinese store dish and is served with rice not pancakes. The addition of pancakes is an Americanism, so pancakes would not be available im a truly authentic restaurant. ALso, plum sauce would not be served as that is Cantonese (southern). If any sauce is served it would be hoisin.

Who expects mid-priced Chinese restaurants in America to be authentic?

If they offer fortune cookies (also an Americanism), pancakes should be served with Moo Shu.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You’re a jerk.

ALSO incorrect. OP, moo shu is a northern Chinese store dish and is served with rice not pancakes. The addition of pancakes is an Americanism, so pancakes would not be available im a truly authentic restaurant. ALso, plum sauce would not be served as that is Cantonese (southern). If any sauce is served it would be hoisin.

Who expects mid-priced Chinese restaurants in America to be authentic?

If they offer fortune cookies (also an Americanism), pancakes should be served with Moo Shu.

They did not offer fortune cookies and I would say it was more than mid priced. This thread was helpful … the waitress was so apologetic about not bringing them but also seemed totally unclear on what we were asking for. As I said, she seemed like a brand new waitress and didn’t speak great English. I think she went back to ask someone and they probably aaid — oh, it’s that table of white people, yeah the white people always want pancakes, take them from the Peking duck table.
She also came back to double check that we actually wanted something that I think is maybe knd of an unusual order for white people (spicy double fried pig intestines).

[Anonymous]

In NY we always got those really thin pancakes with moo shu, when when I moved here at a couple restaurants in VA they would give regular flour tortillas, which seemed so odd. Tortillas like the big Mission ones from the grocery store.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I’m the opposite. Before I moved to China 10 years ago, I thought I didn’t like Chinese food (I’m in my forties). I found out that I don’t like American Chinese food but I love Chinese food, particularly northern. I’m back in the US and am sad to not be able to find it here very often.

They are two different cuisines. Or rather, many different cuisines because Chinese food varies widely across China. No harm in preferring American Chinese food. It’s just another offshoot of Chinese food and has its own significant following.